Human Centred Mechanical Design (MCEN90050)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2023
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Overview
| Fees | Look up fees |
|---|
This subject provides a project-based learning experience to design and develop a proof-of-concept prototype mechanical device that addresses a need for a person living with disability. Projects are defined by real-life challenges provided by people with a lived experience of disability who also help mentor teams. The goal is to engage in human-centred design thinking that is socially, technically and financially sensible and that delivers products that are feasible, desirable and viable. Topics covered include human-centred design principles, the design thinking approach to problem solving, life as a person with disability and engineering ethics.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate in depth understanding of the foundational principles of human-centred design thinking.
- Understand the challenges faced by people living with disability.
- Gain a broad understanding of the role of engineering in improving lives.
- Appreciate and critically evaluate the role, function and design of existing assistive technologies and identify limitations of these technologies.
- Undertake a critical and empathetic analysis of a complex problem.
- Exercise their engineering design capability to prototype a solution and evaluate it in a systematic way.
Generic skills
- Capacity for independent thought.
- Ability to apply knowledge of engineering science and engineering methods to solve complex problems.
- Ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding.
- Ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
- Proficiency in engineering design
- Ability to conduct an engineering project.
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
MCEN30014 Mechanical Design or MCEN30019 Mechatronics Systems Design
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Group Poster - critical analysis of a problem setting
| Week 5 | 10% |
Individual essay on design thinking
| During the examination period | 30% |
Online quizzes, multiple choice, run through Canvas worth 1% each. Each quiz will have 2 or 3 questions and take 5-10 mins to complete.
| From Week 2 to Week 11 | 10% |
Group report written in form of an International Conference on Engineering Design paper
| Week 12 | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Specialisation (formal) Mechatronics - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025