Course Outline

Decision Making for Sustainable Solutions

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Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
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Course Code
ENGVX401
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Study Period
Semester 1 2026
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Study Mode
On campus
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Course Coordinator
Prof Holger Maier
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Unit Value
6
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Subject Area
Environmental Engineering

Course Overview

Aim

In this capstone course, students will develop sustainable solutions to a complex, real-world environmental engineering problem - the renewable energy transition. As part of this process, students will work in teams to develop renewable energy transition plans and corresponding technology roadmaps for a range of industry sectors (e.g. transport, mining, manufacturing, commercial/residential). This will provide students with the opportunity to utilise and build on the technical and professional skills they have acquired during their degree program and to explore a range of factors affecting environmental decision-making that need to be considered to achieve sustainable outcomes in practice.

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

No. Course Learning Outcome
No. 1 Course Learning Outcome Appraise, discuss and solve engineering projects from the perspectives of diverse sectors and stakeholders through successful completion of the course project.
No. 2 Course Learning Outcome Discuss and critically evaluate the effects of engineering projects and solutions on sustainability, including potential trade-offs between competing environmental, social and economic objectives through successful completion of the course project.
No. 3 Course Learning Outcome Synthesize and interpret information derived from models, measured data and other lines of evidence to support arguments through successful completion of the course project.
No. 4 Course Learning Outcome Apply and demonstrate research, critical thinking, negotiation, teamwork, communication and decision-making skills through successful completion of the course project.
No. 5 Course Learning Outcome Discuss and critically evaluate the importance of acting ethically and professionally through successful completion of the course project.

Learning Resources

No learning resources are required.

Assessments

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is essential to Adelaide University’s reputation and the credibility of its academic community. It reflects a commitment to honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Students must demonstrate authentic learning and ensure their work reflects their own understanding, with proper acknowledgment of others’ ideas. Failure to do so is considered Academic Misconduct.

Legislation: In Australia, providing academic cheating services is illegal, including completing significant parts of assessments for others (TEQSA Amendment Act 2020).

University Policy: The University maintains policies to support academic integrity and address breaches. See the Academic Integrity Policy for details.

Course Guidance: Instructors may set rules on using tools such as AI or translation software.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

The assessment tasks for this course are designed for you to demonstrate your learning against the Course Learning Outcomes. It is important to recognise that information generated by artificial intelligence tools can sometimes be unreliable, inaccurate, and incorrect, potentially hindering your achievement of the Learning Outcomes. You are responsible for complying with the conditions outlined for each assessment task as detailed in the assessment description. Any use of artificial intelligence tools must be ethical, responsible and adhere to the assessment conditions. Using artificial intelligence tools that go beyond the stated assessment conditions will be considered a breach of academic conduct, as per the Academic Integrity Policy.

Important information about all assessment

All students must adhere to Adelaide University's Assessment Policy and Procedures.

Deferred Arrangements

Students who are unable to complete a time-bound assignment that is not eligible for an extension, such as an examination, test or oral presentation, may apply for their assignment to be deferred to a later point in time in accordance with the criteria and process outlined in the Variations to Assessment Procedure.

Late Submission

Students who submit their assignment after the published deadline, without an approved extension as described in the Variations to Assessment Procedure, will have 5% of the total assessment mark deducted for every day (or part thereof) the assignment is overdue, for a maximum of 7 calendar days. After 7 calendar days, the assignment will not be accepted for marking.

Some assignment types, such as test or group assignments, are not eligible for late submission. Course Coordinators will identify these assignments on the relevant myLearning page.

Variations to Assessment

Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances that may require a variation to their assignment may apply for a variation in accordance with the criteria and process outlined in the Variations to Assessment Procedure.

Assessment Descriptions

Title Weighting Hurdle Re-submission allowed Re-marking allowed Learning Outcomes
Title Task 1: Sector Specific Solution Report Weighting 20% Hurdle Re-submission allowed No Re-marking allowed No Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Title Task 2: Development of Integrated Solution Weighting 45% Hurdle Re-submission allowed No Re-marking allowed No Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Title Task 3: Reflection Interview Weighting 35% Hurdle Re-submission allowed No Re-marking allowed No Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5

Please refer to myLearning for assignment due dates.

For a detailed explanation of Hurdle, please refer to the Assessment Procedure.

Further Information

Use of Recorded Material

This course will involve the production of audio and/or video recordings of students. To protect student privacy, you must not at any time disclose, reproduce or publish these recordings, or related material, in the public domain including online, unless the videoed students give consent for reproduction, disclosure or publication.

Student Recording of Learning Activities

Students must seek permission prior to recording any Adelaide University learning activity.

Students with disabilities or medical conditions

Students with disabilities (including mental health), medical conditions, or caring responsibilities may be eligible for reasonable adjustments to assessments or course access. Refer to the Variations to Assessment Procedure and Reasonable Adjustments Procedure for details.

Contact the Access & Inclusion Service early to allow time for adjustments. Students requiring an Access Plan should book an appointment with an Access & Inclusion Adviser via Student Assist or the Online Booking System in the Student Portal. See the Access & Inclusion webpage for details.

Once approved, students must notify their Course Coordinator promptly so supports can be arranged. Note: deadlines apply to finalising Access Plans before exams.

Student Support

Our Support for Students Procedure supports students to succeed and complete their higher education studies. We achieve this through early identification, communication and an integrated network of academic and non-academic support services, interventions and processes specific to students’ needs. We take steps to help students recognise when they may be at risk of not succeeding in one or more of their courses, and to inform them of services and support available.

For information about the broad range of support services available, please contact Student Support Services.

Unplanned myLearning Outages

The alteration to assignment due dates is designed to minimise the impact of major unplanned myLearning system service outages on students and staff. They should only be considered when an unplanned outage occurs within 3 days of an assignment activity due date. Any alterations are at the discretion of the Online Course Facilitator or Course Co-ordinator.

Outage DurationAlteration to due dateAlteration to examination
Less than 1 hourNo impactNo impact
Between 1 and 4 hoursConsider extensionNo impact
Between 4 and 24 hours24 hour extensionConsider when marking
Longer than 24 hours48 hour extensionConsider when marking

Student Feedback

The University regularly reviews courses to uphold academic excellence, foster innovation, and ensure the curriculum remains current, relevant, and sustainable. This process includes learning analytics, feedback, performance data, peer review, benchmarking, and alignment with learning outcomes and graduate qualities.

Students are valued contributors and may provide confidential feedback via FLEX (Feedback on Learning Experience) and the national Student Experience Survey (SES).

Feedback informs curriculum development and supports staff in reflecting on teaching practice. Where appropriate, course review outcomes—such as FLEX summaries and resulting improvements—will be shared with students. For details on giving feedback or lodging a complaint, visit Current Student Support.