Units / MEC5883
MEC5883 · Mechanical systems design
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit will emphasise engineering design with a focus on designing a system rather than the individual components of a system. In this way, the unit will integrate mechanical design with material selection, manufacture, and control systems, and the needs of in-service monitoring to optimise system performance. Quality management systems, lean techniques and lifecycle assessment will be applied to the proposed product or service to understand system variability, maximise and maintain value-creation and assess environmental impacts. This unit uses case studies, group work and design projects as key learning methodologies to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical outcomes. You can expect a strong practical focus with extensive use of computer-aided design and analysis software.
Areas of study: E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - Specialisation: Mechanical engineering E6014 Master of Engineering - Specialisation: Mechanical engineering E6017 Master of Advanced Engineering - Specialisation: Renewable energy engineering E6017 Master of Advanced Engineering - Specialisation: Robotics engineering E6017 Master of Advanced Engineering - Specialisation: Smart manufacturing engineering
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lab/class performance | Demonstration | 5% | — |
| 2 | Problem definition report | Written | 15% | — |
| 3 | Presentation | Presentation | 10% | — |
| 4 | Final report | Written | 40% | — |
| 5 | Final assessment | Examination | 30% | — |
Continuous assessment: 70% Final assessment: 30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret and analyse problems from an engineering perspective but also integrate the relevant social, cultural, environmental, legislative, ethical and business factors.
- Demonstrate creative problem-solving, decision-making and design skills to develop innovative concepts, products, services and solutions.
- Conduct appropriate computer modelling or experiments and assess the accuracy and limitations of those methods.
- Apply industry standard project management tools and practices.
- Generate findings in both written and verbal formats and critique and evaluate the work of others.
- Engage in regular self-assessment and peer assessment of individual and team performance as a primary means of tracking continuing professional development.
Workload
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 independent of 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.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Practical activities | 24 hours |
| Workshops | 24 hours |
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