Engineering Systems & Design 1& 2
ESD 1& 2 are new 1st year subjects available to students studying, Science, Commerce, Arts and Music. ESD1&2 forms a pathway allowing students subjects to follow their undergraduate degree with a 2-year Masters of Engineering.
Here are some examples of projects in ESD1 and ESD2 that will teach you about the amazing things that engineers do and why engineering is fun!
The Giant Slingshot
The aim of this project is to work in small teams to create a giant slingshot. You will perform force-displacement measurements on the sling, solve the equations of motion for the projectile and then use all of this to determine how to set the slingshot to hit a distant target.
Water and Fluid Mechanics
Many engineers work with pumping, moving, treating or cleaning water and other fluids. In this project, you will be exposed to simple concepts in moving and pumping water (fluid mechanics) and their impact on how engineering problems are solved – for dams and drainage systems to chemical plants and microfluidics. You will conduct simple lab experiments in teams to develop data and correlations to help model and design larger pumping systems. You will also look at a real example in detail to see how these models apply to real world problems.
Robotics
In this project you will find out about engineering concepts with hands on activities and look at real world examples of mathematical modelling and programming in action. The aim is to learn about programming in a fun context. You will work in small groups and use Lego MINDSTORMS products to program a real robot to follow specific instructions, trails and move around obstacles. You will focus on reading input devices, controlling motors, developing solutions, building, testing and evaluating your robot’s operation. Program your robots and see how they act – will they do what you want them to?
Design Structures
In this project, you will look at the structural principles and material properties that underpin the built environment. In small groups, you will first use the analytical and modelling skills introduced in lectures to develop some conceptual designs. One of these designs will be selected for detailed design and construction. The constructed design will be tested and evaluated based on strength, aesthetics and construction quality.
More information
- Download the ESD 1&2 flyer (PDF 1.27MB)
- Visit the ESD 1& 2 handbook entry: