CHE4180

Chemical Engineering Project

Development and conduct of a specific research or other open-ended project, which may involve literature search,
experimental design, equipment design, equipment commissioning, experimentation, troubleshooting, problem
solving, data gathering, analysis and interpretation of data, oral and written reporting.

Mode of Delivery On campus

Workload requirements
Unit Relationships
Chief Examiner(s)
Unit Coordinator(s):
Lecturer(s)
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Consultation hours:
12 hours lectures (over 9 weeks of semester), 1 hour private
consultation with supervisor and 20 hours laboratory time and private
study devoted to research and report writing per week
A minimum of 120 credit points including CHE2161, CHE2162,
CHE2163 and CHE2164
Professor Karen Hapgood
Professor Karen Hapgood
Clayton
+61 3 9905 3445
karen.hapgood@monash.edu

Campus Coordinator Associate Professor Chan Eng Seng

Campus: Sunway
Phone: +60 3 5514 5821
Email: chan.eng.seng@monash.edu
Consultation Hours: By appointment

SEMESTER 1, 2015

http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/units/CHE4180.html

www.monash.edu
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
Program Education Objectives
The Chemical Engineering Engineering discipline expects to produce graduates, who
1. have successful careers in Chemical Engineering discipline
2. engage in multicultural and globalized engineering teams
3. demonstrate career progression towards senior management and leadership positions

Program Outcomes
The Chemical Engineering has developed a set of Program Outcomes (POs) for all of its graduates
based on the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Council’s manual.
Program Outcomes Activities used in this unit to develop
program outcomes
PO1 Engineering knowledge: NA
Apply knowledge of science and engineering
fundamentals, and achieve specialization in
Chemical Engineering discipline;

PO2 Problem solving and analysis: Identify,
formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering
problems, and make appropriate conclusions;
PO3 Design/Development of solutions: Design
solutions for complex engineering problems;
PO4 Research-based investigation of systems:
Investigate complex engineering problems and
systems using research-based knowledge and
methods;
PO5 Modern tool usage: Create,
select and apply appropriate techniques, resources
and modern engineering and IT tools to complex
engineering activities with an understanding of their
limitations;
PO6 Engineers and society: Assess
social, public health and safety, cultural and legal
consequences of complex engineering solutions
and relate them to the responsibilities of a
professional engineer;
PO7 Environment and sustainability:
Demonstrate knowledge of and need for
sustainable development and understand the social
and environmental impacts of engineering
solutions;
Students are assessed based on the final
report on their ability to identify a research
problem and formulation of a solution. In
addition, their ability to apply appropriate
technique to solve problems and to validate
solution will be assessed. (FR)
NA
Students are assessed based on the final
report on their ability to assess the
performance of an engineering solution using
research-based method. (FR)
NA
Students will demonstrate awareness in health
and safety (or sustainability) aspects of their
projects.
(POR, OA)
NA

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 PO8 Professional ethics: Apply Students will demonstrate professional ethnics
ethical principles and commit to professional ethics in carrying out his project responsibly,
and responsibilities and norms of engineering effectively and with integrity (OA)
practice;
PO9 Communication: Students are assessed based on literature
Communicate effectively both in oral and written review interview, oral presentation and final
forms; report writing. (I, OP)
PO10 Individual and team work: NA
Function effectively as an individual and in multi-
disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
PO11 Lifelong learning: Recognise Students need to show the capacity for
the need for independent and lifelong learning, and independent and lifelong learning and this
possess the capacity to do so; ability is assessed based on literature review
report. (POR)

PO12 Project management and finance: Manage Students are assessed based on their ability
an engineering project systematically; in managing a project to achieve project
objectives given the constraints in budget,
facility and timeline. (OA)

Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

Learning Outcomes OBE Learning Outcomes

 demonstrate skills in tackling a research or
other open-ended project which may
involve several of the following elements:
literature search, experimental design,
equipment design, equipment
commissioning, experimentation,
troubleshooting and problem solving, data
gathering, analysis and interpretation of
data.
 communicate their findings to a
professional audience, both orally and in
writing.
1. Identify, formulate, analyze and solve complex
engineering problems (PO2)
2. Analyze complex engineering problems and
systems using research-based knowledge and
methods (PO4)
3. Assess health and safety issues related to a
project (PO6)
4. Commit to professional ethics (PO8)
5. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently
(PO11)
6. Manage a project to achieve project objectives
given the constraints in budget, facility and
timeline. (PO12)
7. Communicate findings to a professional audience,
both orally and in writing. (PO9)

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Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes
PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12
LO1 √
LO2 √
LO3 √
LO4 √
LO5 √
LO6 √
LO7 √

Key No emphasis
√ Emphasized and assessed in the unit

Teaching Approach

Teaching and Learning Method

The unit consists of project work, skill workshops and seminars. Learning in this unit is mainly through
the self-guided project which has a number of components which build to form the final report.
Project Selection and Registration
Project Preferences are submitted via a survey link towards the end of Semester 2 of the previous
year. Project allocation is announced during Semester 2 of the previous year. This mechanism gives
students opportunity to discuss their projects with their supervisor, and receive advice on literature
review / project planning, by the end of Semester 2 of the previous year.
Seminars and Workshops
The unit briefings and seminars conducted throughout the semester are compulsory. These seminars
and workshops provide opportunity to understand the unit and learn on special skills such as
information retrieval skills, technical writing, data error analysis, presentation skills and report
formatting for completing deliverables. In addition, the briefings include important information on risk
assessments and lab safety which are critical for students before they commence experimental work
in the lab (or, in some cases, visit an industrial site) to ensure that they are aware of any safety
hazards in their project, how to minimise them, and emergency procedures.
Learning resources
Most resources will be posted on the CHE4180 Moodle site. The Monash Library provides access to
all scientific journals, textbooks and other resources required to conduct the literature review.
The following two books by Gruba and Evans are likely to be useful (links on Moodle):
• “How to Write a Better Minor Thesis” (hard copies available)
• “How to write a Better Thesis” (hard copies and link to ebook for download) See also Monash Library
guide for CHE4180:

See also Monash Library guide for CHE4180:

http://guides.lib.monash.edu/content.php?pid=196454&sid=1698157

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Assessment Summary
There is no exam for this unit and all assessments are based on individual assessments.

Assessment Task Value Individual or Due Date

Group?

Attending unit briefing and Hurdle Individual Tuesday 4th Mach

safety inductions (Compulsory -5% if do not attend
– 5% penalty if you do not
attend the entire session.

Attending seminars -1% for non- Individual See seminar

attendance of each schedule
seminar

Project outline report (POR) 20% Individual (submit to Friday 20st Mac, 5
supervisor) pm

Interview on Project outline 10% Individual By end of week 4

report with examiner (I)

Final presentations (P) 15% Group By end of week 12

Final report (FP) 45% Individual (submit to Wed 3rd June

unit coordinator)

Overall effort and application 10% Individual Ongoing (Mac –

to the project (OA) June)

Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Assessments

No. Learning Outcomes Assessment

POR I P FR OA
1 Demonstrate in-depth technical C3, P2
competence in Chemical Engineering
2 Demonstrate the use of appropriate C3, P2
experimental, simulation, modelling,
or statistical method in problem
identification and solution.

3 Analyse the performance of system C3, P2

using research-based approach.
4 Assess health and safety issues C3, A2 C3, A2
related to a project

5 Work effectively as an individual or in A2

a team

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 6 Demonstrate the ability to learn C3
independently through research-
based approach
7 Manage a project to achieve project A2
objectives given the constraints in
budget, facility and timeline.
8 Communicate their findings to a C3, A2 C3, A2
professional audience, both orally and
in writing.

Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Three domains of educational activities have been identified under the general taxonomy known as
Bloom’s.
o Cognitive: mental skills (Head)
o Affective: growth in feelings or emotional areas (Heart)
o Psychomotor: manual or physical skills (Hand)

The cognitive domain involves knowledge and the development of intellectual skills. This includes the
recall or recognition of specific facts, procedural patterns, and concepts that serve in the development
of intellectual abilities and skills.

The affective domain includes the attitudes with which someone deals with things emotionally, such as
feelings, values, appreciation, enthusiasms and motivations.

The psychomotor domain includes physical movement, coordination, and use of the motor-skill areas.
Development of these skills requires practice and is measured in terms of speed, precision, distance,
procedures, or techniques in execution.

Key for the table above: Psychomotor: P1 (Low), P2 (Medium), P3 (High), Affective: A1 (Low), A2
(Medium), A3 (High), Cognitive: C1 (Low), C2 (Medium), C3 (High)

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

Assessment Tasks
Task 1: Attendance at Unit Briefing and Complete Safety Inductions
Mode of Delivery: In class, compulsory
Details of task: Introduction to unit, Compulsory Safety training, writing the Project Outline report
Value: -5% if you do not attend.
If you are ill on the day, you must submit a special consideration form to the unit coordinator.

Task 2: Attendance at seminars (see seminar schedule)

Mode of Delivery: In class, compulsory
Details of task: Managing references, risk assessments, literature review, technical writing,
structuring report
Value: Non-attendance of each of seminars and workshops as stated in unit schedule will attract 1
penalty mark for each seminar (Total -7 marks).
If you are ill on the day, you must submit a special consideration form to the unit coordinator.

Assignment 2: Project Outline Report (week 3)

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Brief Details of task: A report on the project you will conduct during the semester, including
introduction, a literature review, proposed approach including a project timetable, and safety risk
assessments. Full details will be provided on the assignment sheet on Moodle.
Release date: Week 1
Value: 20% (by supervisor)
Estimated return date: Week 5

The points to be assessed are:

a. Introduction (2 marks)
b. Problem statement and hypothesis (3 marks)
c. Objectives (2 marks)
d. Evidence of literature review leading to identification of the problem to be investigated (6
marks)
e. Realistic research plan and timetable (3 marks)
f. Presentation quality (2 marks)
g. Safety (2 marks)

Task 3: Project Interview (week 4)

Brief Details of task: A short individual interview (typically 20 minutes) with the examiner of your
project, who will ask questions about your report and your project to ensure you understand what you
are doing and are on track for the semester. Full details will be provided on the assignment sheet on
Moodle.
Value: 10% (by supervisor)
Estimated mark release date: Week 5.
The points to be assessed are:
a. Communication skills (5 marks)
b. Demonstration of understanding (5 marks)

Assignment 4: Project Presentation (week 12)

Brief Details of task: A final presentation on your project to the class and supervisor and examiner.
Full details will be provided on the assignment sheet on Moodle.
Release date: Week 5
Value: 15% (7.5% by supervisor and 7.5% by examiner)
Estimated mark release date: Week 13.

The points to be assessed (both by supervisor and Independent Examiner)

a. Research background and problem identification (1.5 marks)
b. Project work (4 marks)
c. Presentation (2 marks)

Assignment 5: Final Report (week 13)

Brief Details of task: A final report on the your project, including introduction, a literature review,
approach, results, discussion and safety. Full details will be provided on the assignment sheet on
Moodle.
Release date: Week 5
Value: 45% (22.5% by supervisor and 22.5% by examiner)
Estimated return date: After final unit results are officially released on my.monash

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without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
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The points to be assessed (both by supervisor and examiner)
a. Introduction and objectives (3 marks)
b. Literature review (4 marks)
c. Project work (14.5 marks)
d. Safety (1 mark)

Task 6: Effort and application to the project (weeks 1-12)

Brief Details of task: Your supervisor will mark you on your effort and application to the project over
the semester. Factors typically include attendance at meetings, conducting work in the lab, quality and
quantity of results, signs of initiative and innovation. The compliance to lab rules and safety will be
marked by lab officers.
Value: 10%
Estimated mark release date: After final unit results are officially released on my.monash.

The points to be assessed (by supervisor and lab officers)

a. Independence, taking initiative, diligence (3 marks)
b. Resourceful in solving problems (3 marks)
c. Project management (2 marks)
d. Safety (2 marks by lab officers)

Assignment submission
Hard Copy Submission: Assignments must include a cover sheet. The coversheet is accessible via
the Monash portal page located at http://my.monash.edu.au under the heading ‘Learning and teaching
tools.’ Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Please submit your hardcopy and the signed coversheet according to the instructions given in the unit
schedule.
Online Submission: An electronic version of each report is required in addition to the hardcopy.
Please submit your work via the Moodle link. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Turnitin: Turnitin will be used to review the Project Outline report and the Final Report for suspected
plagiarism. Turnitin is text-matching software, available via Moodle, which helps students check if their
assignments are too closely worded to the original text and alerts them to areas that need additional
attention and/or where they have been too reliant on the original text BEFORE the assignment if
submitted. Turnitin also allows staff to check students' work AFTER submission for improper citation or
potential plagiarism by comparing it against continuously updated databases.

When assignments are submitted to Turnitin via Moodle, the software compares the text in the
assignment to a database of more than 12 billion pages of digital content. The software generates a
report which provides feedback regarding sections of the assignment that match text in its database.
Turnitin will be available through the assignment module in Moodle. For more information, see:
http://vle.monash.edu/supporttraining/learnbytech/turnitin/index-student.html
Turnitin reports will be used AFTER submission by staff to look for any instances of suspected
plagiarism. Any suspected instances will be investigated by following Monash university;s Academic
Integrity procedures: http://www.monash.edu.au/students/policies/academic-integrity.html

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Extensions and penalties
The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make
every effort to submit work by the due dates. A standard 10% late per day penalty applies. Students
are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.
If you need an extension for any of the assignments or presentations, or if you are unable to attend the
briefing day, you must a submit written request no later than 2 days after the original assignment or
date using the “Request for Special Consideration – In Class Assessment” form, available
at: www.monash.edu/exams/assets/docs/in-semester.pdf
and attach supportive evidence such as medical certificate (see link for accepted evidence). This form
should be submitted to the Chemical Engineering Office in B36.
The unit coordinator will review your application and you will be notified via email of the outcome of
you application and the arrangements, including whether any penalty in marks will apply. Note that
other lecturers or tutors cannot grant special consideration for assignments or tests.
If you are late in applying for an extension or you don’t have a good reason, you should still submit the
work, but 10% of the total marks available for that assessment component will usually be deducted for
each day late.
No assignment will be accepted once an assignment has been returned to the class. Resubmission of
assignments is not permitted. Remember, you are required to keep an up-to-date copy of all submitted
assignments to safeguard against the loss of work through accident or error.

Returning assignments
Your supervisor will generally be able to return the work to you in your next project meeting.

Resubmission of assignments
Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Referencing requirements
To build your skills in citing and referencing, and using different referencing styles, see the online
tutorial Academic Integrity: Demystifying Citing and Referencing at
www.lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing/

Feedback to you
Communication, participation and feedback
Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing
feedback throughout their studies. In this unit it will take the form of individual feedback from the
supervisor and/or examiner on your reports and presentation. You will also be able to meet
approximately weekly with your project supervisor for regular personal feedback and discussions on
the project, including feedback on technical accuracy, communication skills and overall project
progress.

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without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
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Safety Requirements
Safety is very important to maintain a good learning and working environment. In particular, safety in
laboratories is of paramount importance. You will need to complete all the required department and
lab inductions before you are allowed access to the laboratories to conduct the project.
To work in the laboratory, you must wear appropriate shoes and garments (e.g. long trousers, closed
shoes). If you are not wearing appropriate clothing/shoes you will be refused access to the laboratory.
You are required at all times during the laboratory session to comply with the safety regulations and
wear your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Penalties apply if you do not comply with the safety
regulations of the laboratory or do not wear the PPE. If you are caught not wearing your PPE at any
point during the laboratory session you will be:
1. issued a ticket (first offence),
2. ejected from the laboratory for the remainder of the session and will have to complete the
laboratory at another day (second offence)
3. banned from accessing the laboratory pending a review with the Head of Department to
discuss your breach of safety rules (third offence).

UNIT SCHEDULE

Week Activity Details

1 Meeting with your supervisor Arrange meeting with your supervisor
2nd Mac
Unit Briefing 3rd Mac (Tue): 3-4 pm, LT6006

2 Lab and Safety Induction 3rd Mac (Tue): 3-4 pm, LT6006
9th Mac
Seminar - Literature Review, Information TBC
retrieval
Managing references

3 Seminar - Risk Assessment 18th Mac (Wed), 2 – 330 pm, LT6003

16th Mac
Submission of Project outline report 20th Mac (Fri), by 2 pm, 1 e-copy online
(on Moodle) and 1 hardcopy to your
supervisor (attach with turnitin report)
4 Interview with supervisor By week 4. Time and venue to be
23rd Mac arranged with supervisor

5 Seminar – Technical Writing 1st April (Wed), 2 -3 pm, LT6003

30th Mac

Mid semester break (3rd – 10th April)

6 None
13th April

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7 Seminar – MS report formatting TBC
20th April

9 Seminar - Presentation skills 6th May, 2-3 pm, LT6003

4th May Seminar – Structuring report 3-4 pm, LT6003

10 Briefing on final presentation and report 12th May (Tue),3-5 pm, LT6006
11th May

11 None -
19th May

12 Final presentation To be arranged

26th May

13 Submission of final report (2 copies) 3rd June (Wed), 5 pm, 1 e-copy online
2nd June (on Moodle) and 2 hardcopies to unit
coordinator (both attach with turnitin
report)

The format of this table can be amended as required at Faculty level

Your Feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers
and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student
Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires
that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The
feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied
and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html and on student evaluations, see:
www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

In response to the last SETU of this unit, the following changes have been made:
 larger laboratory space in new building 5A
Student feedback has highlighted the following strength(s) in this unit:
 learn to be independent
 able to experience the way research is conducted
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Required Resources
All the resources for the overall project will be on Moodle. Students must regularly check Moodle for
announcements. Scientific journals and recommended reading suggested by supervisors will be
available via the Monash Library.
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without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
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Resources to execute each project will be available in the supervisors lab. Please raise any material
or lab supply shortages with the lab manager and/or your project supervisor as soon as possible.

Technological Requirements
Students are required to check the Moodle site regularly and to read Moodle announcements.

OTHER INFORMATION

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff
and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they
might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-
bank/academic/education/index.html

Graduate Attributes Policy

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/management/monash-graduate-
attributes-policy.html

Student Charter
www.monash.edu/students/policies/student-charter.html

Student Services
The University provides many different kinds of services to help you gain the most from your
studies.Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at
http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services/

Monash University Library

The Library and Learning Commons, Monash University Malaysia Campus, provides a range of services
and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to
http://www.lib.monash.edu.my or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information.

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit
to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses
on a regular basis.
 Website: www.monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html
 For information and referral, telephone: Sudent Adviser, Student Community Services at 03
55146018; or drop In: Student Community Services Department, Level 2 Building 2, Monash
University, Malaysia Campus.
 Email: dlu@monash.edu (Disability Liaison Unit, Monash University Australia)

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