Rapid advances in electronic communication, the ‘internet of things’, and renewable and sustainable energy offers abundant career opportunities in electrical and electronic engineering.

In this major, you will gain a thorough understanding of the concepts that underpin electrical and electronic engineering, before choosing a specialist stream to study in your third year.

In your final year you’ll undertake a major research or design project and complete at least 12 weeks of professional engineering practice.

You’ll specialise in one of the following streams:

Embedded Systems

Our world is increasingly characterised by intelligent devices that contain embedded systems. These systems enable a computer to control another computer, monitor it or provide it with sophisticated functionality.

In this stream, you will learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of embedded systems, sensors and electronic design.

Once confined to areas such as consumer appliances and robotics, such systems are now expanding into other areas. Cars, for example, are built with more than 200 embedded systems. They are also vital to the development of the internet of things – a network of devices connected to the internet on a global scale.

Electronics and Communications

The role of communication systems is becoming crucial in today’s society, with increasing demand for intelligent transportation systems, mobile broadband access, remote operations and tactile internet – the next evolution of the internet of things.

This stream will help you address challenges facing telecommunication systems in signal processing, communication technology and networking, to enable fast and reliable communication anywhere and anytime.

Power Systems

Bulk power has traditionally been provided by fossil fuels; however, as these are a finite resource, it is vital that we start harnessing alternative sources of electrical energy, such as solar and wind. A revolution in power system configuration, control and protection is underway to accommodate these new sources.

This stream will help you address the challenges in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It covers topics such as smart grids, distribution systems and how renewable energy systems are integrated to the electricity grid.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree.

How this course will make you industry ready

• An Industry Advisory Board provides input to this course to ensure it matches current industry needs and expectations.
• In your final year, you will undertake a two-semester research and design capstone project that will demonstrate your abilities. Y
• You will also complete 480 hours of exposure to professional engineering practice to prepare you for the work environment.

Professional recognition

Graduates fulfil the stage one competencies required by Engineers Australia at the level of Professional Engineer Washington Accord.

Careers

• Electrical engineer
• Electrical power engineer
• Electronics engineer
• Communications engineer
• Embedded systems engineer
• Medical systems engineer
• Network controller
• Power systems engineer
• Systems engineer

Industries

• Application engineering
• Computer hardware design
• Electronic systems
• Fibre optics and mobile communications
• Manufacturing
• Robotics
• Software development
• Solar and renewable energy