With the exception of the two Bachelor of Technology degrees, all the single 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 off-campus learning has a time limit of 12 years. The double degrees are of either five or six years durations if taken full- time, with some overloading.
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 units which have a numerical mark are considered in the determination of an honours result for single degrees, but greater weight is given to the units in the later years of the course than to those in the earlier years. Honours for the engineering component of double degrees is calculated on the engineering units only. The two Bachelor of Technology degrees do not have honours.
Full details of the structure and content of the common first level for the Bachelor of Engineering degree programs are set out in the course lists following this section. Irrespective of the campus at which applicants are admitted to the common first year, at the end of that year students may, subject to academic merit and any quotas that apply, move into any one of the eight engineering branches offered variously at the Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland and Malaysia campuses. 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 students' 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 units required are core, that is, compulsory. A
student's choice of the remaining three units 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 unit 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' units 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 units for which prerequisites have been
satisfied. These group 2 electives are detailed in the BE course 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 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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