Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2022 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2022.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2022. 

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Cloud CampusYes
Duration4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code079998G Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course codeS460
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

* Only the first year of this Engineering program is available at the Melbourne Burwood Campus.  Students enrolled at the Melbourne Burwood Campus will be required to transfer to the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus or Cloud (online) mode for the second year of their program.

International students holding student visas – this course is registered for delivery to student visa holders at Geelong Waurn Ponds campus.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Graduate as an industry-ready civil engineer by studying Deakin’s Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours). You will combine contemporary theory with industry-led projects to develop the skills needed to confidently design, construct and maintain the built infrastructure systems that are vital in our day-to-day lives.

You will learn how to apply scientific and engineering principles to address complex problems and develop innovative solutions that are beneficial to organisations and the community.

In this Engineers Australia-accredited course, you will gain a deep understanding of the way infrastructure works, not just through textbooks, but by applying your skills in cutting edge engineering facilities. Work on industry-informed projects and undertake work placements to gain valuable real-world experience and build your professional networks.

Want to turn your big ideas into the creative solutions that power our future cities?

Deakin graduates are sought-after both in Australia and abroad. That’s because we train students in practical scenarios and look to develop skills beyond the technical. You will be highly valued for your skills in innovation, leadership, project management and communication, as well as your ability to anticipate and tackle the unknown challenges of tomorrow.

Throughout the course you will explore a diverse range of civil engineering disciplines related to structural, water, geotechnical and transportation engineering and civil engineering materials. Then you will put the theory you learn into practice in Deakin’s world-class, multi-million-dollar engineering precinct.

With hands-on experience, you will realise and validate your designs through combinations of computer simulation and testing. Key facilities available to civil engineering students include the geotechnical (soil and rock) testing lab, hydraulics and hydrology lab and two structural testing laboratories. You will also have access to a range of other facilities including 3D printers, a materials science corrosion and polymer lab, concrete and structural testing facilities and CNC machining centres.

In addition to traditional theory-based classes, 50% of each trimester is dedicated to learning via team-based projects. You will tackle real-world industry problems and research, design, test and evaluate solutions, with the support of our expert teaching staff.

Through project-oriented design-based learning (PODBL) in collaboration with industry, you will have the chance to apply scientific and engineering principles to solve situational challenges faced by businesses and communities. This real-world application gives you competitive insight into the social, cultural, global, ethical and environmental responsibilities of today’s engineer.

Take these skills even further during your Professional Engineering Practice unit, where you will have the opportunity to work in a real engineering team. Build your industry experience, create a professional network and get an insight into your future career options.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

Deakin’s Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia, which gives the degree international recognition, allowing graduates to practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world.

Career opportunities

Graduates can expect to gain employment in a wide range of organisations such as construction companies, councils, water authorities, government bodies, public works departments and as consulting engineers.

Participation requirements

In order to satisfy course accreditation requirements, as specified and administered by Engineers Australia, all Cloud Campus enrolled students, or students enrolled online in specified units, are required to participate in campus-based learning activities at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) during intensive week each trimester to ensure that graduates possess and have demonstrated the minimum necessary knowledge and skill base, engineering application abilities, and professional skills, values and attitudes at successful completion of the course to be sufficiently prepared to enter professional engineering practice.

Attendance and participation in learning activities during intensive week is linked to assessment requirements within the Engineering programmes, and failure to attend may result in students not meeting the hurdle requirement of the respective assessment.  This may result in a fail grade being awarded for the respective affected unit(s) for that particular trimester.

International students: Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin’s Cloud Campus. To participate in the mandatory campus based scheduled sessions during the trimester intensive week, it is suggested that you apply for a tourist visa to enter Australia. Please be advised that Deakin University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a tourist visa by the Australian Government.

International students studying through the Cloud Campus may not be granted a visitor visa to complete mandatory onsite components of the course.

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.


Articulation and credit transfer

Flexible entry into the course allows students to upgrade their qualifications and to obtain credit for previous studies/experience. Applicants with appropriate TAFE qualifications or other approved post-secondary studies may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. Credit may be considered for skills obtained in the workforce or by informal means.

Equipment requirements

Students must have access to a suitable computer and a network connection. The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course may also require that students have access to a range of software. Access to high-cost specialist equipment is provided but students may be required to purchase minor equipment for particular unit(s) as detailed in unit site.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Integrate well-developed knowledge of physical sciences and engineering fundamentals, which underpins the engineering discipline to analyse complex engineering problems and to evaluate possible solutions.  Apply professional engineering knowledge, and knowledge of contextual factors in order to design, develop and maintain sustainable engineering infrastructure, systems or products.  Plan and execute research projects to show capacity for advanced knowledge and skills in an engineering discipline and thereby demonstrate the ability to continue professional development and / or scholarship.

Communication

Apply effective communication skills in a professional context to interpret, evaluate and present technical engineering information using oral, written, visual modes.  Demonstrate proficiency in comprehending viewpoints of others and present arguments and justifications for representing engineering position to technical and non-technical audience.

Digital literacy 

Identify, select and use digital technologies and tools relevant to the engineering discipline to generate, manage and share information.  Demonstrate the ability to independently and systematically locate information, evaluate its reliability, and use the information for engineering design, problem solving and research purposes.

Critical thinking

Demonstrate autonomy and judgement through balanced application of logic, intellectual and research criteria to review, analyse, and synthesise information for engineering problem solving.

Problem solving

Apply engineering knowledge, skills and techniques to identify and define complex problems in a variety of contexts.  Evaluate and use established engineering methods to identify potential solutions to independently and collaboratively resolve complex engineering problems and realise solutions.  Demonstrate innovative and creative approaches and/or solutions in planning, designing or executing engineering projects. 

Self-management

Evaluate own knowledge and skills using frameworks of reflection and take responsibility for learning and performance.  Work responsibly and safely in engineering environments to demonstrate professionalism.

Teamwork

Undertake various team roles, work effectively within a team, and utilise effective teamwork skills in order to achieve learning goals.  Apply interpersonal skills to interact and collaborate to enhance outcomes through shared individual and collective knowledge and creative capacity to optimise complex problem resolution.

Global citizenship

Formulate sustainable engineering practices by integrating aspects of design, development or research through concern for economic, environmental, social and cultural perspectives and values.  Engage with global traditions and current trends in engineering practice in order to appreciate diversity, seek equity in outcomes and adopt ethical and professional standards. 

Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours), students must attain 32 credit points, which must include the following:

  • Thirty (30) credit points of core units
  • 2 elective units (2 credit points) *
  • Completion of three (3) zero-credit point compulsory units:
    • SEJ010 Introduction to Safety and Project Oriented Learning
    • STP050 Academic Integrity
    • STP010 Career Tools for Employability

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

* Students must complete at least one (1) level 3, 4 or 7 SE elective unit (one credit point).  It is strongly recommended that the remaining elective be a level 3, 4, or 7 unit.

Course structure

Core

Level 1 - Trimester 1

STP050Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

STP010Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SEJ010Introduction to Safety and Project Oriented Learning (0 credit points)

SET111Sustainable Design

SEJ104Engineering in Society

SEB101Engineering Physics +

SIT199Applied Algebra and Statistics

Level 1 - Trimester 2

SEJ103Materials Engineering Project (2 credit points)+

SIT194Introduction to Mathematical Modelling

SEP105Programming and Visualisation


Level 2 - Trimester 1

SEJ202Field Investigation (2 credit points)

SEM218Fluid Mechanics +

SEP291Engineering Modelling

Level 2 - Trimester 2

SEJ201Structural Design (2 credit points)^+

SEM216Stress and Failure Analysis

SEV254Road and Pavement Engineering


Level 3 - Trimester 1

SEV301Water Engineering Design (2 credit points)+

SEV322Hydrology and Hydraulics +

SEV320Theory of Structures

Level 3 - Trimester 2

SEV300Reinforced Concrete and Steel Structures (2 credit points)

SEV362Geotechnical Engineering

SEL703Professional Practice ^


Level 4 - Trimester 1

SEJ441Engineering Project A (2 credit points)~+

SEV402Traffic and Transport Engineering

Plus 1 SE level 3, 4, or 7 elective (one credit point) OR 1 elective (one credit point) *

Level 4 - Trimester 2

SEJ446Engineering Project B (2 credit points)~

SEN770Infrastructure Engineering

Plus 1 SE level 3, 4, or 7 elective (one credit point) OR 1 elective (one credit point) *

 

* Students must complete at least one (1) level 3, 4 or 7 SE elective unit (one credit point).

~ Students are expected to undertake SEJ441 and SEJ446 in consecutive trimesters.  Students will be required to seek approval from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SEJ441 and SEJ446 consecutively.

^ Students are encouraged to complete this unit in Trimester 3 of the third year of study.  Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)

+ Students enrolled online for these units are required to attend campus mode conducted activities during the corresponding Intensive Activities in a trimester.  Attendance at campus mode activities is linked to assessment requirements within the Engineering programs, failure to attend will result in not meeting the hurdle requirement of the respective assessment. Thus, a fail grade shall be awarded for the respective affected unit(s) for that particular trimester.


Work experience

Through SEL703 Professional Practice, you’ll gain industry experience by completing at least 30 to 60 days of practical work experience in an engineering workplace with assessment tasks designed to develop and enhance your understanding of the engineering profession, professional practice and continuing professional development, possible career outcomes, and the opportunity to establish valuable professional networks.


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

In your final year of the course, you may apply to undertake an international study tour to engage in a structured program of study, usually involving short project work overseas to gain discipline specific technical expertise and to enhance your global engineering awareness and experience.

Research and research-related study

The key assessment of research and research skills in the programme is through the two linked 2 credit point units in the final year of the course. The first of these units is for students to develop a detailed research proposal and undertake preliminary proof-of-concept or testing of their experimental methods. The second unit is designed to undertake the proposed research and critically evaluate the outcomes of the project. The project is predominantly student-led with direction from an academic supervisor that has expertise in the research field.