Melbourne School of Engineering

Undergraduate courses: areas of study

Areas of study are listed and described in the on-line Handbook.

Follow the links below:

 

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering integrates an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of biomedical science and the physical sciences with specialist studies in engineering modelling, measurement, research and design.

This integrated knowledge enables biomedical engineers to address health-care specific problems from a unique perspective.

 

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering involves industrial-scale processes in which materials undergo chemical or physical changes to give us the products we need for everyday life. These include pharmaceuticals, metals, fuels, plastics, paper, fabrics and biochemical processing.

Chemical engineers also make a difference to our wider environment by developing methods for cleaner production, air pollution control, sustainable development and waste treatment by chemical and biological processes.

 

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering involves industrial processes as diverse as the brewing of beer, drug production using recombinant bacteria, biological waste treatment, the production of food additives by plant cell culture, artificial skin production and much more.

Developments in bionanotechnology have prompted the creation of this specialised degree program. Retaining the vital components of chemical engineering, this course pursues a deeper exploration of large-scale processes using microbial, plant or animal cells. Students develop the ability to design novel bioproducts, including bionanoengineered devices.

 

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering involves the planning, design and construction of the built environment and the provision of essential services and infrastructure.

Construction of the built environment, which includes structures such as buildings, bridges and tunnels, requires engineers at the forefront of technology with a breadth of knowledge and experience. Similarly, our transport systems, water supply, drainage systems, ports and harbours are all examples of essential services where civil engineers are vital in providing the most effective way of interacting with the natural environment.

Civil engineers use their sophisticated understanding of planning, design and construction to create solutions to improve quality of life.

 

Computer Engineering

Computer engineering involves the design and construction of computers and computer-controlled equipment. The digital hardware found in computer systems and telecommunications networks, and in everyday objects like cars, cameras and washing machines, are all examples of the work of computer engineers.

Working in close collaboration with software engineers, computer engineers may find themselves utilising their expertise to design and build a state-of-the-art computer, design the computer control of a car ignition system or build the intelligence for a robot used in manufacturing.

 

Computer Science

Computer science encompasses studies from both science and engineering.
The "science" side deals with the understanding of fundamental issues in computing, through models based on theory and abstraction. The practical application of principles and methodologies to the development and maintenance of computer systems (hardware and software) is drawn from the "engineering" field.

This course is designed to teach a balance of immediately useful practical knowledge together with a firm foundation of general principles that will assist you in your future career.

 

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering involves designing and building electrical and electronic devices on all scales, from transistors smaller than the head of a pin to the statewide power grid. Electrical engineers also design electrical systems for high technology applications such as spacecraft and satellites.

In addition to being the main discipline responsible for communications, with examples being civil aviation and the deep space network, electrical engineering has an ongoing impact on the medical field, developing systems and instrumentation such as the ‘bionic ear', heart pacemakers and life support systems.

 

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering involves the planning, design and management of the natural environment. Environmental engineers therefore require an understanding of the complexity and variability of natural systems.

Environmental engineers focus on land and water engineering, examining issues such as land use and management, salinity, water resources management, water quality and soil rehabilitation.

An understanding of the interaction between the built and natural environments is essential to environmental engineers and they regularly work with biologists, ecologists and resource managers in order to arrive at the right decisions with regard to ecologically sustainable development.

 

 

Geomatic Engineering

Geomatic engineering is the study of the science and technologies of three dimensional measurement, mapping and visualisation. It is one of the fastest growing IT industries in the world today.

This course provides the opportunity to acquire skills in modern, sophisticated technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS), three dimensional computer visualisations, geographic information systems (GIS), surveying, and satellite and photographic image processing.

 

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering involves understanding the design, construction, operation and maintenance of machines, that is, practically anything with moving parts. These machines may be dishwashers, cars or aircraft, products that generate energy or control pollution and dispose of wastes, or equipment used to process raw materials into other products, such as ore crushers or robots.

Mechanical engineering interacts with all other branches of engineering and plays a part in the design or production of practically everything we use.

 

Mechatronics

Mechatronics is a discipline concerned with the integration of computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering. A detailed understanding of how these three areas interact enables the development of ‘intelligent' products and manufacturing systems such as computer-controlled robots, cameras and washing machines.

 

Software Engineering

Software engineering is the application of engineering principles to the development and maintenance of high quality software. Software engineers use an understanding of computer science, design, engineering, management, mathematics and psychology, to deal with team production of large software systems.

The course provides diverse and intense training that equips graduates to design, develop and maintain innovative and secure software systems.

 

Structural Engineering

 

Note: Bachelor of Commerce students need to enrol in a specified sequence of Engineering subjects that will lead to the professional Master of Engineering. In some pathways additional summer enrolment will be required.