Systems Modelling and Design (CVEN30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Assoc. Prof Yinghui Tian
Email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Wenbin Fei
Email: wenbin.fei@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Systems Modelling and Design is a capstone subject including components from hydrology, hydraulic engineering and geotechnical engineering. This subject contains a design project capsulising knowledge from all three areas. Students will be given briefings on related topics in hydrology, hydraulic engineering and geotechnical engineering in lectures and tutorials; but the emphasis is on self-learning and problem-solving. Students will gain an understanding of the principles governing the flow of water through soil and its consequent impact on failure of soil structures such as what occurs in landslides. Computer models to investigate these areas and laboratory experiments illustrating these phenomena will also be conducted. Students will also learn how to use the systems approach to solve engineering design problems. The application of the systems approach is illustrated via the major design project and complemented with optimisation techniques.
To complete the capstone design project, students are required to apply their knowledge in hydrology, hydraulics and geotechnical engineering to solve a number of design problems while considering multiple and sometimes conflicting design criteria. Students are required to prepare a technical report that documents the designs, relevant data, and result analysis. Both the technical knowledge (e.g. catchment modelling, water distribution system design, and seepage and slope modelling) and transferable skills (e.g. systems approach for problem solving, optimisation, trade-off analysis, data management, communication) obtained through this subject will prepare them for employment in the industry, as well as future study or research.
This subject builds on knowledge gained in subjects such as Engineering Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics and Earth Processes for Engineering and assumes a familiarity with concepts of sustainability and engineering systems. This subject also delivers introductory material for engineering graduate coursework subjects including Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Hydraulics and Quantitative Environmental Modelling.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Stresses in soils, permeability and seepage, flow nets, the effect of seepage on stability, slope stability principles, surface runoff, landslides, design and remediation, trade-off analysis in engineering design, optimisation techniques, the use of computer simulation models to solve engineering design problems.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
1. Use a systems approach to solve engineering design problems, including design problem definition (including identifying technical, economic and environmental design constraints and objectives), potential solutions identification and evaluation, solutions selection and conceptual design development.
2. Use software to assist the design of hydraulic and geotechnical structures.
3. Use optimisation techniques to assist solution processes.
4. Critically evaluate the outputs of design software.
5. Analyse the influence of engineering materials on design performance.
6. Communicate technical issues, ideas and solutions clearly and effectively to a wide range of audience and in a variety of forms (including technical reports).
Generic skills
- Ability to apply basic knowledge of science and engineering in engineering design.
- Ability to use systems approach to solve complex engineering design problems, including problem formulation, solution evaluation and solution selection.
- Proficiency in engineering design.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a wide range of audience and in a variety of forms.
- Ability to manage data efficiently.
- Ability to conduct an engineering project.
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in a team.
- Being creative and innovative and becoming aware of multiple and sometimes conflicting design objectives and criteria in real-world engineering projects.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Civil)
OR
Admission to the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Environmental)
OR
Admission to the MC-ARCHENG Master of Architectural Engineering
OR
Both of the following subjects:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Please note: Students who completed ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics are NOT required to complete ENGR30002 Fluid Mechanics
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Operational knowledge of Excel.
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: 4 April 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- One design project (55%) with a report not exceeding 20 pages excluding appendices, requires approximately 60 hours of work. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 6 are addressed.
- One laboratory report (5%) (4 pages) due around mid-semester, requires approximately 5 hours of work. ILOs 5 and 6 are addressed in the report.
- One 2-hour written examination (40%) end of the semester examination period. ILOs 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are addressed in the examination
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass both the assignment and exam components to pass the subject.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Wenyan Wu Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Up to 50 hours (Lectures up to 24 hours per semester, Tutorials/ Workshops up to 24 hours per semester and Laboratory practical session of 2 hours per semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Yinghui Tian Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Up to 50 hours (Lectures up to 24 hours per semester, Tutorials/ Workshops up to 24 hours per semester and Laboratory practical session of 2 hours per semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Assoc. Prof Yinghui Tian
Email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Wenbin Fei
Email: wenbin.fei@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Over approximately the first half of the semester, lectures in conceptual design and geotechnical engineering will be presented supplementing the basic technical knowledge required to undertake the design project. Worked examples will be provided at various times to illustrate the application of that knowledge. Students will also undertake one laboratory session during this period so that they can get some hands-on experience with seepage in soils. Over the last few weeks of the semester, lectures will focus on the systems approach to solving engineering design problem, with the assistance of optimisation techniques. Students will also be provided with an engineering design project at the beginning of the semester which they need to consistently work throughout the duration of the subject. Details of the design project and all necessary knowledge required, including the use of relevant software, will be provided during related lecture, tutorial and workshop sessions.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCESA range of references will be provided to allow students to back up the basic information provided in lectures. This material will include specifically prepared notes on selected topics, PowerPoint presentations, worked design examples, manuals for software tools used in the design project and some online material.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The main link with this subject is that students will be able to develop many of the essential skills required for careers in engineering design, including both specific technical skills in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering and transferable skills such as problem solving, modelling, design and communication. The software tools used in the project are widely used in industry. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Architectural Engineering Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Civil Systems Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Specialisation (formal) Structural Major Environmental Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Civil Systems Specialisation (formal) Environmental Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Civil Major Engineering Systems - Breadth options
- Links to additional information
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 April 2025