Master of Engineering (Electrical Engineering)

Verbal Expression and Comprehension (understanding)

 What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, this will assist you in your work with team members to understand and convey laboratory project specifications

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations.

In the on-campus learning environment this will assist you to explain your research project progress and outcomes.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities and laboratory tasks.

Industry placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement. 

Social Communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and laboratory workshop activities to build relationships, display understanding and acknowledgement of others.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and laboratory equipment with others
• responding to peers, academics and laboratory staff with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding i.e., of technical and safety instructions

Using and understanding non-verbal cues is essential for safe execution of engineering tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service(ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication. 

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require reading include:

• reading and understanding laboratory workshop based protocols such as: notes, reports, policies
• reading and understanding equipment use instructions and safety procedures

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for safe execution of engineering tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus and laboratory workshop settings.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:

• writing reports to meet technical standards
• project record keeping

The ability to accurately communicate in writing is fundamental for the safe delivery of engineering tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner in on-campus learning and laboratory workshop settings.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• performing accurate calculations that represent an engineering system and its behaviour in response to different conditions
• providing valid interpretation of engineering system response data

The ability to accurately work with numbers is important for safe execution of engineering tasks

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your numeracy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning activities to tasks in the laboratory workshop.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require the use of concentration, memory and problem solving include:

• using information from a range of sources to generate workable plans for complex activities
• completing accurate measurements and assessments of engineering systems
• solving engineering problems that require extended periods of concentration

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during industry placement should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision. 

What do I need to be able to do?

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require vision include:

• accurately performing visual safety inspections of electrical wiring and mechanical systems prior to conducting laboratory experiments
• recognising the colour code and value on electronic components such as resistors and capacitors 
• reading the results displayed on the test and measuring equipment such as an oscilloscope and multimeter

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered.

Glasses and other visual aids can be used in the laboratory workshop and industry placement environments.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Service. 

i.e. The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the laboratory workshop, tasks may involve: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping, shaking and manipulating.

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• placing and soldering components on printed circuit boards
• manipulating small dials and control interfaces on industrial equipment such as variable speed drives, function generators, and measurement equipment
• manipulating hand tools such as cutters, pliers, crimping devices, etc. used for wiring and cabling of electrical and electronic components 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities.

 Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In laboratory workshop and industry placement environments, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• maintaining consistent physical performance so you can safely undertake laboratory procedures
• sustaining your concentration for highly analytical laboratory classes 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning contexts. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during industry placement with ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.