Exposure to Professional Engineering Practice
MCEN3007

Year 4, Sem 2 Core Technical Competence Engineering Application Experience Personal and Professional Skills Integrated Engagement with Professional Practice

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Code MCEN3007
Credits 25
Graduate Attributes

Introduction

Engineering is more than solving technical problems—it is a profession grounded in ethical responsibility, clear communication, legal awareness, and a commitment to public welfare. This unit prepares students for the complex professional environment in which they will practise as graduate engineers, equipping them with the non-technical capabilities essential for effective and responsible engineering practice.

Students will explore the broader responsibilities of engineers to clients, communities, and stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on ethical conduct and professional accountability. The unit covers expectations of engineers as members of society and as representatives of the profession, including engagement with professional organisations, understanding Indigenous perspectives, and promoting occupational health and safety (OHS) in accordance with current legislation.

In addition, the unit provides a practical introduction to the Australian legal system, focusing on areas directly relevant to engineering practice such as negligence, intellectual property, and employment law. These legal principles help future engineers understand how the law influences project delivery, professional liability, and innovation.

Communication skills are a core focus throughout the unit. Students will strengthen their ability to present information clearly, negotiate outcomes, and engage in critical discussions through structured presentations, debates, and group-based tasks. These activities develop the interpersonal and teamwork skills needed for leadership and collaboration in diverse professional contexts. A key feature of the unit is the development of a professional portfolio, which helps students reflect on their learning and build evidence of the capabilities required for graduate employment and lifelong professional development.

By the end of the unit, students will have a deeper understanding of their role as professional engineers and the social, legal, and ethical frameworks in which they will work. This unit supports the development of Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies related to ethical decision-making (3.1), communication (3.2), legal and regulatory frameworks (1.6), information management (3.4), and professional conduct (3.5).
Tutorial 1 x 2 Hours Weekly 
Seminar 1 x 3 Hours Weekly 

Unit Learning Outcomes

  • 1 take responsibility for individual actions in a professional engineering environment, GC1, GC4, GC5, GC6
  • 2 communicate effectively through a number of channels and at various levels and disciplines within an organisation, and within the engineering profession in general, GC3, GC6
  • 3 recognise and adapt personal strengths and weaknesses appropriately to different situations, GC1, GC4, GC6
  • 4 conform to, apply and evaluate the requirements of state and (where applicable) national and international safety and health laws and regulations, GC1, GC4, GC6
  • 5 recognise Indigenous perspectives in all aspects of engineering applications, GC4, GC5, GC6

Course Learning Outcomes

  • 3 Make decisions related to the design and implementation of solutions to engineering problems in a safe, ethical, and climate-responsible manner adhering to legal and professional standards and through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens
  • 5 Select and use current and emerging technologies to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems
  • 6 Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond

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.

Students are encouraged to provide feedback through student surveys (such as Insight and the annual Student Experience Survey) and interactions with teaching staff. There have been no recent changes to the unit as a result of student feedback