Major study areas for Bachelor of Engineering

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Many everyday things we take for granted computer chips, toothpaste, mobile phones, paint, plastic, petrol, paper, instant coffee, clean power and so oninvolve chemical engineering at some stage of their manufacture. Based in chemistry, physics and mathematics, chemical engineering involves the economic and safe design, operation and management of chemical and physical processes that convert with minimal environmental impact raw materials into useful and valuable products. In second year, you continue studying mathematics, physics and chemistry, and units such as biology, electrical engineering, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science and chemical engineering. In third and fourth years, you work on the core topics of mass, heat and momentum transfer, kinetics, thermodynamics, process control, environmental engineering and design. Managerial units are introduced at this stage and more emphasis is placed on synthesis and design, culminating in a major plant design project. Technical electives also form part of the final year.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Civil engineers design, build, maintain, manage and operate the infrastructure that makes society possible. Their world is highways and railways, buildings and structures, foundations, tunnels, airports, road systems, harbour facilities, space stations, power-generators, and water and wastewater treatment plants. Second year introduces you to basic analysis techniques in each of the four civil engineering disciplines: geomechanics, transport, water supply and structural engineering. Third year develops core professional skills, and includes a management unit, engineering investigation, road engineering, two structural units, a water unit and a geomechanics unit. Fourth-year core units extend your studies in engineering design and analysis, and include more management units and electives from each of the four civil engineering disciplines.

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Electrical and computer systems engineers investigate, plan, design, develop, construct, test and maintain a wide range of products and systems, from broadcasting and telecommunications to blood analysers, from power generation to robotics. The branch of engineering is extremely diverse, taking in electronics, computer systems, telecommunications, bioengineering, control, robotics and electrical power engineering. In second and third year, you continue studying physics and mathematics, electrical and computer systems engineering, applied mechanics and thermodynamics. You also study units such as electrical signals, electrical machines and power electronics, control systems, software engineering and communications. In fourth year you undertake several core units and a thesis project, along with electives that allow you to pursue your interests in biomedical engineering, computer systems and robotics, power engineering, electronics and electromagnetics, telecommunications or control systems.

MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Materials engineers change the properties or behaviour of materials (or both) to make them more useful. They make a unique contribution to the design of a new device, product or component, and make existing ones work better, whether it's thermal protection on a space shuttle, high-tech artificial hip implants, titanium golf clubs, battery systems for electric cars, artificial hearts or laptop computers. In second year, you are introduced to fundamental aspects of the structure of materials and their relationship with engineering properties. Third- and fourth-year units cover aspects of materials science and materials engineering, and an in-depth study of the properties of metals, plastics, rubber, ceramics and composites. In fourth year, special attention is given to topics such as materials design and selection, optimisation of properties, mechanical behaviour (including shaping and fabrication), and the performance of materials in service. You also choose a substantial research project in a field of materials (metals, plastics, rubber, ceramics or composites).

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Mechanical engineers turn energy into motion and power. They work on power plants, renewable energy systems, electrical generators, robots, propulsion systems, computer systems, climate control systems, prosthetic limb and joint design, aircraft engines and cars. Mechanical engineering covers the generation, conversion, transmission and use of mechanical and thermal energy, and includes the design, construction and operation of devices and systems. It also involves studying the behaviour of solids, liquids and gases when forces are applied and heated and cooled. Second-year units explore the practice of engineering and engineering sciences. In third year, the units on engineering practice and mechanical engineering sciences are taken to a professional level. Topics include fluid mechanics, engineering practices, design management, engineering thermodynamics and mechanical vibrations. In final year you undertake a yearlong independent project in your area of interest and select four electives offering further scope for specialisation. You may also study a unit from another faculty.