Sustainable and Life Cycle Engineering (MCEN90060)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Humankind faces global challenges related to economy, ecology and socio-policy, e.g. population growth, climate change, and unequal development. Unsustainable consumption and production patterns have resulted in substantial economic and social costs and may endanger life on our planet. Engineers and scientists have developed methods and tools to evaluate and implement technological and societal processes to tackle the challenges of sustainability. Therefore, this subject aims to develop a holistic view of engineering the entire life cycle of a product or service from raw material extraction, production, usage to disposal.
This subject consists of four main modules 1) sustainable development and life cycle thinking; 2) life cycle analysis tools, 3) eco-design and cleaner production, and 4) closed-loop economy. This subject will engage students with the state-of-the-art research development and leading industrial practices in topics such as product life cycle management, life cycle assessment, sustainable manufacturing, circular economy etc. Guest speakers are also invited to provide broader examples from a global perspective.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- ILO1. Analyse triple bottom line of sustainability in an engineering context;
- ILO2. Evaluate the whole life cycle of a product or service by applying life cycle analysis tools;
- ILO3. Apply eco-design methods to reduce the environmental impact of a product;
- ILO4. Apply methods and technologies to promote cleaner production;
- ILO5. Analyse end-of-life strategies to promote circular economy.
Generic skills
- An understanding of social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development;
- The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design for operational performance;
- The ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding;
- Capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
- The ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:
Option 1
Admission into the MC-INDENG Master of Industrial Engineering
AND
Completion of a minimum of 100 credit points of study.
Option 2
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-MECHENG Master of Mechanical Engineering
- MC-MTRNENG Master of Mechatronics Engineering
- Mechanical specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Mechanical with Business specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Mechanical with Aerospace specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Mechatronics specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
AND
Completion of a minimum of 150 credit points of study.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Individual mid semester test. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 and 2 are addressed in this assessment.
| From Week 6 to Week 7 | 20% |
Group written report 1. Max. 2500 words for agroup of 4. ILO 2 is addressed in this assessment.
| From Week 7 to Week 9 | 20% |
Group written report 2. Max. 2500 words for a group of 4. ILO 3 is addressed in this assessment.
| From Week 9 to Week 12 | 20% |
Final assignment - Individual written report max 2000 words and a short 5-10 minute video presentation. ILOs 1 to 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Wen Li Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of workshops/tutorials Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024
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 Specialisation (formal) Mechatronics Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Aerospace Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business - 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