Overview
Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering offers you an immersive, industry-connected university experience. Our aim is for you to graduate with the expertise to devise engineering solutions to societal and industry challenges, to improve the quality of life for communities all around the world.
Your studies will begin with the Engineering Foundation Year (EFY). Designed in consultation with industry, the EFY gives you the fundamental concepts and skills required by all areas of engineering. Importantly, the EFY allows you to explore Curtin’s range of engineering majors before choosing your preferred major.
These are the engineering majors that you can choose from:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Construction Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Software Systems Engineering
Engineering Foundation Year
The EFY will give you a comprehensive grounding in theory, and you’ll gain strong practical skills in our dedicated first-year engineering studio.
It includes:
- interactive lectures
- small group tutorials and workshops
- hands-on physical and computer laboratories
- team-based design and simulation projects
- portfolio development, with an emphasis on reflection and self-evaluation
- participation by industry representatives, exposing you more exposure to professional practice.
You’ll also develop professional career skills such as cultural awareness and an understanding of major societal challenges (climate change and energy transition, for example) that engineers have an increasing role in addressing.
Overall, the EFY and its support services will help you progress smoothly into your chosen discipline and graduate as an industry-ready engineer.
First-year studio
The first-year studio and project rooms reflect the modern working environment, so that you become familiar with the layout of a professional industry setting. The studio is also a hub to develop social and academic networks. It comprises:
- an open-plan office
- computing, electrical and mechanics laboratories
- project meeting rooms.
Years 2–4
Following your EFY, you’ll study units relevant to your chosen major. You can also choose to undertake research or study specialisations beyond your major, giving you the flexibility to broaden or deepen your expertise.
In your fourth year, you’ll complete an honours-level research project. This experience will not only give you an in-depth understanding of your minor thesis or project topic, it will also demonstrate to employers your ability to plan and complete a complex body of work within deadlines.
Professional practice
To graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), you must complete 480 hours of engagement with professional engineering practice. This can comprise a combination of real-world experiences – such as paid and voluntary work placements, working on university-based industry projects, attending extra-curricular technical lectures and workshops, and industry site visits in Australia or overseas.
What you'll learn
- Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of applied science, computing, and engineering. GC1
- Use underpinning science, engineering, and sustainability principles to solve complex social and industrial challenges. GC1
- Make engineering decisions in a safe, ethical, legal, and professional manner, through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens. GC4, GC5
- Assess the available scientific and engineering knowledge and undertake applied research in the broad engineering field. GC2, GC1
- Employ the technologies and knowledge to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems. GC3, GC1
- Develop lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, and project management skills. GC6