Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Energy) Honours

About this Course

Electrical and renewable energy engineering is a specialisation within electrical engineering concerning the generation of electrical power from a wide range of sources, and with a special focus on renewable energy sources.

This includes solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal, and the integration of these energy sources into hybrid energy supply and distribution networks. The course provides graduates with strong competencies in the fundamental electrical engineering discipline areas with particular focus on the utilisation, generation, management and design of renewable energy resources.

The program focuses on the development of knowledge and skills relevant to professional engineering practice and along with a sound theoretical base, includes strong elements of practical problem solving, team work and project development. As a result, as well as having multiple technical and transferable skill competencies, graduates will gain strong analytical skills, and have the ability to lead complex projects.

The course provides a sound basis in mechanics, dynamics, mathematics, and the principles of engineering design in the first two years of study, along with a broad basis in engineering science including materials and manufacturing, computer aided design, programming principles, and analogue and digital electronics. In the final two years of study, a range of units are included covering more in-depth electrical power engineering topics alongside specialist studies on sustainable and renewable energy sources and systems and their integration into a mixed energy environment.

The first year of this course includes a set of eight units that are common across all engineering honours courses. This allows students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the various engineering disciplines on offer and the flexibility, if desired, to switch to another engineering discipline/course without penalty after the first year of study.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• Academic Admission requirements (Band 4)

  The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

  All applicants are required to have Mathematics: Methods ATAR, with equivalents considered, and Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR or Chemistry ATAR or Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, with equivalents considered.

  It is desirable that all applicants have Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR, with equivalents considered, students without Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR may need to take a bridging unit in the first year of their studies.

  All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Diploma or equivalent;
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • University Preparation Course;*
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*

  * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

  For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Career Opportunities

Electrical and renewable energy engineers have a wide range of employment opportunities across the energy generation, conversion, distribution and management sectors, including power utilities, the mining industry, larger manufacturing businesses as well as the domestic markets where renewable energy systems are now quite common.

Possible future job titles

Electrical Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Renewable Energy Engineer