EGH498 Research Project
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | EGH498 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 288 credit points completed studies in the current Engineering course |
| Other requisite(s): | Subject Area Coordinator approval is required to enrol. Students must have completed 288 credit points in EN01 (or associated double degrees) prior to seeking approval. |
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,384 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $10,728 |
| International unit fee | $13,368 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EGH498 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | 288 cp |
| Other Requisite: | Study Area Coordinator approval is required to enrol. Students must have completed 288 credit points in Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) prior to seeking approval. |
Overview
This unit enables Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) students to complete their 24 credit point final-year capstone project within a single semester. It consolidates the learning outcomes of EGH490-1 and EGH490-2, offering an accelerated and intensive research experience. You will identify an engineering challenge or research problem, and apply rigorous research, investigation, and design methodologies to develop and deliver a comprehensive, independent project. This includes project planning and management, advancement of discipline knowledge, and consideration of risk, ethics, and sustainability. The unit builds on prior learning, particularly EGH404 Research in Engineering Practice, and develops the professional competencies expected of a graduate engineer, as outlined by Engineers Australia. It prepares you for transition to professional practice or further research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Conduct critical analysis of the body of knowledge through literature review to inform an engineering problem at a mastered level
- Advocate for an approach to solving a complex problem that addresses the engineering problem and the client needs
- Demonstrate professional and personal attributes for a professional engineer including ethical conduct, use of information and orderly conduct
- Demonstrate mastery of technical skills towards devloping a solution to an engineering problem using rigorous research and investigation practices.
- Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication to justify your approach to a complex engineering problem at a mastered level.
Content
1. Working as a professional engineer- self management and management of the project, negotiating and setting expectations around documentation and information management with your supervisor, and professional conduct.
2. Exploring the current state of engineering knowledge in your research project area- identifying gaps in knowledge through literature review.
3. Sustainability, ethics and risk management in light of Engineers Australia competency standards.
4. Using your project to contribute to your professional development.
5. Communicating professionally through technical writing and presentations.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:
- Formal lectures (in weeks 1, 2, 5, and 10 for a total of 10 hours) from experienced engineering
research academics to give you insight into professional engineering research knowledge, skills
and attributes. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
To complement these timetabled activities, you will be provided with learning resources including videos and readings on a unit Canvas site that you can access flexibly to assist you in completing your learning in this unit.
At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator.
You are expected to:
- Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
- Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
- At commencement of semester apply, and then be accepted for by the end of week 1, a research topic approved by a potential supervisor, which is relevant to your engineering first major (study area A) using the system prescribed by the unit coordinator.
- Work in a self-directed manner throughout the semester to arrange, prepare for, and attend bi-weekly meetings with your academic supervisor and where relevant industry supervisor, where you will demonstrate your progress and discuss your ongoing work with your project team.
- Undertake work independently outside of your timetabled activities and supervision meetings to complete your work.
- Complete assessment tasks by working consistently through the semester and meeting the due dates that are published on the unit Canvas site.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During bi-weekly meetings with your academic supervisor (and industry supervisor for industry projects), you will share your formative ideas for your assessments and you will receive feedback from your supervisor/s and your student project team. As part of an effective team you will share the findings of your project work with your supervisor/s for marking and feedback, and you will share your oral defence of your project delivery with your supervisor/s with members of your class. View this team as a learning community and share and discuss emergent ideas in the engineering research and investigation process and your understandings of engineering professional practice. Each assessment submission will be graded against criteria and standards that will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics.
Marked assessment will include feedback given by the markers against the criteria.
Assessment
Overview
The assessments in this unit are designed to guide you through a challenging but rewarding research and project experience. EGH498 compresses two semesters of capstone project work into a single intensive semester, with structured milestones to keep you on track.
You will work closely with your academic supervisor (and an industry supervisor, where relevant), developing professional skills such as project planning, ethical conduct, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
There are four assessments, aligned with real-world engineering practice and research expectations:
-
Project Proposal and Progress Report – helps you define your project scope, manage timelines, and receive early feedback.
-
Work Performance – your supervisor evaluates your professional behaviour and engagement throughout the project.
-
Final Report and Oral Defence – demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems, present findings, and reflect on your outcomes. Note, the final report is not a thesis.
These assessments are spaced across the semester to provide clear guidance and timely feedback. They are designed to support your development as a graduate-ready engineer and meet the requirements of Engineers Australia’s competency standards.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project Proposal
You will develop a written report that includes a literature review and project
proposal.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project Progress Report
You will prepare a written and illustrated report. You will deliver an individual presentation that summarises this report to your supervisor and marker.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Work Performance
Your academic supervisor will observe your work performance during meetings and interactions throughout EGH498 Research Project. You are encouraged to ask for feedback on your progress at any time.
This assessment includes supervisor observations of:
- Management of self and project
- Documentation and information management (record keeping)
- Interaction and communications
- Professional Conduct
At the start of the project, you will discuss how you will keep records of the project (documentation and information management). Your academic supervisor will take account of your records. In some cases, your supervisor will ask industry partners or other project stakeholders to provide feedback on your individual work performance.
A submission is optional to only demonstrate your record keeping.
Assessment: Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
You will submit an individual report that documents your project delivery, whose form will be negotiated with your academic supervisor as appropriate for your project topic, such as a white paper or business case. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
You will give an oral defence (presentation) of your project delivery to your academic supervisor, industry supervisor where applicable, and members of your class.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Refer to Canvas
Risk Assessment Statement
You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
You may (depending upon the nature of your project) be required to access QUT laboratories or workshops. Such access will require you to have completed any relevant safety courses and hold any relevant safety cards. You must follow all relevant workplace health and safety rules, and follow the instructions of laboratory or workshop staff.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EGH498 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | 288 cp |
| Other Requisite: | Study Area Coordinator approval is required to enrol. Students must have completed 288 credit points in Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) prior to seeking approval. |
Overview
This unit enables Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) students to complete their 24 credit point final-year capstone project within a single semester. It consolidates the learning outcomes of EGH490-1 and EGH490-2, offering an accelerated and intensive research experience. You will identify an engineering challenge or research problem, and apply rigorous research, investigation, and design methodologies to develop and deliver a comprehensive, independent project. This includes project planning and management, advancement of discipline knowledge, and consideration of risk, ethics, and sustainability. The unit builds on prior learning, particularly EGH404 Research in Engineering Practice, and develops the professional competencies expected of a graduate engineer, as outlined by Engineers Australia. It prepares you for transition to professional practice or further research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Conduct critical analysis of the body of knowledge through literature review to inform an engineering problem at a mastered level
- Advocate for an approach to solving a complex problem that addresses the engineering problem and the client needs
- Demonstrate professional and personal attributes for a professional engineer including ethical conduct, use of information and orderly conduct
- Demonstrate mastery of technical skills towards devloping a solution to an engineering problem using rigorous research and investigation practices.
- Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication to justify your approach to a complex engineering problem at a mastered level.
Content
1. Working as a professional engineer- self management and management of the project, negotiating and setting expectations around documentation and information management with your supervisor, and professional conduct.
2. Exploring the current state of engineering knowledge in your research project area- identifying gaps in knowledge through literature review.
3. Sustainability, ethics and risk management in light of Engineers Australia competency standards.
4. Using your project to contribute to your professional development.
5. Communicating professionally through technical writing and presentations.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:
- Formal lectures (in weeks 1, 2, 5, and 10 for a total of 10 hours) from experienced engineering
research academics to give you insight into professional engineering research knowledge, skills
and attributes. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
To complement these timetabled activities, you will be provided with learning resources including videos and readings on a unit Canvas site that you can access flexibly to assist you in completing your learning in this unit.
At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator.
You are expected to:
- Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
- Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
- At commencement of semester apply, and then be accepted for by the end of week 1, a research topic approved by a potential supervisor, which is relevant to your engineering first major (study area A) using the system prescribed by the unit coordinator.
- Work in a self-directed manner throughout the semester to arrange, prepare for, and attend bi-weekly meetings with your academic supervisor and where relevant industry supervisor, where you will demonstrate your progress and discuss your ongoing work with your project team.
- Undertake work independently outside of your timetabled activities and supervision meetings to complete your work.
- Complete assessment tasks by working consistently through the semester and meeting the due dates that are published on the unit Canvas site.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During bi-weekly meetings with your academic supervisor (and industry supervisor for industry projects), you will share your formative ideas for your assessments and you will receive feedback from your supervisor/s and your student project team. As part of an effective team you will share the findings of your project work with your supervisor/s for marking and feedback, and you will share your oral defence of your project delivery with your supervisor/s with members of your class. View this team as a learning community and share and discuss emergent ideas in the engineering research and investigation process and your understandings of engineering professional practice. Each assessment submission will be graded against criteria and standards that will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics.
Marked assessment will include feedback given by the markers against the criteria.
Assessment
Overview
The assessments in this unit are designed to guide you through a challenging but rewarding research and project experience. EGH498 compresses two semesters of capstone project work into a single intensive semester, with structured milestones to keep you on track.
You will work closely with your academic supervisor (and an industry supervisor, where relevant), developing professional skills such as project planning, ethical conduct, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
There are four assessments, aligned with real-world engineering practice and research expectations:
-
Project Proposal and Progress Report – helps you define your project scope, manage timelines, and receive early feedback.
-
Work Performance – your supervisor evaluates your professional behaviour and engagement throughout the project.
-
Final Report and Oral Defence – demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems, present findings, and reflect on your outcomes. Note, the final report is not a thesis.
These assessments are spaced across the semester to provide clear guidance and timely feedback. They are designed to support your development as a graduate-ready engineer and meet the requirements of Engineers Australia’s competency standards.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project Proposal
You will develop a written report that includes a literature review and project
proposal.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project Progress Report
You will prepare a written and illustrated report. You will deliver an individual presentation that summarises this report to your supervisor and marker.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Work Performance
Your academic supervisor will observe your work performance during meetings and interactions throughout EGH498 Research Project. You are encouraged to ask for feedback on your progress at any time.
This assessment includes supervisor observations of:
- Management of self and project
- Documentation and information management (record keeping)
- Interaction and communications
- Professional Conduct
At the start of the project, you will discuss how you will keep records of the project (documentation and information management). Your academic supervisor will take account of your records. In some cases, your supervisor will ask industry partners or other project stakeholders to provide feedback on your individual work performance.
A submission is optional to only demonstrate your record keeping.
Assessment: Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
You will submit an individual report that documents your project delivery, whose form will be negotiated with your academic supervisor as appropriate for your project topic, such as a white paper or business case. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
You will give an oral defence (presentation) of your project delivery to your academic supervisor, industry supervisor where applicable, and members of your class.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Refer to Canvas
Risk Assessment Statement
You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
You may (depending upon the nature of your project) be required to access QUT laboratories or workshops. Such access will require you to have completed any relevant safety courses and hold any relevant safety cards. You must follow all relevant workplace health and safety rules, and follow the instructions of laboratory or workshop staff.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: Project Proposal, Project Progress Report, Work Performance, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Project Progress Report, Project Delivery Report and Oral Defence