System dynamics is the study of the response of engineering systems with changing time. The concepts learned in this unit can be used in a number of engineering disciplines including mechatronics, and in particular robotics, mechanical, electrical, aerospace and marine engineering, manufacturing and biomedical engineering. The emphasis of this course will be on the analytical and numerical tools of multi-particle systems, rigid body dynamics, electromechanical systems, and complex network dynamics. The topics covered include direct (Newton-Euler) and indirect (Euler-Lagrange) methods for modelling and analysing kinematics and dynamics problems from various examples using differential equations, numerical approximation of linear or nonlinear dynamical equations, and graphical representation and analysis of complex network dynamics.

Learning Outcomes

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

On successful completion of this course, students should have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Establish systematic understanding of system dynamics problems from various engineering domains.
2. Solve multi-particle and rigid body dynamics problems using the Newton-Euler approach.
3. Derive the equations of motion of mechanical, electrical and simple electromechanical systems using the Euler-Lagrange approach.
4. Apply dynamic response analysis of mechanical or electrical oscillators to perform basic system identification.
5. Analyse the properties of linear or nonlinear dynamic equations through computer simulation and make design recommendations based on dynamics simulation data.
6. Model and analyse complex network dynamics based on graphical representation and numerical simulations.

Professional Skills Mapping
Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment and Professional Competencies

Research-Led Teaching

In computer labs, students are running independent (numerical) experiments and are guided towards writing a technical report in the style of a technical research note.

Examination Material or equipment

No restrictions beyond prohibited electronic devices

Recommended Resources

 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos: With Applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering, Second Edition

Strogatz, Steven H

First published 2015 by Westview Press

Published 2018 by CRC Press

Staff Feedback

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

• Markings and short comments on assignment sheets
• Written comments on lab reports
• Verbal comments on computer lab
• Feedback to the whole class

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

Referencing

Referencing must follow the standard in the hardware lab report template.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1
2	Lecture 2
3	Lecture 3. Tutorial 1.
4	Lecture 4. Tutorial 2. Computer Lab 1.
5	Lecture 5. Tutorial 3.	Problem Set 1 due
6	Lecture 6. Tutorial 4.
7	Lecture 7, Computer Lab 2.	Problem Set 2 due
8	Lecture 8. Tutorial 5.	Computer Lab 1 Report due
9	Lecture 9	Problem Set 3 due
10	Lecture 10. Tutorial 6. Computer Lab 3.	Computer Lab 2 Report due
11	Lecture 11. Tutorial 7.
12	Lecture 12 (summary). Tutorial 8.	Problem Set 4 due. Computer Lab 3 Report due

Tutorial Registration

Signing up through Wattle in week 1

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Problem Sets	20 %	1,2,3
Computer Labs	30 %	1,2,3,4,5
Final Examination	50 %	1,2,3

* 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.

Assessment Task 1

Problem Sets

There are four problem sets each worth total of 5% of the total mark. The problem sets are a collection of end-of-chapter problems from the textbook. Problem solutions are marked for correctness.

The due dates of the assignments are (all times are Canberra times, no late submission is allowed):

• Problem Set 1: 21 March 2022
• Problem Set 2: 19 April 2022
• Problem Set 3: 2 May 2022
• Problem Set 4: 23 May 2022

Submit your solutions as a single pdf file in Wattle. Please write your name and student id clearly on your submission.

Students should solve the problems independently if they expect to perform well in the final exam.

A mark of 0 will be given to any student that fails to submit their solutions by the due date.

Assessment Task 2

Computer Labs

Three 3 hour guided lab session. Each lab is worth 10% of the total mark.

1. Students must submit their results to the tutor by the end of each lab session. The results are marked for correctness. (3% of the total mark)
2. The report for Computer Labs are to be prepared by a group where the results of each computer lab are summarised and further questions presented at the end of the Computer Lab sheet are addressed. Reports are marked against community standards in report presentation, completeness, correctness of results, and standard of discussion. Marks are not itemized. Maximum 10 page report. Please write your names and student ids clearly on your submission. (7% of the total mark)

The due dates for the lab reports are (all times are Canberra times, no late submission is allowed):

• Computer Lab 1 Report: 30 April 2022
• Computer Lab 2 Report: 14 May 2022
• Computer Lab 3 Report: 28 May 2022

All students are expected to complete the labs. Any student that does not hand in their results by the end of each lab session forfeit the 3% component of the mark. Any student group that fail to submit their report by the due date will be given a mark of 0 for the report.

Assessment Task 3

Final Examination

A standard 3 hour written exam.

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

Assignments are submitted through the course Wattle site. You will be required to include an assignment cover sheet as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it 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. No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. 

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.

Returning Assignments

Marked assignments can be collected in the tutorial sessions. The tutor will organise a special session for collection of all previously uncollected assignments at the end of semester. 

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmissions of assignments are not accepted.

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