Modelling and control

In this unit, you will learn how to understand and shape the behaviour of dynamic systems you will meet throughout mechanical, mechatronics, and aerospace engineering. The unit follows a clear model, analyse, and design progression: you begin by describing physical systems mathematically, then explore how those systems actually behave, and finally learn how to influence that behaviour through feedback control. Along the way, you will become comfortable moving between transfer function, state-space, and block diagram representations, and interpreting system responses in both the time and frequency domains. Computational tools are used throughout to help you test your intuition, visualise behaviour, and strengthen your engineering reasoning as you make informed design decisions. This unit gives you the foundation you need for advanced studies in control and dynamic systems, and for your later capstone projects.

Active learning - You will actively engage in applying your knowledge, skills, and attributes in interactive, collaborative, and reflective activities.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester, typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning, and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment, and preparation for scheduled activities.