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Systems Modelling and Design (CVEN30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Professor Stephan Matthai
Semester 2
Associate Professor Yinghui Tian
email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- Civil specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Environmental specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- MC-ARCHENG Master of Architectural Engineering
OR
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
One design project with a report not exceeding 20 pages excluding appendices. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 6 are addressed.
| 55% | |
One laboratory report (4 pages). ILOs 5 and 6 are addressed in the report.
| Mid semester | 5% |
One written examination. ILOs 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are addressed in the examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Additional details
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass both the assignment and exam components to pass the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Coordinator Stephan Matthai Mode of delivery Online 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 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Professor Stephan Matthai
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Coordinator Yinghui Tian Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (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 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Associate Professor Yinghui Tian
email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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 Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Major Civil Systems Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Structural Major Civil Systems Major Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Links to additional information
There are no specifically prescribed texts for this subject. Some reading material will be recommended throughout the semester. Self-research and reading of relevant material is required.
- 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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024