Course coordinator
Professor Mohsen Yahyaei
Professor Yahyaei will be available for consultation Mondays, from 14:00-16:00.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
This course will explore the multifaceted landscape of international professional engineering practice. The goal of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change and implement effective design solutions in real-world contexts.
Students will investigate business decision-making, economic drivers relevant to engineering projects, and key concepts required for professional practice within the sustainable development framework for projects in different countries. The course will strongly focus on how international and specific local contexts affect engineering projects in practice. Throughout the course, each student will contribute their knowledge and experience. Students will actively collaborate to produce engineering project proposals that account for stakeholder management, risk analysis, and sustainability considerations.
Students will explore the ethical responsibilities inherent in engineering practice as part of their individual development. Additionally, students will enhance their knowledge and skills through interactions with other team members.
This course will explore the multifaceted landscape of international professional engineering practice. The goal of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change and implement effective design solutions in real-world contexts.
Students will investigate business decision-making, economic drivers relevant to engineering projects, and key concepts required for professional practice within the sustainable development framework for projects in different countries. The course will strongly focus on how international and specific local contexts affect engineering projects in practice. Throughout the course, each student will contribute their knowledge and experience. Students will actively engage in collaborative work to produce engineering project proposals that account for stakeholder management, risk analysis, and sustainability considerations.
Students will explore the ethical responsibilities inherent in engineering practice as part of their individual development. Additionally, students will enhance their knowledge and skills through interactions with other team members.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Understanding fundamental engineering concepts and practices, including design, analysis, and problem-solving techniques.
Familiarity with basic business concepts, economic principles, and decision-making processes relevant to engineering projects.
Awareness of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, their principles, how they apply to engineering, and knowledge of environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Basic understanding of ethical considerations and responsibilities in engineering practice, including professional codes of conduct and ethical decision-making frameworks.
Teamwork and effective communication skills are essential for collaborating on engineering project proposals and interacting with diverse team members.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENGG4900, ENGG4901, ENGG4902
Restrictions
Enrolment Restricted to students in the GCEngSc, MEngSc and MEngSc(Man) in the field of Mechanical, Mechatronic or Materials and Manufacturing, MBioeng(Prof), MChemEng(Prof), MCivilEng(Prof), MElecEng(Prof), MMatManEng(Prof), MMechEng(Prof), MSoftEng(Prof), MUrbWatEng(Prof) and the ME program.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
In this course, you will apply business decision-making processes relevant to engineering projects through practical case studies and real-world scenarios. You will develop project analysis skills, focusing on decision stages through to the final investment decision. This includes using standard financial analysis methods that determine expected returns on investment and can be used to quantify financial risks. The course will deepen your understanding of ethical professional engineering practice, with a focus on economic, social, environmental, and organisational considerations in engineering projects. You will develop your professional and interpersonal skills, communication and collaboration, by working in diverse teams.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Work effectively in diverse teams to deliver feasibility study reports and project pitch for an engineering project.
LO2.
Develop engineering project scopes that align with project goals and stakeholder expectations.
LO3.
Critically analyse and articulate the ethical responsibilities of engineers, specifically focusing on their duty to investors, clients, stakeholders, society, and future generations.
LO4.
Evaluate engineering project risks associated with finance, logistics, policy, and other factors.
LO5.
Identify key stakeholders for an engineering project.
LO6.
Develop engagement plans to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders of engineering projects from a global perspective.
LO7.
Apply a suitable sustainable framework to an engineering project in a global context.
LO8.
Evaluate and analyse economical feasibility and investment options, taking into consideration the costs, benefits, and sustainability of engineering project proposals.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Performance |
Group Work Management. Professionalism shown in and outside team meetings.
|
5% |
26/02/2025 - 30/05/2025
The schedule will be provided on Blackboard. |
| Project | Team Charter DRAFT (version 1.0) | 5% |
10/03/2025 - 21/03/2025
Bring the draft to class to review with the teaching team before submission. Submission due at 16:00. Each team requires one submission. No individual submission is required. Peer assessment due by Monday 24 March 16.00. |
| Presentation |
Oral Presentation
|
30% |
28/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
The schedule for presentations will be provided two weeks in advance. Peer assessment due by Monday 02/06/25 16:00 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequence of Reports
|
60% |
Assignment 1 (10%) 4/04/2025 Peer Assessment 1 7/04/2025 Assignment 2 (20%) 9/05/2025 Peer Assessment 2 12/05/2025 Final Report (30%) 10/06/2025 Peer Assessment 3 11/06/2025
All assessment due at 16:00. Each team requires one submission. No individual submission is required. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Group Work Management. Professionalism shown in and outside team meetings.
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Performance
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
26/02/2025 - 30/05/2025
The schedule will be provided on Blackboard.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Team meetings with the teaching team in the timetabled sessions during the semester are to work on exercises to build skills for the assignments. Students will receive briefings from the teaching team and faculty members, with an opportunity to ask questions, review progress and contributions, track team management, and receive feedback on assignments.
Submission guidelines
This assessment item does not have a submission.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
As there is no submission (i.e., you are judged on your performance across the semester), there is no ability to extend this assessment item.
Team Charter DRAFT (version 1.0)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
10/03/2025 - 21/03/2025
Bring the draft to class to review with the teaching team before submission.
Submission due at 16:00.
Each team requires one submission. No individual submission is required.
Peer assessment due by Monday 24 March 16.00.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
A team charter is a document the team produces as a tool to help the team function effectively and achieve the team goals in this course.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide limited support and guidance.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the Draft via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students will be provided with feedback within 15-21 days of the original due date.
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Oral Presentation
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
28/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
The schedule for presentations will be provided two weeks in advance.
Peer assessment due by Monday 02/06/25 16:00
Task description
Group oral presentation with slides based on Assignments 1 and 2 and the draft of the Final Report, giving the key recommendations for the project you investigated.
Each group member must present an (approximately) equal portion of the presentation. Total time: 10 min plus 5 min Q&A
Note: Groups will be present only for their presentation timeslot.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted except for generating and creating graphical content for slide aesthetics that are properly referenced.
Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must participate in your team presentation and receive at least 40% of the presentation mark.Submission guidelines
Slides should be submitted via email by Friday, 23rd of May 16.00.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students will be provided with feedback within 15-21 days of the original due date.
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
The nature of a group oral presentation does not allow for the application of a late penalty with a sliding scale as they are presented within the workshop timeslot.
Groups must also participate in the Q&A session as active audience members. Groups that receive an extension do not fulfil this requirement.
Sequence of Reports
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
Assignment 1 (10%) 4/04/2025
Peer Assessment 1 7/04/2025
Assignment 2 (20%) 9/05/2025
Peer Assessment 2 12/05/2025
Final Report (30%) 10/06/2025
Peer Assessment 3 11/06/2025
All assessment due at 16:00.
Each team requires one submission. No individual submission is required.
Task description
Assignment 1 (LOs 2, 4, 8) is the first sequence report that contributes to the final project. It covers topics related to project finance in the first portion of the course.
Assignment 2 (LOs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) covers topics in the course's second and final portion dealing with sustainability, stakeholder engagement, project ethics, and project risk.
The Final Report (LOs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) covers the information from the two interim reports (Assignments 1 and 2) and findings from the oral presentation. The teaching team's feedback from the interim reports is expected to have been incorporated into the Final Report. This report should present an integrated analysis, synthesising key recommendations, including a Final Investment Decision.
Please refer to Blackboard for a detailed marking criteria.
These tasks have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide limited support and guidance.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission is via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students will be provided with feedback within 15-21 days of the original due date.
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.00 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfyingﾠbasic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: To obtain a 4 (or higher) you must: (a) exceed a 40% average (arithmetic mean) for your two lowest assignment marks (b) participate in your team presentation and receive at least 40% of the presentation mark. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
To obtain a 4 (or higher), you must:
(a) exceed a 40% average (arithmetic mean) for your two lowest assignment marks.ﾠ
(b) participate in your team presentation andﾠreceive at least 40% of the presentation mark.
Group assignments receive a single mark for the assignment as a whole.ﾠ
The mark of each individual team member onﾠeach group assignment is calculated as the Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) multiplied by the group mark.ﾠ
The Peer Assessment Factor is calculated using the UQ published formula. PAF scores are reviewed and may be moderated by the teaching team in consultation with the course coordinator.
Lack of participation as determined by the teaching team, assignment contribution, and peer assessment can be grounds for receiving very low individual marks.ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment can take any form, for example, an oral or a written exam. Students who are eligible and approved for a supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is an examination are expected to be available to sit the supplementary exam during the University’s Deferred and Supplementary examination period. Once approved, the student cannot rescind the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Assessment items submitted using the Turnitin link on the course Blackboard site will check your work for evidence of plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct as per guidelines provided for each assessment.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Required Resources
An ENGG7901 Blackboard site will contain learning resources and other course information and also direct students to relevant external information in the library and on the internet.
Recommended Resources
The textbook below is not specified for this course, but interested students may wish to refer to it.
Trevelyan, J.P. (2014) The Making of an Expert Engineer how to have a wonderful career creating a better world and spending lots of money belonging to other people, Taylor & Francis, London.
or
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.1201/b17434/making-expert-engineer-james-trevelyan
Assignment Writing
Finding assignments a little overwhelming? The UQ guides for writing assignments will help you prepare.
Other Learning Resources and Information
Students will be required to access information from the following sources as directed by course assessment:
- Business journal articles
- Industry case studies and project reports, which are open-access
- On-line resources: academic papers, industry conference proceedings, YouTube presentations and talks
- Books: Business & Project Management / Strategy / Leadership / Organisation
The experience of working in the mode of professional practice within a team environment is a core element of this course. Such experience cannot be gained from books, papers, lectures, or videos. It comes through practice. That is why this course is designed around group-based assignments undertaken by teams from a mix of engineering disciplines: to reflect the real world of professional practice through multi-disciplinary teams working on complex engineering projects.
From time to time, conflicts may arise in a team. This happens often in professional practice in the real world, and some students and some teams in this course will have direct experience of these very human challenges. The teaching team is conscious of this and is there to provide support through the protocol of: in the first instance, team discussion referring to the principles in the team's Teach Charter, seeking the advice of the teaching team for an unresolved conflict, dispute or problem. If those steps have not resolved the issue, the advice or intervention of the course coordinator should be requested. Applying this process, putting the Team Charter to work, and updating it if needed are among the most valuable learning experiences available to students in this course.
Teamwork resources for students
UQ Library Modules:
- Communicate and collaborate online - effective online communication, email and discussion forum etiquette, group work tools
- eProfessionalism - communicating in an online professional environment
- Social media - social media as a learning tool, your online brand, online safety
The Student Services website covers the following topics:
- Forming a group
- Working as a group
- Resolving group work issues
Templates for team contracts: UQ library group charter example, Teams101x Team Contract Template.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Theory sessions and discussions Intensive theory/discussion sessions on key principles in management, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, project development and financial analysis to enhance decision making in engineering projects and practice. Ethical considerations are prominent throughout the content. |
Workshop |
Tutorial sessions Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Team Based Learning |
Assignments Working in small groups of nominally five or six students addressing problems and challenges which reflect the concepts covered in lectures to practice. |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Team Based Learning |
Group Oral Presentation Group presentation slides to be submitted electronically and delivered in class. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.