Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2004
Engineering

Degree programs

Caulfield
Clayton
Gippsland
Monash Malaysia

Duration of degrees

Pass

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. The double degrees are of either five or six years durations if taken full-time, with some overloading.

Honours

A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance throughout the course in engineering programs offered by the faculty. 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.

Course of study in the BE 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 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 seven engineering branches offered variously at the Caulfield, Clayton 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.

2004 degree programs at each campus

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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