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Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) 

C050     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Undergraduate 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) plus an optional year of Industry-Based Learning or a minimum of 12 weeks Professional Experience in Engineering. Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2)

Civil engineers are concerned with the design, construction and improvement of our built environment. This degree provides you with the technical expertise and management skills needed to plan, design, construct and maintain facilities such as buildings, bridges, dams, water supply systems, waste treatment systems, road and rail networks, and air and sea ports. You will gain comprehensive engineering theory as well as hands-on practical work and real-life projects to get you job-ready.

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This program information is provided for prospective students. Current students, please refer to your program planner and Unit Search. Program planners are available on the faculty website under Information for Current Students.

Civil engineering offers a creative and rewarding career in many different areas that are essential to modern civilisation. Career prospects for civil engineers are good, both in Australia and overseas. Because civil engineers are responsible for many of Australia's essential services, they will continue to be needed in considerable numbers for the foreseeable future.
 

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Program objectives

The following six objectives are the typical skills and abilities that Swinburne graduates will have a few years after graduation as they develop their professional engineer careers.
  • Manage complex civil engineering projects that are motivational, entrepreneurial, research and/or industry linked
  • Take leadership and mentoring roles during the design and implementation phases of civil engineering projects
  • Work in local and/or international organisations demonstrating an understanding of global engineering issues
  • Apply civil engineering technical expertise to industry-related fields
  • Work autonomously and in teams within organisations or as a consultant
  • Apply ethical standards, principles of design for sustainable development, and environmental consideration to conceptualising and implementing industry-related projects
Program outcomes

At completion of their engineering program at Swinburne, graduates should be able to:
  • Apply fundamental knowledge of engineering, mathematics and science
  • Use the techniques, skills and modern tools in civil engineering to practice as a civil engineer
  • Identify, formulate, solve and evaluate engineering problems
  • Design and conduct experiments as well as to analyse and interpret data
  • Identify and practice professional and ethical responsibility
  • Design and develop engineering solutions to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, ethical, health and safety manufacturing, and sustainability constraints
  • Apply knowledge and skills that are demonstrably in demand by the industry
  • Recognise the need for and to engage in lifelong learning
  • Function and communicate effectively in multi-disciplinary teams

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This course operates under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. The normal full-time load is four units of study per semester, each worth 12.5 credit points. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters.
 
Students complete 400 credit points made up of:
  • Foundation Studies (125 credit points),
  • Technical Studies (162.5 credit points),
  • Infrastructure Studies (25 credit points),
  • Management and Business Studies (37.5 credit points), and
  • Specialist Studies electives (50 credit points)
In addition to the above, all Engineering students must complete a minimum of 12 weeks relevant industry experience. Where students complete Industry-Based Learning, an exemption will be granted for HED400. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake IBL.

HES0000 Careers in the Curriculum (0 credit points)
Students must also complete Careers in the Curriculum. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt for the unit as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills.
 
Note: All units are 12.5 credit points unless specified otherwise.

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Foundation studies

Management and Business studies
HES5175 Cost Engineering (core)
Student(s) select 4 units from one of the following options: A, B, C or D 
 
Option A
Select 4 units from one of the Minor Streams:
 
 
 
Port and Coastal Engineering

Advance Structural Design
 
Note: * HES6198 Research Paper provides an opportunity for students to extend their research undertaken in HES5108 Research Project 

Option C:  Electives Plus Minor
Information about Electives Plus minors is available on the Electives Plus website. 
 
Option D: Minor sequence from any other Faculty is subject to the Program Coordinator's approval
Information about Minors available from other faculties is available on the Flexible Degrees Structure website, Minors 2010.

Recommended Study Sequence

Stage 1  
Semester 1 

Stage 2
Semester 1

Semester 2
Optional 
Specialist studies unit 1
Specialist studies unit 2

Semester 2
HES5190 Infrastructure Design Project
HES5195 Infrastructure Management Project
Specialist studies unit 3
Specialist studies unit 4

# Industry Experience
Students studying on an international student visa must complete HED400 Professional Experience in Engineering. All other students may complete an Industry-Based Learning placement instead (exemption will be granted for HED400 on completion of IBL).
 
HED400 Professional Experience in Engineering: Equivalent of 12 full-time weeks of approved relevant engineering practical experience (0 credit points, 0 fees). To be taken at any stage during the degree. 

Industry-Based Learning (Placement 1) (HEW050), Industry-Based Learning (Placement 2) (HEW055): Full-time paid placement in industry for 6 (HEW050) or 12 months (HEW050 & HEW055) in an area relevant to your studies (0 academic credit points, unit fees apply). Students should attend an information session one semester prior to the scheduled IBL entry point. Further information: www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl

* Please note that Industry-Based Learning is not available to international students holding a student visa.

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Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl
Students electing Engineering IBL can undertake this afer completing at least 2.5 years of their degree and prior to the final year of study. 
 
Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake IBL.

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Swinburne Engineering degrees offer the opportunity for high achieving students to graduate with an Honours grade.


Engineering Honours are awarded on the basis of academic achievement in twelve units nominated as representing the key values of the program.  The mark for the student’s first attempt each of in the nominated units is averaged to determine the Honours grade:

H1:  Greater than or equal to 80%
H2A:  Greater than or equal to 75% and less than 80%
H2B:  Greater than or equal to 70% and less than 75%
H3:  Greater than or equal to 65% and less than 70%

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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.

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Civil engineers work as planners, designers, construction managers, administrators, investigation and research engineers and consultants. They work for public authorities, municipalities, consulting firms and industry, or are self-employed.

Civil engineering is also an excellent preparation for many general managerial positions in business and industry, not directly related to civil engineering.

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Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.

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This degree program will produce graduates who have the technological skills and knowledge expected of professional engineers.

The five Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • Effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • Adaptable and able to manage change
  • Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural)
In order to assist students in developing these graduate attributes at unit of study level Swinburne assesses their mastery of discipline-based knowledge and also provides feedback on their progress in attaining key generic skills, such as:
  • Teamwork skills
  • Analysis skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Communications skills
  • Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to identify and manage risk
  • Leadership skills
  • Ability to apply knowledge
  • Ability to demonstrate ethical responsibility
  • Technical competence
  • Skills in systems thinking
  • Organisational skills

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Standard Entry:

 

A. VCE or Equivalent:

Successful completion of VCE (or equivalent) in the following subjects: Units 3 & 4 of English (any) with a study score of at least 20, and Units 3 & 4 of Mathematical Methods (either) with a study score of at least 20. Passes for each of these subjects may be accumulated over more than one year.


In the absence of VCE, applicants must have a qualification deemed to be the equivalent of the VCE accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).


B. Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree holders:

Successful completion of a relevant associate degree, advanced diploma, or equivalent. Depending on the results obtained, advanced standing in the degree program is considered on an individual basis within the limits of the Engineering Board of Studies Credit Transfer Policy. These applications are judged on an individual basis by the program coordinator. Preference are given to applicants with credit grade average of at least 65% or above with no fails in their final year.


C. Applicants with partially completed tertiary qualifications:

Preference are given to applicants with credit grade average of at least 65% (VTAC calculated GPA of 5) with no fails.

Special Entry:


Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)

Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS) is the umbrella program covering the special entry and access schemes conducted by tertiary institutions participating in the VTAC system.
 
There are two distinct schemes within SEAS:
  • Access and Equity
  • Year 11/12 Special Consideration

Both schemes are designed for applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage; however, each scheme has a specific focus.

 

Access and Equity

SEAS Access and Equity is for all applicants whose education has been affected by long-term disadvantage.


Year 11/12 Special Consideration

Year 11/12 Special Consideration is for current Year 12 students who have experienced adverse circumstances specifically in Years 11 and/or 12 which have impacted on their Year 12 results (ATAR).

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77.10

2012 Round 1 Clearly-In ATAR (CSP)

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Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//
 

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An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways

Note: eligibility for credit does not guarantee a place in the course; acceptance depends on the number of applicants and available places.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.
 
Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm

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For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
 

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This course is also offered through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. For further information visit the website at: www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/scholarships/vc_policy.htm

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Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code: 34691(CSP), 34693 (Int. Fee)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au
 
Applicants who have not already applied through VTAC can apply directly to the university by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page. Applications will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who believe they will receive an ATAR of at least 97.00, have an opportunity to undertake this course through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. For further information visit the website at: www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
 

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