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Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics) 

R050     


Campus Availability Study Mode Study Level Duration
Hawthorn Full-time, Part-time (day) Undergraduate Four 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.

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.
 
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. The course involves the study of bionics and micromachines, which have a significant influence on the design of mechatronic systems for an increasing range of applications.

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 used in a range of industries including manufacturing, medicine and the service industries.
 
Swinburne also offers double degrees in Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics)/Bachelor of Science (Computer Science and Software Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics)/Bachelor of Commerce*.
 
* Please note this course is not currently available to international students.
 
 

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The Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering program endeavours to fully equip the next generation of graduates for professional practice by:

  • Ensuring an understanding of the fundamentals of engineering and science
  • Ensuring the possession of appropriate technical skills in mechanical, electronic and software engineering in order to practice as a robotics and mechatronics engineer
  • Ensuring competency in all aspects of computer aided engineering
  • Demonstrating an ability to manage complex projects
  • Encouraging projects that are motivational, entrepreneurial, research and/or industry linked
  • Ensuring the development of the IEAust Generic Attributes
  • Developing greater social and employability skills
  • Balancing teamwork and individual recognition
  • Developing business and management skills and knowledge
  • Developing a broader knowledge outside traditional engineering, especially with the social impact of technology
  • Providing greater assurance of quality for teaching and learning
  • Providing knowledge or skills that are demonstrably in demand by industry
  • Encouraging graduate outcomes that are entrepreneurial and/or research focused
  • Encouraging an international outlook through greater awareness and programs such as student exchange
A major objective is to establish a learning environment that provides a climate that encourages students to conduct themselves in a caring, assertive and professionally competent manner.

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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:
  • 212.5 credit points from Foundation Studies
  • 87.5 credit points from Technical Studies
  • 25 credit points from Software Engineering Studies
  • 25 credit points from Management and Business Studies
  • 50 credit points from Specialist Studies
Professional Experience in Engineering (HED400) (0 credit points, no unit fee)
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, no unit fee)
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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Choose from one of the following options A, B, C or D.
 
A. Four individual elective units
 
B. Specialist Minor
Biomedical Engineering
 
Mechanical Design Engineering
 
Electronics Design Engineering
 

C. Electives Plus Minor

Information about Electives Plus minors is available on the Electives Plus website.


D. Minor sequence from any other Faculty (subject to approval by the Program Coordinator)

Information about Minors available from other Faculties is available on the Flexible Degrees Structure website; Minors 2010.

 

 

Recommended Study Sequence
 
 
 
 
Industry Experience #
HED400 Professional Experience in Engineering OR
Optional Industry Based Learning Placement (IBL)
 
Specialist Studies unit 1
Specialist Studies unit 2

Semester 2
HET557 Design & Development Project 2
HES5250 Robot System Design
Specialist Studies unit 3
Specialist Studies unit 4 

Notes:
# 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. Further information: 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%
H2:  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 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 (eg 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
  • Identify and manage risk
  • Leadership skills
  • Apply knowledge
  • Demonstrate ethical responsibility
  • Technical competence
  • Skills in systems thinking
  • 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) 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) 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 (ENTER).

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2008 Round 1 Clearly-In ENTER: 77.90 (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.

 

Students are recommended to complete Careers in the Curriculum (HES0000) prior to their Industry Experience.

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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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Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate students Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.

HELP
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:
  • HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth-supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up front.
  • FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.
  • OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth-supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel.
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au  

For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://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: http://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), 34583 (IFP)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au

Applicants who believe they will receive an ENTER 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

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

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