Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)

Electrical engineering is a professional career that utilises mathematics, science, technology and problem solving skills to design, construct and maintain the products and services that underpin modern society. Electrical engineering is the major area of expertise behind control and automation, telecommunications, signal processing, analogue and digital electronics and power generation and distribution. It is also vital in new and emerging fields such as nano-technology, robotics and renewable energy.

The electrical engineering program focuses on both academic and professional training so as to produce self confident, well equipped, 'job ready' graduates. The program provides a strong grounding in mathematics, physics and electrical engineering fundamentals. In years 3 and 4, students 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. Students undertake either a research or industry related project in their final year of study.

Electrical engineers are in constant demand across a wide range of industries both nationally and internationally. Graduates have the potential to work in areas as diverse as renewable energy, electronics, robotics, industrial automation, control, electrical drives, power and energy systems, telecommunications and biomedical instrumentation. Newcastle graduates are highly regarded by industry, as indicated by their continual high rate of employment.

Current Australian Year 12 Students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on:

• Previous Year 12 studies and/or
• Higher education, tertiary, post-secondary qualifications and/or
• Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:

• an Australian Year 12 in Australia
• an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
• an International Baccalaureat (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions. Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirement.

There are no prerequisite courses but it is assumed that students will have studied Mathematics (Band 5) or HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (Band E1 or above) or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would also be an advantage, Physics is preferred. Applicants who have achieved less than Mathematics Band 5 or have not completed Physics may be admitted to the program but may need additional study and/or assistance to successfully complete the requirements of the program.

Mathematics (Band 5) or HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (Band E1 or above) or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would also be an advantage, Physics is preferred.

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University's website, at www.newcastle.edu.au/credit/

Honours are embedded in the BE and based on outstanding performance throughout the duration of the program. Honours grades in the Bachelor of Engineering degree will normally be awarded by Faculty Board on the basis of a graduating student's performance in the program as a whole, as measured by the WAM according to the following schedule:

Minimum WAM = Honours

77 = Class I

72 = Class II Division 1

67 = Class II Division 2

50-66 = Pass Degree

A Head of School may recommend to Faculty Board that a grade of Honours be awarded to a student who has achieved a WAM of other than indicated above or that Honours not be awarded to a particular student. In such a case Faculty Board may either make an award of Honours in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of School or in accordance with the schedule detailed above.

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 2 weeks) of industrial experience during the latter years of the degree program.

Further information is available at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/engineering/for-students/industrial-experience/

This program is accredited by Engineers Australia, and other affiliated international organisations.

Standard University policy for entry.

Students who have impaired function in their hands or arms, or a visual impairment will have difficulty pursuing this program. It is highly advisable for any prospective student with such a disability to contact the Faculty to discuss the issue.

The Faculty accepts responsibility, in liaison with the student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

The electrical engineering program is wide-ranging in that it includes the study of diverse aspects of power generation and distribution, telecommunications equipment, signal processing, and analogue and digital electronics. All of these areas have an electrical engineering basis, and all offer dynamic career opportunities.

The electrical engineering program is a 4 year program comprising 320 units in which students complete core courses in mathematics physics and general engineering, together with electrical engineering courses to gain hands-on experience and a theoretical introduction to electrical circuits and digital electronics. In third and fourth years students are able to select from a wide range of electives.

The program is available at Callaghan Campus, however students do have the option of undertaking their first year at Ourimbah Campus, (with the remaining three years to be undertaken at Callaghan Campus). Any students wishing to undertake the program on a part-time basis are advised to contact the Program Convenor for advice on optimum selection of courses for part-time enrolment.

As programs are regularly reviewed and updated, some students may experiece changes to their program of study during the course of their enrolment, and which may require transition arrangements. Students affected by changes to the program or experiencing transition problems are advised to review existing arranagements at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Faculties/Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment/PDFs/Transition_Arrangements/Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical).pdf and then contact the Program Convenor or Student Hub for further information.