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Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (CVEN90043)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
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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 social implications of engineering projects. Students will gain a holistic understanding of the complexities of – and potential trade-offs in – decision-making, including considerations of social equity, quality of life and wellbeing, 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 methods to evaluate infrastructure projects from a sustainability perspective. Lectures will be complemented by examples or case studies, assigned tasks and a group project in order to consolidate and apply learnings. Throughout the term, students will be supported to enhance their research skills as well as their oral and written communication skills.
This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects. Engineering Site Characterisation explores 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, alongside its engineering and/or technical performance.
- Become familiar with different sustainability assessment frameworks, learn how to apply a set of multi-attribute assessment methods, and critically interpret results for decision making
- Synthesise complex information and concepts to understand the relationships between infrastructure and its broader societal context, including public policy, ethics, equity, and stakeholder interests
- Perform written and oral presentations at a high-quality level expected of a professional
Generic skills
- Understanding of environmental, social, and economic dimensions of engineering and infrastructure projects
- Understanding of the scope, principles, and accountabilities of sustainable engineering
- Application of engineering methods and techniques to complex engineering problems
- Critical thinking and analytic skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Effective team membership and independent learning and research skills
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Staff recommend that all students access the Academic Skills (AS) and library courses.
Academic skills courses will cover critical thinking, reading, and writing while library courses will cover topics such as searching and evaluating literature. These will assist students with the assessment of this subject.
Sessions with the AS can be booked at the following site: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills
Sessions with the Library can be booked at the following site: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/services/workshops-and-tours/research-training
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Case study or assigned task reports, approximately 4 to 8 hours of work per student, due first half of the semester (within Weeks 4 to 6). ILOs 1, 2 and 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| From Week 4 to Week 6 | 11% |
A semester-long class project, approximately 90 hours of work per student, individually and in a team, due mid-semester and end of the semester (around Weeks 8 and 12). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2, 3 and 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| Throughout the teaching period | 56% |
One 2 hour final examination in the end of semester exam period. ILOs 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 33% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Stephan Matthai Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours (Lectures: 2 hours per week; Workshops: 2 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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 Architectural Engineering Course Master of Engineering Structures Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Engineering Management Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Environmental Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Structural Specialisation (formal) Spatial - 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: 31 January 2024