C09067v2 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional 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 sessions of internship (normally paid) in a real workplace setting. A number of the areas of study are available with explicit specialisations. For example, Civil Engineering is available with specialisations in Structures and Construction. Students can also focus on or broaden their studies by completing electives. By appropriate choice of electives, students can gain knowledge in a second engineering discipline, obtain a sub-major in a different field or study postgraduate degree subjects and apply for credit towards an engineering master's degree. 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.

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.

Career options

Career options depend on the major chosen.

Course intended learning outcomes

Assumed knowledge

HSC Mathematics Extension 1; Physics; and English (Standard).

English (Advanced) is recommended. For the biomedical, civil, and civil and environmental engineering majors, Chemistry is recommended. For the software engineering major, a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of programming is recommended.

Credit recognition

Students who have previously undertaken study at a university or other recognised tertiary education institution may be eligible for some academic credit recognition for their prior study if the subjects previously completed are deemed by the faculty to be equivalent to subjects in the course.

The prior study must have been completed before commencement of this course, but no earlier than 10 years before commencement. Students must be able to demonstrate that their knowledge is current.

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 session and again in the seventh or eighth session.

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 sessions of study somewhere through the program.

Course structure

A total of 240 credit points is required for graduation, distributed in the following way:

• core program: 48 credit points
• professional engineering practice program: 48 credit points, plus 48 weeks of approved internship
• fields of practice (including a major engineering capstone project): 120 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 credit points (credit points may vary depending on sub-major). Students in the Civil Engineering major, Structures stream are recommended to complete 12 credit points of electives from approved postgraduate structural engineering subjects. Students in the Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering major or the Civil and Environmental Engineering major are required to select one specialist stream in their area of study in place of the electives.

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 which must be approved by the director, Teaching and Learning.

The Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice is not offered separately.

Course program

Most of the subjects are offered in both Autumn and Spring sessions, sometimes as day classes and sometimes as evening classes. The programs provided below for each major show a suggested sequence for students undertaking the course full time for Autumn commencement. This sequence may be impacted in future sessions by course changes, subject availability, or satisfactory academic progress. Internships may be taken in sessions 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 (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia at the Graduate Professional Engineer level. Under the Washington Accord the degree is internationally recognised by the following countries: Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Diploma in Professional 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

Students enrolled in UTS: Engineering degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate coursework) are advised to direct all their course-related inquiries to: