EGB362 Operations Management and Process Economics
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: | EGB362 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | EGB261 |
| Equivalent(s): | ENB260, EGB260 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,684 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EGB362 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | EGB261 |
| Equivalent: | ENB260, EGB260 |
| Coordinator: | Thomas Rainey | t.rainey@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This an intermediate level unit for chemical process engineering, addressing concepts to allow an engineer to understand the competing factors that affect operations and profitability of a chemical process in an Australian context. The unit brings together operations management and process economics concepts to understand the competing factors that affect operations and profitability of a chemical process in an Australian context. You will work together with peers on an authentic learning experience in a role play and submit a portfolio of works. You will draw on process operations introduced in EGB261.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify operational issues and approaches to improve process operations when provided process engineering data at a developed level.
- Solve problems in process economics relating to process operations at a developed level
- Propose an engineering solution for process operations involving internal and external stakeholders, at a developed level.
- Formulate a recommendation for improving process operations which requires ethical consideration at a developed level
- Communicate engineering analysis procedures used in process operations for management and economics, at a developed level.
Content
This is a core chemical process engineering unit and content is presented in that context. Learning is reinforced through a team role-play (group project), communicating recommendations to the client in a report (portfolio) incorporating the content areas below.
1.Operations management. This unit introduces practical operations management tools and concepts.
1.1 Forecasting. You will explore the options for repositioning a consumer product that mitigates financial risks and quality control.
1.2 Product and service design will be investigated in the context of designing a new product.
1.3 Total quality management principles (TQM) and statistical process control. You will be presented operational data and identify risks and operational problems.
1.4 Introduction to project management. You will propose a plan for implementing a factory change.
2. Process economics.
2.1 The feasibility study. You will propose an engineering solution for internal and external stakeholders that will improve process operations.
2.2 Capital and operating cost estimation. You will utilise numerous approaches for cost estimation for various situations, selecting the most appropriate approach for your client.
2.3 Revenue and measures of profitibility. You will employ financial metrics associated with capital and cost minimisation projects.
2.4 Risk management in relation to financial, operational and quality risks will be controlled using process economics principles.
The assessment brings together learning in these areas in an authentic assessment with a focus on working through competing ideas and priorities with numerous feedback points.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:
- Formal lectures from experienced professional engineers and scientists that will activate your understanding of theories and principles, and model approaches to solving problems. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.Concepts in lectures are further developed through applied problem solving in tutorials (formative) and summative assignments (problem solving tasks).
- Workshops will give you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to solve problems. These will be facilitated by tutors and will provide an opportunity to test your understanding and gain feedback on your work.
- To complement timetabled activities, you can expect to be provided with learning resources including videos and readings on a unit Canvas site that you can access flexibly to complete your learning in this unit. Success in this unit will require you to manage your time to ensure you have focused time each week (beyond timetabled activities).
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 and Tutors.
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.
- Engage with your peers in a learning community to practise problem solving and then work independently to complete your assessment tasks.
- Prepare for timetabled classes and activities and follow up on any work not completed.
- Complete assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Summative feedback
Assessment will be based on performance in group work and closed book examination.
Formative feedback
You are given weekly integrated theory problems in the tutorials which will allow self-assessment of performance and formative assessment by tutorial staff. Feedback for the development of communication skills will be provided by the tutor/s and student peers.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit has been designed to give you the opportunity to show your learning against the unit learning outcomes. The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of a weekly multiple choice quiz to test your progress, and tutorial questions to be completed in your own time. Students will have the opportunity for interactive discussions and feedback during weekly drop-in sessions. Summative assessment is a combination of a portfolio of project reports with feedback, and a written theory examination
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio
Through the project portfolio, you will collaborate with your team to work through a real world chemical process issue as if you were working for an engineering consultancy. The scenario and data is provided and you will communicate the competing issues, including an ethics issue, the associated risks of each presented option to come to a recommendation, through a portfolio of reports.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Exam
Final exam that requires you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge learnt throughout the semester.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment
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
You are required to use the following:
- The unit website on QUT's Canvas (learning materials that support timetabled activities and assessment tasks)
- QUT Library Databases
- QUT Cite| Write: You can access QUT cite/write online (Free download from QUT library)
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Heizer, Render & Munson (2020) Operations Management, 13th Ed. Pearson.
Peters, Timmerhaus, West Plant design and economics for Chemical Engineers. McGraw-Hill. New York. International edition.
Risk Assessment Statement
You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, tutorials and such, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.
You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s Canvas site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.
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
2: Engineering Application Ability
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
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: ULO4, Portfolio - Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
Relates to: ULO5, Portfolio - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: ULO3, Portfolio - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio, Exam - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio, Exam
EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Portfolio - Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
Relates to: Portfolio - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: Portfolio - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Portfolio, Exam - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Portfolio, Exam