Global Challenges in Engineering

Course aim

This course will start by examining globalisation and the role of engineering and technology in it, and the impacts it has had on engineering practice and the engineering enterprise. Broader skills required of engineering will also be identified and examined. External influences will be examined, including new design strategies, standards, regulation, legislation, governance and global development. The role of technology and engineering in overcoming grand challenges will also be examined utilising case studies of engineering and professional practice while students reflect on their own experiences and understanding of engineering and practice. How a systems engineering approach and view can be used to approach and tackle complex large problems and grand challenges will be examined and emphasised.

Course content

Global Challenges-globalisation, influences, the causes and impacts. Grand challenges and opportunities-climate change, sustainability, food and water security, poverty, public health, biodiversity, opportunities. The Engineering Enterprise-engineering skills, competencies, knowledge required to work in a global environment, skill identification, mapping and assessment. External influences-including quality standards, public policy, regulation, codes of practice and accreditation. Engineering Practice-systems thinking and engineering, problem definition, boundary setting, complex systems, systems of systems. Design Strategies-global platforms, product development, design for reliability, maintain ability, reusability. Engineering Tools-virtual environments, modelling, simulation, analysis tools. Life Cycle Analysis-assessment, sustainability, greeting design, cradle to grave, bio mimicry. Engineering Community-professional bodies, accreditation, corporate social responsibility. Role of Technology in Society-localisation, public policy, development, ethics, unintended consequences.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component	Duration
INTERNAL, MAWSON LAKES
Workshop	10 hours x 1 day
External (Synchronous online)	17 hours x N/A
External (Asynchronous online)	51 hours x N/A

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Assignment 3, Assignment 4, Participation

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.