Program Overview

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Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering is a specialist undergraduate professional engineering degree that trains industry-ready graduates for work in water engineering, coastal engineering, and catchment management.

Course Overview

This course addresses the increasing demand for civil and environmental engineers with expertise in managing coastal and floodplain hydrology. It is one of the few specialist undergraduate professional engineering degrees in Australia to provide this training.

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

• Apply a multidisciplinary systems engineering approach to identify relevant factors and evaluate their importance in complex coastal engineering problems.
• Review, analyse, consolidate, and synthesise engineering knowledge to identify and develop solutions to complex coastal engineering problems with intellectual independence.
• Conduct research related to coastal engineering with some independence.
• Adapt and apply a broad contextual knowledge using highly developed technical, design, and communication skills to devise innovative solutions to complex coastal engineering and management problems.
• Use highly developed professional judgement to apply contemporary ethical standards and exhibit appropriate professional conduct in the engineering environment.
• Demonstrate a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics and other basic sciences that underpin the coastal engineering discipline.
• Apply appropriate technical skills and demonstrate a detailed understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge related to coastal engineering and management.
• Apply critical reflection to assess professional development with respect to the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies.
• Demonstrate the ability to acquire, use, and adapt to changes in information and technology.
• Demonstrate an ability to develop new knowledge and apply it to solving coastal engineering problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in teams with engineers and other professionals to solve coastal engineering problems using a systems engineering approach in a project environment.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form with a variety of audiences, including engineers, other professionals, and the wider community.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in the context of a systems approach to coastal engineering.

Placements, Work Experience, and Study Hours

As part of this course, students are required to undertake a compulsory 60-day industry placement. Industry experience enables students to apply their knowledge and skills to engineering problems within a real work environment and to make valuable contacts within the industry.

Specialisations, Majors, and Minors

The course offers the following majors:

• Coastal Geochemistry
• Coastal Zone Management
• Infrastructure Design and Management There is also a 'no major' option, with a wide range of elective units.

Availability

The course is available at the Lismore and Online campuses, with multiple teaching periods.

Career Outcomes

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering has provisional accreditation from Engineers Australia at the level of Professional Engineer and will be assessed for full accreditation at this level in 2022. Courses accredited by Engineers Australia at this level are recognised in many different countries worldwide through the Washington Accord, an international agreement governing recognition of engineering qualifications and professional competence.

Requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering, students must complete the equivalent of 32 single-weighted units (384 credit points), comprising:

• All core units (288 credit points)
• One major or the No Major option (96 credit points)
• At least 60 days of industrial experience of a nature acceptable to the Course Coordinator

Entry Requirements

A maximum of the equivalent of 16 single-weighted units (192 credit points) of Advanced Standing may be granted to meet the requirements for accreditation of the course by Engineers Australia.

Course Structure

The course progression is in the recommended order that students should complete their course. It is essential that students follow this to ensure they meet the course requirements.

Session 1 Commencement

The first year of the course includes units such as Environmental Mapping, Processes and Philosophy of Engineering, Physics and Materials, and Foundation Mathematics (for students who have not completed NSW HSC Mathematics (2U) or QLD Maths B or equivalent).

Session 2 Commencement

The course structure for Session 2 commencement is similar to Session 1, with some variations in the units offered.

Majors

The course offers four majors:

• Coastal Geochemistry Major
• Coastal Zone Management Major
• Infrastructure Design and Management Major
• No Major

Each major has its own set of required and elective units.

Coastal Geochemistry Major

This major requires students to complete specific units, including Coastal Biogeochemistry, and choose from a range of elective units.

Coastal Zone Management Major

This major requires students to complete specific units, including Rural and Regional Planning and Principles of Coastal Resource Management, and choose from a range of elective units.

Infrastructure Design and Management Major

This major requires students to complete specific units, including Introduction to Solid Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials, and choose from a range of elective units.

No Major

Students who choose not to select a major must complete specific units, including Engineering Capstone Project and Engineering Thesis I and II, and choose from a range of elective units.

Notes