Postgraduate coursework
Postgraduate research

The Faculty of Engineering at UTS offers postgraduate coursework and research programs that maintain UTS Engineering as an international faculty providing a wide range of professional development opportunities to engineers and other graduates. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Faculty draws on its close links with industry to offer distinctive programs that are highly regarded by engineering-dependent enterprises.

In 2005, approximately 160 research students and 1,030 coursework students were enrolled in the Postgraduate Program.

Details of all postgraduate courses are provided in this handbook. Information is given on the objectives, structure, content and duration of the courses, together with admission requirements and rules governing progression. Information is also provided on teaching and supervisory staff.

Postgraduate award courses may be taken by coursework or research. The Faculty supports research, through its management of postgraduate research, development of research strengths and centres, encouragement of individual researchers and research teams, facilitation of interdisciplinary research, and sponsorship of visits to UTS Engineering by internationally-renowned experts.

In addition to award courses, the Faculty provides opportunities for continuing professional development through studies undertaken on a non-award basis.

The following information is intended to assist postgraduates to plan and complete their studies within the Faculty of Engineering. Additional information produced by the Faculty can be obtained on the internet and from other publications, or by direct inquiry. Inquiries relating to postgraduate studies within the Faculty are always welcome.

Postgraduate coursework

Specialist courses
General courses
Distance education
Timetables
Majors

Specialist courses

Specialist courses by coursework are offered by the Faculty in several fields. Each of these courses includes core subjects, which must be satisfactorily completed during studies for the award.

Students in any specialist course receive preference in the allocation of class places in core subjects. Students taking popular subjects through elective studies are allowed to enrol when places are available.

General courses

A range of coursework programs is available through the faculty, leading to the general awards of Master of Engineering (by coursework), Master of Engineering Studies and Graduate Certificate in Engineering.

For each of these general awards, postgraduate majors are available. The majors offered reflect current research strengths and interests in the faculty.

Distance education

Flexibility is a major feature of the Faculty's postgraduate Engineering Management, Environmental Engineering Management and Groundwater Management programs.

The Distance Education program is designed to meet the professional needs of busy engineers. Core subjects and a selection of electives can be taken in distance mode.

Assignments in the Distance Education program are mailed and any examinations, if the student is located outside the Sydney Basin, can be taken at locations other than UTS.

The following are examples of subjects offered in distance mode:

22784 Accounting: Concepts and Applications

49122 Ecology and Sustainability

49003 Economic Evaluation

49121 Environmental Assessment and Planning

49555 Groundwater Modelling

66014 Hydrogeology

49001 Judgment and Decision Making

49013 Managing Information Technology in Engineering

21867 Managing People: Concepts and Applications

49002 Managing Projects

49012 Project Management Support Systems

49309 Quality Planning and Analysis

49006 Risk Management in Engineering

49123 Waste and Pollution Management

49124 Water Quality Management

Timetables

Up-to-date Engineering postgraduate timetables, usually covering the next two semesters, are available online at:

http://www.eng.uts.edu.au/currentstudents/postgraduate/downloads.html

Majors

Postgraduate majors are available in Master of Engineering (ME), Master of Engineering Studies (MEStud) and Graduate Certificates.

The Faculty of Engineering offers an extensive range of programs by research and/or coursework through its award and non-award courses. A selection of these designated as 2006 program majors are described below. Information on other specialist research areas can be obtained from individual members of academic staff.

Program majors have been developed to match the needs of engineers and other professionals. They provide opportunities for advanced studies and professional development in engineering and cross-disciplinary areas between engineering and other disciplines. All postgraduate program majors are differentiated by their focus, structure, presentation, attendance flexibility, assessment practices and multiple entry/completion options.

Students are entitled to have the name of the major listed in the degree transcript (not the testamur), if they have completed the following:

• ME (by coursework): a minimum of four subjects (24 credit points) must be completed within the particular postgraduate program major as described below, together with an approved Graduate Project in the major of between 18 and 30 credit points. Indicated major compulsory subjects must be completed.
• MEStud: a minimum of four subjects (24 credit points) must be completed within the particular postgraduate program major as described below. Indicated compulsory major subjects must be completed. Any special topics listed in the program major are not available in the MEStud. To obtain the Energy Planning and Policy major, students must complete eight subjects (48 credit points) from the respective program major list, MEStud Group A subjects do not apply to these majors. To obtain the Software Engineering major, students must complete all five subjects from the major as well as the Group A subjects.
• Graduate Certificate: A minimum of three subjects (18 credit points) must be completed within the particular postgraduate program major as described below. Indicated compulsory major subjects must be completed.

Postgraduate program majors reflect current research strengths and interests in the Faculty of Engineering, and change with time. It is expected that all of the postgraduate program majors listed below will be offered in 2006. However, the availability of individual subjects in any year is influenced by student demand, arrangements with visiting lecturers, scheduling within the University, and policies on class sizes.

If, in the opinion of the Director of Postgraduate Coursework Programs, a student does not have the required prerequisite knowledge to successfully undertake and complete a major, the student may be required to undertake one or two preparatory undergraduate subjects.

Computer Control Engineering (MAJ03438)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Energy Planning and Policy (MAJ03439)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Engineering Management (MAJ08860)

This major is available in the ME only.

Specialist programs in engineering management are available as a Master of Engineering Management (C04094) and as a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management (C11054).

Academic inquiries

Environmental Engineering and Management (MAJ03416)

This major is available in the ME only.

Specialist programs in environmental engineering management are available as a Master of Environmental Engineering Management (C04098) and as a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Engineering Management (C11051).

Academic inquiries

Groundwater Management (MAJ03441)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Local Government Engineering (MAJ03440)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Manufacturing Engineering and Management (MAJ03442)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Software Engineering (MAJ03432)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Structural Engineering (MAJ03433)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Telecommunication Networks (MAJ03434)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Telecommunications Engineering (MAJ03435)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Telecommunications Engineering and Telecommunication Networks (MAJ03437)

This major is available in the MEStud.

Academic inquiries

Water Engineering (MAJ03436)

This major is available in the ME, MEStud and Graduate Certificate.

Academic inquiries

Postgraduate coursework program coordinators

For program coordinator details, see Postgraduate coursework program coordinators.

Postgraduate research

Contacts and inquiries
Research profile
Institutes, key research strengths and research centres

The Faculty of Engineering at UTS has a lively and cutting-edge research culture driving advances in engineering technology, practice and education. Our research is needs-driven and collaborative and we work with many enterprises in business partnerships. Our researchers are world-class and recognised leaders in their fields, responsible for delivering new, better and more cost-effective solutions to complex engineering challenges.

Faculty research is varied and utilises modern laboratories and research facilities on the City campus, Broadway. These are supported by extensive computing facilities and library services. The laboratories have excellent back-up workshops and expert support staff. Many opportunities exist for professional development through challenging, well-resourced research programs.

Contacts and inquiries

Check the University Graduate School and Faculty of Engineering websites for application processes and related rules. For specific inquiries about Faculty procedures contact:

The Faculty of Engineering website also provides information about the research capabilities of academic staff members and guidelines for writing a research proposal.

Further academic advice is available from members of the Faculty Research Degrees Committee.

Most intending PhD candidates will be able to relate their research interest to one or more of the Faculty's existing research areas. They should contact the relevant researchers directly to discuss their application.

Research profile

The Faculty is host, in whole or in part, to a number of key research areas and strengths, each designated and supported by the University and the Australian Research Council (ARC). These include:

• Institute for Information and Communication Technology
• Institute for Water and Environmental Resource Management
• Institute for Nanoscale Technology
• Key University Research Centre for Built Infrastructure Research
• Key University Research Centre in Health Technologies
• University Research Group for Intelligent Mechatronic and Energy Systems
• ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems
• Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems
• Centre for Electrical Machines and Power Electronics
• National Centre for Groundwater Management

Collaborative research

The Faculty's researchers work with private and public companies to achieve their strategic objectives in engineering research and development. These collaborative programs tend to be long-term and offer mutually beneficial outcomes, with the economic, business, social and environmental dimensions of engineering being addressed explicitly. Most collaborative research is supported by sponsorships or grants.

Research opportunities and major research areas

Research opportunities are available in the following areas of specialisation.

Information and Communication Technologies: networks management, adaptive intelligent systems, visualisation tools, advanced web technologies, satellite systems, wireless technology, radio frequency hardware

Infrastructure and the Environment: built infrastructure, water and environmental resource management, public health engineering, groundwater management, local government

Management, Policy and Planning: energy policy and planning, engineering, project, operations and risk management, systems theory and socio-technical systems, engineering practice, environmental risk

Mechatronics and Intelligent Systems: health technologies, mechatronics, energy, embedded systems

For up-to-date information on all Faculty designated research groups and current research capabilities, see the Faculty website at:

Research management

Research management within the Faculty is coordinated through two committees.

The Faculty Research Degrees Committee is responsible, under delegations from the Faculty Board in Engineering, for recommendations relating to the admission, progression and examination of research degree candidates, together with the development of policies and practices across the Faculty to assist candidates and enhance outcomes.

The Research Management Committee is responsible for enhancing research outcomes in the Faculty. It has responsibility (inter alia) for developing, implementing and maintaining the Faculty's Research Management Plan, including program allocations and infrastructure development funded by the Faculty; the collection and dissemination of research information; and the promotion of research partnerships with industry and other bodies.

Institutes, key research strengths and research centres

The Faculty of Engineering supports several institutes and centres, each capturing established research strengths in engineering and related fields. These include the following.

Institute for Information and Communications Technology

The Institute for Information and Communications Technology is one of four UTS advanced technology research concentrations involving research staff, industry partners and research students from several faculties, including the Faculties of Engineering and Information Technology. Its research spans interdisciplinary challenges in broadband network management, interactive and intelligent user interfaces, and network enabling technologies, with an emphasis on emerging application domains.

Inquiries may be made to:

Institute for Water and Environmental Resource Management

The Institute for Water and Environmental Resource Management undertakes research shaped by the need for sustainable management of water resources, nationally and internationally. As one of four UTS-designated advanced technology research concentrations, it links research staff and students from the Faculties of Engineering and Science with government, industry and community partners through its collaborative programs. Major research themes include groundwater, hydrology and hydrogeology; vegetation and land use salinity; urban water cycles, waste water management and recycling economics; rural water resources including irrigation, recycling and agricultural run-off; and ecotoxicology and environmental engineering.

Inquiries may be made to:

Institute for Nanoscale Technology

The Institute for Nanoscale Technology is a UTS advanced technology research concentration aligned to national science and technology priorities. Its research relates primarily to nanomaterials and devices for biocompatible or energy efficient applications, with major programs on artificial cell membranes and nanosensors, nanograined metals and ceramics, nanocoatings and surface texturing. Opportunities exist for research linking the enabling science and its engineering application.

Inquiries may be made to:

Key University Research Centre for Built Infrastructure Research

The Centre for Built Infrastructure Research (CBIR) encompasses multidisciplinary researchers from the Faculties of Engineering; Science; and Design, Architecture and Building. It aims to develop new technologies to enhance the quality and performance of new infrastructure and to underpin cost-effective strategies for the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The Centre currently focuses on collaborative research with industry in areas which include the application of new advanced materials in construction; assessment, maintenance and remediation of structural performance; minimisation of hazard resulting from earthquake, wind or wave action; the assessment and health monitoring of timber bridges; and use of renewable materials and recycled construction and demolition materials.

Inquiries may be made to:

Key University Research Centre in Health Technologies

Continued advances in health care and quality of life in the future will come from new knowledge and innovative scientific/technological breakthroughs. Our research team has an extensive national and international reputation in the field of health technologies. We bring together complementary interdisciplinary research skills unique in Australia in the development of novel devices and intelligent systems for health technology applications.

Based on significant devices which have been developed by core members of the Centre (such as the Mind Switch and the Non-Invasive Hypoglycaemia Monitor), and numerous novel systems (such as microwave ablation of artrial fibrillation or cancer lesions, a predictive test for retinal damage, liver-directed gene therapy, assistive technology for severely disabled people, detection of driver fatigue, early detection of breast cancer and fusion of tomology images), an ambitious program has been developed to enhance our capacity to deal with major illnesses in terms of effective prediction, diagnosis and rehabilitation. The focus of the group is on the study of health and disease processes, and the development of new devices and advanced techniques for the prediction, diagnosis and rehabilitation of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders and cancer.

Inquiries may be made to:

University Research Group for Intelligent Mechatronic and Energy Systems

The aim of the UTS University Research Group for Intelligent Mechatronic and Energy Systems (IMES) is to focus the research effort in intelligent systems at UTS into four strategic interdisciplinary areas encompassing Mechatronics and Energy systems, namely Autonomous Robots, Automobile Systems, Electrical Vehicles and Artificial Hearts.

Recent progress in intelligent systems research at UTS has made it opportune to build up a multidisciplinary team to undertake innovative fundamental research and develop practical implementations in these four application domains. The research program of the group exploits the existing expertise of the core and associate members in system modelling and synthesis, sensing, estimation, control, and embedded computer systems.

Inquiries may be made to:

ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems

This Centre is run in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) at the University of Sydney and the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The aim of the Centre for Autonomous Systems is to research and explore the nature of intelligence in problems of perception, learning and control, and to lay the scientific groundwork for the development and application of intelligent autonomous systems. Autonomous systems represent the next step in the fusion of machines, computing, sensing and software to create intelligent systems capable of interacting with the complexities of the real world. Autonomous systems have a broad and diverse range of applications of national importance. These range from field applications such as automated mining and cargo handling; construction, forestry and transport; to potentially dangerous applications including robotic bushfire fighting; search-and-rescue; and areas of air, land and maritime defence; as well as social applications in robotic health care, automotive and entertainment.

Inquiries may be made to:

Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems

The Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CRCSS) was established in 1997 to design and build robust and innovative satellite systems. Participants in the CRCSS include UTS, the CSIRO, University of South Australia, La Trobe University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Newcastle, Auspace Limited, VIPAC Scientists and Engineers Pty Ltd, Curtin University of Technology, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the ARIES Consortium, D-Space Ltd, Optus Communications and Kodak Ltd.

As a core member of the CRCSS, UTS is represented on the management board for the program. UTS is part of the telecommunications group of the CRCSS with the specific role to design and develop Ka band microwave earth stations to be used with the Federation Satellite One (Fedsat-1). Fedsat-1 will be a low-cost micro-satellite, conducting telecommunication, space physics, remote sensing and engineering experiments. The Ka band is a new commercial band in the higher end of microwave spectrum being utilised by a number of low earth orbit satellite business ventures for global direct satellite access to the Internet and Internet-based services. The Ka band is 30 Gigahertz on the uplink from earth to the satellite and 20 Gigahertz from the satellite to the earth station. The two frequencies are used to separate received signals from transmitted signals. Using the Ka band requires the development of new communication techniques and subsystems.

Inquiries may be made to:

Centre for Electrical Machines and Power Electronics

This Centre is principally concerned with electrical variable speed drives and generation of electricity using rotating electrical machines and renewable sources (wind, hydro). The technical research disciplines necessary for these two areas are very similar, covering electrical machines design, power electronics and mechanical design. The interest in renewable energy generation is primarily for remote areas and developing countries, so the incorporation of expertise in design for such areas is valuable, with the inclusion of energy requirements analysis, energy economics, technology transfer and human management issues.

Research topics cover:

• new models for analysis and design (electrical, thermal, mechanical)
• new control techniques (new theories and computer processors)
• new practical designs for commercialisation (new materials and components), and
• new processes relevant to remote areas and developing nations (local organisations, high reliability).

Major interdisciplinary projects include:

• 2.5–20kW electric generators and controllers for wind turbines for remote area power supplies
• 40kW hydroelectric scheme for Solomon Islands
• very low-cost, efficient variable-speed drive for small fan motors
• implantable rotary blood pump with integrated motor, impeller and bearings
• brushless, doubly-fed, twin-stator drive for large fans and pumps, and
• 40kW brushless motor controllers and battery chargers for 105-seat hybrid electric ferry.

Inquiries may be made to:

National Centre for Groundwater Management

The National Centre for Groundwater Management is operated jointly with the Faculty of Science. Research areas include: contaminated land evaluation and rehabilitation; groundwater quality management strategies for industrial, agricultural and urban use; contaminant transport and water resource modelling; optimisation; environmental geophysics; and hydraulic modelling, with applications such as irrigation management.

Inquiries may be made to: