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Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics)/ Bachelor of Commerce 

ERM050     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Undergraduate 5 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)

You will benefit from complementing your robotics and mechatronics knowledge with commerce studies. This double degree will equip you with multidisciplinary and entrepreneurship skills, allowing you to play leading roles in engineering corporations, or to develop your own robotics and mechatronics business ventures.

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This course brings together the complementary disciplines of robotics and mechatronics, which are founded in the engineering sciences, mathematics and mechanical/electronic engineering. It also addresses management issues that include technology management, accounting and law.
 
Robots are computer-controlled devices that are used to assist humans in various tasks. While the majority of robots are used in manufacturing, a recent trend has seen robots used in a variety of applications including space and underwater exploration, medicine and a wide range of service industries.
 
The discipline of robotics embraces the design and operation of these devices and their integration with other systems in the work environment. Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering in the design, development and control of diverse systems.

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This double degree program equips students with an in-depth knowledge of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering and a fundamental knowledge of Commerce, which maximises their career opportunities.
 
Program Objectives
 
The following 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 robotics and mechatronics engineering projects that are motivational, entrepreneurial, research and/or industry linked
  • Take leadership and mentoring roles during the design and implementation phases of robotics and mechatronics engineering projects
  • Work in local and/or international organisations demonstrating an understanding of global engineering issues
  • Apply robotics and mechatronics 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
Manage business with strong skills in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Program Outcomes

Graduates, at the completion of their engineering program at Swinburne, should be able to:
  • Apply fundamental knowledge of engineering, mathematics and science
  • Use the techniques, skills and modern tools in robotics and mechatronics engineering to practice as a mechatronic 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
  • Explain basic principles of market-focused business
  • Communicate with a variety of organisational stakeholders
  • Identify and evaluate business problems and present innovative solutions
  • Apply knowledge and practical skills of either finance or management in the field of business

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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 500 credit points made up of:
  • 212.5 credit points of Foundation Studies
  • 87.5 credit points from Technical Studies
  • 25 credit points from Software Engineering Studies
  • 12.5 credit points from Management and Business Studies
  • 150 credit points chosen from Commerce Studies 
  • 12.5 credit points chosen from Specialist Studies
In addition to the above, all Engineering students must complete a minimum of 12 weeks of 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.

Careers in the Curriculum (HES0000) (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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Specialist Studies Electives

Management and Business Studies
HES3380 Engineering Management 1
 
Commerce Studies (select a Major in Finance or Management)
 
HBL333N Finance Law

Management Major

Recommended Study Sequence
 
 
 
Commerce Studies unit 1
Commerce Studies unit 2
Commerce Studies unit 3
Commerce Studies unit 4
 
Stage 4
Semester 1
HES3380 Engineering Management 1
Commerce Studies unit 5
Commerce Studies unit 6
Commerce Studies unit 7
Commerce Studies unit 8
 
Approved Engineering Elective
Commerce Studies unit 9
Commerce Studies unit 10

Semester 2
Commerce Studies unit 11
Commerce Studies unit 12
 
# Industry Experience
Students studying on an international student visa must complete Professional Experience in Engineering (HED400). All other students may complete an Industry-Based Learning placement instead (exemption will be granted for HED400 on completion of IBL).
 
Professional Experience in Engineering (HED400): 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. Please note that students holding an international student visa are ineligible to undertake IBL. For further information, visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl
 
Students are recommended to complete Careers in the Curriculum (HES0000) prior to their Industry Experience.

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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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Graduates can take up careers in a wide spectrum of industries including robotics, airlines, chemical industries, automotive, appliance manufacturing and industrial research. Contributions can be made to these industries in a variety of roles including design engineer, project planner, product designer and project manager.

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Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Institution 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
  • Systems thinking skills
  • Organisational skills

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Standard Entry

A. VCE or Equivalent
The most common mode of entry into the Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics)/Bachelor of Commerce is with a 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
Another mode of entry into the Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics)/Bachelor of Commerce is the 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.

D. International students
This program is available to international students who have satisfactorily completed an appropriate Year 12 qualification, or its equivalent. International students must also have achieved the required IELTS academic module or equivalent as detailed at:
http://www.international.swinburne.edu.au/courses/english-requirements/ielts-and-toefl/

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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73.85

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.

 

Please also refer to the Credit Transfer Policy for Bachelor Degree Engineering Programs.

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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 this 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.

Associate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) / (Electronics): up to 50 out of 400 credit points

Students must achieve excellent results in their Associate Diploma subjects to gain entry to this course.

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: 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: 34581 (CSP), 34613 (IFP)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://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.

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: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
 
This course is available for mid-year intake. Applications are made directly to Swinburne and will be taken on a case by case basis. Application forms can be downloaded from our How to Apply website.

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

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