Professional Accreditation
This Key Program has received full accreditation from Engineers Australia at the level of Professional Engineer.
Full-time - Autumn Intake
Year 2
Autumn session
Soil Engineering
This unit is an introductory course covering the use of soil, and the water in it, as an engineering material. It will provide students with a basic understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of soils, simple soil testing methods to characterise soil strength and deformation behaviour and how to apply basic techniques to assess the hydro-mechanical response of soils subjected to loading.
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanics of Materials is the study of the stresses and deformation of a body made of any elastic solid material, and how these are related to the body’s shape and the load applied to it. This unit looks at how and why structural components including bars and beams deform and break. It concentrates on how these are affected by the geometry of the body and loading. Types of loadings considered include normal loads, torsional loads and bending loads. The main objective of the unit is to introduce students to the aspects of stress, strain and internal force development in the components and the methods to determine the deformation and deflections of the components. Energy methods and impact loadings are also considered.
Water Engineering
The unit provides a working knowledge on the basic principles of fluid flow and covers the general principles of engineering hydraulics. The theories learned in classes will be reinforced in laboratory sessions
Engineering Geology and Concrete Materials
Students are introduced to the principles of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering Geology, and Concrete Materials. The students are exposed to real world engineering problems requiring knowledge of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering Geology and Concrete Materials. The knowledge gained from this unit will be directly applicable to other units of Civil and Environmental Engineering key programs.
Spring session
Introduction to Structural Engineering
This unit covers the basic concepts in analysing and designing simple structural members. It consists of the fundamentals of structural analysis, concrete structures and steel structures
Management Foundations
Management Foundations provides an opportunity for students to understand the linkage between organisational processes and managerial practices. The main aim of the unit is to identify the dynamic nature of managerial practice in changing social, economic, technological and global environments. This unit is for students in the School of Engineering only. Students in other degrees are not able to complete this unit.
Surveying for Engineers
This core unit provides students with a basic knowledge of Surveying as it relates to various Engineering projects. It provides material for units such as Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering & Infrastructure Engineering
Environmental Engineering
This unit outlines the essential issues of the environment that a civil and environmental engineer will address as a personal and professional contributor to the development of Australia. It has a bias towards water-related environmental issues.
Year 3
Autumn session
Structural Analysis
This unit introduces students to the aspects of structural analysis of trusses, beams and frames. It covers the first-order elastic analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures. This course aims to teach students to master basic skills in structural analysis as well as skills in using computer software to analyse complex structures.
Infrastructure Engineering
This unit is offered in alternate years. This is an intense unit which will provide students with introductory material to assist them with civil engineering construction and urban development/town planning projects. It covers construction equipment, some construction methods, subdivision design and traffic engineering.
Drainage Engineering
This unit will introduce the basic concepts of drainage analysis. Basic concepts of hydrology will be introduced. This will be integrated with the hydraulic principles learned in Water Engineering to perform hydrologic analysis of catchments.
Numerical Methods in Engineering
The finite element method is a powerful numerical tool for analysing a wide range of engineering problems. The objective of this unit is to introduce the basic and fundamental principles of the finite element techniques by primarily focusing on their applications in the area of structural, solid and soil mechanics.
Spring session
Professional Practice
This unit explores the art of managing physical and human resources and the knowledge to plan, deliver and maintain the physical infrastructure for civilisation in an economically sustainable way.
Steel Structures
This unit covers the basic behaviour of steel members and structures, the appropriate methods to analyse them and the design criteria and methods used to proportion them.
Concrete Structures (UG)
This unit covers the basic elements of structural behaviour and design with reinforced and pre-stressed concrete. Students will learn to analyse the section capacity of reinforced concrete beams, slabs, and columns, and design simple suspended structures. The unit places a strong emphasis on the process of structural design, as this will be applied to timber and steel structures later in each student’s academic career.
Foundation Engineering
This unit will present the application of principles of soil mechanics to the solution of foundation and geotechnical problems including the evaluation of allowable bearing capacity of shallow and pile foundations, the stability of earth retaining structures and stability of slopes.
Industrial Experience:
Industrial Experience (Engineering)
Students will undertake 12 weeks fulltime (37.5 hours per week) employment (or equivalent) to obtain relevant workplace experience in Engineering under the supervision of professional engineers in one company or more.
Year 4 (Non-Honours stream)
Autumn session
Engineering Project
This is a multi-disciplinary research project aimed at encouraging students to participate in solving multi-disciplinary problems. Where possible these will be real-world problems for engineering companies and/or local councils in Western Sydney.
Water Resources Engineering (UG)
This unit introduces aspects of engineering that relate to water as a resource. It builds on the knowledge gained in Water Engineering and Drainage Engineering. This unit will enable students (a) to appreciate major water resource issues around the globe, (b) to understand the social, physical and economic issues involved in distribution, supply and use of water to industry, agriculture and private households; and (c) to understand the need for holistic approaches in planning of water resources projects
Timber Structures (UG)
Timber is introduced as a construction material. Engineering properties and methods of assessment are examined with an eye toward the practical usage of timber. Design methods based on sound structural mechanics are covered including the design of members and connections.
And one elective
Spring session
Engineering Project
This is a multi-disciplinary research project aimed at encouraging students to participate in solving multi-disciplinary problems. Where possible these will be real-world problems for engineering companies and/or local councils in Western Sydney.
And three electives
Honours Stream
An Honours stream is offered - see the Honours in Bachelors Awards Policy and associated College Guidelines for the admission criteria.
Year 4 (Honours stream)
Autumn session
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
And two electives
Spring session
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
And two electives
Full-time - Spring Intake
Year 1
Spring session
Mathematics for Engineers 1
This unit is the first of two mathematics units to be completed by students enrolled in an engineering degree. It covers the following topics: Differential and integral calculus of a single variable, complex numbers, aspects of matrix algebra, bectors and some elementary statistics and probability theory.
Fundamentals of Mechanics
This unit deals with the action and interaction of forces, moments and couples in two and three dimensions, on machine elements and simple structures. It examines the equilibrium of single bodies, of multi-body structures and of mechanisms. It then covers the dynamics of a particle. A systematic approach to solving practical engineering design problems is provided. The unit makes extensive use of vector algebra.
Electrical Fundamentals
The objective of this unit is to provide an introduction to fundamental electromagnetism and electric circuit principles. Discussion is restricted to DC, although first-order systems are presented and second order systems introduced in preparation for on-going development. Basic definitions of charge, current, potential difference/relative potential, power, and the electric circuit as a complete path are presented, together with the basic laws - Ohm's Law and Kirchoff's nodal and loop laws. Examples from different engineering disciplines are related to circuit’s laws. Basic nodal and mesh analysis are presented together with Thevenin and Norton circuit equivalents, real versus ideal current and voltage sources and the maximum power transfer principle. The operational amplifier as a circuit element is introduced. Energy storage elements (capacitors and inductors) are discussed leading into first-order systems and their natural responses and time-constants. Several basic electromagnetic concepts related to electric and magnetic flux and induced voltage are also discussed.
Engineering and Design Concepts
This unit equips students with the fundamental skills that will enable them to use creative design and engineering approaches to solve challenging problems and to understand the design process. Students will be exposed to 2D and 3D visualisation techniques, will learn how to interpret abstract information, and will work on practical projects in an interdisciplinary context. The aim is to provide a common first-year subject that is thematic, rather than discipline-centred and presents students with foundation concepts in engineering and industrial design.
Autumn session
Mathematics for Engineers 2
This is a Level 1 unit to be undertaken by students enrolled in an Engineering degree. It covers the following topics: Ordinary Differential Equations and Multivariable Calculus.
Physics and Materials
This unit serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of physics and materials with appropriate applications in a wide range of engineering and industrial design systems.
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanics of Materials is the study of the stresses and deformation of a body made of any elastic solid material, and how these are related to the body’s shape and the load applied to it. This unit looks at how and why structural components including bars and beams deform and break. It concentrates on how these are affected by the geometry of the body and loading. Types of loadings considered include normal loads, torsional loads and bending loads. The main objective of the unit is to introduce students to the aspects of stress, strain and internal force development in the components and the methods to determine the deformation and deflections of the components. Energy methods and impact loadings are also considered.
Engineering, Design and Construction Practice
This unit encourages students to explore the professional responsibilities and challenges faced by Engineers, Designers and Building professionals. Students are introduced to emerging issues and approaches to sustainability and the complex nature of the design problems they will encounter in professional practice. Students engage in a semester-long research and problem solving task that addresses environmental and social sustainability imperatives and fosters fundamental research, design and communication skills. Special emphasis is placed on lifelong learning, academic literacy and professional skills including information literacy, project management, and teamwork which equip students for subsequent academic and professional contexts.
Year 2
Spring session
Introduction to Structural Engineering
This unit covers the basic concepts in analysing and designing simple structural members. It consists of the fundamentals of structural analysis, concrete structures and steel structures
Management Foundations
Management Foundations provides an opportunity for students to understand the linkage between organisational processes and managerial practices. The main aim of the unit is to identify the dynamic nature of managerial practice in changing social, economic, technological and global environments. This unit is for students in the School of Engineering only. Students in other degrees are not able to complete this unit.
Surveying for Engineers
This core unit provides students with a basic knowledge of Surveying as it relates to various Engineering projects. It provides material for units such as Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering & Infrastructure Engineering
Environmental Engineering
This unit outlines the essential issues of the environment that a civil and environmental engineer will address as a personal and professional contributor to the development of Australia. It has a bias towards water-related environmental issues.
Autumn session
Soil Engineering
This unit is an introductory course covering the use of soil, and the water in it, as an engineering material. It will provide students with a basic understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of soils, simple soil testing methods to characterise soil strength and deformation behaviour and how to apply basic techniques to assess the hydro-mechanical response of soils subjected to loading.
Engineering Computing
Students are introduced to the techniques of data manipulation and presentation using the common functions of a spreadsheet facility. The unit also aims to instil sound principles of program design that can be utilised in many units throughout the student's course. The basic elements and structures of a high level language are taught. Students are exposed to many engineering problems and are encouraged to implement solutions using an algorithmic approach.
Water Engineering
The unit provides a working knowledge on the basic principles of fluid flow and covers the general principles of engineering hydraulics. The theories learned in classes will be reinforced in laboratory sessions
Engineering Geology and Concrete Materials
Students are introduced to the principles of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering Geology, and Concrete Materials. The students are exposed to real world engineering problems requiring knowledge of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering Geology and Concrete Materials. The knowledge gained from this unit will be directly applicable to other units of Civil and Environmental Engineering key programs.
Year 3
Spring session
Professional Practice
This unit explores the art of managing physical and human resources and the knowledge to plan, deliver and maintain the physical infrastructure for civilisation in an economically sustainable way.
Steel Structures
This unit covers the basic behaviour of steel members and structures, the appropriate methods to analyse them and the design criteria and methods used to proportion them.
Concrete Structures (UG)
This unit covers the basic elements of structural behaviour and design with reinforced and pre-stressed concrete. Students will learn to analyse the section capacity of reinforced concrete beams, slabs, and columns, and design simple suspended structures. The unit places a strong emphasis on the process of structural design, as this will be applied to timber and steel structures later in each student’s academic career.
Foundation Engineering
This unit will present the application of principles of soil mechanics to the solution of foundation and geotechnical problems including the evaluation of allowable bearing capacity of shallow and pile foundations, the stability of earth retaining structures and stability of slopes.
Autumn session
Structural Analysis
This unit introduces students to the aspects of structural analysis of trusses, beams and frames. It covers the first-order elastic analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures. This course aims to teach students to master basic skills in structural analysis as well as skills in using computer software to analyse complex structures.
Infrastructure Engineering
This unit is offered in alternate years. This is an intense unit which will provide students with introductory material to assist them with civil engineering construction and urban development/town planning projects. It covers construction equipment, some construction methods, subdivision design and traffic engineering.
Drainage Engineering
This unit will introduce the basic concepts of drainage analysis. Basic concepts of hydrology will be introduced. This will be integrated with the hydraulic principles learned in Water Engineering to perform hydrologic analysis of catchments.
Numerical Methods in Engineering
The finite element method is a powerful numerical tool for analysing a wide range of engineering problems. The objective of this unit is to introduce the basic and fundamental principles of the finite element techniques by primarily focusing on their applications in the area of structural, solid and soil mechanics.
Industrial Experience:
Industrial Experience (Engineering)
Students will undertake 12 weeks fulltime (37.5 hours per week) employment (or equivalent) to obtain relevant workplace experience in Engineering under the supervision of professional engineers in one company or more.
Year 4 (Non-Honours stream)
Spring session
Engineering Project
This is a multi-disciplinary research project aimed at encouraging students to participate in solving multi-disciplinary problems. Where possible these will be real-world problems for engineering companies and/or local councils in Western Sydney.
And three electives
Autumn session
Engineering Project
This is a multi-disciplinary research project aimed at encouraging students to participate in solving multi-disciplinary problems. Where possible these will be real-world problems for engineering companies and/or local councils in Western Sydney.
Water Resources Engineering (UG)
This unit introduces aspects of engineering that relate to water as a resource. It builds on the knowledge gained in Water Engineering and Drainage Engineering. This unit will enable students (a) to appreciate major water resource issues around the globe, (b) to understand the social, physical and economic issues involved in distribution, supply and use of water to industry, agriculture and private households; and (c) to understand the need for holistic approaches in planning of water resources projects
Timber Structures (UG)
Timber is introduced as a construction material. Engineering properties and methods of assessment are examined with an eye toward the practical usage of timber. Design methods based on sound structural mechanics are covered including the design of members and connections.
And one elective
Honours Stream
An Honours stream is offered - see the Honours in Bachelors Awards Policy and associated College Guidelines for the admission criteria.
Year 4 (Honours stream)
Spring session
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
And two electives
Autumn session
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
And two electives