Resources, Processes and Materials Engineering
PRRE1003

Year 1, Sem 2 or Sem 1 Core Enabling Knowledge and Skills Technical Competence Engineering Application Experience Personal and Professional Skills Practical and ‘Hands-on’ Experience

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Code PRRE1003
Credits 25
Graduate Attributes

Introduction

This Engineering Foundations unit adopts a systems thinking approach to explore the resource life cycle—from extraction to end-of-life disposal which will be delivered through a 2-hour weekly lecture. The lectures are focusing on how resources are classified into Raw, Bulk, and Engineering Materials, and the processes that transform them into functional products. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of a circular economy in conserving materials and energy, and the role engineers play in making sustainable decisions. Finally, students will also learn about Nanomaterials and Emerging Processes such as 3D Printing and Hydrogen Technologies and compare them within the framework of the lifecycle that has been introduced in each lecture.

Students will complete three hands-on Discovery Labs throughout the semester, exploring key concepts such as material properties, measurement techniques, error and uncertainty, and the interrelationships between different material properties. Each lab is designed to foster safe laboratory habits and accurate data collection techniques, while providing opportunities for students to work both independently and collaboratively. Students will also learn to write professional technical reports that demonstrate analytical thinking, communicate findings clearly, and uphold academic integrity.

Students will engage in a 2-hour weekly workshop. Weekly workshops will begin with foundational skills in technical report writing skills and Excel, equipping students with essential tools for academic and professional success. These sessions will also reinforce lecture content through collaborative problem-solving and application of concepts, helping students build confidence in material selection, sustainability analysis, and engineering decision-making.

This unit incorporates an English diagnostic test (PELA - Post Entry Language Assessment), a mandatory requirement of the university, in Workshop 1 (Technical Report-Writing), Task 1. The results of the diagnostic test will be used to determine if students would benefit from the STEM AWE (Academic Writing Essentials) Program. More information can be found here: https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/study-support/skills/scienceengineering/.   

Note: You will only need to complete the PELA and STEM AWE (formerly the SELL Program) once, in one unit of study, throughout your course of study. Failure to complete the PELA and/or the STEM AWE Program will result in an incomplete mark (F-IN) for the unit. If you have completed the diagnostic and/or the program, you will receive a confirmation email from the SELL team. You can use this email to evidence your completed status, if required. If you have any questions please contact stem.awe@curtin.edu.au
Lecture 1 x 2 Hours Weekly 
Science Laboratory 3 x 3 Hours Semester 
Workshop 1 x 2 Hours Weekly 

Unit Learning Outcomes

  • 1 describe a product's life cycle, from resource extraction to disposal, by explaining material properties, energy balances, sustainability, and environmental impact, and communicate findings effectively, GC1, GC3, GC4, GC6
  • 2 classify materials based on their physical, chemical, and functional properties, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and rheological characteristics, and justify the classification based on their attributes, GC1, GC3, GC6
  • 3 select appropriate materials for various applications by evaluating their properties and predict their response to environmental changes, GC1, GC3, GC6
  • 4 analyse and communicate the impact of engineering decisions on materials production, extraction, processing, selection, sustainable use, and disposal, considering environmental and societal implications, GC1, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6
  • 5 conduct experiments safely in a laboratory setting, collect and analyse data while adhering to lab protocols, both independently and collaboratively, GC1, GC3, GC6
  • 6 demonstrate academic integrity and proficiency in professional documents and report writing, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6

Course Learning Outcomes

  • 1 Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering
  • 5 Select and use current and emerging technologies to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems

Assessment Breakdown

Recent Unit Changes & Response to Student Feedback

Students are encouraged to provide feedback through student surveys (such as Insight and the annual Student Experience Survey) and interactions with teaching staff.

Listed below are some recent changes to the unit as a result of student feedback.

Workshops - Students value the weekly worksheets, but often forgot to submit their assessments. Students also misread the due dates on Elsie, or forgot to confirm submissions on Turnitin. This will be addressed explicitly so students are made aware of due dates in their workshops and shown how to submit properly. Lecture slides will be annotated to indicate material related specifially to worksheets.

Labs - Better and more timely feedback will be provided for Lab A reports. A guide to navigate group work relating to writing the lab report will be provided.

Improvement to Weekly Digest - Students enjoy getting a weekly update to what they need to do. A more comprehensive table related to class #s and due dates will be provided each week.