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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Engineering
Excellence in teaching and research combine to make the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Melbourne a world leader in engineering education. This is evidenced by the number and quality of high level research centres and the attractiveness of our graduates in the international marketplace.
The Faculty has been at the forefront of engineering education and research in Australia since 1855. It continues to foster and develop engineering creativity through design and innovation and by strengthening our industrial linkages and community interaction.
The Faculty is made up of six departments (two of which form the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science). All reflect the areas of expertise within the Faculty. These are:
Chemical Engineering;
Civil and Environmental Engineering;
Computer Science;
Electrical and Electronic Engineering;
Geomatics;
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
There are 12 Special Centres and Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) with which these departments are affiliated. They include:
Advanced Mineral Products Centre - Deputy Director Professor D V Boger - Chemical Engineering;
CRC for Industrial Plant Polymers - Program Leader Professor D V Boger - Chemical Engineering;
International Development Technologies Centre - Director Associate Professor D F Stewart - Civil and Environmental Engineering;
The GK Williams CRC for Extractive Metallurgy - Director Dr D B Nairn - Chemical Engineering;
Centre for Environmental Applied Hydrology - Director Professor T A McMahon - Civil and Environmental Engineering;
CRC for Catchment Hydrology - Director Professor T A McMahon - Civil and Environmental Engineering;
The Australian Photonics CRC - Director Professor R S Tucker - Electrical and Electronic Engineering;
CRC for Sensor Signal and Information Processing - Research Leader Professor R J Evans - Electrical and Electronic Engineering;
Centre for Knowledge-Based Systems - Director Professor R Kotagiri - Computer Science;
Centre for Geographic Information Systems and Modelling - Director Associate Professor I D Bishop - Geomatics;
The Advanced Engineering Centre for Manufacturing - Executive Director Dr D Gibson - Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering;
Melbourne Information Technologies (Australia) - Director Professor P Gerrand - School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
The Faculty offers a diverse and varied range of single and combined degrees within all the departments listed above. They are:
BE Bachelor of Engineering;
BE/BSc Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science (Engineering streams available are Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing);
BSc/BE Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering streams available are Computer, Electrical, Software);
BE/BCom Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Commerce (Engineering streams available are Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing, Software);
BE/BA Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Arts (Engineering streams available are Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing, Software);
BE/LLB Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Laws (Engineering streams available are Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing, Software);
BGeom Bachelor of Geomatics;
BGeom/BA Bachelor of Geomatics/Bachelor of Arts;
BGeom/BSc Bachelor of Geomatics/Bachelor of Science;
BGeom/BIS Bachelor of Geomatics/Bachelor of Information Systems;
BCS Bachelor of Computer Science;
BE/BCS Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Computer Science (Mechatronics).
The Faculty Office within the Faculty of Engineering houses the Dean, who is responsible for the academic leadership of the Faculty, and the General Manager, who is responsible for the administration of the Faculty. It also houses the Director of First Year Studies, who is responsible for managing the academic programs of first year engineering students.
The Academic Services section within the Faculty Office is of particular importance to first year students, especially for things like:
information;
the first year notice-boards;
advice about any aspect of the course;
changing the subjects in which you are enrolled;
applying for special consideration;
telling us about any situation that may interrupt your studies.
The general objectives of the Faculty of Engineering are:
to pursue research and higher degree programs in strategic, applied and basic research of direct relevance to national engineering and community objectives;
to present undergraduate programs to meet the requirements of the engineering, computing and geomatics professions;
to offer continuing education programs for the professions in accordance with the guidelines of the Institution of Engineers (Australia), the Australian Computer Society, and the Institute of Surveyors (Australia).
Engineering, Geomatics and associated combined programs are all full-time courses. There is no provision for part-time study in these courses.
The Bachelor of Computer Science is available as a part-time course (six years part time). It should be noted, however, that there are no evening classes available.
A full-time course load consists of 100 credit points per year or 50 per semester. Generally a course plan of more than 100 points for a first year student will not be approved, although exceptions have been made for students with exceptional TER's. After first year you would need to apply to your relevant department for approval to take additional subjects.
Honours degrees in Engineering and Geomatics are awarded on the basis of performance in the course. Honours degrees in the Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws require an additional year of study.
Please Credit for previous study.
If you are not eligible for credit for a prerequisite subject but have completed work considered equivalent, you may be granted exemption from that subject. This means that you will be eligible to enrol for the second or third year subjects that require this as a prerequisite; however, you will still be required to complete the normal degree requirements including making up the required number of points.
Please Community Access Program (for enrolled students).
You may be eligible for credit towards your degree if you have completed subjects in year 12 through MUPHAS. You may also be awarded credit for approved subjects taken in year 12 as part of another university's extension program. A maximum of 50 points credit at first year level will be awarded for MUPHAS or other extension program subjects. A list of MUPHAS and other extension studies subjects approved for credit is available from the Faculty of Engineering.
All applicants for selection to second year or a later year of the course(s) must lodge an application with the General Manager (Engineering) using an application for admission available from the Faculty Office. The closing date for applications is the first Friday in December in the year preceding that for which selection is sought. The Faculty reviews each application for credit on an individual basis.
The Faculty's Women in Engineering (WIE) Mentor Scheme provides a support network for female engineering, computing and geomatics students at all year levels. Participants can choose to be mentored by more experienced students or women working in industry. Mentoring is primarily one-on-one, with participants matched according to discipline interest. The mentor's role is to provide advice, friendship, support and encouragement to her less experienced charge. While pairs are free to choose where, when and how often they wish to meet, the Faculty regularly organises get-togethers for participants.
For further information and/or registration, please contact Christine West, WIE Coordinator on 9344 4226 or call in to Room A114 at the Faculty Office.
The Department of Geomatics operates a first year mentoring scheme in conjunction with the Faculty of Engineering. Selected fourth and fifth year students from the Department receive training from the study skills unit and counselling services so that they can work with groups of new students. This program helps first years settle into university life quickly, and assists with study skills development essential for success at the University. It also enables new students to meet students from later years of the course to get the inside story on what really goes on!
This scheme matches first year women in Computer Science with second, third and fourth year mentors. The older students provide support, guidance and friendly feedback, helping to smooth the transition to University.
There are a number of mentoring schemes available to students in the first year of engineering courses. One of these take the form of a 'Communications Workshop' and forms part of the subjects 421-150 Introduction to Engineering Management or 436-105 Engineering Communications. The academic aim of the workshops is to enhance students' skills in reading and library work and written and verbal communications. The workshops are run in small groups, led by later year students, and structured to encourage first year students to make friends both within their peer group and with the later year students.
The Faculty coordinates a support scheme for international students. The scheme also takes the form of workshops, and in this case led by members of the Overseas Engineering Students Society. The aims are to provide support and information to assist international students cope with the transition to university in a foreign country.
If you are a BE, BGeom, BCS or combined course student within the Faculty and you fail 50 per cent or more of your subjects in first semester, you will be asked to attend for an interview. An academic staff member and a student adviser will discuss your situation with you to find a cooperative solution to the problems that might be affecting your studies.
If you fail 50 per cent or more of your course in a year, your situation will be examined by the Faculty Unsatisfactory Progress Committee. This Committee considers each student's case individually and each student is given the chance to explain the reasons for their poor performance, in writing and/or in an interview with the Committee. The Committee is first and foremost concerned with the problems you have faced during the year and what you propose to do about these problems to ensure that they do not recur.
The outcome of the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee's review will depend very much on the nature and degree of your 'unsatisfactory progress', the legitimacy of your problems, the submission that you make to the committee, and the extent to which you can demonstrate that you can overcome the problems that have affected your study.
In some cases the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee will allow you to continue with your enrolment, repeating failed subjects where appropriate. The Committee may enforce a number of restrictions on your enrolment, including limiting the number of points studied in any one year, and in some cases recommend to the University's Academic Board that you be suspended from the course.
If you are suspended from the course, you will not be re-admitted until you can demonstrate academic rehabilitation by successfully completing other tertiary studies.
The Faculty of Engineering is at the forefront of engineering education and research in Australia and is continually seeking to foster and develop engineering creativity through design and innovation.
The Faculty of Engineering has an increasing number of postgraduate courses being offered including the new Postgraduate Diploma in Software Engineering in the Department of Computer Science. Other degree courses include the Master of Engineering Science, Master of Manufacturing Science and Master of Applied Science offered in the areas of Engineering, Development Technologies, Hydrogeology, Cognitive Science and Computer Science. The Department of Geomatics (including Geographic Information Systems) offer a Graduate Diploma and Masters program.
The Faculty has established Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs particularly in Environmental Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and in Development Technologies.
The list of postgraduate courses you might wish to consider after completing your undergraduate degree is varied and growing. The course requirements are set out in the Faculty of Engineering Research and Graduate Programs Handbook.
Engineering graduates from the University of Melbourne find interesting and varied employment, reflecting the breadth and value of the courses offered and the University's close links with industry, especially in manufacturing. A recent survey of University of Melbourne graduate career destinations shows that, despite an expected downturn due to the economic recession, there was a broad range of industries in which engineering respondents were employed in their first year as graduates in the work force.
Fields in which graduates were employed included: aeronautical research; drainage and water supply; environmental engineering; process and design for on- and off-shore refineries; oil exploration; equipment design and safety testing; supervising manufacturing production and operations; construction; project management; system design and computer programming; research and design for civil and mining structures; commercial building; road and bridge infrastructure; quality control; telecommunications research; retail and consulting; technical training; marketing and market analysis; futures trading; and teaching, the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy industry, and the plastics industry.
Chemical engineering graduates with a BE degree have found positions in the extractive metallurgy and mineral industries, chemical industries, paper and food industries, petrochemical and oil industries, and as environmental engineers in waste prevention and treatment. In addition, graduates were employed in commerce and non-engineering related positions.
Civil graduates with a BE degree were employed as civil, structural, and design engineers, geotechnical engineers, traffic engineers, transport planning engineers and site supervisors.
Electrical and computer engineering graduates with a BE degree were employed as electrical, electronic, control systems, and design engineers, computer systems administrators, biomedical engineers, telecommunications engineers, project and laboratory managers, specialist sales engineers, consulting engineers, and consultants on implementation of business solutions.
Graduates from the new software engineering program have found employment in large and small specialised software development companies. Employed as software engineers, their job tasks include requirements analysis, software design and development, testing, maintenance, and documentation.
Environmental engineers with a BE degree from the University of Melbourne have careers in the application of engineering technology to the management of water and land resources. Typical employers are consultants, government authorities and research institutions.
Mechanical and manufacturing graduates with a BE degree were employed as manufacturing and process engineers (including a bicycle frame designer), a marketing engineer, a manufacturing design engineer, an operations coordinator, an aeronautics researcher, an installation designer for sub-sea equipment, a researcher in biomechanics, a modeller of air pollution sources, and an ergonomics engineer.
Computer Science graduates are employed as programmers, research scientists, consultants, and systems engineers. Employers include government and private organisations.
Modern geomatics professionals are employed in such fields as computerised mapping; satellite remote sensing for environmental monitoring; precise satellite positioning and navigation; land development and computer-based land information systems; cadastral surveying; utility management through geographical information systems; precise surveying for engineering construction; natural resource mapping and management; environmental planning; and industrial measurement using machine and robot vision systems.
Postgraduate respondents to the survey who were in their first job were employed in the following areas: management, planning and industrial relations; design of aviation software, architectural hardware and lighting; and as a university lecturer. One graduate was employed as a technical supervisor of survey projects.
The Bachelor of Engineering is a four year full-time course. The degree is offered in the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Full-time BE degree course students take approximately a quarter of their workload for the degree each year for four years. Within limits and with approval, more or less than 100 credit points may be earned in any one year. To be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Engineering, students must normally have passed 400 points.
This course has as its objectives that graduates:
have a sound fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions and boards with which the Faculty's courses are accredited;
possess a broad knowledge base of their chosen discipline and of other disciplines so as to facilitate effective communication with those other professionals with whom engineers routinely communicate;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally, and for meeting future changes in technology;
possess analytical, problem-solving and, where relevant, design skills;
have verbal and written communication skills that enable them to contribute substantially to society;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards the profession and the community;
have an appreciation of the interpersonal and management skills required by engineers in undertaking professional activities;
have an appreciation of the economic, political and social contexts in which professional activities are undertaken.
The Bachelor of Geomatics is a four-year full-time course. Full-time BGeom degree course students take approximately a quarter of their workload for the degree each year for four years. Within limits and with approval, more or less than 100 credit points may be earned in any one year. To be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Geomatics, students must normally have passed 400 points.
The course objectives are that graduates:
have a sound fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions and boards with which the Faculty's courses are accredited;
possess a broad knowledge-base of their chosen discipline and of other disciplines so as to facilitate effective communication with those other professionals with whom engineers routinely communicate;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally and for meeting future changes in technology;
possess analytical, problem-solving and, where relevant, design skills;
have verbal and written communication skills that enable them to contribute substantially to society;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards the profession and the community.
have an appreciation of the interpersonal and management skills required by engineers in undertaking professional activities;
have an appreciation of the economic, political and social contexts in which professional activities are undertaken.
The Bachelor of Computer Science is a three-year full-time degree or six-year part-time degree comprising a total of 300 credit points. Full-time students take approximately a third of their workload for the degree each year for three years. Within limits and with Faculty approval, more or less than 100 credit points may be earned in any one year. The course involves core studies in Computer Science, Mathematics and other discipline areas at 100-level, 200-level, and 300-level as specified by the Department of Computer Science. The degree specifies no more than 125 points of 100-level studies, at least 20 points of non-technical studies and no more than 60 points of studies from outside the Faculties of Science and Engineering.
The course objectives are that graduates have:
a broad knowledge of the discipline of computer science, including a sound fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering principles and methods;
an in-depth knowledge and understanding within selected areas of computer science;
analysis, problem solving and relevant design skills;
a capacity to apply practical skills towards the development of computer-based solutions to problems;
verbal and written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of computer scientists in society;
a firm base of knowledge from which to undertake further development professionally or to enter higher educational studies.
There are ten combined courses within the Faculty including the five-year engineering programs BE/BSc Engineering/Science, BSc/BE Science/Engineering, BE/BCom Engineering/Commerce, BE/BCS Mechatronics (Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science), BE/BA Engineering/Arts and the six-year BE/LLB Engineering/Law degree. There are also three Geomatics combined programs within the Faculty. Five-year programs include BGeom/BSc Geomatics/Science, BGeom/BA Geomatics/Arts, BGeom/BIS Geomatics/Information Systems, and the six-year BGeom/LLB Geomatics/Law degree.
Combined degrees are different from single degrees because students must meet the requirements of two faculties. Students take a combination of subjects from both faculties in first year and must complete a minimum number of points to achieve the two degrees.
In many combined courses an overload in later years is required to complete within five years. The situation is often mitigated in Engineering/Science courses as some science subjects can also be counted as compulsory core for the engineering degree (for example Science Mathematics instead of Engineering Mathematics). An explanation of course structures and objectives for these courses are explained below.
To satisfy course requirements students must:
take the set of core engineering subjects prescribed for the branch of engineering being studied. This will include the professional study requirements in one of chemical engineering; civil engineering; environmental engineering; mechanical and manufacturing engineering; and one of electrical and electronic, computer or software engineering.
complete a minimum of 216 Arts points, which would normally include:
50 Arts points from 100-level subjects;
66 Arts points from 200-level subjects;
100 Arts points from 300-level subjects.
Within this distribution, 50 points at 100-level, 66 points at 200-level and 50 points at 300-level must come from departments within the Faculty of Arts, not departments from other faculties which offer subjects to Arts students.
The course objectives are that graduates:
have a broad knowledge-base and command of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the educational and professional standards required by the Institution of Engineers, Australia, for registration as chartered professional engineers;
possess a broad knowledge-base of their chosen engineering discipline and of other disciplines such as management, humanities and languages;
demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in the humanities, languages and social and behavioural sciences;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally and for meeting future changes in technology;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have acquired well-developed generic skills such as critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, independent thought, effective communication, and the ability to work in a cooperative manner as a member of a team; and demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
communicate effectively and, in the case of students undertaking a language major, are able to read, write and speak fluently and with an appreciation of the cultural context of the language;
have an appreciation of the interpersonal and management skills required by engineers in undertaking professional activities;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards the profession and the community;
apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within a changing social context;
act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force;
have an understanding of political, economic, social and cultural developments in our society and in the wider international context;
realise that, as professional engineers, they are a part of a highly competitive global economy.
The BE/BCom course aims to develop skills in critical analysis and professional competence in the areas of accounting, finance, actuarial studies, economics, business development and corporate history, business law, industrial relations, management, money and banking and finance; and provides a professional education in one of environmental, chemical civil, electrical & electronic, computer, software, mechanical and manufacturing engineering. The first two years of this combined course would normally consist of compulsory engineering subjects and electives, and compulsory commerce subjects. Compulsory engineering subjects and electives in the third to fifth years and commerce subjects to total 200 points for the Bachelor of Commerce.
By the end of the equivalent of three full-time years, students in these courses are to have:
completed no less than 100 points of commerce;
completed no less than 200 points of engineering.
Students normally complete compulsory commerce units in the first two years. The compulsory commerce units are:
First year
Introduction to Microeconomics (12.5 points First Semester)
Introduction to Macroeconomics (12.5 points Second Semester)
Business Statistics (12.5 points Second Semester)
Second year
Introductory Econometrics (12.5 points First Semester)
The course objectives are that graduates:
have acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions and boards with which the Faculty of Engineering's courses are accredited;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards their chosen professions and the community;
think critically, analytically and creatively when seeking to design solutions to professional problems whilst displaying an understanding of dynamic economic, social, political and physical environments in which they occur;
have acquired the oral and written communication skills which are necessary to operate effectively in their chosen disciplines and of other disciplines so as to facilitate effective work-related communication;
possess a broad knowledge-base of their chosen disciplines and of other disciplines so as to facilitate effective work-related communication;
have a sound fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally, and for meeting future changes in technology;
understand, and can efficiently and effectively apply, the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources in an engineering based enterprise;
have a basic level of knowledge and skills in several disciplines and a more specialised level of knowledge and skills in one or more of the following disciplines: accounting, actuarial studies, business law, economics, econometrics, economic history, finance and industrial relations;
have an understanding of basic concepts and institutional arrangements operating in the Australian economy;
have developed skills in basic quantitative methods used in the study of the economy, commerce and government.
Students enrolled in the BE/BSc combined course will undertake studies toward a science degree and professional studies in either civil, chemical, environmental or mechanical and manufacturing engineering. Students completing the BE/BSc combined course must accumulate a minimum total of 500 points. All requirements of the chosen stream of the BE course must be satisfied and are detailed in the departmental entries that follow. To complete the BSc components of the combined BE/BSc degree:
A minimum of 240 science points are required, which must include:
at least 75 points at the 100-level;
at least 50 points at the 300-level.
Note that:
A maximum of 125 points can be counted at the 100-level.
There are no specific requirements at the 200-level.
Science points are awarded for the completion of a vast majority of the subjects that are listed in the Science section of this Handbook. Exceptions include: some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems; some of the geomatics subjects, engineering mathematics, engineering physics, engineering chemistry subjects.
The Faculty of Science offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. It involves advanced research and coursework and results in the award of an Honours qualification. Refer to the Faculty of Science section of the Handbook for more information.
Selection of Science Subjects
Students are able to undertake any science subjects for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. Note, however, that:
A quota applies to some science subjects as demand for the subject is greater than the number of places available. Selection into quota subjects is largely determined by academic performance in science subjects (refer to the Quota subject entry in the Faculty of Science entry for further details).
The Engineering component may require the completion of specific (generally 100-level) science subjects. These subjects are detailed in the requirements of the various Engineering courses that follow in the departmental entries.
The course objectives are that graduates have:
a broad knowledge of science and engineering in several disciplines including a sound fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering principles and methods;
an in-depth knowledge and skills within specified areas of engineering and science;
analysis, problem solving and where relevant, design skills;
a capacity to apply practical skills towards the development of mathematical and computer-based solutions of problems;
acquired learning skills and a knowledge base to enable them to readily accommodate future changes in technology;
verbal and written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
an understanding of the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
developed skills and personal attributes, and depth of knowledge, which equip them for positions of leadership in basic and applied research, engineering and management of technology-intensive enterprises;
an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of engineers and scientists in society;
acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions with which the faculties' courses are accredited.
Students enrolled in the BSc/BE will undertake studies towards a Science degree and an engineering degree with a specialisation in electrical and electronic engineering, computer engineering or software engineering. Students completing the BSc/BE combined course must accumulate a minimum of 500 points.
All requirements of the chosen stream of the BE course must be satisfied, including the non-technical content. Details of requirements are contained in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science entry that follows.
The requirements of the BSc component of the BSc/BE combined course are identical to those for the BSc component of the BSc/BE combined course, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science (BE/BSc) for details.
The course objectives are that graduates have:
a broad knowledge of science and engineering in several disciplines including a sound fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering principles and methods;
an in-depth knowledge and skills within computer, electrical or software engineering and specified areas of science;
analysis, problem solving and where relevant, design skills;
a capacity to apply practical skills towards the development of mathematical and computer-based solutions of problems;
acquired learning skills and a knowledge base to enable them to readily accommodate future changes in technology;
verbal and written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
an understanding of the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
developed skills and personal attributes, and depth of knowledge, which equip them for positions of leadership in basic and applied research, engineering and management of technology-intensive enterprises;
an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of engineers and scientists in society;
acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions with which the faculties' courses are accredited.
The BE(Mechatronics)/BCS degree course provides professional education in mechanical, manufacturing, electronics and computer engineering necessary for the design and development of 'intelligent' products and systems. This is facilitated through linkages with the Advanced Engineering Centre for Manufacturing, but is founded on the programs in the relevant departments.
The first year is a combination of the foundation subjects in mechanical, manufacturing and electrical engineering and computer science. These are developed further in later years and integrated by way of mechatronics design and laboratory subjects. The breadth of the foundation of the course results in electives being confined to later years. At least 200 points are from the BCS course in a total minimum points of 530.
The course objectives are that graduates have:
a broad knowledge of the discipline of mechatronics, including a sound fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering principles and methods;
an in-depth knowledge and understanding within specified areas of mechanical engineering, computer science and electronics;
analysis, problem solving and relevant design skills;
a capacity to apply practical skills towards the development of mathematical and computer-based solutions of problems;
acquired learning skills and a knowledge base to equip them for future changes in technology;
verbal and written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have an appreciation of the interpersonal and management skills required by engineers in undertaking professional activity;
an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of engineers/scientists in society;
have acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions with which the faculties' courses are accredited.
To satisfy course requirements students must:
take the set of core Geomatics subjects as prescribed. This will include the professional study requirements in Geomatics.
complete a minimum of 216 Arts points, which would normally include:
50 Arts points from 100-level subjects;
66 Arts points from 200-level subjects;
100 Arts points from 300-level subjects.
Within this distribution, 50 points at 100-level, 66 points at 200-level and 50 points at 300-level must come from departments within the Faculty of Arts, not departments from other faculties which offer subjects to Arts students.
The course objectives are that graduates:
have a broad knowledge-base and command of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the educational and professional standards required by the Institution of Engineers, Australia and the Institution of Surveyors, Australia, for registration as chartered professional engineers and surveyors respectively;
possess a broad knowledge-base of their chosen engineering discipline and of other disciplines such as management, humanities and languages;
demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in the humanities, languages and social and behavioural sciences;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally and for meeting future changes in technology;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have acquired well-developed generic skills such as critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, independent thought, effective communication, and the ability to work in a cooperative manner as a member of a team; and demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
communicate effectively and, in the case of students undertaking a language major, are able to read, write and speak fluently and with an appreciation of the cultural context of the language;
have an appreciation of the interpersonal and management skills required by engineers in undertaking professional activities;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards the profession and the community;
apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within a changing social context;
act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force;
have an understanding of political, economic, social and cultural developments in our society and in the wider international context;
realise that, as professional engineers, they are a part of a highly competitive global economy.
Students enrolled in the BSc/BGeom combined course will undertake Geomatics subjects in the areas of measurements science, the mapping sciences, spatial and geographic information systems, and land management, as well as the fundamental areas of mathematics, computer science, and professional studies. Students completing the BSc/BGeom combined course must accumulate a minimum total of 500 points. All requirements of the BGeom must be satisfied. Details of the requirements are contained in the Geomatics departmental entry that follows.
The requirements of the BSc component are identical to those detailed for the BSc component of the BE/BSc course, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science (BE/BSc) for details.
The course objectives are that graduates have:
a broad knowledge of science and geomatics in several disciplines including a sound fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering principles and methods;
an in-depth knowledge and skills within geomatics and specified areas of science;
analysis, problem solving and where relevant, design skills;
a capacity to apply practical skills towards the development of mathematical and computer-based solutions of problems;
acquired learning skills and a knowledge base to enable them to readily accommodate future changes in technology;
verbal and written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
an understanding of the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
developed skills and personal attributes, and depth of knowledge, which equip them for positions of leadership in basic and applied research, engineering and management of technology-intensive enterprises;
an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of engineers and scientists in society;
acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions with which the faculties' courses are accredited.
This course is available to students who have met the entry requirements for both faculties. Contact either faculty for more information.
This course will be introduced in 1997. Contact either the Faculty of Engineering or the Faculty of Science for more information.
Each first year of the BE and BGeom courses consists of the equivalent of 14 units. A unit consists of 39 hours of student contact (three hours per week) and carries 7.1 points. A full load of 14 units carries a total of 100 points. Subjects are given as either single or double units.
Courses in the various engineering disciplines are made up of 'compulsory core' subjects complemented with elective or optional subjects. To a large degree, the subjects making up the later years of the courses are part of the compulsory core and therefore prescribed.
In first year, however, although a significant amount of core material must be taken, there is more flexibility in choosing subjects. This means that if you are unsure of which stream of engineering you wish to study, you can leave your options open by taking a set of 'general' subjects in semester one. For some branches of engineering a set of 'general' subjects in semester two can also be taken and so allow you to delay your choice of discipline until second year.
Alternatively, if you have clearly decided which stream of engineering you will follow, the department will recommend an appropriate set of subjects. You will find these listed in the relevant departmental sections to follow.
All first-year engineering courses require students to take the equivalent of four units of Mathematics. There are two streams of study available in Mathematics. The combination of the subjects (double units) 618-171 Mathematics 1P and 618-172 Mathematics 1Q make up the advanced stream while the standard stream consists of the subjects 618-181 Mathematics 1R and 618-182 Mathematics 1S. The Mathematics Department's Director of First-year Studies (Dr Barrington) will advise incoming students as to which stream should be selected. Entry to the more advanced subjects 618-171 and 618-172 requires his permission. Both streams satisfy all prerequisites required for second year subjects. Students taking the advanced Mathematics stream are able to take more optional subjects or more advanced Mathematics in the second year of their course.
The School of Mathematical Sciences, and the constituent Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, have established a First-year Learning Centre through which teaching and administration of their first-year subjects is coordinated. This centre is located on the ground floor of the Richard Berry Building. Near this centre students will find notice-boards relevant to first year, boxes for the submission of assignments, and the room from which printed material is usually distributed. Within the centre are the office of the Mathematics Department's Director of First-year Studies (Dr Barrington), offices of tutors in Mathematics and Statistics, tutorial rooms, a student waiting area, and a consultation room.
General course (if undecided between Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing and Software Engineering)
General course (if undecided between Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical and Manufacturing)
For students who have taken a 'general' set of subjects in semester one, advice will be given at the end of the semester on the recommended subjects for semester two for each of the streams of engineering.
The General Manager, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia.
Tel. Undergraduate +613 9344 6703, Graduate +613 9344 6715
Email: e.queries@engineering.unimelb.edu.au
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Engineering
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.