Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
Introduction to control system design; system modelling principles for electrical and mechanical systems; the Laplace transform; block diagram modelling; open and closed loop control; role of feedback; transient and steady state performance; root locus; frequency response analysis; compensator design, practical issues in the implementation of control systems.
Control systems engineering is an area of engineering focused on creating, analyzing, and implementing control systems. These systems consist of various components that manage the operation of machines, processes, or larger systems. The aim is to develop control systems that are stable, accurate, and robust, while also considering factors like cost, reliability, and safety.
In this field, engineers use mathematical models to understand and design these systems. They apply different methods and tools such as transfer functions and feedback control to achieve the required performance. They also employ computer simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing to ensure their designs work as intended before they are implemented.
Control systems engineering has applications in many areas like aerospace, automation, automotive, chemical processing, and power generation. This course introduces you to the fundamental concepts, focusing mainly on classical control theory. It lays the groundwork for a more in-depth understanding.
During the course, you will learn how to:
- Create models of mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical systems.
- Analyze the transient and steady-state performance of these systems.
- Use feedback principles to modify system performance to meet specific requirements.
You'll study various case studies to understand the wide range of control engineering applications and the challenges involved. The course includes a practical project where you'll design and test a control system for an electro-mechanical system to meet a set specification.
By the end of this course, you will have gained skills in designing, modelling, and implementing feedback control systems.ﾠ And you will be a better human because ofﾠthis.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
For this course, a foundational understanding of basic physics concepts, such as forces and motion, energy, and simple electrical laws (Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws), is ideal. You should be proficient in algebra, understand the fundamentals of differential calculus, including differentiation and integration, and be familiar with complex numbers. The ability to construct free body diagrams and a basic understanding of dynamic systems, as covered in courses like MECH2210 or ELEC2004, are also beneficial. While knowledge of solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using Laplace Transformation, as taught in MATH2010, is assumed, the course will revisit this topic, providing an opportunity for reinforcement.
This course in control systems is interdisciplinary and applies across various engineering disciplines. It integrates concepts from mechanical and electrical engineering, among other areas. Electrical engineering students should be prepared to grasp mechanical dynamics principles, particularly Newton's Laws of Motion. Conversely, mechanical engineering students should familiarize themselves with fundamental electrical circuit theory, including Kirchhoff's Laws. Students have often noted that the course's comprehensive nature enhances their understanding, linking together various concepts learned in previous courses into a cohesive framework.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MECH2210 or ELEC2004
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
METR3200 or METR7200
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Tyson Phillips
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
You need to sign on for one of the tutorial sessions and one of the practical sessions.ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
In this course, you will learn the fundamental principles, tools, and methods that are essential in control systems engineering. By the end of the course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of what control systems engineering encompasses and where it can be applied. Additionally, you will improve your ability to model and analyze these systems, and you will acquire skills in designing control systems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Formulate Systems Models suitable for control system design.
LO2.
Analyse system models to understand behaviour including transient and steady state response and closed-loop system stability.
LO3.
Design and implement feedback control loops focussing on proportional, integral and derivative compensation (and combinations thereof) in feedback control.
LO4.
Function effectively in teams by contributing constructively as a team member in the completion of practical exercises.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration | Laboratory Work | 10% |
At scheduled practical sessions. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment Aligned to Practicals | 25% |
Practical 2 (5%) 17/03/2025 9:00 am Practical 3 (5%) 14/04/2025 9:00 am Practical 4 (5%) 2/05/2025 7:00 pm Practical 5 (10%) 19/05/2025 9:00 am |
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
20% |
7/04/2025 6:00 pm
Specific locations will be distributed via Blackboard closer to the examination date. |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Please refer to your personal exam timetable on my.UQ. |
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
Laboratory Work
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
At scheduled practical sessions.
Task description
During the semester, you will complete five laboratory tasks that are directly related to the lectures and practical assignments. Each of these tasks is based around a worksheet, which you can download from the course's Blackboard site. During practicals students work in small groups and complete a worksheet (one worksheet per group) During the practical sessions, casual demonstrators will be available to assist you with using the experimental equipment and to help clarify the concepts you are learning.
Laboratories 2, 3, 4, and 5 are paired with an Assignment Aligned to the Practical (AAP) which is completed and submitted in advance of doing the practical. Both the practical and its aligned assignment are designed to reinforce and deepen your understanding of the course's learning objectives.
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. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Students who experience challenges with their laboratory team can access resources online here. Teams unable to resolve their challenges should reach out to the immediate teaching team for assistance.
Criteria and Marking:
Assessment will be based on casual demonstrator observations of each group's participation in the practical and understanding of the concepts covered.
Casual demonstrators will assign each group a mark of 0, 1, or 2 in each practical based on the following criteria:
0 - The group did not actively participate in the practical and/or demonstrate sufficient understanding.
1 - The group participated in the practical, completed most the work and demonstrated some (but not full) understanding of the concepts involved through answers to the worksheet questions, engaging effectively as a team to do so
2 - The group participated in the practical, completed the work and demonstrated an understanding of the concepts involved through answers to the worksheet questions, engaging effectively as a team to do so.
Casual demonstrators will progressively mark each group during the practical using the practical worksheet and provide feedback on responses. Completed worksheets will be archived by the responsible casual demonstrator, who will record marks obtained by each group against the group members' names. Each student is responsible for ensuring that their name is recorded on the group worksheet. Each student is encouraged to complete an individual copy of the worksheet during the practical for their own records.
Submission guidelines
Assessment is completed as part of a scheduled class. Students who fail to complete a practical will receive a score of 0 for that practical.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students unable to attend their scheduled class must email Course Coordinator giving exceptional circumstances, as detailed on https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam, AND should indicate three sessions that they can attend in order of preference, to request a rescheduled or make-up session. It should be noted that practicals run in two-week blocks.
Assignment Aligned to Practicals
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Practical 2 (5%) 17/03/2025 9:00 am
Practical 3 (5%) 14/04/2025 9:00 am
Practical 4 (5%) 2/05/2025 7:00 pm
Practical 5 (10%) 19/05/2025 9:00 am
Task description
This assignment aligns with the work you will complete in Practical 2. It involves:
- Forming a transfer function for a mechanical system using provided equations of motion.
- Developing a Simulink model of that system.
- Using Simulink to predict the system's time response to impulse, step, and sinusoidal inputs.
- Applying analytical methods to interpret the time response.
This assignment is aligned with the work you will complete in Practical 3. It involves developing an understanding of:
- How feedback structures can be used to endow a system with specified dynamic properties.
- The physical interpretation of the Proportional (P) and Derivative (D) terms in a PID controller.
- The effect of zeros on the response of a system.
This assignment is aligned with the work you will complete in Practical 4. It involves:
- Developing transfer functions that relate the controller error to command and disturbance forces for the rectilinear rig arranged in a mass-spring configuration under PID control.
- Finding the steady-state error for both a step input and a step disturbance.
- Evaluating the effect of the integral action in a PID controller on steady-state error.
- Determining conditions for stability.
This assignment is aligned with the work you will complete in Practical 5. It involves:
- Designing cascaded compensation to control an inverted pendulum using root locus methods.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension length is to ensure students are properly prepared for the practical which leads on from the assessment item.
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.
In-Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
7/04/2025 6:00 pm
Specific locations will be distributed via Blackboard closer to the examination date.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
The in-semester exam covers the material presented in the weeks prior to the exam. Questions will be similar to tutorial problems and might be taken from previous examination papers. Past in-semester quizzes and their solutions are available on Blackboard.
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. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
The hurdle requirements are explained in the course grading.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Mathomat - all editions other than the WB3 are allowed. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Please refer to your personal exam timetable on my.UQ.
Task description
Your understanding of the course concepts, as articulated through the learning outcomes, will be assessed in an end-of-semester examination.
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. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
The hurdle requirements are explained in the course grading.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Mathomat - all editions other than the WB3 are allowed. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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 satisfying basic requirements for a Pass. Or less than 40% in the IVA requirement explained below.ﾠ |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course. A minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight. A minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas. A minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting or surprising or exciting or challenging or erudite. A minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
Additional course grading information
Grading Criteria
Specific grading criteria will be provided for each assessment item. These are available on Blackboard in the assessment folder.
Identity verified assessment (IVA)
Individually verified assessment (IVA) will be through either
1. Obtaining ﾠat least 40% of the available marks ﾠin the final exam.
2. Obtaining 40% of the total available marksﾠin the in-semester and final exam. These two assessments total 65% of the total course marks.
Example calculations to meet IVA requirements by Point 2 above.
Point 2 is intended to be a 'safety' net if you perform poorly in the final exam. However, it requires you to perform reasonably on the in-semester exam.ﾠ
The in-semester exam is worth 20% of the total marks. The final exam is worth 45% of the total course marks. The required number of marks needed from the total of 65%ﾠ is 26 marks (26/65 = 0.4).
A score of 50/100 for the in-semester will contribute 10 marks (out of the possible 20) towards the required 26. This leaves a balance of 16 marks out of the 45 associated with final exam. For an exam marked out of 100, this would equate to a score of 35/100.
A score of 0/100 for the in-semester will contribute 0 marks out of the required 26. In this instance you will need a minimum of 40% on the final exam to pass the IVA hurdle.
You need to pass the IVA hurdle to pass the course regardless of your final mark. Students who achieve a total mark of 50 or greater but do not pass the IVA hurdle will receive a grade of 3.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
If you wish to query an assessment mark there are steps you can take to address your concerns. See: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result.
Act with integrity! Assessment items will be checked for evidence of plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.ﾠ The Academic Integrity Online module provides information that can help you avoid misconduct.
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
A. Course Outline (this document): Available via Blackboard site.
B. MATLAB control systems toolbox homepage: http://www.mathworks.com/products/control/
Generic information on the MATLAB control systems tool box. This is a defacto industry standard for control systems modelling, analysis, and design.
C. Control tutorials for MATLAB: http://ctms.engin.umich.edu/CTMS/index.php?aux=Homeﾠ
There is some very useful self-study material on Control Systems linked to MATLAB examples available here. The material includes an introduction to MATLAB basics (for those of you who have forgotten!!), general control systems tutorial material and examples of how to apply MATLAB to the solving of control system problems.
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 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials In the tutorial sessions, you will apply the concepts and techniques presented in lectures to solve problems under the guidance of the course lecturer and casual demonstrators. The tutorials provide students with the opportunity to discuss any questions which arise from the lectures and the practical sessions with the lecturer, casual demonstrator and amongst themselves. Completion of the tutorial problems, combined with student's self-review of the tutorial solutions, will be a significant contributor to the student learning process. |
Lecture |
Lectures Lectures develop a scaffold to help you understand the course content by providing a continuous development of the material. Key concepts will be introduced and discussed. There will be one in-person lecture per week and a number of LearnX videos that seek to explain key concepts. |
|
Workshop |
Contact sessions. You ask. I Answer. The contact is a student driven session where you can raise questions that you have about the course content. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Practicals Over the semester you will be required to complete a series of five practicals. These are staged to complement your developing understanding of the course material and will give you some hands-on practice in analyzing and designing feedback control systems. Practicals take place in 49-401. To access this laboratory, students must have completed the Student Laboratory Safety Induction, Annual Fire Safety Training and Health Safety and Wellness (HSW). This can be accessed via Blackboard. You will require lab access for experimental work. To register for an induction searching for that laboratory (49-401) at the following link: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/urite/ Additional requirements to be inducted into each laboratory will be listed on that link. Students can also check their HSW training card here: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/safe Access to laboratories will be granted after all of the specific laboratory requirements have been met. If you have any questions regarding HSW please contact the Schoolﾒs Technical Services Team on labsupport@mechmining.uq.edu. |
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 11 |
General contact hours |
One-on-one zoom help with a casual demonstrator Casual demonstrators will be available at specified times to provide help with your AAP submissions . Dates/times and other details are available on blackboard and the sessions will be held in week 3, 7, 9, 11 |
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.