Faculty of Engineering : Guide to courses

3. General information for students in the Engineering Faculty

Table of Contents

 3. General information for students in the Engineering Faculty

 3.1. Part-time study options

Engineering, Geomatics and associated combined programs have been designated as full-time courses. Students nominating to undertake part-time study should apply at the Engineering Faculty Office, where each case will be considered on an individual basis.

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.

 3.2. Overload/high achievers

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 TERs. After first year a student would need to apply to the relevant department for approval to take additional subjects.

 3.3. Honours degrees

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.

 3.4. Credit for previous study

Please see Credit for previous study.

 3.5. Exemption

Students who are not eligible for credit for a prerequisite subject but have completed work considered equivalent, may be granted exemption from that subject. In consequence, students will be eligible to enrol for the second or third-year subjects that require the subject as a prerequisite. Students will, however, still be required to complete the normal degree requirements including making up the required number of points.

 3.6. Community Access Program (CAP) subjects

Please see Community Access Program (for enrolled students).

 3.7. MUPHAS (Melbourne University Program for High Achieving Students) credit

Students may be eligible for credit towards their degree if they have completed subjects in Year 12 through MUPHAS. They 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.

 3.8. Lateral entry

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.

 3.9. Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Engineering and the Bachelor of Geomatics are both professional degrees - that is, graduates can get professional recognition by joining the Institution of Engineers, Australia and the Institution of Surveyors, Australia Inc. These institutions will only accredit courses if certain subjects are studied, hence all engineering courses in each department will have compulsory subjects to be studied at each year level.

 3.10. Student support schemes

 3.10.1. Women in Engineering Mentor Scheme

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 the Faculty Office.

 3.10.2. Department of Geomatics Mentor Scheme

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.

 3.10.3. Computer Science Mentor Scheme for Women

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.

 3.10.4. First Year Communications Workshops

A mentoring scheme in the form of Communications Workshops is available for first-year engineering students. The workshops form part of a number of first-year engineering subjects. Full details are available at time of enrolment. 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.

 3.10.5. International Students Mentor Scheme

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 International 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.

 3.10.6. Students at Risk Program

Students in BE, BGeom, BCS or combined courses within the Faculty and who fail 50 per cent or more of their course in any semester or fail subjects twice, will be asked to attend an interview. An academic staff member and a student adviser will discuss the situation with the student to find a cooperative solution to the problems that might be affecting their studies.

 3.10.7. Students with a number of failures

Students who fail 50 per cent or more of their course in a year, will have their case 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 the student may have faced during the year and what they 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 the 'unsatisfactory progress', the legitimacy of the problems, the submission they make to the committee, and the extent to which the student can demonstrate that they can overcome the problems that have affected their study.

In some cases the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee will allow the student to continue with their enrolment, repeating failed subjects where appropriate. The Committee may enforce a number of restrictions on enrolment, including limiting the number of points studied in any one year, and in some cases recommend to the University's Academic Board that the student be suspended from the course.

If the students are suspended from the course, they will not be re-admitted until they have demonstrated academic rehabilitation by successfully completing other tertiary studies.

Status:                   Official 1999
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 20 11:49
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