Engineering Thesis Handbook

Thesis is an individual inquiry conducted by you under the general guidance of an academic advisor.
This inquiry can take one of the following forms:
a) an original theoretical and/or experimental investigation,
b) design of an engineering product or development of computer program,
c) compilation and critical analysis of information on a specific engineering topic, or
d) investigation of a substantive engineering problem for an external sponsor.

In each of the above, you must apply academic processes to provide reproducible evidence of
outcomes whether positive or negative. Unlike consultancy, where a successful solution is expected,
research may fail to produce a successful outcome. However, this is acceptable as long as you can
document the causes of failure and make recommendations as to future avenues of research.

In cases of discrepancy with the ECP, the ECP is correct.

Table of Contents
1 SCHEDULE............................................................................................................................................ 2
2 GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS..................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 WORKLOAD.............................................................................................................................................2
2.2 TIME MANAGEMENT..................................................................................................................................3
2.3 YOUR ADVISOR RELATIONSHIP.....................................................................................................................3
2.4 READINGS AND OTHER RESOURCES...............................................................................................................5
2.5 NEED HELP?............................................................................................................................................5
3 ASSESSMENT........................................................................................................................................ 6
3.1 PROPOSAL (10%).....................................................................................................................................6
3.1.1 Rationale............................................................................................................................................6
3.1.2 Structure............................................................................................................................................6
3.1.3 Marking..............................................................................................................................................7
3.2 INTERIM REPORT (15%).............................................................................................................................8
3.2.1 Rationale............................................................................................................................................8
3.2.2 Structure............................................................................................................................................8
3.2.3 Marking..............................................................................................................................................9
3.3 PRESENTATION (10%).............................................................................................................................12
3.3.1 Rationale..........................................................................................................................................12
3.3.2 Structure..........................................................................................................................................12
3.3.3 Marking............................................................................................................................................12
3.4 FINAL REPORT (60%)..............................................................................................................................14
3.4.1 Rationale..........................................................................................................................................14
3.4.2 Structure..........................................................................................................................................14
3.4.3 Marking............................................................................................................................................15
3.5 THESIS PROJECT EXECUTION (5%).............................................................................................................17
3.5.1 Rationale..........................................................................................................................................17
3.5.2 Marking............................................................................................................................................17
3.6 WORKSHOP COMPLETION (GRADE CAP)......................................................................................................20
3.6.1 Rationale..........................................................................................................................................20
3.6.2 Submission.......................................................................................................................................20
3.6.3 Marking............................................................................................................................................20
4 CONFIDENTIALITY............................................................................................................................... 21
4.1 LEGAL AGREEMENTS................................................................................................................................21
4.2 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:.........................................................................................................................21

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 1 of 22

 1 Schedule
You are strongly encouraged to participate in all the learning activities outlined in Table 1. They
form part of the course assessment (see Section 3.6) and have been designed around submissions,
giving you tips and tricks for maximising your marks. Put them in your diary now.

Note that only those weeks with a workshop or assessment due have been shown.

Table 1 Workshop Schedule

Week Semester 1 Semester 2
O-Week Podcasts: Welcome and Assessment -
1 Workshop: Welcome/ Research skills Podcast: Welcome back
2 Workshop: Planning/ Proposal -
4 DUE: Proposal Workshop: Thesis structure
7 - Workshop: Seminar skills
8 Workshop: Interim Report -
10 - DUE: Conference slides/ Presentation
11 - Workshop: Finishing the Thesis
12 Workshop: Finishing the Interim Report -
13 DUE: Interim Report DUE: Thesis/ Completed workshop
templates

Check your timetable for actual dates/times and room numbers. Blackboard has links for workshop
resources, and Turnitin.

2 Guidelines for success

2.1 Workload
The hours indicated below provide a guideline for the time you should dedicate to Engineering
Thesis. They are based on the UQ expectation that the study load for a #2 course is 10 h/week on
average throughout the full semester1.

 ENGG4600/1 (#4, 2-semester): 10 h/w for 31 weeks

 ENGG7341/2 (#4, 2-semester): 10 h/w for 31 weeks
 ENGG7381/2 (#8, 2-semester): 20 h/w for 31 weeks

1
A ‘full semester’ includes the 13-week teaching period, mid-semester break, the revision period, and the 2-week exam
period. As you are required to submit final assessment pieces at the end of semester, the final revision period and
examination block have not been included in the recommended period of study.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 2 of 22

Engineering thesis requires a significant time commitment.

“It is important to commence the activities of your project immediately at the start of the
semester. In most projects, the available time of two semesters is barely sufficient to complete
the work to achieve an outcome which you and your examiners will be happy with. The start of
semester is the period when you will have the most time available to work on your thesis project,
before assignments and mid-semester exams start demanding your attention in other courses.”
[Gates, J, 2021 ‘How to Succeed in your Thesis’ – Available on Blackboard]

2.2 Time management

[Adapted from https://www.monash.edu/rlo/graduate-research-writing/get-started/planning-and-time-management ]

Use engineering tools (e.g. Gantt chart) to create a plan for the course. You know the drill:
 define your objectives – make them SMART 2;
 define the longer-term tasks needed to achieve the objectives;
 split these into smaller chunks that are achievable in the short-term;
 identify those that are urgent and must be done at or by a particular time;
 set deadlines that match with course assessment due dates;
 plan meetings with your advisor to match with stages, drafts etc.;
 include life things such as work, holidays, and celebrations; and
 don’t forget other course assessment requirements.

Review and update your plan regularly. Learn from unrealistic expectations and adapt your plan
accordingly.

2.3 Your advisor3 relationship

These guidelines form an extension to The University of Queensland Student Charter. They may be
adapted to suit individual circumstances.

The thesis should be your individual work, with your advisor providing advice and guidance.

You are expected to drive all research phases whether the project has been developed by your
advisor you, or industry.

gives some general details; these may need some nuancing depending on your situation.

2
Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Resources, Timed

3
We have changed ‘supervisor’ to ‘advisor’ in this document. ‘Advisor’ is far more consistent with our position you should
drive the work. A supervisor is a person who supervises a person or an activity whereas an advisor is a person with broader
and deeper knowledge in a specific area who inculcates through the provision of advice.

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 Table 2 Student/ Advisor responsibilities
Phase Student Advisor
Confidentiality Provide Course Coordinator with legal Advise School Manager re. UQ standard
(if applicable) agreements which detail agreement or, forward partner’s legal
requirements prior to Week 1 or as agreements (allow up to 8 weeks if a non-
soon as practicable. UQ agreement is required).
Meetings Schedule advisor meetings. Devise the Be available for regular meetings. Provide
meeting agenda. Recommended: guidance as requested.
summary of achievements, updated
plan, and critical questions. Take
notes.
Planning Develop, implement, and update as
Review plan and advise on coverage and
necessary a project management plan
achievability.
for the research.
Risk analysis Carry out a risk assessment, undertake
Review and approve risk assessments.
necessary training and inductions, and
Ensure training needs are met.
define necessary contingency plans.
Equipment Schedule access to materials, critical Provide access to materials, critical
access equipment, technical staff, and other equipment, technical staff, and other
resources. resources.
Literature Provide seminal articles (where possible),
Carry out a literature review.
review and overall advice on directions.
Data collection/ Generate raw data, analyse, and
Provide guidance as necessary.
analysis discuss interpretation/ presentation.
Oral Be available for oral presentation
Generate a draft for feedback. If
presentation meeting. Provide feedback on draft
possible, practice for advisor.
presentation.
Written reports Generate a draft for feedback. Be available for at least one draft review
Arrange4 to meet with advisor (1 h) to meeting per report. Provide feedback on
obtain feedback on hard copy. drafts.

You might consider creating a template for meetings with categories such as:
 meeting details: date, time etc.,
 agenda [complete before meeting],
 progress update [complete before meeting],
 issues/ concerns/ questions [complete before meeting],
 discussion points [complete during meeting], and
 actions: what, who, when by [complete during meeting].

The completed meeting record can then be emailed to your advisor.

4
Advisors will not provide detailed written feedback on draft reports. Instead, they will look over a draft with you and give
you verbal feedback during a meeting of up to 1 h.

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2.4 Readings and other resources
Area Resource Where to find it
The course 1. O-Week podcasts: 1. Blackboard (learn.uq.edu.au) – direct links from the
Course overview, course Learning Pathway
Assessment
2. Electronic course 2. https://my.uq.edu.au/programs-courses/
profile (ECP)

Work, Health 1. Online training 1. Blackboard – Training courses ‘UQ Workplace

and Safety modules Inductions and OHS Training
2. Risk management 2. https://www.riskcloud.net
database

Time How to stop https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/your-productivity-

management procrastinating guide-how-to-stop-procrastinating-in-college/

Using the 1. Accessing databases 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0wSXlF8TAk

library 2. Using UQ Library 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCX85YScJGQ
search
3. Evaluating literature 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMWcxhs8_F0
4. Digital essentials 4. Information Essentials module
module
5. Materials, Mining, 5. Materials, Mining and Metallurgical databases
Metallurgy links
6. Mechanical and 6. Mechanical and Aerospace databases
Aerospace links
7. Chemical links 7. Chemical Engineering databases
8. Environmental Science 8. Environmental Science databases
links
9. Thesis library guide 9. Past Mechanical and Mining Theses
10. Workshop schedule 10. UQL Training page

Literature How to write a literature UQ Library literature review guide

reviews review

Referencing 1. Referencing video 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCoFBMzdK0c

2. Referencing module 2. Write, Cite and Submit
3. APA referencing guide 3. APA 6th - APA 7th 
4. How to get Endnote 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEVepz37cY8

2.5 Need help?

 Research directions, subject matter queries, lab access, etc: Your advisor
 Course administration: [email protected]
 Course coordination: Prof Lydia Kavanagh [email protected]

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3 Assessment
Before we begin: Plagiarism is a serious offence; should it be identified in any of your submissions,
your work will be referred to an integrity officer as per UQ Policies and Procedures.

If you are unsure what plagiarism constitutes and how to ensure that you maintain academic
integrity, then revisit the compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorials.

All written assessment will be submitted through Turnitin. In this course, Turnitin has been set up so
that you can see the Originality Report and to allow you to resubmit should you find unreferenced
work. Be warned that after your initial submission, Turnitin takes 24 h to release an updated report.

3.1 Proposal (10%)

Due: Thursday Week 4 (of your first semester of enrolment)

3.1.1 Rationale
Success in Engineering Thesis requires you to be self-directed in terms of both your research and
your management of the project itself.

The Proposal requires you to work with your advisor to clearly define your thesis topic, propose
research questions, identify how and when you will answer the questions, and indicate the
outcomes you expect. This then will form the basis of your research project and your work over the
period of the course. Some of the work that forms part of your Proposal (e.g. background, context,
research questions etc.) may be useful in the Interim Report and possibly in the Final Report.

Note that the Proposal is not binding. You may update and refine it, including your thesis title,
throughout the course as your research progresses. Please email any change of thesis title to
[email protected].

3.1.2 Structure
The Proposal should be no more than five pages long excluding front matter (i.e. all that comes
before the body of the report including the title page, table of contents etc.) and references. It
should contain the following sections to match with the marking rubric:

 Thesis Title and Advisor

 Introduction (25%)
Include the background to the research, any necessary context and definitions, and the
knowledge gap or driver for the proposed research (i.e. why we need this research).
 Research questions and expected outcomes (25%)
Clearly specify the research questions to be answered by your research. These are similar to
project goal(s), however, as this is a research project, they are more commonly framed as
questions. Include sub-questions where necessary. Note that the questions are not what
you are going to do, but what you aim to answer. This section should also include the
expected research outcomes, which should be both useful and relevant.
 Methodology and scope (25%)
Clearly identify how you are going to go about answering the research questions, and the
scope of your work. This will be rough at this stage of the course, as you will flesh out and
refine the method in your first semester.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 6 of 22

  Project management (25%)
Draft a list of logically ordered tasks with milestones that clearly relates to the aims of the
research and the proposed method. It should be clear how you will spend the time
commensurate with the course credit units 5. Include contingency plans, risk assessment
requirements and training needs. Use engineering project management tools: work
breakdown, Gantt charts, risk management templates etc.
 References: The proposal must demonstrate appropriate referencing 6 and contain a
correctly formatted reference list.

3.1.3 Marking
The Proposal will be marked by your thesis advisor using the rubric shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Rubric for Proposal

0 1 2 3 4 5
None Very poor Poor Satisfactory Good Very good
Introduct- Miss- Elements Elements Most elements Good coverage Excellent grasp
ion (25%) ing missing. Little missing and/ or covered. of all of all elements.
to no under- poorly Context, elements.
standing addressed with background & Justification of Very strong
evident. Very limited under- gap set the research justification for
weak/ missing standing of the basics for the evident. the research.
justification for field. research.
work.
Research Miss- RQs unrelated RQs & RQs relate to RQs well RQs and sub-
questions ing to Intro and/or outcomes Intro but need selected and questions
and poorly thought somewhat refinement will provide demonstrate
out. related to Intro and/or miss answers to excellent
expected
but coverage areas that need identified gap understanding of
outcomes
Outcomes poor and/or investigation. in knowledge. research needs.
(25%) unclear, need more Outcomes Sub-questions
missing, thought. mostly listed/ provide clarity. Insightful and
and/or limited. somewhat Outcomes fully realisable
justified. covered. outcomes.
Method- Miss- Poorly thought Patchy Mostly workable Workable and Practical,
ology and ing out and/or coverage of but some areas reproducible. achievable,
scope missing requirements need more Very few areas reproducible –
obvious and/or not thought to unclear. excellent
(25%)
requirements. reproducible ensure results coverage.
or practical. will be achieved. Clear intended
Scope Scope scope, Insightful scope,
unmanageable. incomplete/ Scope workable. contribution & contribution, &
unjustified. relevance. relevance.
Project Miss- Poor coverage. Basic coverage. Most areas Plan workable. Plan uses project
manage- ing Missing All elements covered well – Risks, mile- management
ment (25%) elements. not addressed. plan workable stones, and tools to excellent
but needs training effect. No areas
Volume of further thought. identified. missing. Good
work for Volume of work Contingency contingency
document and for document plan included. plan. Volume of
in planning not and planning Work volume work in docu-
commen- only just for doc/ plan ment/ planning
surate with commensurate commensurate exceeds that
course credit with course with credit commensurate
units. credit units. units. with credit units.

5
ENGG4600/01 and ENGG7341/ENGG42 = 10 h/week. ENGG7340/ENGG7381/ENGG7382 = 20 h/week.
6
APA referencing style is commonly used (https://guides.library.uq.edu.au/referencing/apa7). However, check with your
supervisor to see if they have a preferred style. The UQ Library guide is here: https://guides.library.uq.edu.au/referencing.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 7 of 22

3.2 Interim report (15%)
Due: Thursday Week 13 (of your first semester of enrolment)

3.2.1 Rationale
The Interim Report is an important stage gate. It provides you with a place to evaluate your
progress, and to begin to pull together some of the elements (see i, ii, and v below) that are required
for your thesis (Final Report).

The elements of the Interim Report are:

i. a clear definition of the thesis topic including the purpose, aims/ research questions,
coverage and relevance of the research project,
ii. a review of relevant background material that supports your research (i.e., a literature
review),
iii. a project plan for your second semester,
iv. a finalised risk management plan, and
v. a table of contents for your thesis.

The Interim Report is a place for you to demonstrate initiative, creativity and problem-solving skills
as well as project management skills.

You should receive detailed feedback from your advisor on the Interim Report which should give you
a head start when it comes to writing your thesis.

3.2.2 Structure
The Interim Report should be around 15 pages but not more than 20 pages not including front
matter (i.e. all that comes before the body of the report including the title page, table of contents
etc), references and appendices.

The Report format is flexible; however, the following items are expected to be included:
 Title page (including thesis title, advisor etc.)
 Abstract
A summary of the entire document, containing approximately 1 paragraph on each item
from the report.
 Introduction
The introduction should provide a clear definition of the topic and relevance leaving the
reader with no doubt about the intended coverage and contribution of the thesis. The
definitions should include a project outline and clear statement of purpose. Your initiative
around problem identification should be demonstrated.
 The research questions/goals for the research project
These should be aligned with the introduction and be justified where necessary.
 A critical literature review relevant to your research that underpins research direction
The review should cover background theory, and a review of prior research where
applicable. This review should not only help the reader understand the remainder of the
report, but should also illustrate to the reader a mastery of the material in the topic area,
demonstrated by appropriate depth and coverage of material reviewed, and by the
successful comparison and discussion of the different material presented.
 Preliminary results from work conducted in the first semester
It is important that you demonstrate that the research has commenced. This might be

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 8 of 22

 refining a method for data collection, collection of data that will underpin a model that you
will develop, or it might be the initial calibration of a piece of equipment.
 A research plan for your second semester
The project plan should consist of a well justified, comprehensive list of logically ordered
tasks with logical milestones – each clearly relating to the research questions. Progress
should be articulated in relation to the plan. Each task should be assigned expected
resource requirements (if any) and durations. The proposal should demonstrate analysis
capabilities, creativity and self-reliance. It should be clear how you will spend the time
commensurate with the course credit units 7.

Include a proposed Final Report Table of Contents in this section.

 A risk management plan
All risks (not just WHS, risks) to the project/schedule must be identified and mitigating
strategies proposed. WHS risk assessments, where required, must be uploaded to the UQ
risk management system (UQ Safe – Risk) and approved by your advisor.
 References
The report must demonstrate appropriate referencing and include a correctly formatted
reference list.

A couple of final recommendations:

 If you want something to count towards your marks, make sure that it is in the main body of
the report and not the appendices.
 Use the format of the Final Report to assist with future integration of material from this
report into the final assessment piece.
 All background and related material should be in your own words, appropriately referenced,
and included in the reference list.

3.2.3 Marking
The Interim Report will be marked by your thesis advisor using the rubric shown in

Failure to appropriately acknowledge the work of others is plagiarism and will be treated as
academic misconduct. Should plagiarism be detected, an allegation of misconduct will be issued to
you.

7
ENGG4600/01 and ENGG7341/ENGG42 = 10 h/week. ENGG7340/ENGG7381/ENGG7382 = 20 h/week.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 9 of 22

 Table 4 Rubric for Interim Report
0
1 2 3 4 5
Non
Very poor Poor Satisfactory Good Very good
e
There is no doubt
Very little Limited Satisfactory about the
indication of indication of description of Clear intended intended
intended intended the intended coverage and coverage and
coverage and coverage and coverage and contribution of contribution of
contribution contribution contribution the thesis. the thesis.
of the thesis. of the thesis. of the thesis.
Includes a clear Includes a
Topic, goal, Very poor Poor attempt The research outline and comprehensive
Miss-
& relevance research at research outline and statement of research outline
ing
(20%) outline and outline and statement of purpose. and a clear
statement of statement of purpose is statement of
purpose. purpose. appropriate. Reader has most purpose so that
of the information the reader is fully
Reader has There are Some reader necessary to informed.
little to no many reader questions are understand the
idea about the questions to not fully work. Very clear
work. be answered. answered. evidence of
student’s initiative.
Shows limited
understanding Covers most
Very little Clear mastery of
of the of the material
understanding Covers all of the material.
material. in the topic
of the material relevant Independent &
area.
in the topic background authoritative
Poor
area. material in the literature review
literature Some critical
topic area. that includes
Review of review and thinking
Scant critical thinking
reference evident.
literature & Miss- literature Good literature and synthesis.
selection.
relevant ing accessed. review that uses
Satisfactory
work (20%) critical thinking. Excellent coverage
Limited reference list.
Not related to This contributes to of the literature.
critical
the rest of the the reader’s The review is most
thinking. Provides some
document. understanding of helpful in
aid in
the rest of the understanding the
Little help in understand-
No critical document rest of the
comprehend- ing the rest of
thinking. document.
ing the rest of the document.
document.
Volume of Volume of work
work slightly exceeds that
less than commensurate
Volume of Volume of work
Volume of expected with course credit
work much only just
work less than given course units.
less than commensurate
expected credit units. Evidence of strong
expected with course credit
given course Satisfactory progress including
given course units.
credit units. progress with critical analysis of
credit units.
Preliminary some prelim results,
Miss- Good evidence of
results Progress has preliminary strong problem-
ing Very little satisfactory
(20%) been poor. results solving skills,
progress on progress and
analysed and initiative, and self-
the thesis is problem-solving
Limited some reliance.
apparent. skills with
preliminary evidence of
preliminary result
results problem Analysis has been
Preliminary analysis.
included. solving/ used to refine
results scant.
method and/ or justify
refinement as proposed
a result. methodology.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 10 of 22

 Project Miss- A weakly Incomplete Project A well justified A very well
manage- ing justified list of management and feasible list of justified,
ment and/or milestones; tools used to research comprehensive/
partial list of resources and produce a milestones (with feasible list of
including
milestones, task duration basic list of resources and research
risk
resources, not well milestones duration) using milestones (with
assessment and task identified; that identify project resources &
(30%) durations. project resources and management duration)
Project management task durations. tools. Clear demonstrating
management tools not well outline of how excellent use of
tools not used. Basic thesis required volume project
used. table of of work will be management
Missing or contents. achieved. tools. Clear
Missing limited thesis outline of how
thesis table table of Satisfactory Comprehensive required volume
of contents. contents. assessment of thesis table of of work will be
research risks contents. achieved.
Risk Partial risk and, if
assessment assessment applicable, Thorough Insightful thesis
superficial or with missing experiments. assessment of table of contents.
missing. mitigating Mitigating risks to the
strategies. strategies/ execution of the Comprehensive
Mitigating Little thought contingency research and, if assessment of
strategies/ to planning applicable, risks to the
contingency contingency workable but experiments. execution of
planning are planning. need further Proposed research and, if
limited or thought. methods of applicable,
missing. control are well experiments.
thought out. Mitigating
Contingency plans strategies will be
sound. effective. Project
should proceed
according to plan
and without
incident.
Presentat- Miss-
Report
Report Structured Good structure Excellent
ion (10%) ing structure/ well enough which helps structure, a
lacking in
presentation to be comprehension. pleasure to read.
structure and
less than understood by
hard to
professional reader. Presentation is Neat, professional
understand.
requiring neat and presentation.
Presentation major review. Presentation professional. Excellent use of
untidy. is neat and appropriate
Spelling/ mostly Good scientific/ scientific/
Reference list
grammatical professional. technical writing technical writing
has many errors cause style. style.
formatting problems with Referencing
errors. reader satisfactory. Reference list Correctly
Basic proofing compre- complete and formatted and
not hension. Some spelling formatted appropriately
undertaken. and/or appropriately. cited reference
Reference grammatical list.
formatting not errors. Limited spelling
consistent. and/or No spelling or
grammatical grammatical
errors. errors.

COULD BE GIVEN
TO A CLIENT.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 11 of 22

 3.3 Presentation (10%)
Due: Thursday Week 10 (of your second semester of enrolment)

3.3.1 Rationale
As an engineer you must be able to communicate your ideas and findings in both written and oral
formats. You will therefore present your research at the Mechanical and Mining Engineering
Student Conference in the final semester of your project.

3.3.2 Structure
Your seminar should outline the aim(s) of the project, existing knowledge, the approach you have
taken, results, conclusions, and what remains to be done. You will need to explain your technical
achievements and put them into context.

We suggest the following narrative:

 Introduction: context, relevance, gap & research questions (2-3 slides)
 Methods (1 slide)
 Main results (3 slides)
 Conclusions and recommendations for future work (1 slide)

To achieve high marks for the presentation, we strongly recommend that you:
 do not read a written speech;
 do not memorise your speech8;
 make your PowerPoint interesting (i.e. not filled with bullet points); and
 engage with the audience.

The Student Conference is run in parallel sessions with 10 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of
Q&A per student. The Chair will ask you to stop for questions at the end of 10 mins, whether or not
you have finished.

All presentations must be uploaded onto Blackboard at least two days before the conference. This
allows us to have the sessions pre-prepared.

Each student who presents an outstanding seminar at the Conference will be provided with details
of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) competition and may participate if they so wish.

3.3.3 Marking
Conference attendance is compulsory for all students; you must attend all sessions and not just
the session that you will present at. Failure to attend all sessions in the stream to which you are
allocated9, will result in 0 marks for this item of assessment even if you present in your seminar.

Your presentation will be marked by your advisor and the second thesis marker. Their marks
will be averaged. Criteria for your presentation mark, assuming you attend all sessions, as per
the rubric shown in Table 5 will be equally weighted.

Table 5 Rubric for Presentation

8
Instead practise at least seven times – in front of the mirror, in front of family and friends, and on your way to the event.
Don’t worry about using different words or forgetting things – the audience won’t know. You can use your powerpoint to
remind you where you’re at but don’t fill it with bullet points and words.

9
If there are medical or other acceptable reasons for your absence, submit an exemption/ extension request via my.UQ.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 12 of 22

 0 1 2 3 4 5
None Poor Medi- Satisfactory Good (Excellent)
ocre
Audience Memoris- Some instances Speech fluid
connection: ation evident where recalling without long
Engages with and palm memorised speech gaps. Almost
audience and cards used evident. Some 100%
keeps attention (or over- stilted sections engagement.
throughout reliance on where audience No memoris-
presentation. PowerPoint and/ or engage- ation/palm
slides). ment was lost. cards used.
Delivery: Fails to use Presents with Presents with
Adequate elements of most elements of a refined
volume and effective effective delivery repertory of
projection with delivery or with the basic use effective
clear ineffective of AV media. techniques
articulation. use of including
Use of vocal elements. integrated use
variety, of AV media.
gestures, body
language, and
eye contact.
Interest in
audience and
topic.
Appropriate use
of AV media
and/or artefacts.
Structure: Rambling Establishes/ Maintains a
Gives audience and maintains clear refined
the focus and disjointed purpose, provides structure in
purpose of talk speech with transitions to relation to
at outset and no clear clarify most academic
reminds them at focus and segues. frameworks/
conclusion. purpose. interest of
Uses a narrative audience.
arc:
introduction,
development,
and conclusion.
Content: Little to no Demonstrates Articulates
Includes context, substance to appropriate applications,
methods, and presentation. application of syntheses
results. ideas. and/or
Pitched at evaluations of
university level. principles with
valid
evidence.
Q&A: Fails to show Shows some Demonstrates
Establishes background background deep
question, knowledge; knowledge; background
answers answers to provides knowledge;
knowledgeably questions meaningful answers
and respectfully, not answers to questions
and offers follow meaningful questions. clearly and
up where to audience. authoritatively
necessary.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 13 of 22

3.4 Final Report (60%)
Due: Thursday Week 13 (of your second semester of enrolment)

3.4.1 Rationale
The Final Report or thesis is the main assessment component in this course. The contents and
structure of the thesis will depend on your Thesis Topic.

This is the report that you might show to prospective employers as evidence of your ability to
manage a project and communicate in a professional and scientific manner. We therefore
recommend that you apply yourself to producing this document to a very high standard.

3.4.2 Structure
As a guide, the Final Report should be 50-70 pages long (excluding front matter, references and
Appendices).

For the general format and submission guidelines, see Project or Thesis Submission. There are also a
number of thesis writing resources on Blackboard that you are encouraged to read and engage with.

The Report format is flexible, but the following items are expected to be included:

 Title page (including thesis title, advisor etc.)

 Abstract
A summary of the entire thesis containing approximately 1 paragraph each on: background
(including supporting literature), research questions/ aims, methods, results, conclusions,
and recommendations.
 Introduction
Include a number of sections that give: a clear definition of the topic, relevance and scope of
the research, research questions/aims, outcomes/impact, and a roadmap to the thesis.
 Literature review
Cover background theory, and a review of prior research where applicable. The literature
review should support the aims and directions of the research. This section does not need
to be called ‘Literature review’ but instead can be titled something that supports your
research (e.g. ‘2. Material X: current and potential uses’), and it may be split into more than
one section (e.g. ‘3. Common materials used in the manufacture of Y’).
 Methods (or Experimental Design)
This section should detail the method that you use such that the reader could reproduce
your results and also assess the reliability of the results.
 Results
What your method/ experiments found.
 Analysis of results (or Discussion)
What do the results mean? Remember that if the research hasn’t resulted in a positive
outcome, you will need to explain why this happened, and in recommendations, you can
document where the next researcher should devote their efforts. You should include a
sensitivity analysis where you look at the effect of changing your assumptions (e.g. +/1 10%)
on your outcomes.
 Conclusions and recommendations
The conclusions should summarise your analysis and refer back to your research questions –

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 14 of 22

 were they answered. Recommendations as to the next tranche of research should also be
made.
 References
The report must demonstrate appropriate referencing and include a correctly formatted
reference list.
3.4.3 Marking
The Final Report will be marked using the rubric shown in Table 6 by your advisor and by an
independent second marker. Your final mark will be an average of the two marks.

Failure to appropriately acknowledge the work of others is plagiarism and will be treated as
academic misconduct. Should plagiarism be detected, an allegation of misconduct will be issued to
you.

Table 6 Rubric for Final Report

0 1 2 3 4 5
None Very poor Poor Satisfactory Good Very good
Excellent, clear
Very good
definition of thesis
definition of
topic, problem
Poor or Satisfactory thesis topic,
and/or hypothesis
Thesis topic incomplete definition of problem and/or
(inc. statement of
and scope definition of thesis topic, hypothesis (inc.
purpose and
very unclear. thesis topic problem and/or statement of
relevance) and
Abstract, and scope. hypothesis and purpose and
scope (inc. context,
Very poor scope. relevance) and
thesis boundaries, and
Miss- abstract; no Abstract is scope (inc.
definition and assumptions).
ing structure poorly Abstract context,
scope evident. structured/ satisfactorily boundaries &
(15%) Excellently
Reason for not clear captures the assumptions).
structured abstract
abstract about the thesis topic and Structured
accurately yet
clearly not thesis topic outcomes. abstract
concisely captures
understood. and its Structure could accurately
thesis topic,
outcomes. be improved. captures thesis
methods,
topic, methods,
outcomes, and
and outcomes.
relevance.
Background Miss- Extremely Limited Acceptable Relevant, Comprehensive,
(20%) ing limited coverage of coverage of logically- focused, logically-
coverage of background background organised organised review,
background material material. review, analysis, critical analysis, and
material. and/or Both specific and discussion discussion of
missing research and of background relevant
Lack of specific relevant theory material. background
understand- research or are presented. material.
ing of the relevant Both specific
material in theory. Shows basic research and Demonstrates clear
the topic understanding relevant theory, mastery of the
area Flaws in basic of the material helps reader material in the
apparent. understand- in the topic understand the topic area and
ing of area. document. ability to synthesise
Little to no material in and abstract
synthesis topic area Further critical Demonstrates a knowledge.
evident. evident. thinking and good grasp of
synthesis is material in topic
Limited required. area, and ability
synthesis to synthesise
evident. knowledge.
Methodology Miss- Very low Volume of Volume of work Volume of work Volume of work

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 15 of 22

 (inc. data ing volume of work much only just slightly exceeds exceeds that
collection) work. less than commensurate course credit commensurate
(20%) expected with course units. with course credit
Methodol- given course credit units. A clearly set out units.
ogy shows credit units. and
very little A reasonably reproducible Methodology is
understandi Methodology reproducible methodology detailed, clearly set
ng of the shows flawed methodology flows from out and
field and/or understandin flows from background reproducible.
research. g and little background research. Approach highlights
application of research. Some Approach shows creativity and
Data background analysis of innovation and innovation, and
collection research and alternatives includes an includes an
scarce. may be included. evaluation of evaluation of
incomplete, alternative alternative
unclear and/ Satisfactory approaches. approaches.
or not data collection.
reproducible. Good data Comprehensive
collection. data collection
Data
collection
patchy.
Results (inc. Miss- There are Analysis Analysis shows Analysis is
Attention has been
data analysis) ing major shows limited reasonable detailed and
given to detail.
(15%) analytical comprehensio comprehension demonstrates
Analysis
errors. n and poor/ of the work and good under-
demonstrates
incomplete research standing of
mastery of
practices. practices. Some research
research practices,
reference to practices.
& shows
There may be background Background
application of
some major knowledge. knowledge
knowledge gained
errors in underpins
from background.
concepts or There are no analysis.
analysis. major errors in No errors in
concepts or No errors in concepts or
analysis. concepts or analysis.
analysis.
Interpretation Miss- Little/ no Many Most research Research Research questions
of results (inc. ing attempt to research questions are questions insightfully
discussion, answer questions are addressed. answered. answered.
research not
conclusion,
questions. addressed. Some new New knowledge New/ impactful
and
knowledge but generated with knowledge clearly
recommend- Very poor Limited or no limited insight some insight shown.
ation) review of new into result into significance
(20%) work and no knowledge significance. of results. Includes:
real evident – comprehensive
comprehensi significance of Sensitivity Includes good sensitivity analysis,
on outcomes not analysis sensitivity clear concise
demonstrate stated. provides some analysis, clear summary of
d. elucidation. summary of outcomes, and
Poor or Satisfactory outcomes, and recommendations
Thesis fails missing conclusion and recommend- for continuation/
to explain sensitivity recommend- ations for future improvement of
what was analysis, ation sections work. the research.
achieved. summary of included.
outcomes,
and/ or
recommend-
ations.
Writing and Miss- Structure Structure and Acceptable Very good PUBLISHABLE!
presentation ing and physical physical structure and logical structure,
layout very layout detract physical layout. physical layout, Excellent logical

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 16 of 22

 (10%) poor; from content; attention to structure, physical
presentation some Very few detail. layout, attention to
of work is inaccuracies inaccuracies or detail. Accurate,
unprofession or omissions. No inaccuracies concise, and
al, considerable or omissions. coherent.
inaccurate lack of detail Neat overall but Appropriate
and/ or in occasional engineering Appropriate
incomplete. presentation spelling writing style and engineering
of work. mistakes or data writing style
Numerous errors in presentation used
spelling Some spelling grammar. conventions including
mistakes or mistakes or used. conventions
grammar grammar Occasional No spelling for data
errors. errors. errors in mistakes or presentation.
referencing or errors in
Several Several errors bibliography grammar. No spelling
errors in in referencing formatting. mistakes or
referencing or Appropriate grammar
or bibliography referencing to a errors.
bibliography formatting. correctly
formatting. formatted Correctly formatted
bibliography. in-text and
bibliography
referencing.

3.5 Thesis Project Execution (5%)

Due: Considered throughout the year

3.5.1 Rationale
Engineering Thesis is a year-long course that is largely self-directed in terms of both the research
that you will undertake, and the management of the research project. It is pitched at honours-level
(i.e. 4th year) or higher and has a unit value higher than an average course – it will therefore not be
easy and will require significant input from you.

To assist you, you have an advisor with whom you should arrange regular, scheduled meetings.
These meetings should be largely run by you (i.e. you set the agenda and come with a list of
questions) and the advisor will provide you with advice and feedback on your progress.

Thesis Project Execution will partly be based on your progress and learning through the year as
monitored through these meetings, through your assessment submissions, and your responses to
feedback. Note that lack of communication by you with your advisor may lead to a low mark
regardless of the quality of the Final Report submission.

The mark that you achieve for Thesis Project Execution is another piece of evidence that you can
submit to a prospective employer as it demonstrates your initiative, motivation, and ability to
manage a project.

3.5.2 Marking
Thesis Project Execution will be marked by your advisor using the rubric shown in .

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 17 of 22

 Table 7 Rubric for Thesis Execution

0 1 2 3 4 5
None Very poor Poor Satisfactory Good Very good
Advisor was
Student was
required to
Student did not able to get Input from Student took
prompt student
achieve much in research student from charge of research
several times in
first half of underway early start of from first week
early part of
research. Scant with some research resulting in an
Ability to preliminary
research to get
prompting resulted in it excellent start and
Start work started.
No results were from advisor. A being initiated outcomes starting
This delayed
Research, work produced.
starting
satisfactory very well with a to be developed
First Sem done. volume of good volume of early in research
research. Very
Submissions preliminary preliminary and excellent
(25%) were late and/
limited
results was results. preliminary
preliminary
or quality produced. results.
results
suffered due to Submissions All submissions All submissions
produced.
lack of effort. may have been timely. timely.
Submissions
a little rushed.
late or rushed.
Student Student Student
Student relied
completed completed completed
too much on
most planned research tasks research tasks as
help from
tasks. as planned in a planned in a
No evidence of advisor and
However, timely manner. considered/
time- other
Ability to management contributors to
some A minor timely manner
complete deficiencies in number of including
No on part of research.
planning could tasks were compilation of
research, work student Poor planning
have been rushed but
done. resulting in and/or poor thesis without
Second Sem avoided. overall very
research aims time needing to rush.
(25%) not being management
Some tasks good time Excellent project-
rushed and management management
achieved. resulted in
research was observed skills evident and
some research
quality may with no input no intervention
aims not being
have suffered required from required from
achieved.
consequently. the advisor. advisor.
Volume of
work slightly
exceeds that
Volume of
commensurate Volume of work
work is
with course exceeds that
commensurate
Volume of work credit units. commensurate
Very little with course
much less than Research with course credit
volume of credit units.
expected given approach, units. Research
work.
course credit execution of approach,
Initiative for
units. work, and execution of
Initiative Very limited or research
None outcomes were work, and
(25%) no initiative
Student
approach,
for most part outcomes were
demonstrated execution of
demonstrated student’s own. entirely student’s
by student work, and
limited initiative Student given a own. Student was
during research outcomes
throughout brief (or given a brief (or
project. came in equal
research. developed a developed a brief)
part from
brief) and took and took research
student and
research from from there.
advisor.
there with
minimal input
from advisor.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 18 of 22

 Student well
prepared for
most meetings Student well
Student
with relevant prepared for all
meetings
questions. meetings with
usually run
relevant
with advisor in
Student questions.
charge.
Meetings run communicated
by advisor with with advisor as Student
Student
Student did not little input from necessary, communicated
communication
respond to student. using correct with advisor as
with advisor
advisor communication necessary, using
satisfactory.
communication. Student mostly channel, correct
Some meetings
did not respond ensuring that communication
unnecessary or
Drafts for to advisor neither party’s channel, ensuring
missed.
advisor communication. time was that neither
comment/ wasted. party’s time was
Relationship Feedback
feedback not Drafts for wasted.
with advisor None occasionally
produced. advisor Most feedback
(25%) not heeded.
comment/ from advisor, Feedback from
Advisor feedback rarely taken on board advisor taken on
Drafts for
constantly produced. as relevant. board as
advisor
concerned appropriate.
comment/
regarding Advisor Drafts for
feedback
student somewhat advisor Drafts for advisor
rushed or
progress. concerned comment/ comment/
incomplete.
regarding feedback feedback
student mostly produced in a
Advisor
progress. produced in timely manner.
occasionally
timely manner.
concerned
Advisor never
regarding
Advisor never concerned
student
concerned regarding student
progress.
regarding progress.
student
progress.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 19 of 22

3.6 Workshop Completion (Grade cap)
Due: Throughout the course

3.6.1 Rationale
This course can be considered the culmination of your degree program. Your final thesis should be
of such quality that you would be proud to share it with a would-be employer as testament to your
excellent research, project management, and communication skills. Indeed, it should help you nail
getting that job.

Therefore, to ensure that you understand what is required to produce a quality thesis, seven
workshops are offered; they target the key submissions.

Mode Content Week

Podcast Welcome! (An overview of the course) O-Week, Semester 1
Podcast Assessment details O-Week, Semester 1
Workshop 1 Welcome and research skills Week 1, Semester 1
Workshop 2 What should be in the Proposal Week 2, Semester 1
Workshop 3 What should be in the Interim Report Week 8, Semester 1
Workshop 4 Finishing the Interim Report Week 12, Semester 1
Podcast Welcome back! Week 1, Semester 2
Workshop 5 What should be in the Thesis Week 4, Semester 2
Workshop 6 Seminar skills Week 7, Semester 2
Workshop 7 Finishing the Thesis Week 11, Semester 2

Advisors have noted that students who do not attend these workshops submit sub-standard theses,
and do not understand what is required to undertake the research necessary to attain a grade of 7.

This grade cap is an added incentive for you to complete the workshops: you produce an excellent
thesis that helps you get employment, and you receive a higher grade. Yes, not completing the
workshops correlates with a lower grade, but the aim here is to have as many students get high
grades as possible.

3.6.2 Submission
 Upload your completed electronic template to Blackboard.
 Due: Friday of the final week of Semester 2.

You do not need to attend the workshops, if you miss one, the recording of the session, PowerPoint,
and template will be on Blackboard and you can complete in your own time. The benefit of
attending, either in person or on zoom, is that you get to ask questions in real time.

3.6.3 Marking
There is no incorrect way to fill out the templates – as long as you make an attempt at all parts of the
template, you will be deemed to have passed that template.

If you submit less than 5 templates, your grade will be capped at a 5.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 20 of 22

4 Confidentiality
If your thesis involves working in, or obtaining data from, a third party (e.g. industry), a legal
agreement may need to be signed. You will be advised of this by the third party or your advisor. If
you are uncertain, please ask your advisor.

4.1 Legal agreements

Unless a confidentiality agreement is in place otherwise, theses will be uploaded and made available
in the UQ Library Collection.

Therefore, if you are undertaking an industry-based thesis, you should check with your industry
advisor to see if there are any confidentiality requirements for the research project. Note that
academics not involved in the project will examine the thesis and this will need to be recognised and
acknowledged by the industry partner. Please contact the School Office
([email protected]) for further information about the legal agreement.

If your industry partner wishes to make any changes to the standard agreement or, if another
confidentiality agreement is proposed, this will be passed on to the UQ Legal Office by the School for
negotiation. This can take one month or more. If your industry partner wishes to take this route,
the proposed agreement should be sent to the School Office
([email protected]) prior to commencement of the project. It is up to you
to send the proposed agreement to the School office for processing.

If your thesis is to remain confidential for a period of time, include an accompanying Confidentiality
Submission Letter in your final report. This letter is normally located in the report immediately after
the title page and before the abstract.

4.2 Intellectual Property:

Any Intellectual Property that you create during the period of enrolment in the thesis course will be
treated in accordance with UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL) 4.10.13 Intellectual Property for
Staff, Students and Visitors. The main clauses are:

2.1.4 The University does not assert ownership of IP created by students other than HDR
candidates. However, it is acknowledged that some students (in particular honours students
or postgraduate course work students with a research component) may collaborate with
external entities on research projects. If there is potential for IP to be created, the University
expects students to assign IP that the student may create to the University before project
commencement. If the project does result in the creation of IP, students other than HDR
candidates will be treated as HDR candidates per the Intellectual Property Procedures.

2.1.6 Research or consultancy work with a person or organisation external to the University
must have a contractual arrangement in place that considers the appropriate protection of the
University’s interests regarding IP.

Variation from the principles of University ownership of IP may occur when:

a) An external party engages UQ in Contract Research and fully funds the research costs of a
project inclusive of UQ’s full indirect costs, in accordance with the Research and Consultancy
Costing and Pricing Procedure. If the project relies on or uses background IP and the external
party requires access to the background IP to be able to use commercially the IP created

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 21 of 22

 during the contract research project, then a licence to the background IP negotiated through
the University commercialisation company is required.

b) The activity is a consultancy.

Engineering Thesis Mechanical and Mining Engineering Page 22 of 22