With the exception of the two Bachelor of Technology degrees, 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 two Bachelor of Technology degrees are of three years duration (two years at Monash University) 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.
A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance in the Bachelor of Engineering degrees 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. The two Bachelor of Technology degrees do not have honours.
The
faculty, with effect from the beginning of 1999, replaced 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 has been 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, the third level in
2000 and the fourth level in 2001. 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.
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.
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.
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