Thesis (Practice), known colloquially as Team Thesis, is the final undergraduate course (or Master’s course) in the engineering program. The course allows students to work in groups under the guidance of the course convenor and mentors. The nominated project involves industrial problem-solving and engineering design, with elements of analysis, simulation, proof-of-concept and/or prototyping.
This course enhances the student’s skills for undertaking scholarly and professional enquiry by attempting to achieve a specific project objective within a defined period of time. A significant component of the course relates to the review of knowledge, which promotes independent and reflective learning as well as increases the student’s capacity to develop information literacy. The thesis report is expected to reinforce the student’s ability and confidence in the written communication of technical information. Verbal presentation skills are tested during the video presentation and during group/mentor meetings (in-person or online).
This course is the first of two parts and is undertaken before MMAN4020/MMAN9002 Thesis B. They are two parts of a whole and must be completed in two consecutive trimesters. Do not enrol in Practice Thesis A if you cannot do Practice Thesis B in the following term. Note that in the event of a Fail grade being received in either Thesis A or Thesis B, to pass the course you will have to enrol again in Thesis A and undertake a new project.
In the course you will be expected to apply the knowledge and skills you acquired in the preceding courses/degree to a real and current engineering problem. To facilitate this, you will be working on a team project specified by one of UNSW’s Industry Partners. Part A involves the formulation of a project scope which includes a review of the knowledge base, engineering role assignment, risk assessment and budgeting. The course will include the preparation of relevant professional documents. Part B involves the satisfactory preparation and submission of a group thesis addressing the project plan defined in Thesis A.
It is not the responsibility of the course coordinator or mentors to provide the student with step-by-step instructions on what to do in this course, and nor should it be assumed that your mentor is an expert in all areas of engineering. Your mentor is there to offer guidance and advice, as may other staff in the School who have expertise in your project area and may be available to assist (you should always seek an appointment by prior arrangement). The successful execution of the project is solely the responsibility of the student.
Note that due to the requirements of our Industry Partners, some (usually a minority) of the available projects for this course may require students to sign a Deed Poll, a legally binding document that assigns to the Industry Partner any intellectual property generated in the project, and places obligations on the student with respect to confidentiality. It will be made clear before project selection which projects have this requirement.
