Degree programs


Caulfield
Clayton
Gippsland
Monash Malaysia

Duration of degrees

Pass

With the exception of the Bachelor of Technology (Computer Studies) and the Bachelor of Engineering Studies, all the undergraduate degree programs listed above are of four years duration if taken full-time or up to eight years duration if taken part-time. The Bachelor of Technology (Computer Studies) and the Bachelor of Engineering Studies are of three years duration if taken full-time and up to five years (at Monash) duration if taken part-time. For Gippsland students, the Bachelor of Engineering if taken by distance education has a time limit of 12 years and the Bachelor of Engineering Studies if taken by distance education has a time limit of nine years.

Honours

A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance in the course as a whole. No additional time is required. All subjects which have a numerical mark are considered in the determination of an honours result, but greater weight is given to the subjects in the later years of the course than to those in the earlier years.

New first level in 1998, new engineering course in 1999

The faculty, with effect from the beginning of 1999, was granted approval to replace the nine Bachelor of Engineering degree programs offered variously at Caulfield, Clayton and Gippsland with a single Bachelor of Engineering degree to be offered in a variety of branches across the three campuses. The introduction of the new BE degree coincided with a move to common prerequisites at all three campuses, and is an outcome of the faculty's strategic planning for its development over the next five years.
The new degree program is being phased in. The first level of the new degree, common to all branches of engineering and all campuses, was introduced in 1998. The second level of the new degree was introduced in 1999. However, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, all later years of the revised program commenced in 1999. Irrespective of the campus at which applicants are admitted to the engineering course, at the end of the first common year of study, students in the new program will, subject to academic merit and any quotas which may operate, be able to move into one of the eight engineering branches on any of the three campuses.
Most students who commenced study in 1997 or earlier will complete their course in the old Bachelor of Engineering degree program. Appropriate transition arrangements have been developed for those students who find themselves part-way between the old and the new courses because of part-time study, leave of absence, failure etc. Where necessary, each student's course will be reviewed individually and agreement will be reached with the student about subjects still to be completed so as to ensure appropriate coverage of content without disadvantage to the student.

Course of study in the new first level

Full details of the structure and content of the common first level for the Bachelor of Engineering degree programs are set out in the subject lists following this section. The first level lays a foundation in the basic sciences of mathematics, physics and chemistry, upon which later-year studies build, and introduces students to the key areas of engineering. It also includes material on the role of the engineer in society, an emphasis on engineering for sustainable development, and a focus on developing the student's communication skills. Computing is also introduced at this level because of its importance throughout the remainder of the course.
Nine of the 12 first-level subjects required are core, that is compulsory. A student's choice of the remaining three subjects must take into account two factors: the amount of mathematics, chemistry and physics completed prior to admission to the course, and the branch of engineering in which the student hopes to proceed at the end of the first year. (The large majority of students entering the faculty have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), and references in the following paragraphs are to the prerequisite VCE subjects. Some local and international students enter the faculty with other, equally acceptable, qualifications, and advice about subject choice for students with qualifications other than the VCE may be obtained from staff of the faculty administration offices.)
If a student has completed Mathematical Methods and only one of Chemistry and Physics at VCE units 3 and 4, the student will be required to complete ENG1901 (Engineering mathematics A) and one of ENG1701 (Chemistry A) or ENG1801 (Physics A) (depending on subjects not taken at VCE). The student will not have space for an elective, and will be obliged to choose between ENG1702 (Chemistry B) and ENG1802 (Physics B).
How this choice is made will depend very much on what branch of engineering the student hopes to take on completion of the first year. Most engineering branches will accept the student, subject to academic performance and any quotas which may exist, on the basis of either Chemistry B or Physics B. However, if the student is considering taking chemical engineering, the student is strongly advised to take ENG1702 (Chemistry B). Conversely, if a student is considering taking electrical and computer systems engineering, the student is strongly advised to take ENG1802 (Physics B), as the two departments believe that the respective 'B' subjects provide an appropriate preparation for their courses.
If a student has successfully completed, at VCE units 3 and 4 either Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics and one of Chemistry and Physics, or Mathematical Methods and both Chemistry and Physics, the student will have space for one elective. This will enable the student, if the student wishes, to take both ENG1702 (Chemistry B) and ENG1802 (Physics B), thereby leaving options open for all engineering branches. Alternatively, it will be open to the student to exercise the choice outlined in the previous paragraph.
If a student has successfully completed, at VCE units 3 and 4, all of Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, the student will have space for two electives. The student will then be able, if the student wishes, to take both ENG1702 (Chemistry B) and ENG1802 (Physics B), thereby leaving options open for all engineering branches, or the student may exercise a choice as described above. Students with available elective spaces are also able to take other approved electives worth not less than four credit points, which may include later-year subjects for which prerequisites have been satisfied. These Group 2 electives are detailed in the BE subject list. Note that the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering encourages prospective students to take ENG1803 (Physics C), if they have an available elective space.

2000 degree programs at each campus

The following sections describe the new Bachelor of Engineering degree programs offered at each campus with respect in particular to the branches of engineering available and the content of the levels which follow the common first year.