ENG1108 · The engineering of everyday things

The Engineering of Everyday Things provides a practical introduction to mechanical, mechatronics and aerospace engineering by introducing you to how engineers look at, understand and improve the systems around them. Through everyday objects, you will investigate how things move, how energy is transferred, what controls a system and how things fail. Rather than learning engineering principles in isolation, you will use observation, deconstruction, experimentation and analysis to uncover the engineering within familiar objects. You will learn to break a system into its components, understand the function of each component and, importantly, understand how those components interact to make the whole system work. You will then apply fundamental engineering principles to analyse performance, identify limitations and develop evidence-based improvements. Upon completion of the unit, you will be able to deconstruct an object or system, explain how its components work individually and together, identify and apply the engineering principles underlying its operation, think critically about its performance and limitations, and using this analysis, propose potential improvements to the system.

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items, but there may still be one.

1. Maintaining a learning journal

   Artefact

   40%

2. Final presentation

   Presentation

   15%

3. Preliminary report

   Written

   30%

4. Final report

   Written

   15%

Continuous assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

1. Describe how everyday mechanical systems work, using critical thinking to identify their components, interactions and underlying engineering principles.
2. Select fundamental engineering principles to critically investigate, analyse and experimentally evaluate the behaviour and performance of physical systems.
3. Propose and justify an evidence-based improvement to a mechanical system or component.

Problem-based learning - This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you will engage with a different everyday mechanical system each week to progressively build your knowledge and understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering principles.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester, typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Listed as the Handbook publishes them. Your unit's Moodle page has the current reading list.

Credit points

6

Level

Level 1

Faculty

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

School

Faculty of Engineering

Student contribution band

Band 2

Study abroad

Available

Handbook version

2027.01

These are students' own experiences, not official rules. Go by the Handbook.