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ENGEN170-23A (TGA)
Engineering and Society
15 Points
Staff
Convenor(s)
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Chanelle Gavin
3532
TCBD.4.02
chanelle.gavin@waikato.ac.nz
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Lecturer(s)
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Mahonri Owen
mahonri.owen@waikato.ac.nz
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Administrator(s)
You can contact staff by:
- Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
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Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
- For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
- For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
- For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
- For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
What this paper is about
This paper provides an overview of engineering within the context of society. It outlines the current and future challenges we face globally and highlights how engineers will be key contributors to the development of effective solutions.
As an introductory paper it also provides students with an understanding of their chosen career path, and equips them with methods, tools and techniques, preparing them for tackling complex open-ended problems. Developing these skills will enable students to succeed in the problem/project-based learning environment at Waikato throughout their studies and later on in the workplace.
More specifically this paper aims to provide students with an overview of:
- engineering as a profession and the role/roles of engineers in society. This involves an introduction to the New Zealand context. This includes an introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).
- the challenges faced by society (current and future). The challenges are introduced using the UN sustainable development goals as a framework and systems thinking to encourage students to see the big picture and to consider how societal, technical, economic, environmental and other aspects are interconnected.
- the engineering method. This is an approach used by engineers to help reach a suitable solution. To support this, there is a heavy focus on developing: key skills (technical, interpersonal, and research), the ability to use tools (including Excel and ArcGIS for data analysis) and other techniques (estimation and problem solving).
By the completion of this paper students should recognise that engineering is not an isolated profession and that engineers work to meet the needs of society.
The learning outcomes for this paper are linked to Washington Accord graduate attributes WA1-WA11. Explanation of the graduate attributes can be found at: https://www.ieagreements.org/
How this paper will be taught
This course is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and tutorials.
Each week there are:
- three lectures – students are expected to attend/view all lectures.
- one tutorial – students are expected to attend the tutorial each week
- one workshop – students are expected to attend the workshop each week
Lectures – students are expected to attend/view all lectures. For the best learning experience students are encouraged to take notes during class and ensure they catch up on missed lecture content. Engineering lectures often contain worked examples and are conducted in a “lectorial” style (combined lecture and tutorial). Students are actively encouraged to work through these examples themselves and should attempt to do so. Lecture content will be recorded and made available through the Panopto block on Moodle.
Tutorials will usually provide an opportunity to reinforce concepts from the lectures and to ask questions in most cases. However, some tutorials will introduce new content focusing on professional skill development.
Workshops run every week - Attendance at workshops is mandatory. During the course students will be arranged into working groups for a creative project-based learning component.
Required Readings
Dowling, David. Engineering Your Future: An Australasian Guide, 4th Edition, Wiley, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/lib/waikato/detail.action?docID=5915858
Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering, Saeed Moaveni (available from Campus Books).
You will need to have
This course has a Moodle site (elearn.waikato.ac.nz) associated with it, providing discussion forums and access to lecture notes and additional resources.
PLEASE NOTE: Moodle will be used for class notices etc and it is your responsibility to check the site regularly. Instructions provided on Moodle and in lectures are considered to be given to the class as a whole.
Time - Estimated Workload
Lectures 3 hours per week (-2 public holidays) = 34 hours.
Workshops 2 hours per week = 20 hours.
Tutorials 1 hour per week = 11 hours.
Design challenge: Additional self organised learning and group work time = 20 hours.
Assignments: 7 assignments making up 20 hours.
Tests: Additional revision making up 20 hours.
Final exam preparation: Additional revision making up 25 hours.
Grand total of 150 hours.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:
Assessments
How you will be assessed
Assessment will consist of assignments, tests, a group design challenge, and individual exam.
Samples of your work may be required as part of the Engineering New Zealand accreditation process for BE(Hons) degrees. Any samples taken will have the student name and ID redacted. If you do not want samples of your work collected then please email the engineering administrator, Natalie Shaw (natalie.shaw@waikato.ac.nz), to opt out.
Engineering Education Research
During the initial few weeks of this paper, you will undergo special training to develop your critical reading skills as they relate to academic writing tasks. This training, which is embedded in your class schedule, connects to a research project being conducted by a PhD candidate. The lecture and workshop will prepare you to complete Assignment 2, and you can volunteer to participate in the researcher's surveys and interview. As participants, you also have the right to opt out of the study. More information about this special training and the related research project will be provided during Week 1 of the trimester.
Note: Due to COVID-19 and the availability of staff, schedule and/or assessment changes may need to occur, but will be communicated via Moodle and/or in lectures
The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 60:40. The final exam makes up 40% of the overall mark.