Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering is the combination of Mechanical, Electrical and Computer technologies. It is a relatively new field of engineering with many exciting developments such as internet control of machines, autonomous robots and engine management systems.

The Mechatronics BE degree program at the University of Wollongong has been designed to give students high quality training in rapidly developing fields such as digital electronics, manufacturing, information technology and robotics.

In addition, the aim of the program is to produce graduates with the core skills, knowledge and attributes that will help them excel as professional engineers. These skills and attributes include:

• the ability to formulate and solve problems
• a creative approach to design and synthesis
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• ability to work effectively in teams
• appreciation of the environmental, social and business contexts of Engineering
• independent and self motivated approach
• understanding and commitment to lifelong learning
• in-depth technical competence in the field of Mechatronic Engineering

The course includes substantial training in design techniques to prepare the student for an exciting career in this emerging field of engineering.

The normal period of study for the BE degree is 4 years (8 semesters) full-time. Students are trained through a range of learning experiences that include hands-on laboratory experiments, problem-based learning, computer simulations, teamwork assignments, industrial case studies and site visits to industry.

The degree covers a wide range of technical subjects including computer science, innovation and design, electronics and communication, dynamics and control of machines, robotics and manufacturing processes.

The highlight of the course is the final year project in which students apply their knowledge and skills acquired during the previous years to solve a real-life Mechatronic Engineering problem. This may be carried out in one of our research laboratories or in industry.

Students entering the University with an appropriate Engineering Certificate or Associate Diploma from the New South Wales Department of Technical and Further Education (or an approved equivalent) are entitled to exemptions as approved by the Director of Studies.

In general, students must satisfy pre- and co-requisites and are not permitted to enrol in subjects spanning more than two years of the full-time course. In particular, a candidate who has not satisfactorily completed all subjects in the first year of the prescribed four year course will not be permitted to proceed to study third year subjects; under exceptional circumstances approval to proceed may be given by the Director of Studies in Mechanical Engineering.

All students must take particular note of the regulations regarding Minimum Rate of Progress - refer to the University of Wollongong Course Rules. Honours are awarded at the end of the course on the basis of overall performance throughout the course.

Students should attend all classes including lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. The Director of Studies may refuse to certify that students have satisfactorily completed a subject unless they have attended at least 80 per cent of the classes scheduled.

THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO QUALIFY FOR THE MECHATRONIC ENGINEERING SPECIALISATION.

Electives: Four electives are to be taken by students undertaking a 12 credit point thesis (three electives for students undertaking an 18 cp thesis). Electives are usually chosen from the list of electives on offer in the Faculties of Engineering and Informatics. The final year study program is to be determined in consultation with the Director of Studies of Mechanical Engineering.