Electrical Engineering Research Project (ELEN90083)

This subject is for students to undertake a substantial individual research project on an approved topic over the semester, requiring independent investigation with a chosen supervisor either from a university (research institute) or from an industry partner. 

Note: the student is responsible for contacting the potential supervisor for the project.

This subject can also be taken by Master of Electrical Engineering outgoing exchange students for research projects carried out in an overseas university.

If the project is to be carried out within the EEE Department, the student is encouraged to take ELEN90011 (Directed Studies) if possible.

The emphasis of the project can be associated with either

• A well-defined project description, often based on a task required by an external, industrial client. Students will be tutored in the synthesis of practical solutions to complex technical problems within a structured working environment, as if they were professional engineering practitioners; or
• A project description that will require an explorative approach, where students will pursue outcomes associated with new knowledge or understanding, often as an adjunct to existing academic research initiatives.

 It is expected that the project will incorporate findings associated with both well-defined professional practice and research principles.

Intended learning outcomes

On completing this subject, the student should be able to:

• Search, analyse and document engineering science and other relevant literature in order to determine the need for further research in a chosen area;
• Devise a methodology of investigation to improve knowledge or understanding of a chose topic;
• Collect and analyse a range of data (both qualitative and quantitative) to improve our collective understanding of a chosen topic;
• Write a project report that follows good engineering science practice;
• Present an oral presentation of the findings of an investigation to an audience of peers or lay people.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Critical thinking and critical judgement of assumptions adopted
• Interpretation and analysis of data
• Application of theory to practice
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
• 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
• Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development
• Understanding the principles of sustainable design and development
• Understanding the professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• Openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom
• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution