This course is intended to develop the capability and requisite skills of an engineer to build a foundation of knowledge related to a particular industry-related problem. This foundation provides a basis on which to design a solution that is robust and safe, cost effective and appropriate to the end-user.
It is essential that this foundation reflects not only established thinking and practices but equally important, it should account for divergent and newly developing views as well as any limitations or weaknesses that underpin current understanding. The quality of the engineering solution is therefore a function of the quality and timing to complete this investigation; an investigation that forms part of a process known as research.
The course entails the second phase of the Research Project that begun with Mining Research Project I, the focus of which was planning of the Project. With planning completed, the focus of the current course moves to the investigation, analysis and reporting phase. This entails one or more elements of equipment/model/survey design and build; experimentation and data gathering; analysis and modelling of data; conclusion and linking back to project objectives; and, finally presentation of project outcomes.
On completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of the process of scientific research. In so doing the student will apply the desperate knowledge and skills from earlier parts of the mining engineering program including:
- an understanding of scientific and engineering principles;
- principles of design and modelling;
- selection and use of appropriate analysis techniques - technical, statistical and financial;
- project management;
- communication skills; and
- people and teamwork skills - interaction, feedback, task setting.
