Discovering Engineering is the foundation course for engineering. The course invites students to discover engineering by tackling an open-ended design project, as well as learning a variety of essential technical and non-technical skills. The major project for the course is to work in teams to design and build a robot rover that can autonomously navigate around a maze.

Throughout the course, students undertake a variety of learning activities that introduce the key engineering concepts that are needed to successfully complete the project. Students learn about the engineering design process, including understanding what is needed in a project, generating concepts, prototyping, analysing, and implementing a solution. Students work in teams, allowing them to develop their collaboration and communication skills, as well as their project management skills. This is complemented by learning about the importance of reflective and ethical professional practice. At the same time students will also learn about basic electronics, coding and problem solving, providing a range of fundamental skills needed by a modern engineer.

 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate research into engineering concepts, technology and contexts.
2. Select and use appropriate engineering tools to model and analyse engineering components.
3. Design a solution to an open-ended problem using an engineering process.
4. Identify responsibilities within an engineering team in relation to professional practice.
5. Communicate engineering concepts and solutions effectively using different media to professional and other audiences.
6. Demonstrate self-reflection and evaluation of ideas

Examination Material or equipment

There is no final exam for this course.

In the mid-semester test students will require a scientific calculator (programmable calculators in exam mode are allowed). Students are also allowed a single page (two sided) of hand written notes and a non-annotated dictionary.

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.

It is recommended that you attend an induction for the ANU/Engineering Technology Hub or the ANU MakerSpace to access these facilities for your project work.

Labs and project work in this course use an Arduino Uno microcontroller and the open-source Arduino Software (IDE). Hardware and electronics for the course will be supplied. The software can be downloaded from: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Computers will require a USB connection to work with an Arduino Uno microcontroller.

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 Policy:

This course recognizes that understanding how and when to appropriately use generative AI tools is an important emerging skill. To that end, you are welcome to use generative AI tools in class tutorials to further your understanding. The use of Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT) is permitted for some assessment in this course, with proper citation. Guidelines regarding appropriate citation and use can be found on the ANU library website (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai). In most cases, generative AI is a recommended tool for the early stages of information gathering or brainstorming, but not for final work. Assignment-specific guidance on appropriate use will be discussed by the convenor throughout the semester.

Generative AI tools will not be permitted in the mid-semester test.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1A: Course Introduction Lecture 1B: Professional: Researching and evaluating sources ASEP: Open ended and ill-defined problemsDrop-in Classes A and B: Help for those new to programming	Entry survey
2	Lecture 2A: ANUSEP: Problem Scope and RequirementsLecture 2B: Technical: Intro to Arduino programming and electronicsElectronics/Arduino lab 1: Introduction - blinkDrop-in Classes A and B: Help for those new to programmingDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Rover project documentation released
3	Lecture 3A: Public holiday for Canberra day - no lectureLecture 3B:  Professional: Planning and Team ManagementWorkshop: Ready, steady, rover! Getting started on the rover projectDrop-in Class C: General assistance
4	Lecture 4A: ASEP: Conceptual Design Stage - Concept Generation and SelectionLecture 4B:  Technical: Motors, H-bridges, and programming for motorsElectronics/Arduino lab 2: H-bridge and motor controlDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Milestone 1: Team charter, initial plan and project constraints 2%Lab quiz #1 5% - opens (closes after one week)
5	Lecture 5A: Technical: Sonar, and programming 'if' statements and inputs/outputsLecture 5B: ASEP: Testing Technical: StatisticsElectronics/Arduino lab 3: Programming for input and output, and using a sonar sensor	Lab quiz #2 5% - opens (closes after one week)Design Report 15%
6	Lecture 6A: ASEP: Preliminary Design Stage - Design Criteria (different from requirements)Lecture 6B: Professional: TeamworkWorkshop: Disco Escape RoomDrop-in Class C: No drop-in, public holiday	Milestone 2: Requirements, concepts and evaluation - self-assessment checkpointTeam member contribution (TMC) 1 - opens, closes during break
7	Lecture 7A: ASEP: Tolerances and Sources of ErrorLecture 7B: ASEP: Identifying Problems - Troubleshooting and Understanding Limitations (including using component data sheets)Workshop: Rover-in-motion. Demonstrating and measuring the performance of your rover Drop-in Class C: General assistance	Milestone 3: Rover-in-motion - Demonstration 3%, documents self-assessment checkpoint
8	Lecture 8A: Public holiday for Anzac day- no lectureLecture 8B: Test prep / reviewWorkshop: Test prep drop-inDrop-in Class C: General assistance
9	Lecture 9A: Test prep / reviewLecture 9B: no lectureWorkshop: Rover project group work and preliminary testingDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Mid-semester test 20%
10	Lecture 10A: Rover Project Details - Performance Testing and Written ReportLecture 10B: Professional: EthicsWorkshop: Rover project group work and preliminary testingDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Milestone 4: Draft design documentation and testing plan - self-assessment checkpoint
11	Lecture 11A: Professional: ReflectionLecture 11B: Guest lecture - Graduate Panel (TBC)Workshop: Final Rover TestingDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Rover testing 10%
12	No lectures or workshopsDrop-in Class C: General assistance	Rover design report 25%TMC 2 - opens
13		Reflection 15%TMC 2 - closes

Tutorial Registration

Students will register for two 2-hour workshops each week via MyTimetable. Workshops and computer labs will both take place during this time-slot.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Design report	15 %	27/03/2026	10/04/2026	1,3,5,6
Lab quizzes	10 %	*	*	2,5
Mid-semester Test	20 %	05/05/2026	*	1,2
Rover milestones and self-assessment checkpoints	5 %	*	*	2,3,4,5
Rover testing	10 %	*	*	2,3,4
Rover design report	25 %	29/05/2026	12/06/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Reflection	15 %	*	*	1,4,5,6

* 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

To receive a grade for a group assignment, each student must make a meaningful and demonstrable contribution to the work of the team. If a student’s contribution is unclear or in doubt, the teaching team may request evidence of their involvement. 

 

Examination(s)

There is no final exam for this course.

In the mid-semester test students will require a scientific calculator (programmable calculators in exam mode are allowed). Students are also allowed a single page (two sided) of hand written notes and a non-annotated dictionary.

Assessment Task 1

Design report

This individual report will develop your ability to research a topic in an engineering context and evaluate the information relevant to the issue. It will also develop skills in scoping a design problem and determining design requirements for the solution. You will communicate your findings to a general technical audience. You should communicate your findings in a manner that shows you have taken information from more than one source, filtered, combined, and evaluated that information to form logical conclusions. 

Please see the assignment sheet on Canvas for further information on the design topic and the marking rubric.

Value: 15%

Format: Written report of 5-8 pages. Links to reports will not be accepted as submissions.

Participation: individual

Assessment Task 2

Lab quizzes

The lab quizzes will assess a students understanding of the material taught in the computer laboratories and how the labs link to the rover project. Quizzes will open following the completion of the associated computer laboratory. The quiz will be available for one week, but will have a time limit to complete once opened. Students will have one attempt at each quiz.

Value: 10% (2 x 5%). Quizzes will open following the week 4, and 5 computer laboratories and close 1 week later.

Format: Multiple choice and short answer on-line quiz in Canvas

Participation: Individual

Late submission of lab quizzes will not be accepted.

Assessment Task 3

Mid-semester Test

The mid-semester test will take place in week 9. Questions will include a mix of styles (e.g., multiple choice, mathematical, short answer). A scientific calculator (or a programmable calculator in exma mode) will be required. Other permitted materials include a single page (two sided) of hand written notes (not a print out of digitally handwritten notes) and a non-annotated dictionary.

This test will be worth 20%

Assessment Task 4

Rover milestones and self-assessment checkpoints

The rover milestones are small deliverable that are spaced through the semester to help students achieve the goals of the main project of the course, to build an autonomous maze solving robot and write the documentation required for the Rover report. The milestones support teams to complete the project over a ten week time-frame whilst providing feedback from the teaching team or via self-assessment using the provided guidelines.

Milestone 1: Team charter, initial plan and project constraints - exercise completed during week 3 workshops submitted by 10 am Tuesday week 4 (2%), graded by the teaching team.

Milestone 2: Requirements, concepts and evaluation - due week 6, self-assessment checkpoint

Milestone 3: Rover-in-motion - demonstration during week 7 workshops (3%) graded by the teaching team, documents by self-assessment checkpoint

Milestone 4: Draft design documentation and testing plan - due week 10, self-assessment checkpoint

Total Value: 5%

Format: Short written report submitted via Canvas (milestone 1), in-class demonstration (milestone 3), and self-assessment checkpoint quiz on canvas (milestones 2-4).

Participation: Milestones by Group, self-assessment checkpoints are individual

Feedback: brief written feedback for milestone 1. Checkpoint milestones will undergo a self-assessment by completion of a short quiz.

Checkpoints: Completed individually and scored as complete/incomplete. Must be completed within two weeks of the associated Milestone submission. Failure to complete at least two of the three self-assessment checkpoints will result in penalty of 2% off an individual students final rover project grade.

Late submissions of milestone and self-assessment checkpoints will not be accepted.

Assessment Task 5

Rover testing

Rover testing determines if the teams design can achieve the goals of the rover project. Testing is broken down into a series of functions that are required to autonomously navigate a maze.

For further information on rover testing please see the Rover project overview on Canvas.

Value: 10%

Format: In-class demonstration from week 7, final testing in week 11 workshops

Participation: Group

Assessment Task 6

Rover design report

 The purpose of this report is to document the final design solution for the Rover. It will communicate your solution to audiences outside your group with detail that would allow the reader to understand the reasons for your design choice and enable them to build a rover to your team's design. The report will include the design requirements or specification of the rover including the rationale behind critical design decisions. It will document the design of the rover structure, electronics and logic for operation including a summary of the circuit simulation for the rover design. The report will document the testing and validation of the design including design changes made because of testing and validation and an evaluation of the final design.

Please see the assignment sheet in Canvas for further information on report and the marking rubric.

Value: 25%

Format: Written report of 10 pages. Links to documents will not be accepted as submissions.

Participation: Group

Assessment Task 7

Reflection

Engineers use reflection to critically assess the process and outcomes throughout a project. It can help to analyse lessons learnt; what worked well, what did not, and how it could be improved next time. Reflection builds on, and is an application of, critical thinking. In addition, self-assessment is an important part of developing as an engineer. In this assignment students will reflect on three different aspects of the course:

1. The course project(s);
2. Your learning experience and how it related to the Engineers Australia competencies
3. Ethics in engineering

Please see the assignment sheet in Canvas for further information on the reflection and the marking rubric.

Value: 15%

Format: Written reflection, 5 pages. Links to documents will not be accepted as submissions.

Participation: Individual

Due date: The reflection will be submitted during the exam period.

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.

All assignments must be submitted as fixed, time locked submissions (uploaded files) unless otherwise specified. Links to online documents that could be edited after submission (e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud) are not accepted. Any submission provided as a link will be treated as no submitted.

Submissions will not be taken via email as this is not in line with university policy. 

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 on quizzes, rover milestones or milestone self-assessment checkpoints.
• 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, milestone or self-assessment checkpoints.

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

Assignments - Feedback and grades for all assignments will be available via the Canvas or via ENGN1211 course email (engn1211.css@anu.edu.au).

Final assessment - Marks for the assignment will not be released separately (as occurs for final exams). Feedback will be available at the end of the exam period via Canvas or via course email.

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