Technical Skills Series

A packaged series of offerings to encourage students to extend and develop their technical skills in various areas such as MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS and GIS.

The Creator Space

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Want to step into The Creator Space and learn how to use industry-grade tools and equipment for yourself? Great! All you need to do is register and complete the training.

The Creator Space has a range of equipment ready for you to use to bring your ideas to life. To ensure your safety, we’ll need you to follow 2 steps to get making; complete the user registration then complete the General Maker Training.

The training is designed to be practical, effective, and short. The process ensures that your maker space education is useful. We want you to learn what you need to get started straight away. Plus, training sessions are a handy way of learning skills that are being used right now in the industry as well as giving you a solid foundation for developing future skills.

Once you have completed the General Maker Training you can access the remaining training courses. There are over 14 different equipment courses available for you to enrol in to learn something new or extend your skillset.

Equipment includes:

  • 3D printers
  • 3D scanners
  • Laser cutters
  • PCB stencil printers
  • CNC machines
  • and many more.

Find out more about The Creator Space

MATLAB on-ramp

School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering

This workshop will teach students basic MATLAB skills using the MATLAB On-Ramp tutorials. Students will learn basic plotting commands, arrays calculations, and various MATLAB code.

By the end of this course students will be able to use MATLAB to do the following:

1. Writing MATLAB code, including functions.
2. Understand basic vectors and matrices.
3. Arrays Calculations.
4. Plotting data.
5. Importing data.
6. Logical arrays.

There are two types of workshops:

  • Introduction to Programming (MATLAB) - this is targeted at students who have little or no experience in programming and need to learn MATLAB.
  • MATLAB basics - this workshop is targeted at students with some programming experience who need extra support in developing their basic MATLAB skills.

Both workshops have largely overlapping content, but the introduction workshop will cover less and go at a slower pace. Students should only enrol in a single workshop.

Format:
The course is run for two hours and is available online. Students will need to have MATLAB installed on their laptops.

Dates:

  • Introduction to Programming (MATLAB)
    • Tue. March 17, 10:00 am
    • Thu. March 26, 11:00 am
  • MATLAB Basics
    • Tue. Marh 24, 10:00 am
    • Thu. April 2, 11:00 am

Registration: https://sugeni.us/emHm

Contact: feit-experience@unimelb.edu.au

SOLIDWORKS

School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering

This course provides a progressive introduction to SolidWorks, focusing on developing 3D CAD modelling skills from beginner to intermediate level, with applications in mechanical design and basic simulation. The course is structured through a series of hands-on exercises to reinforce conceptual understanding and practical skills.

Beginner Level (No experience with SOLIDWORKS)

The beginner section introduces students to the fundamentals of parametric modelling and engineering communication through:

  • Basic interface navigation and sketching principles
  • Core part modelling features, including extrusion, cut-extrusion, revolving, patterning, mirroring, and sweeping etc.
  • Technical drawing and tolerancing for manufacturing
  • Basic assembly techniques and mating constraints
  • Introduction to sheet metal design and forming tools
  • Overview of 3D printing workflows

Intermediate Level

The intermediate section deepens modelling and simulation capabilities, introducing more complex components and assemblies:

  • Sheet metal component design and introduction to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) concepts (revisited and expanded)
  • Modelling complex and functional components, such as a jig handle and a gear, with an emphasis on parametric design and sketch-driven features
  • Assembly of a car window mechanism, integrating multiple parts and advanced mating strategies
  • Advanced FEA techniques, enabling students to analyse and interpret simulation results in more realistic scenarios
  • Advanced 3D printing knowledge, including print orientation, support strategies, extrusion speed, layer height, infill etc.

Format:
The course consists of two independent 2-hour workshops, a beginner level and an intermediate level. Students can enrol in a single workshop or both depending on their level.

The course is available in either online or in-person formats (not hybrid). You will need your own laptop for the in-person workshops. Please ensure that you have installed SOLIDWORKS software before attending either format of workshop.

Dates:

  • Beginner
    • Fri. March 20, 12:00 pm (in-person)
    • Mon. March 23, 2:00 pm (in-person)
    • Tue. March 24, 12:00 pm (online)
  • Intermediate
    • Fri. March 27, 12:00 pm (in-person)
    • Mon. March 30, 2:00 pm (in-person)
    • Tue. March 31, 12:00 pm (online)

Registration : https://sugeni.us/emHo

Contact: feit-experience@unimelb.edu.au

Project Planning and Tools

Faculty of Engineering and IT

These workshops will introduce FEIT students to the basics of Project Planning and Project Tools (MS Project).

Project Planning 1+2

Project Planning 1 (Basics): Students will be introduced to project management, the roles and responsibilities of project managers, and different types of project management methodologies and frameworks. This workshop is best undertaken when enrolling students have a forthcoming project that they can focus on for their project planning. Students will start to plan a project, including consideration of the project management approach and project scope.

On successful completion of Project Planning 1 (Basics), students should be able to:

  1. Explain the role and responsibilities of a project manager.
  2. Describe project management, including the general project management process groups.
  3. Employ project planning processes and documentation to start to scope and plan a project.

Project Planning 2 (Practice): Students will delve deeper into project planning and be introduced to schedule management, including defining activities and milestones, estimating durations, and starting to develop a Work Breakdown Structure for a project. Students will also be introduced to other aspects of project planning, including consideration for cost, quality, risk, stakeholder engagement, etc.

On successful completion of Project Planning 2 (Practice), students should be able to:

  1. Employ project management planning processes and documentation to define activities and schedule them.
  2. Explain areas of considerations for project management and planning, including cost, quality,  risk, stakeholder engagement, etc.

Project Tools: MS Project 1+2

Project Tools 1: Students will be introduced to MS Project and its interface. Students will learn how to start a Project, view data, share a project, as well as create a new project and set various parameters, including start date, working times, etc.

On successful completion of Project Tools 1, students should be able to:

  1. Navigate and understand the MS Project interface.
  2. Execute basic actions, e.g. viewing data, sharing a project and elements of data, and set various parameters.

This workshop is a general introduction to MS Project and is intended for students with little or no formal training in the use of MS Project. Workshop 2 Project Tools 2 will provide more detail about how to use MS Project to schedule a project, as described below.

Project Tools 2: This workshop is most beneficial for students with some prior knowledge about the MS Project interface. In this workshop, students will be introduced to how to create various types of tasks and milestones within a project, and how to schedule them, including setting dependencies.

On successful completion of Project Tools 2, students should be able to:

  1. Execute basic actions, e.g. create tasks, and schedule them, including setting dependencies and durations.
  2. Navigate  MS Project to view tasks and their relationships, view critical path, etc.

Please ensure you have accessed and completed the recommended activities provided on the LMS before attending the Workshops.

  • Prior to attending Project Planning 1+2, please view the Project Management Plan template and complete section 1 of the template (i.e. brief introduction about a project you wish to focus on during the workshops).
  • Before attending Project Tools 1+2, please ensure you have installed and are able to use MS Project Professional 2019 on your personal device. Instructions for access and installation are available on LMS.

Format:
The course consists of two topics, project planning and project tools. Each topic has two 2-hour workshops. All workshops will be online.

Dates (Workshops are online):

  • Fri. Mar. 20, 10:00 am, Project Planning 1 (Basics)
  • Fri. Mar. 27, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Project Planning 2 (Practice)
  • Fri. Apr. 10, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Project Tools 1
  • Fri. Apr. 17, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Project Tools 2

Registration:

  1. Sign up for the FEIT Technical Series LMS site for workshop preparation material.
  2. Register at: https://sugeni.us/emHO

Contact: feit-experience@unimelb.edu.au

Practical Python Basics

Faculty of Engineering and IT

This workshop teaches basic Python programming through the implementation of a simple "adventure game". Students will receive support while practising fundamental concepts of programming, Python syntax and debugging. This workshop has been designed for students with little or no programming experience, though some familiarity is expected through pre-reading. Students who are struggling in COMP10001 may benefit by completing this workshop.

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to use Python to do the following:

  1. Use basic programming constructs like loops.
  2. Create and use basic functions.
  3. Create and use basic programs.
  4. Perform basic debugging on programs.

The workshop consists of a single two-hour workshop with recommended pre-reading. All workshops are in-person. You will need your own laptop.

Dates:

  • Fri. March 13, 11:00 am
  • Fri. March 20, 9:00 am
  • Thu. March 26, 9:00 am
  • Fri. April 10, 11:00 am (non-teaching period)

Registration :

  1. Sign up for the FEIT Technical Series LMS site.
  2. Register at: https://sugeni.us/emHK
  3. You will need to complete workshop preparation materials on the LMS site.

Contact: feit-experience@unimelb.edu.au

Aspen HYSYS for Beginners

School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

This course is a series of workshops that will introduce students to the process simulations software Aspen HYSYS. Aspen HYSYS is used in a range of chemical engineering subjects spanning both undergraduate and master-level courses.

HYSYS is already taught within subjects (CHEN20012 and CHEN20011), but this will function as an onboarding workshop for lateral entry students or students who want a revision.

By the end of this course, students will be able to use Aspen HYSYS to do the following:

  • Select appropriate fluid packages
  • Layout of Process Flow Diagram
  • Use basic units like heat exchangers, pumps and compressors appropriately
  • Set up a reactor with appropriate reaction kinetics (conversion reaction, simple kinetic, equilibrium and heterogeneous catalytic reactions)
  • Complete a case study
  • Set up a recycle loop function, adjust function and set function
  • Input basic formulas into a spreadsheet to output useful values

Format:

This program consists of 6 x 2-hour workshops.

Dates: TBC 2026.

Registration: TBC 2026.

Contact: Christopher Honig - christopher.honig@unimelb.edu.au

Schematic Drawing for Chemical Engineers

School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

This course is an introductory workshop to Visio and AutoCAD. The workshops will review drawing P&IDs, PFDs and Equipment Specification Sheets in Visio and AutoCAD. It will cover how to draw but not what to draw (how to set up a title block,  how to put in equipment items, how to connect equipment, but not the logics of the control).

Format:

This program consists of a 1-hour workshop.

Dates:

  • To be confirmed (2025).

Registration:

To be confirmed (2026).

Contact: Christopher Honig - christopher.honig@unimelb.edu.au

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Engineers: ArcGIS Module

School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering

If you are a Digital Infrastructure Engineering student or if you would like to study Digital Infrastructure subjects as electives (especially GEOM90008 and GEOM90006), learning this module will enhance your geospatial skills by the application of scientific and engineering principles in relation to geographic information systems.

Your completion will be determined based on your successful completion of:

  • Esri training
  • A Canvas quiz

Format:
This is a self-paced online course.

Dates:

Students may enrol at any time.

Registration:

https://catalog.lms.unimelb.edu.au/browse/communities/courses/geographic-information-systems-gis-for-engineers--arcgis-module

Contact: Stephan Winter - winter@unimelb.edu.au

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Engineers: QGIS Module

School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering

If you are a Civil or Environmental Engineering student at the undergraduate or master level, learning this module will enhance your geospatial skills by the application of scientific and engineering principles in relation to geographic information systems.

Format:
This is a self-paced online course.

Dates:

Students may enrol at any time.

Registration:

https://catalog.lms.unimelb.edu.au/browse/communities/courses/geographic-information-systems-gis-for-engineers--qgis-module

Contact: Stephan Winter - winter@unimelb.edu.au