Course Structure
All students, whether they start in Hobart or Launceston, take a common first three semesters. This gives a breadth of subjects which enables students to select the area of engineering to which they are best suited and in which they wish to specialise. Students choose their area of specialisation in semester 4.
The seven broad areas of specialisation are:
- civil engineering
- geotechnical engineering
- mechanical engineering
- mechatronics
- electrical power engineering
- electronics and communication engineering
- computer systems engineering
A major feature of the engineering course is the emphasis placed on laboratory work. Students are required to write regular reports on their work. The design classes provide them with opportunities to learn the techniques of developing safe and reliable designs. In the fourth year, each student may undertake an individual project which involves an analysis of requirements, feasibility study, and design and development usually resulting in a prototype. For both the laboratory and the design classes, extensive use is made of computers.
Engineering students are also required to complete a prescribed amount of industrial experience work in the vacations. Where possible, the work experience placements are arranged through the School of Engineering, and students are paid by their employers at the appropriate award rate.
