In Engineering Design 4B: Systems Approaches for Operations, you will learn industry-relevant techniques to operate and innovate an engineering system over the entire system life cycle, from problem conception through to system retirement. Engineering Design 4B is the fifth course in the interdisciplinary engineering design core. The project in this course explores the management and operation processes in a complex system in operations.

You will learn project operations techniques relevant for optimising outcomes in large-scale, complex engineering systems. Topics will include understanding legislative and statutory requirements of the professional engineer, including processes for compliance and due-diligence, the reliability, availability and maintainability of systems, risk assessment and mitigation, the operational impacts of social, environmental, and organisational contexts, and changes, upgrades and end of life considerations in complex systems. The course will also explore the potential use and risks of emerging artificial intelligence tools in professional engineering applications.

Design Project

The major project in this course will address a real-world engineering system. You will be responsible for designing operational processes to improve the outcomes in an engineering system. The project will deliver a contextual analysis of the system and design outcomes, and you will justify these through appropriate project documentation. Finally, you will further develop skills in critical reflection as a part of professional practice by connecting your experiences and learning in your project to engineering and research practice.

Engineering Design @ ANU

At ANU, students are challenged to think of engineering design at a systems-level. Over the degree, you will learn how engineering design can be used to make a positive impact on society through five domains: design, analysis, research, professional practice, and teamwork. In ED4B, you will connect with your learning in your major, and develop skills required to innovate and optimise operations to deliver a design outcome.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Design and innovate within a program of work in an open-ended engineering project
2. Research and apply technical knowledge to design opportunities in an operational environment
3. Justify appropriate operational decisions in the running of a complex engineering system
4. Navigate the operational environment of an engineering system in the real-world
5. Leverage the dynamics of collaborative teams to solve complex problems within given deadline
6. Uphold professional integrity and ethical behaviour in an operational context
7. Enhance and reflect on complex engineering projects through professional engineering review cycles

Research-Led Teaching

Examples, case studies and major projects are drawn from research across clusters within SoEN to demonstrate the range of research in SoEN and link to the diversity of majors and interests within the student cohort.

Examination Material or equipment

There is no exam in this course.

Recommended Resources

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.

Recommended texts:

• Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge V2.4
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 4th Edition
• Introduction to Operations Research by Juraj Stacho
• Operations Research: Theory and Practice by N.V.S. Raju
• Introduction to Operations Research by Frederick S. Hillier and Gerald J. Lieberman

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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

Generative AI Tools are ALLOWED, WITH LIMITATIONS for some of the assessments in this course.

We appreciate the value of AI as a productivity tool. However, students should note that ANU Systems Engineering Core courses are designed to assess critical thinking skills. We expect students to critically evaluate and carefully edit any AI-generated materials before including them in an assessment submission. Failure to do so is likely to result in a low assessment grade and, in some cases, may even constitute a breach of academic integrity rules.

In ENGN3301, Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT) are:

·        permitted to assist in the preparation of take-home (out-of-class) assessments. This includes research (e.g., fact finding) and text production (e.g., document structuring, drafting, grammar checking) tasks.

·        NOT permitted during in-class assessments (quizzes, presentations).

AI Usage Statements: all take-home assessment submissions will be expected to feature an appendix, or equivalent prominent section, detailing how AI tools were used (or not used) in completing the assessment. Where appropriate, this may need to include a summary of user prompts and responses received. Certain AI outputs may also require explicit referencing within the text of the assignment. General guidelines regarding appropriate citation and use can be found on the ANU library website (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai). Further specifications will be provided with each assignment description. Failure to include a required AI statement may result in a grade penalty (see assignment descriptions for specific details).

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Systems Engineering Operations: Workshop 1 Introduction Operations Research: Overview, The role of Operations Research in Systems Engineering
2	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 2 Operations Research: Linear Programming part 1 Guest lecture 1	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)
3	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 3 Workshop B - Operations Research: Linear Programming part 2	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)
4	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 4 and project introduction Operations Research: Transportation and Assignment Problems	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)
5	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 5 Operations Research: Network Optimisation Problems Guest lecture 2	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)
6	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 6 and project optimisation problem Operations Research: Advanced topics in Operations Research	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)
7	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 7 and project work Operations Research - Systems Engineering Operations topic extension (TBC) Guest Lecture	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)Operations Research Assignment due (individual)
8	Systems Engineering Operations: workshop 8 and project operational context Operations Research - Systems Engineering Operations topic extension (TBC)	Workshop quiz (individual)Workshop artifact (group)Major Project Milestone #1 (Team Member Feedback and EvaluationReport ) (individual)
9	Systems Engineering Operations: project work and project peer review,
10	Systems Engineering Operations: project work
11	Systems Engineering Operations: project work
12	All workshop timeslots: In-class presentations	Major Project in-class Presentation (group)Major Project Report (group)Major Project Milestone #2 (Team Member Feedback and Evaluation Report ) (individual)
13	Exam Period	Individual Reflection

Tutorial Registration

Course activities run within two workshop streams: 2-hour Workshops ("Operations Research", labelled Workshop A in the 2025 timetable) and 3-hour Workshops ("Systems Engineering Operations", labelled Workshop B in the 2025 timetable).

Due to the large size of the class, multiple sessions will be available. Students will need to register into (and attend) their preferred session time for each stream.

Sign-ups for workshops will be via MyTimetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Workshop Quizzes	12 %	2, 3
Workshop Artifacts	6 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Operations Research Assignment	30 %	2, 3, 4
Major Project	36 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Individual Reflection	16 %	4, 6, 7

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

ENGN3301 adopts a dialogic approach to teaching and learning. Activities are designed to trigger student-led conversations in the classroom, both among peers and between students and teachers. Dialogue is instrumental in creating an engaging class environment and enhances learning. Regular and active class participation by all students is therefore highly encouraged, and will be indirectly attached to grades via the workshop activities and quizzes.

The course will also feature three guest lectures from industry partners. Attendance to the guest lectures is expected. A roll will be taken and attending students will have an opportunity to leverage learnings from the guest lectures to improve their reflection assignment grade.

Examination(s)

There is no exam in this subject.

Assessment Task 1

Workshop Quizzes

Students will be expected to complete a short quiz relating to the content of the pre-readings and weekly workshops.

Quizzes will typically contain five - ten multiple choice or short answer questions.

There will be one quiz for each "System Engineering Operations" workshop in weeks 2 to 8. The best 6 out of the 7 quizzes will be counted, for a total grade weight of 12%.

The quiz will be administered through Wattle. The quizzes will be completed during the workshop times and will only be available to students in attendance.

Assessment Task 2

Workshop Artifacts

Students will complete workshop activities in-class in groups of 4-6 students during workshops in weeks 2 to 8.

A group is defined as a number of student sharing the same workshop table for a session. Groups need not remain the same week-on-week.

Some outputs created during the activity (a mix of written outputs and discussion points presented orally to the attending tutor) will be graded. The best 6 of 7 submissions being counted (at a weightage of 1% each), for a total grade weight of 6 %

Assessment Task 3

Operations Research Assignment

Students will complete an assignment worth 30% that will be based on the content covered in Operations Research Workshops.

This is an individual assignment, submitted via Wattle, with a deadline tentatively set for 10am Tuesday in Week 7 (please refer to Wattle for precise submission details).

Assessment Task 4

Major Project

Over the course of the semester students will complete a major project worth 36% as a member of a group of between 4 and 6 students. The major project will allow students to undertake an in-depth Systems Engineering Operations task. The major project will include individual tasks (6%) , a written report, and a presentation as follows:

• Milestone #1 Team Member Feedback and Evaluation Report - Individual Task - 3%, submitted via a Wattle database, due 9am Friday week 8

• Milestone #2 - Team Member Feedback and Evaluation Report - Individual Task - 3%, submitted via a Wattle database, due 9am Friday week 12

• Major Project Report - Group Task - 20%, up to 20 page report submitted via Wattle, due 9am Friday week 12

• Major Project Presentation - Group Task - 10%, a fifteen-minute in-class group assessment that includes 8 minutes of presentation followed by a question and answer session. Presentations will be scheduled during Workshop A/B timeslots in week 12.

Assessment Task 5

Individual Reflection

A professional practice reflection will require students to reflect on what they have learned throughout the semester including learnings on industry perspectives gained from the guest lectures. This will be submitted via Wattle during the exam period. Value 16%.

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

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), submission must be through Turnitin.

Students are responsible for ensuring correct files are submitted. The submission of incorrect files, or incorrect file versions, into the course portal will not be considered a valid ground for special considerations.

File submissions must take place through the provided Wattle interface, and must be static to ensure compliance with deadlines. Submissions sent via email or other channels will not be marked. Submissions that include links to cloud-hosted files will also be deemed non-compliant and awarded a 0 mark.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded. Late submissions will not be accepted for MILESTONE #1 AND #2, the Team Member Feedback and Evaluation Reports. Late submission is not permitted on workshop quizzes and artifacts.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignment grades and feedback will be available via the Wattle gradebook within 10 days of submission.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students