Chemical Engineering Research Project (CHEN90023)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Summer Term
Semester 1
Semester 2
Dr Catherine Sutton
Email: ccsutton@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look 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: 14 March 2025
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 | No longer available | |
| CHEN90026 | Chemical Engineering Minor Research Proj |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - 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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
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.
| During the examination period | 50% |
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.
| Late in the teaching period | 25% |
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 period | 25% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Coordinator George Chen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester Total time commitment 400 hours Teaching period 2 December 2024 to 16 February 2025 Last self-enrol date 31 January 2025 Census date 31 January 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 31 January 2025 Assessment period ends 28 February 2025 Summer Term contact information
- Semester 1
Coordinator Catherine Sutton Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester Total time commitment 400 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 2 June 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 June 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Coordinator Catherine Sutton Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 X 2-hour lectures in a semester Total time commitment 400 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Catherine Sutton
Email: ccsutton@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated 400 hours
What do these dates mean
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- 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.
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: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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:
Type Name 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.
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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 14 March 2025