Course coordinator
Dr Luigi Vandi
Please email Dr Luigi Vandi to arrange a consultation.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
Systems engineering design principles and their interface with project management tools and techniques. Systems engineering principles encompass (i) system design processes (ii) product realisation processes and (iii) technical management processes. Project management techniques include (i) work breakdown structures and resourcing (ii) critical path analysis and (iii) cost estimation and procurement planning.
This course forms part of a continuum of courses in the design stream for mechanical and mechatronic engineering students. It bridges the gap between MECH2305 Introduction to Engineering Design and Manufacturing, MECH2100 Machine Element Design, and MECH3100 Systems Engineering Practice. The objective of MECH3610 is to introduce students to a systems engineering framework to assist with:
- Capturing stakeholder needs, defining requirements, through to system design.
- Engineering project management.
- Use of digital Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform to manage complex systems.
Students will apply system engineering principles learnt in MECH3610 into MECH3100 to develop a new concept and continue through design engineering and manufacturing to demonstrate their design prototypes.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ENGG1100 and MECH2305
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENGG4800 and MECH3600
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are to provide students with competencies in systems engineering, conceptual design, team and project management, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply a systems engineering framework to develop a concept design for an engineering challenge.
LO2.
Conduct a stakeholder analysis and develop a set of system requirements related to the project.
LO3.
Define a system architecture including physical and functional allocation for the design.
LO4.
Develop, evaluate and select conceptual designs to satisfy the system requirements.
LO5.
Manage the digital workflow associated with the concept design using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
LO6.
Work as a member of the team to deliver a concept report and communicate this effectively.
LO7.
Apply project management fundamentals to manage the concept design project.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation, Project | System Concept (Team) | 20% |
19/03/2026
Oral Presentation and PLM elements due during Workshop Sessions. Peer Assessment 1 - Due on Friday 20/03/2026 5:00pm |
| Project |
Subsystem Design (Individual)
|
30% |
30/04/2026 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Systems Design Report (Team) | 50% |
29/05/2026 5:00 pm
Peer Assessment 2 - Due 29/05/2026 6:00pm |
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
System Concept (Team)
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
19/03/2026
Oral Presentation and PLM elements due during Workshop Sessions.
Peer Assessment 1 - Due on Friday 20/03/2026 5:00pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
System Concept (Assessment 1) includes the System Concept Oral Presentation as well as elements in the PLM digital platform.
Please refer to the MECH3610 Learning Guide for assessment details and marking criteria.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission instructions are available on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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.
Subsystem Design (Individual)
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
30/04/2026 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Subsystem Design (Assessment 2) includes the Subsystem Design Interview, elements in the PLM digital platform and incorporate questions to demonstrate your learnings from seminars.
Please refer to the MECH3610 Learning Guide for assessment details and marking criteria.
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 only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their subsystem design and PLM digital platform independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
A 40% hurdle is applied on this individual assessment.Submission guidelines
Submission instructions are available on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Discretionary extensions are not available for this task.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are capped to 14 days as the students' individual subsystem is incorporated into the Systems Design Report. Further delays to the submission of this assessment item impacts the team's ability to prepare a complete Systems Design Report submission by the due date and time.
As this is timed-assessment, Student Access Plans (SAPs) an discretionary reqests are not suitable supporting documentation for requesting an extension. Students must provide evidence that demonstrates their inability to attend the interview at their scheduled time.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Consistent with industry practice, interviews are scheduled and time-bound and do not allow for the application of a late penalty on a sliding scale.
Systems Design Report (Team)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
29/05/2026 5:00 pm
Peer Assessment 2 - Due 29/05/2026 6:00pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
System Design Report (Assessment A3) involves writing of a final report as a team as well as elements in the PLM digital platform..
Please refer to the MECH3610 Learning Guide for assessment details and marking criteria.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission instructions are available on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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 - 19.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any relevant knowledge. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any relevant knowledge of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate and irrelevant. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Some knowledge of the subject is evident but the student only demonstrates a limited understanding of the underlying concepts. Requires an acceptable level of achievement (expect 3 or above) - and overall course grade will be subject to the judgement of lecturers involved in each area). All assignments must be completed and required material submitted. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and at least a partial understanding of the underlying concepts. Has some correct and incorrect information. Requires an acceptable level of achievement (expect 4 or above) All assignments must be completed and required material submitted. A minimum 40% in the 'Individual Subsystem Design assessment. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a sound understanding of key concepts. There are only minor factual inaccuracies. (expect 5 or above) All assignments must be completed and required material submitted. A minimum 40% in the 'Individual Subsystem Design assessment. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems. There are only minor factual inaccuracies and no irrelevant information. (expect 6 or above) All assignments must be completed and required material submitted. A minimum 40% in the 'Individual Subsystem Design assessment. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesize information from different aspects of the subject (expect 7). All assignments must be completed and required material submitted. A minimum 40% in the 'Individual Subsystem Design assessment. |
Additional course grading information
The ‘Individual Subsystem Design’ is an individual assessment to be submitted by each student. For this assessment a minimum of 40% mark is required to pass the course. Any score below 40% will mean failure of the course. Identity verification for this assessment is conducted as part of the interview.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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.ﾠ
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
The ‘Individual Subsystem Design’ is an individual assessment to be submitted by each student. For this assessment a minimum of 40% mark is required to pass the course. Any score below 40% will mean failure of the course. Identity verification for this assessment is conducted as part of the interview.
Peer Assessment factors (PAF) are applied to Assessment A2 and A5.
The PAF considers each team member's (i) contribution to the team (ii) contribution to the project and (iii) contributions to the report.
The maximum PAF score that can be achieved is capped at 1.1. The minimum PAF is zero (i.e. zero contribution = zero PAF).ﾠ
A students individual mark for the systems report is calculated as follows: (Base report mark) x PAF - (Any applicable late penalty).
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
Learning resources for MECH3610 are available through The MECH3610 Learning Guide Document available on Blackboard together with Workshops slides and other course documents.
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 8 |
Seminar |
Seminar Series Specific Seminar schedule is available on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L07 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Workshop Series Specific Workshops schedule is available on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.