Handbook home
Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (CVEN90043)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Prof Anne Steinemann
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an overview of a wide range of issues relating to infrastructure engineering, with a particular focus on the environmental, economic, and equity of projects. Students will gain an understanding of the complexities of decision-making, including the role of government and regulation, considerations of intergenerational and intragenerational equity, and assessment of economic and environmental impacts. Students will learn about the influential role that infrastructure plays in shaping a society, and the effects both short-term and long-term. Students will also learn to apply various analytical methods to evaluate infrastructure projects from a sustainability perspective. Lectures and workshops will be structured around case studies of infrastructure projects. Workshops will also provide students with opportunities to enhance oral and written communication skills.
This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects. Engineering Site Characterisation studies how to determine the character of a site for an infrastructure project. Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering examines how a project relates to the broader social, economic, and environmental context. Engineering Project Implementation concentrates on the operational aspects of implementing a project.
Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this subject the student is expected to:
- Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills to evaluate an infrastructure project with regard to its environmental, economic, and societal sustainability
- Apply and critically interpret a range of analytic tools to assess different dimensions of the sustainability of infrastructure
- Synthesise complex information and concepts to explain the relationships between infrastructure and its broader societal context, including public policy, governance, ethics, equity, and stakeholder interests
- Perform written and oral presentations at a high quality level expected of a professional
Generic skills
- Understanding of environmental, societal, and economic dimensions of engineering and infrastructure projects
- Understanding of the scope, principles, and accountabilities of sustainable engineering
- Application of engineering methods and analytic techniques to complex engineering problems
- Critical thinking and analytic skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Effective team membership and independent learning skills
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Staff recommend that all students access the Academic Skills Unit (ASU) courses. In particular, a critical thinking, reading, and writing seminar will assist the student with the assessment of this subject.
Sessions with the ASU can be booked at the following site: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Five Case Study Analyses (approximately 30 hours of work per student, conducted at home, assisted by discussion in workshops), due throughout semester (25%);
- Professional Communications (approximately 20 hours of work per student, conducted in workshops) throughout semester, (10%);
- One Group Assignment, including written report and oral presentation (requiring approximately 20 hours of work per student), due end of semester (15%);
- One 2 hour final examination, in the examination period (50%, hurdle requirement).
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Anne Steinemann Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours (Lectures: 2 hours per week; Workshops: 2 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Prof Anne Steinemann
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Ashford, N.A. and Hall, R.P. (2011) Technology, Globalisation, and Sustainable Development: Transforming the Industrial State, New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Brundtland, G. (1987). Our Common Future Call for Action. Environ. Conserv. 14(04), p. 291.
Daly, H.E., Cobb, J.B., and Cobb, C.W. (1994) For the common good: Redirecting the economy toward community, the environment, and a sustainable future. Boston:Beacon Press.
Hawken, P. (2010). The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability. New York: Harper Business.
Hawken, P., Lovins, A. and Lovins, L. (1999). Natural Capitalism. Boston: Little, Brown and Co.
Meadows, D., Randers, J. and Meadows, D. (2004). The limits to growth. White River Junction, Vt: Chelsea Green Pub. Co.
Steinemann, A. Microeconomics for Public Decisions. Menlo Park, CA: Askmar Publishing, 2011. - Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The case study method of learning is used for this subject. Students work in classes of about 30 students to discuss a case study that they have previously researched in their groups.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Contemporary cases are given at the beginning of the semester
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
This subject uses contemporary engineering cases from around the world to explore the contextual issues that interrelate to engineering design. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Project Management Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Architectural Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Engineering Structures Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Engineering Management Course Master of Information Technology Specialisation (formal) Spatial Specialisation (formal) Spatial Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Structural Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Environmental - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022