Undergraduate Program Rules

1. The Bachelor of Engineering is awarded following completion of all requirements for the relevant engineering program including the completion of all specified courses in the program totalling a minimum of 192 UOC. No more than 60 UOC (excluding the 12 UOC of general education courses) of Year 1 courses can be counted toward the degree.
2. The specific requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering in the various disciplines are set out in the relevant sections in the Online Handbook.
3. The degree may be awarded with Honours, based upon the overall performance in the program and in accordance with the Faculty Honours Policy. Honours are awarded in the following classes: Class 1, Class 2 Division 1, and Class 2 Division 2.
4. The standard duration of the program is four years, or eight semesters, of full-time study, each comprising 24 UOC. Students may undertake the program over a longer period on the basis of part load.
5. Each student is required to complete the specified industrial experience in industry prior to graduation.
6. General Education electives may only be attempted after the student has attempted at least 48 UOC.

Students in each program must satisfy the General Education course requirements of that program. No General Education courses may be taken until at least 48UOC have been attempted. The General Education course requirement is normally 12 UOC, and is usually taken in the second and third years of study. To meet the 12 UOC General Education requirement, students may take up to 12 UOC of General Education courses, or courses substituted for General Education courses, from any faculty or faculties, other than the faculty that is the authority for the program in which the student is enrolled. Students with an identified need may substitute approved academic English courses for up to 6 UOC of General Education. As a general rule, students may not enrol in General Education courses which are similar in content to courses offered in their respective programs. Each faculty has responsibility for deciding what courses may be counted towards the General Education requirement for the students in their programs. The Faculty of Engineering is committed to providing the widest range of choice of general education electives for its students and strongly encourages students to make the best use of this flexibility. For a comprehensive list of available courses, refer to the UNSW Online Handbook.

Transfer from programs in the Faculty of Engineering into single degree programs in the Faculty of Engineering is generally permitted. Transfer must be applied for and is subject to places being available, the student being of Good Standing, and, in some cases, a minimum WAM.

Field projects, site visits and industry seminar lectures are a requirement of some courses and may involve additional expense.

All BE programs (except Civil Engineering with Architecture, Food Processing Engineering, Geoinformation Systems and Surveying) offered by the Faculty of Engineering are fully accredited by Engineers Australia, meeting the examination requirements for admission to graduate and corporate membership. Civil Engineering with Architecture has provisional accreditation and will seek full accreditation in the next accreditation round in May 2011. Food Processing Engineering, Geoinformation Systems and Surveying will seek provisional accreditation in May 2011. Provisional accreditation will also be sought for an ME and a BE ME, both in Electrical Engineering. Substantial or complete recognition is accorded to EA fully-accredited BE programs by overseas engineering institutions.

For a definitive list of UNSW Engineering programs accredited by Engineers Australia, please refer to Engineering Australia’s List of Accredited Programs at the level of Professional Engineer.

Engineers Australia (EA) has as its first objective the promotion of the science and practice of engineering in all its branches. EA has its national headquarters in Canberra and functions through a series of divisions, the local one being the Sydney Division. Within each division are branches representing the main interests within the profession, e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, engineering management and environmental engineering. Students of an approved school of engineering may join the Engineers Australia as a student member (StudEA). Student members receive the monthly publication Engineers Australia and for a small fee they also receive The Transactions which contains articles on a particular branch of engineering. Student members are invited to participate in the Excellence Award for Work Experience, the National Young Engineer of the Year Award and to avail themselves of other EA services including the Mentor Scheme and industrial experience guidance. Information about membership of EA is available from School Offices.

The award of the BE degree in Chemical Engineering is sufficient academic qualification for corporate membership of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. The award of the BE in Industrial Chemistry is sufficient academic qualification for corporate membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Both degrees are recognised by Engineers Australia.

The degree of BE in Surveying and Spatial Information Systems is recognised by the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of New South Wales as meeting the requirements for entry as a candidate to become a Registered Surveyor in New South Wales. The degree is also recognised by the Institution of Surveyors, New South Wales, and the Spatial Sciences Institute for admission as corporate members. Students wishing to become Registered Surveyors after graduation are advised to gain practical experience under a Registered Surveyor during their program. Details are obtainable from the Registrar, Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of NSW, P.O. Box 143, Bathurst NSW 2795.

The award of the BE degree in Aerospace Engineering is recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society as giving exemption from the formal examination requirements for corporate membership. Advancement from graduate membership to associate membership grade is awarded on a case by case basis after a further period of some years of professional experience.

The award of the BE degree in Naval Architecture is recognised by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), London, as the academic qualification for corporate membership. On completion of the degree, a Naval Architect may apply for Associate Membership of the RINA. Following four years of relevant experience, associate members may then apply for corporate Membership of the Institution.

The award of the BE degree in Mining Engineering from UNSW is a recognised tertiary qualification required for corporate membership of the Australasian Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). On completion of the degree, a Mining Engineer may apply for Graduate Membership of the AusIMM. Following three years relevant experience after graduation, graduates may apply for Corporate Membership of the Institute. The BE degree in Mining Engineering is also required in some jurisdictions to obtain the statutory qualification of Mine Manager.