Why study electrical engineering at UoN?

Electrical engineering is a rapidly expanding and diverse field and the major area of expertise behind control and automation, telecommunications, signal processing, analogue and digital electronics, and power generation and distribution. The Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) will equip you for a career in these areas, along with the exciting and challenging fields of nano-technology, robotics and renewable energy. Find out more

What you will study

The Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) focuses on both academic and professional training so as to produce self confident, well equipped, 'job ready' graduates with dynamic career opportunities. Find out more

Practical experience

Requirements for qualification for the award of Bachelor of Engineering include completion of 12 weeks of engineering related industrial experience. Find out more

Graduating with Honours

With increasing competition in all sectors of employment, students who graduate with Honours have a distinct advantage. It is often considered by employers as an added skill and has been used by previous graduates to pursue higher positions and salaries.Find out more

Become a graduate in demand

At the moment, the demand for electrical engineers exceeds the supply, which means that as an electrical engineer, there are many possibilities for you and the type of work you could do. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

Why study electrical engineering at UoN?

Electrical engineering is a rapidly expanding and diverse field and the major area of expertise behind control and automation, telecommunications, signal processing, analogue and digital electronics, and power generation and distribution. The Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) will equip you for a career in these areas, along with the exciting and challenging fields of nano-technology, robotics and renewable energy.

At the University of Newcastle you will utilise modern laboratory facilities and have the opportunity to put theory into practice with an industry-related project in your final year of study. You will also benefit from teachers who are recognised internationally for outstanding research and for being leaders in the field.

Electrical engineers investigate, plan, design, develop, construct, test, market and maintain a wide range of products and systems. The profession is crucial to the smooth running of any developed nation and is becoming increasingly vital in countries that are working to improve their capacity in the new and emerging technologies.

The University of Newcastle has been ranked in the world’s top 120 universities for engineering and technology (QS rankings 2010).

Where do we find electrical engineers?

Electrical engineers are employed across the board in utilities, industry, manufacturing, consulting services and electronic design and development.

Graduate opportunities exist both nationally and internationally in industrial and power electronics, automation systems, robotics, health care, water and energy industries.

Many electrical engineers work in large public and private telecommunications, manufacturing and electrical power companies, while others work for defence and intelligence organisations.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) focuses on both academic and professional training so as to produce self confident, well equipped, 'job ready' graduates with dynamic career opportunities.

You will cover a diverse range of content in the degree including a strong grounding in mathematics, physics and electrical engineering fundamentals. You will also study power generation and distribution, telecommunications equipment, signal processing, and analogue and digital electronics.

In years three and four, you will have the opportunity to select from a large range of electives including analogue electronics, power electronics, control and automation, computer hardware, electromagnetics, microprocessor applications, power systems, signal processing and telecommunications.

You will undertake either a research or industry related project in your final year of study.

Combined degrees

There are a couple of combined degree options if you're interested in a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical).

The following combinations can be completed in five years, when you study full-time:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)/Bachelor of Business
  
• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)/Bachelor of Mathematics

Practical experience

Requirements for qualification for the award of Bachelor of Engineering include completion of 12 weeks of engineering related industrial experience. Students are encouraged to obtain and report on blocks (no less than two weeks) of industrial experience during the latter years of the degree.

Graduating with Honours

With increasing competition in all sectors of employment, students who graduate with Honours have a distinct advantage. It is often considered by employers as an added skill and has been used by previous graduates to pursue higher positions and salaries. You can develop and carry out research on a topic of interest, potentially leading to further academic study such as a PhD.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) uses the WAM as a measure for determining Honours.

There are three levels of Honours.

Honours Class 1 - you will require a minimum WAM of 77 and a minimum mark of 75 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Honours Class II, Division 1 - you will require a minimum WAM of 72 and a minimum mark of 65 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Honours Class II, Division 2 - you will require a minimum WAM of 67 and a minimum mark of 65 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Performance is based on a three year WAM where 2000, 3000 and 4000 level courses are weighted.

To calculate your WAM download this PDF

To find out more about Honours, contact the Enquiry Centre, 02 4921 5000.

Become a graduate in demand

At the moment, the demand for electrical engineers exceeds the supply, which means that as an electrical engineer, there are many possibilities for you and the type of work you could do. Some examples are:

• Electronics engineering: designing, developing and manufacturing computers, integrated circuits, audio, visual, broadcasting and telecommunications equipment, process control systems, navigation, guidance and detection systems, prosthetic devices and pollution monitoring instruments
• Automation and control engineering: designing, building and operating the automatics systems that control our water supply, chemical plants, oil refineries, factories, mines and even traffic lights. They also design the many automatic systems in medial equipment, aircraft, ships and cars, and in domestic appliances such as dishwashers
• Power generation and distribution engineering: providing a reliable and safe electricity network for our everyday needs. They plan, develop, test, install and maintain the equipment and systems that produce, distribute and use electricity
• Robotic engineering: designing and programming systems that perform functions associated with human intelligence like voice recognition, mechanical tasks such as sorting or assembling and making predictions on the basis of experience.

Professional recognition

This degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, the Professional Engineers Board Singapore and other affiliated international organisations. The degree is internationally accredited by the Washington Accord.

Meet our achievers

Kumaran

Luke

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)

The University of Newcastle provides the opportunity to study in a dynamic environment, with opportunities for both personal and academic growth. The University is in close proximity to large industrial businesses, allowing you, as a student and graduate, to gain professional experience easily. Newcastle provides a relaxed environment to study, and the Engineering Faculty is established.

I now work as an electrical engineer for Xstrata Coal and enjoy great diversity within my role. The highlights of my career so far are being a part of a team that has set an Australian record for production, a team that is regarded as operating as one of the worlds most automated longwall coal mines, and being able to obtain postgraduate qualifications required to statutorily manage an operating coal mine’s electrical engineering department.

The Bachelor of Electrical Engineering was a building block for my current professional career. The most valuable skill the degree gave me was the ability to learn effectively and problem solve complex issues, which I do in my day to day work.