C10061v3 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma in Engineering Practice

Overview

This program is a comprehensive preparation for careers in the professional practice of engineering. Students learn to deal with complex systems and manage large-scale projects using the most appropriate emerging technologies.

The course offers an authentic, professionally focused and practice-based education program with two semesters of paid internship in a real workplace setting. The Diploma in Engineering Practice has been specifically designed to allow students to accelerate their entry into the engineering profession, as a chartered professional engineer, by reducing the time required for professional experience after graduation.

Course aims

The course aims to equip graduates with the skills and attributes needed for professional practice and leadership. It is based on the themes of academic development, personal development and professional formation. It provides sound foundations in engineering theory, technical expertise and knowledge of professional practice, while also developing academic literacy, advocacy skills and social awareness so that graduates become lifelong learners and effective citizens in many different capacities. The concept has been strongly endorsed in wide-ranging industry consultations. Interaction between work experience and academic curriculum is very strong, giving the program a depth that no other full-time academic course can match.

Career options

Career options depend on the major chosen.

Additional admission requirements

Entry to individual Engineering majors is subject to UAI requirements.

Additional assumed knowledge

Mathematics Extension 1; Physics; and English Standard.

English Advanced is recommended.

Course duration and attendance

Full-time students normally complete the program in five years, which includes four years of study plus two periods of engineering internship in the workplace totalling at least 48 weeks. The internship is typically taken in the third or fourth semester and again in the seventh or eighth.

It is possible to complete the program entirely on a part-time basis, with continuous concurrent employment, by enrolling at half the full-time rate, however this is not recommended. Students wishing to make extensive use of part-time attendance are strongly encouraged to negotiate with their employers for at least two full-time semesters of study somewhere through the program.

Course structure

A total of 204 credit points is required for graduation, distributed in the following way:

• Core program: 54 credit points
• Engineering Practice Program: 12 credit points, plus 48 weeks of approved internship
• Fields of practice (including a major Capstone Project): 114 credit points (credit points may vary depending on major), and
• Electives (within this component students may undertake a Faculty-approved sub-major totalling 24 credit points): 24 or 30 credit points, depending on major.

The degree may be taken with a designated major which students usually select at entry. Opportunities exist in later years for students to apply to change majors. Students may choose not to take a major and instead take a general program comprising subjects from different areas of engineering.

The Diploma in Engineering Practice is not offered separately.

Industrial training/professional practice

The Diploma in Engineering Practice requires the completion of two six-month internships and the Engineering Practice Program. Completing 12 months of relevant engineering experience before graduating enables students to link learning in the workplace and learning at University, with each experience enhancing the other.

Course completion requirements

Course program

Most of the subjects are offered in both Autumn and Spring semesters, sometimes as day classes and sometimes as evening classes. The programs provided below for each major show the recommended sequence for students undertaking the course full time, for both Autumn and Spring commencement. Internships may be taken in semesters other than those shown, but this may lengthen the time required to complete the course. The program for students undertaking the Civil Engineering major beyond Year 1 depends on which specialisation is chosen.

Levels of award

The Bachelor of Engineering, Diploma in Engineering Practice may be awarded with First or Second Class Honours for meritorious performance in the course as a whole.

Professional recognition

Engineers Australia

The Diploma in Engineering Practice allows students to accelerate their entry into the engineering profession as a chartered professional engineer by reducing the time required for professional experience after graduation.

Other information

Further information is available from the Engineering Outreach Office on: