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Chemical Engineering Research Project (CHEN90023)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Summer Term - Dual-Delivery
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
FeesLook up fees

AIMS

Students will undertake as individuals or as a member of a team a designated investigative project which could involve a critical literature review, experimental research and/or development, theoretical modelling, process simulation and/or the solution of an industrial problem. Rigorous planning and scheduling of the project, time management, written and verbal technical communication, interpretation of results and team work will be required. Lectures will be presented on laboratory safety, and the use of statistical methods for experimental data analysis.

Engineering graduates need the ability to research topics and to perform structured investigations. This research project subject provides students with an opportunity to develop these skills and to develop an appreciation of the importance of lifelong learning.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The exact content covered in the subject will depend to some extent on the nature of the research project. Topics covered will most probably include literature searches, laboratory safety, risk assessment, data modelling, data analysis, error analysis and report writing.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practices Hurdle (EPH).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

  • Plan and conduct an independent research project in the chemical engineering field
  • Communicate their research aims and outcomes orally to an audience of their peers
  • Analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical method
  • Evaluate and present their findings in a detailed written report

Generic skills

  • Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
  • Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
  • In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
  • Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
  • Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member
  • Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
  • Intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity
  • Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship

Last updated: 26 August 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-CHEMENG Master of Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
  • Chemical with Business specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering

AND

Completion of a minimum of 125 credit points of study towards the 300 point degree.

This is inclusive of any advanced standing (i.e. For example, 100 points of advanced standing would only require a student to have completed 25 points of credit before enrolling).

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIEN90001 Biochemical Engineering Research Project
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 25
CHEN90026 Chemical Engineering Minor Research Proj
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

CHEN40008 Research Project

BIEN40001 Biomolecular Engineering Research Project

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: 26 August 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A written report of up to 35 pages, not including appendices, diagrams, tables, computations and computer output. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 2 to 4 will be assessed through the student's written report. Written reports will be submitted during the first week of the exam period.

  • 180-200 hours (of work required)
During the examination period50%

A 15-minute oral presentation supported either by powerpoint slides or a poster with a further 15 minutes for response to questions. ILOs 2 to 4 will be assessed through the student's presentation. Oral presentations will be scheduled in the last 2 weeks of semester.

  • 80-100 hours (of work required)
Late in the teaching period25%

Conduct will be assessed on your understanding of the project and your active participation in the project. ILO 1 will be assessed through the student's performance in research workspace. Assessed throughout the teaching periods within semester.

Throughout the teaching period25%

Last updated: 26 August 2023

Dates & times

  • Summer Term
    Principal coordinatorAmanda Ellis
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester
    Total time commitment400 hours
    Teaching period29 November 2021 to 13 February 2022
    Last self-enrol date31 January 2022
    Census date31 January 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail 4 February 2022
    Assessment period ends25 February 2022

    Summer Term contact information

    Professor Amanda Ellis

    Email: amanda.ellis@unimelb.edu.au

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorAmanda Ellis
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester
    Total time commitment400 hours
    Teaching period28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022
    Last self-enrol date11 March 2022
    Census date31 March 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022
    Assessment period ends24 June 2022

    Semester 1 contact information

    Professor Amanda Ellis

    Email: amanda.ellis@unimelb.edu.au

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorAmanda Ellis
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester
    Total time commitment400 hours
    Teaching period25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022
    Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022
    Census date31 August 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail23 September 2022
    Assessment period ends18 November 2022

    Semester 2 contact information

    Professor Amanda Ellis

    Email: amanda.ellis@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated 400 hours

Additional delivery details

Laboratory, computer or literature-based research project (independent or team-based).

Research Project is usually completed in Semester 1 or 2, however, as a special arrangement, Research Project may be undertaken in Summer Semester with the approval of the subject co-ordinator.

Three weeks prior to the semester commencing students will be informed of available research projects on offer for the upcoming semester. Students will then need to inform the subject coordinator of their 3 preferred projects. Allocations will be finalised and students informed 1 week prior to the semester commencing.

It may be possible to complete your Research Project overseas at another university. If this is of interest, please discuss it with the Subject Co-ordinator.

Last updated: 26 August 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    None

  • Subject notes

    LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

    Students will receive one-on-one instruction on how to complete an open-ended research project on some topic in chemical engineering. They will undertake a project either individually or as part of a team of two or three students. Students will take responsibility for their time management setting priorities and establishing a program that will allow them complete their project within the time allowed.

    INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

    Students will be guided throughout their project by one or two researchers associated with the research activity that they have been assigned to. These researches will be their guides and mentors on the project. Students will also be provided with access to key relevant research papers. They will be expected to identify further material which they will be able to access through the University Library system. Students will also have access to appropriate software packages.

    CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

    Many of the projects that will usually be available to the students will relate to some problem or activity found in the process industries.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    Specialisation (formal)Chemical with Business
    Specialisation (formal)Chemical
  • 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: 26 August 2023