Study

Guide

Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical

Engineering
Impact of Engineering and Groupwork

MIA 320

Module coordinator: Dr Disa Mogashana

© 2023 University of Pretoria

Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3
1.1 WELCOME .................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 MODULE OUTCOMES .................................................................................................... 3
1.3 TIE-IN WITH OTHER MODULES IN THE PROGRAM ............................................................. 4
1.4 EDUCATIONAL APPROACH ............................................................................................ 4
1.5 MECHANICAL AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTAL STUDY GUIDE ........... 4
1.6 WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE STUDENTS ..................................................................... 4
1.7 WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE LECTURER (S) ................................................................ 5
2 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ................................................................................. 5
2.1 CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................... 5
2.2 TIMETABLE .................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 CLICKUP ACCESS ........................................................................................................ 5
2.4 CONSULTING HOURS .................................................................................................... 6
2.5 RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK .......................................................................................... 6
2.6 ADDITIONAL NOTES ...................................................................................................... 6
3 MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 6
4 ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 BREAKDOWN OF MARKS ............................................................................................... 7
4.2 SUBMINIMUM TO PASS THE MODULE .............................................................................. 7
4.3 LATE SUBMISSIONS ...................................................................................................... 8
4.4 MEDICAL EXTENSION PROCEDURE ............................................................................... 8
4.5 SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION OF REPORTS ............................................................... 8
5 MODULE CONTENT GUIDELINE .................................................................................... 8
6 NOTE ON THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI TOOLS IN THE MODULE............................ 9

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

1 Introduction
1.1 Welcome
In our quest to solve modern societal problems through our knowledge and skills as engineers,
how often do we pause and reflect critically about our awareness of the impact of our work on
the social, industrial and physical environment? Do we understand our professional
responsibility towards working with one another in multi-disciplinary teams when solving such
problems as global citizens? Do we even know how to relate and communicate across our
disciplines? This module will explore and develop your critical awareness of your role as a
future engineer concerning impact matters.

1.2 Module Outcomes

This module aims to meet two key outcomes, namely, that students understand and reflect on
the impact of engineering on the world at large (Graduate Attribute 7), and to ensure students
can work in a multidisciplinary group (Graduate Attribute 8).

Graduate Attribute 7: Impact of Engineering

The impact of engineers has been immense on humankind’s progress and current state. From
successes such as improved living conditions and lifespans to failures such as pollution and
global warming, the output of engineers is arguably humankind’s greatest achievement.
Engineering students thus need to be made aware of how our work will influence the world
around us, with the best solution not necessarily being the cheapest most technically
impressive option, but rather the solution that also weighs the impact on the environment,
society, and culture. Besides the moral implications of this influence we wield, many of these
influences have legal implications, with various Acts and laws designed to prevent damaging
influences.

The outcome of the module is that student engineers better demonstrate their reflective
understanding of the influence their work has, be it on the environment, society, or workplace,
and understand some of the legal ramifications thereof.

Graduate Attribute 8: Individual, team and multidisciplinary working

As an engineer, you must be able to work individually, within a team, and more importantly –
a multidisciplinary team. Multidisciplinary work is a given for engineering in the workplace.
Products and projects are all multi-disciplinary in the modern world, with a common example
of electronics and software having been integrated into even the most mechanical or electrical
of components. Furthermore, engineers must work with project managers for coordination,
motivate project financiers for funds and liaise with customers and stakeholders to ensure
project outcomes meet the original intent.

This module will provide student engineers the opportunity to develop skills of working in
multidisciplinary teams to solve real-life challenges.

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

1.3 Tie-in with other modules in the program

Each department’s final year design project will require an understanding of the impact of the
engineer’s design, while groupwork will be a common feature of many modules. This module
will build on some features that have already been introduced to you in the JCP module.

1.4 Educational approach

This module follows “the UP way”, flipped classroom approach. You will be expected to
prepare before the lecture, engage during the lecture and consolidate after the lecture. We
will adopt a workshop-style approach to lectures to give students the opportunity to learn,
interact and reflect upon their learning in meaningful ways.
1.5 Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Departmental study guide
In the study guide of the Department, information is given on the mission and vision of the
department, general administration and regulations (professionalism and integrity,
module-related information and formal communication, workshop use and safety,
grievances, support services, plagiarism, class representative duties, sick test, and
sick exam guidelines, vacation work, appeal process and adjustment of marks,
university regulations, frequently asked questions), ECSA Graduate Attributes (EGA),
ECSA knowledge areas, and assessment of cognitive levels. It is expected that you
are familiar with the content of the Departmental Study Guide.

It is available in English on the Department’s website.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QfYtj4cmKl4p44MZqWYUcGD72NuySpIZ

Take note of the specific instructions on:

a. Safety
b. Plagiarism
c. What to do if you were sick (very important)?
d. Appeal process on the adjustment of marks

Information regarding the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) qualification standard
for Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc(Eng))/Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) can be
found at:
https://www.ecsa.co.za/ECSADocuments/Shared%20Documents/E-02-
PE%20Qualification%20Standard%20for%20Bachelor%20of%20Science%20in%20Engineering%20(BSc(
Eng))%20Bachelors%20of%20Engineering.pdf

1.6 What is expected from the Students

This module forms part of your professional development as a future engineer. This means
you are expected to exercise self-awareness and self-directedness in much of your
engagement with the module. As such, you are expected to:
• Be on time, both in attending lectures and is submitting assessments

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

• Participate actively in all the activities done in class and groups

• Be courteous and disciplined in class, in your engagement with TAs and your
interactions with fellow classmates
• Discuss problems/challenges with the module lecturer, in a professional manner, as
soon as possible
1.7 What is expected from the lecturer (s)
Students can expect lecturers to:
• Be courteous and professional in all interactions with them
• Be well prepared for lectures
• Be fair in all decision

2 Administrative Information
2.1 Contact information

Name Office E-mail address

Module Dr. Disa Mogashana Eng. I, 9-19 Disaapele.mogashana@up.ac.za

coordinator /
Lecturer

2.2 Timetable

Contact Session Venue Day & Time

Lectures/Tutorials AE du Toit Auditorium Wednesday:

16h30 – 17h20

Lectures/Tutorials ENG III - 1 Thursday:

11h30 – 13h20

2.3 ClickUP Access

Please note that ClickUP will be used to communicate all announcements throughout the
module as well as for learning and assessment. Furthermore, a significant portion of group
work will be conducted and aided by ClickUP.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have access to the ClickUP module for MIA320.

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

2.4 Consulting Hours

It is recommended to use the lecture session and tutorial sessions available each week to
consult with the lecturers and teaching assistants. This time has been made available for this
very purpose and as such should be used.
Outside the lecture and tutorial sessions, the lecturer will be available for consultation on the
following days/slots. Please send an email ahead of time to book an appointment.
Monday: 12h00 – 13h30
Wednesday: 12h00 – 13h30
Thursday: 14h00 – 15h00

2.5 Recommended Textbook

Title: The Impact of Engineering on Society – A Multidisciplinary Approach Edition: 3rd
Author: University of Pretoria, MIA 320 Pearson Custom Publishing ISBN 978-1-78726-
013-9
The lecturer will provide information about all other material required for the module.
2.6 Additional Notes
Any additional notes will be made available on ClickUP. The lecturer will direct you to
additional notes and their purposes.

3 Module outcomes
This module has two outcomes:
1. A student must demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of the impact of
engineering on the social, industrial and physical environment (Graduate Attribute 7).
They must demonstrate that they:
o Know why and how engineers manage the impact of engineering
o Understand why and how engineering must achieve sustainability
o Apply risk management processes to identify, assess and mitigate risks
o Apply the Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa
o Understand how engineers limit their impact on society through the application of
engineering ethics
o Understanding how engineering can impact society and industry
o Understand the impact of engineering on the physical environment concerning
topics that concern the Sustainable Development Goals, such as Water &
Sanitation, Energy, and Waste Management.

2. A student must demonstrate that they can work effectively individually, and within a
multidisciplinary group (Graduate Attribute 8). They must demonstrate that they:
o Work on a multi-disciplinary group project in which they acquire some knowledge
of the other’s disciplines

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

o Can identify and focus on objectives specific to their discipline whilst

acknowledging the impact of their input on their co-workers
o Can work strategically towards the success of the project.
o Execute tasks effectively
o Deliver completed work on time
o They enhance the work of fellow team members
o They communicate effectively with team members

4 Assessment
4.1 Breakdown of marks
Module Mark = 40% Contribution of GA7 + 60% Contribution of GA8.

GA# Asessement Type Section Contribution

Preparation Consolidation Total

Individual
Reflections/Quizes Sustainability and SDGs 3% 7% 10%
(40%) Ethics & OHSA 3% 7% 10%
Risk & Mitigation 3% 7% 10%
Impact on Industry and Society 3% 7% 10%
GA 7 (40%)

Individual Report (60%)

Impact on Enviroment 20%
(externally examined)
Impact on Society 20%
Impact on Industry 20%
Total 100%

Asessement Type Contribution

Individual Report Mark 10%
Group Report 10% 30% 40%
Peer Assessment mark 5% 5% 10%
GA8 (60%) Video presentation
(externally examined) 40%
Total 100%

4.2 Subminimum to pass the module

Please note that you must pass both the GA7 and GA8 with at least 50% to pass the module.
Moreover, the following subminimum apply:
• You must attain a minimum of 50% on the Individual Report
• You must achieve a minimum of 50% on the Group report
• You must achieve a minimum of 50% on the video/oral presentation
• You must have a minimum of 50% (satisfactory) for the peer assessment

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

The lecturer will provide details of each of these assessments in writing at the appropriate time
during the semester.

4.3 Late submissions

If a submission is less than or equal to 24 hours late – the mark, if above 50%, is reduced to
50%. Submissions later than 24 hours will be addressed strictly with substantial evidence.

4.4 Medical Extension Procedure

If ill over the five calendar days (irrespective if they are Engineering Test week, holidays, or
anything else) before any assignment deadlines, a doctor’s certificate with a specified number
of days booked off can be used to obtain an extension. The extension will equal the number
of days booked off within the five calendar days preceding the deadline.

The doctor’s note and submission must adhere to the requirements prescribed by the
Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Departmental Study Guide.

4.5 Supplementary Examination of Reports

Individual or Group assessments that still need to meet all the minimum requirements for GA7
and GA8 will be able to resubmit.

5 Module content guideline

Week Date Time Content Assessment due
Wed 26th July 16h30-17h20 Introduction Lecture and Module Study Guide
1
Thurs 27th July 11h30 - 13h20 Sustainability, SDGs & Impact of Engineering projects
Assessment on Sustainability &SDG
Wed 2nd Aug 16h30-17h20 Ethics, Social Responsibility & OHSA
2
Thurs 3rd Aug 11h30 - 13h20 Ethics, Social Responsibility & OHSA Assessment on Ethics & OHSA
3 Thurs 10th Aug 11h30 - 13h20 Risk (Perspectives and Mitigation) Assessment on Risk and Mitigation

Wed 16th Aug 16h30-17h20 Impact of Eng on Society and Industry

4
Thurs 17th Aug 11h30 - 13h20 Impact of Eng on Society and Industry Assessment on Impact on Society and Industry
Wed 23rd Aug 16h30-17h20 Impact of Eng on the Environment
5
Thurs 24th Aug 11h30 - 13h20 Impact of Eng on the Environment Assessment on Impact on Environment
TEST WEEK TEST WEEK TEST WEEK

Outline of the Group project and allocation of Due date for individual Report (Impact on
Wed 6th Sept 16h30-17h20
teams Society, Industry and Environment)
6
Introduction to Group Work Project
Thurs 7th Sept 11h30 - 13h20
(Engineering Without Borders)

7 Mon 11th Sept 16h30-17h20 Group Project Assessment: Group Project Brief due
Recess Recess Recess

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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

NB: MIA 320 is an 8-credit module requiring about 80 hours from you. You will spend about
35-40% of these hours in contact sessions, and the rest you will need to plan to work on it by
yourself or with your group.

The breakdown for the Groupwork during the fourth term will be provided during the first
lecture after Recess. Here are some points of what to expect:
• Students will be randomly allocated to multidisciplinary groups, and each group will be
assigned to a Teaching Assistant (TA). Students are to consult the TA for guidance
throughout the project.
• Students will need to submit a one-page brief to the TA, explaining in their words what
their project will be about and the breakdown of each group member’s responsibility.
• Groups will be required to keep a logbook documenting their weekly activities during
the project, and there will be two peer assessments (5% each) during the course of
the project.
• The final 3-minute recorded video presentation will be uploaded online. Engineering
Without Borders is running a competition for the best project, and the winning project
from the class will be submitted to enter the competition.

All rules of engagement for the Groupwork part of the module will be outlined and
communicated during the project sessions. You will be expected to adhere to the specified
rules and expectations.

6 Note on the use of generative AI tools in the module

This note provides some guidelines on the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT,
Google BARD, or Microsoft BING in the MIA 320 module. The guidelines are intended to
promote your understanding of adherence to the respective module or departmental policies.
In this regard, the MIA 320 module allows for a Controlled Usage: Allowing students to use
generative AI in a restricted manner for specific purposes like understanding concepts,
creating ideas, or for initial guidance. The usage might be limited when resolving problems,
composing essays, or for considerable parts of a task. And when generative AI tool is used,
for transparency, you are required to declare your use of generative AI openly. You will need
to include a declaration within your tasks explaining if and how you used AI models during
your assignment completion.

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