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QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Springfield campus: 927052; External: 907055; Toowoomba campus: 907052

CRICOS code (International applicants): 054271G

Notes

The Civil, Electrical and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering majors are the only majors available on-campus at Springfield.
The Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering major is only available part-time.

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Professional accreditation

All majors (except Agricultural, Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering, and Mining Engineering) in this program have received full accreditation from Engineers Australia. Provisional accreditation has been granted for the Agricultural, Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering, and Mining Engineering majors. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for membership of Engineers Australia as an Engineering Associate (Officer). After further professional development, a graduate member with an Associate Degree may apply for chartered status as an Engineering Officer and, when granted, may use the post-nominal AMIEAust CEngO.

Graduates of this program in the Mining Engineering major are eligible to apply for Associate Grade membership of AusIMM (Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy).

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Program aims

The Associate Degree of Engineering is a tertiary level program designed to educate engineering associates in the theory, methods and practices necessary to support professional engineers. It is also designed so that students are eligible for membership of Engineers Australia (as an Engineering Associate) and other appropriate professional bodies. To this end, the program is designed to provide a general understanding of a broad field of knowledge, with specified electives (approved courses) available in most majors in the final stages of the program to allow a measure of specialisation.

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Program objectives

Graduates of the program will have:

1. cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate information and concepts from a range of sources

2. in-depth practical knowledge and skills of a branch of engineering practice, appropriate to those functioning at engineering associate level in the following fields: Agricultural Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Systems Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mining Engineering; or Power Engineering:

3. cognitive, communication and analytical skills to interpret and transmit responses to sometimes complex problems, which are founded upon descriptive, formula-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the practice area

4. oral, written and electronic communication skills to make a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas with some intellectual independence in professional and lay domains

   Graduates of the program will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:

5. with initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making at an engineering associate level, working in collaboration with others within broad parameters as an effective team member or leader

6. to the solution of well-defined engineering problems using established technical and practical methods

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 06. Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Program Information Set

View USQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under via the QTAC website.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have achieved a minimum Overall Position (OP) 16, tertiary entrance rank 64 or equivalent qualification.^

• Subject Pre-requisite: English (4,SA) and Mathematics A (4, SA) or equivalent.

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.

Applicants are advised to also note the following:

• Recommended Prior ¾«¶«´«Ã½app: Mathematics B (4,SA) or equivalent.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Associate Degree of Engineering program consists of core, major study and specified approved course components. Students enrolled in the Associate Degree of Engineering program may undertake a specialisation in one of nine major discipline areas:

• Agricultural Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Systems Engineering

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Mining Engineering

• Power Engineering

The Associate Degree of Engineering program consists of 16 academic courses and four or five practice courses, (depending on major) which can be completed in two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. The program is available in on-campus and external modes of study.

Full-time, on-campus students may, with the permission of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, undertake courses by online study. This may be desirable if students wish to extend the range of courses open to them in the approved courses area.

The program structure for each of the major studies in the Associate Degree of Engineering is shown in the following pages.

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Required time limits

Full-time students have a maximum of four years to complete this program. Part-time students have a maximum of six years to complete this program. A pro-rata adjustment of the maximum time period will apply for those students who transfer from one mode of study to another. A pro-rata reduction in the maximum time period will apply to students who are admitted to a program with advanced standing.

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Practical experience

To be eligible to graduate from the Associate Degree of Engineering, students must obtain an aggregate of at least 30 days of suitable work experience during their program. This experience may be in an engineering office or laboratory where the student would be working principally with professional engineers and engineering associates. It may, however, be preferable for students to spend some time in field or factory activities to gain insight into industrial practice and to see what is involved in converting designs into finished products. Students are required to enrol in in the latter part of their program and keep a record of appropriate experience as specified in the Course Specification. The work experience is to be endorsed by an appropriate person in the organisation providing the experience and submitted to the examiner. The student must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of work experience to satisfy this requirement. The record of work experience must be made available for perusal by the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences upon request. The acceptability or otherwise of employment experience, and the period of that type of experience that may be credited towards the 30 days, will be determined by the Examiner of .

Credit or exemptions for will not normally be considered.

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IT requirements

Access to an up-to-date computer is necessary. On-campus students can access appropriately equipped laboratories, but should consider acquisition of their own computer. External students should be able to access a computer with the following as advised by the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app. All students should have access to email and the Internet via a computer running the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. The ¾«¶«´«Ã½app has a wireless network for on-campus students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. Specialist software is required for some courses.

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: V = Voluntary; O = Optional; C = Compulsory; R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. Find out more about , visit the to view specific dates for your degree, or visit the .

Students are required to undertake practical and professional activities relevant to their program through enrolment in a series of Practice courses in the program. Practice courses are zero unit courses that may be undertaken in either on-campus or external mode and the final grades available are Pass (P)/Fail (F) only. They are a compulsory part of the program and do not attract a student contribution charge for Australian residents or a tuition fee for international students. The recommended enrolment schedule for Practice courses is shown in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern for the program in this Handbook.

External students must attend a number of residential schools during their program to obtain experience in practical and professional activities appropriate to the program. The residential schools are included in Practice courses which are conducted in Semester 3 or during the mid-semester recess periods. The dates for each residential school Practice course are shown in the in this Handbook and external students should ensure they are able to attend the residential school prior to enrolling in a Practice course. Personal protective equipment is compulsory in many engineering, construction and spatial science laboratories. Students should confirm the requirements before attending residential schools for Practice courses.

Students who enrol in on-campus mode for Practice courses normally undertake a series of weekly activities and/or attend a compulsory residential school.

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Exit points

Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Associate Degree of Engineering, and who satisfy all of the requirements of the may be permitted to exit with that award.

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Credit

Applications for exemptions/credit will be assessed and based upon the .

Work Experience

Work and industrial experience that has not been formally assessed, does not normally qualify for course credit in the Associate Degree of Engineering program. Existing work experience may be used to satisfy the practical/work experience requirements when completing the practice course.

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Other information

The Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences may permit a student to enrol in an approved course other than those listed for the accredited program. Students who wish to enrol in approved courses other than those listed, must obtain written approval from the Program Coordinator prior to enrolling in the course.

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic courses and the Practice courses in the following tables that show the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Engineering Pathways

A special Pathway has been developed for students who intend to study the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) once they have completed the Associate Degree of Engineering program. Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) maximises the advanced standing (exemptions) students will receive in these programs. A Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) has been developed for each of the following Associate Degree of Engineering majors into the equivalent major:

• Agricultural Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Systems Engineering

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Power Engineering

Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) has been specially developed for students who study part-time. Full-time students may seek approval to follow the Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), but it is not timetabled for on-campus students.

Students must have the approval of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences to undertake the Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Students are strongly advised to consider and apply for approval for this Pathway as soon as possible in order to maximise the credit they will receive in the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). This should be done prior to the commencement of the second year of studies if possible, and after successful completion of at least eight (8) academic courses in the Associate Degree, including any courses specified as a major Pathway.

The Faculty will take into consideration a student's GPA before granting approval. Once approval is granted, the Faculty will advise students of the courses they should study when granting approval for them to follow the Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Agricultural Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Civil Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield Campus)
• Computer Systems Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Environmental Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern (this major is only available part-time)
• Mechanical Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Mining Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Power Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

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Agricultural Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Agricultural Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Agricultural Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Agricultural Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight academic courses, including in lieu of . Pathway students should enrol in two Pathway courses as approved courses.

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Civil Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield Campus)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Civil Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering) program should have completed at least eight courses, including in lieu of .

It is recommended that students wishing to continue directly into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) program using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including in lieu of . Pathway students should enrol in instead of and must choose as their approved course. Students on the pathway will only be eligible to graduate out of the Associate Degree of Engineering (Civil Engineering) program if they have completed the courses according to the above instructions.

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Computer Systems Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

On entering the Associate Degree of Engineering (Computer Systems Engineering) external students are required to purchase a kit of tools comprising an electronic soldering iron, wire strippers, long nose pliers, diagonal cutter, safety glasses and an electronic prototyping 'breadboard'. These will first be required for and , and further details will be provided on commencement of these courses. Additionally, all students enrolled in course will be required to purchase an electronic kit.

Computer Systems Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Computer Systems Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Computer Systems Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including , in lieu of . Pathway students should seek advice from the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences before selecting their approved courses.

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

On entering the Associate Degree of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) external students are required to purchase a kit of tools comprising an electronic soldering iron, wire strippers, long nose pliers, diagonal cutter, safety glasses and an electronic prototyping 'breadboard'. These will first be required for and , and further details will be provided on commencement of these courses. Additionally, all students enrolled in course will be required to purchase an electronic kit. For external students in the course , access to a multimeter and hook-up wire is required, together with the purchase of some electronic components.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including , in lieu of . Pathway students should seek advice from the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences before selecting their approved courses.

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Environmental Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Environmental Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Environmental Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including in lieu of . Pathway students should choose any Bachelor of Engineering Science (Environmental Engineering) Core course and as their approved courses.

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Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern (this major is only available part-time)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Mechanical Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Mechanical Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including in lieu of . Pathway students should enrol in as the approved course.

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Mining Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Mining Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including in lieu of . Pathway students should enrol in two Pathway courses as approved courses.

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Power Engineering Major recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

On entering the Associate Degree of Engineering (Power Engineering) external students are required to purchase a kit of tools comprising an electronic soldering iron, wire strippers, long nose pliers, diagonal cutter, safety glasses and an electronic prototyping 'breadboard'. These will first be required for and , and further details will be provided on commencement of these courses.

Additionally, all students enrolled in course will be required to purchase an electronic kit. For external students in the course , access to a multimeter and hook-up wire is required, together with the purchase of some electronic components.

Power Engineering Pathway

It is recommended that students wishing to continue into either the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Power Engineering) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Power Engineering) programs using a Pathway should have completed at least eight courses, including , in lieu of . Pathway students should seek advice from the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences before selecting their approved courses.