This is an introductory course that all BE (R&D) students are required to complete. The course introduces students to research methodologies, and provides the opportunity for students to conduct their own research project under the close supervision of an academic staff member in the College. This course also develops students’ abilities in critical analysis, reflection and problem solving, as well as in presenting their research through written technical reports and oral presentations.

The course will consist of two workshops each week that provide students with the opportunity to interact with their peers, the course convenor, critically analyse course content, and discuss project progress. Material relevant to the workshops will be available on WATTLE.

The topics covered in the course include:

• Defining a research problem
• Reflective practices in research
• Implementation of research methods
• Literature searches
• Oral and visual presentation of research
• Peer review process
• Research integrity and ethics
• Preparation of technical reports

There will also be a series of guest speakers at the workshops, providing students with exposure to various research perspectives, and the opportunity to broaden their professional networks. Students will complete assignments throughout the semester, as well as present their research in a seminar and project report at the end of the semester.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify and describe an engineering-related research project, and the resources required to execute it successfully.
2. Analyse, interpret and document research results, including some assessment of relevant assumptions and limitations, and compare to existing work and literature.
3. Communicate research outcomes in oral, visual and written forms to colleagues, other engineering professionals and the broader community. 
4. Reflect on the outcomes and execution of a research project to enable continuous improvement of research skills.  
5. Work effectively and professionally as part of a research team led by a project supervisor. 
6. Understand the broader societal impact of research, and the importance of conducting research ethically and with integrity.

Research-Led Teaching

This course includes an individual research project supervised by an academic within the School of Engineering. This provides each student with an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research across a broad range of engineering fields. The project is assessed through a Final Report due in Week 12 and a Seminar in Week 11.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• peer feedback
• to whole class
• to individuals

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Respect

All ENGN2706 must respect the thoughts and opinions of their peers and the course convenor, even if they do not agree. This is essential for effective class discussions, critical analysis and exploration of course content.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course outline and description of assessment items Reflection exercise Research ethics and integrity assignment hand out Research ethics and integrity exercise	Reflection 1
2	Q&A session with previous R&D students Working with your supervisor Planning your project	Reflection 2
3	Q&A session with experienced project supervisors Literature review assignment hand out Literature review workshop	Reflection 3 Ethics and integrity assignment due
4	Project summaries Peer review exercise	Reflection 4
5	Individual feedback sessions	Reflection 5
6	Project report workshops	Reflection 6 Literature review draft due
7	Graphs and figures workshop Project review exercise	Reflection 7 Literature review peer reviews due
8	Guest speaker – presentation skills Presentation practice – pitching your project	Reflection 8 Literature review due
9	Individual feedback sessions	Reflection 9
10	Guest speakers – careers in research Seminar workshop	Reflection 10
11	Individual project seminars	Reflection 11 Project seminars
12	Course de-brief and reflection	Reflection 12 Final project report due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Reflection portfolio	10 %	3,4,5,6
Research integrity and ethics assignment	15 %	3,6
Literature review and peer review	15 %	1,2,3
Project report	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Project Seminar	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

It is expected that all ENGN2706 students will attend the workshop sessions after watching the relevant videos, and/or reading the relevant materials. They will actively participate in session activities and discussions to maximise their own and their peers’ learning. Please note that attendance at workshop sessions are compulsory for all ENGN2706 students.

Assessment Task 1

Reflection portfolio

Throughout the semester students will complete a reflective portfolio, with entries submitted weekly, in a medium they choose (word document, website, blog, magazine, vlog etc.). This portfolio will be guided by a series of questions to develop their reflective ability and track project progress and course experience. Key aspects of this assessment are the reflective nature of entries and the clear communication of thoughts and ideas. Students can seek informal feedback from the course facilitator regarding their progress via their reflections submitted throughout the course.

Assessment Task 2

Research integrity and ethics assignment

Students will complete the ANU Research Integrity Training (online module on WATTLE) as well as complete a 1000 word critical analysis and reflection of a specific ethical case study.

Assessment Task 3

Literature review and peer review

The literature review will consist of a critical analysis of current technologies/literature in relation to the student’s research project, and place the student’s current research project in context. Students will initially submit their draft literature review for peer review by two other students. They will use this feedback to improve their literature review for the final submission. Students are also marked on the peer reviews they provide to their peers. The literature review will have a page limit of 8 pages (double spaced) and will form the basis for the student’s literature review in their final project report. 

Assessment Task 4

Project report

In week 12 students will submit a 30 page final report, including a literature review, methods, results discussion, conclusion and future work. Students will also submit a reflection on their research project and final report preparation, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

Assessment Task 5

Project Seminar

In week 11 students will present a seminar to the class, communicating the purpose, methods and results of their research project. This seminar includes a PowerPoint presentation used to effectively communicate the work visually. Students will also submit a reflection on their seminar and preparation process, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

All assignments will be submitted online via the relevant submission link on the ENGN2706 WATTLE page, and will not be accepted through email. Turnitin is used for assignment submissions. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Late Submission

Students will be deducted 5% per day the assignment is overdue as per university policy. Extensions will not be granted for mismanagement of time or resources. A doctor’s certificate is required to receive an extension as a result of illness. 

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students