Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours)
2020 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2020 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) |
| Course Map | If you started your course before 2020, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser |
| Campus |
|
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 079999F Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S463 |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Deakin’s Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) prepares you to be an industry-ready professional engineer, capable of creating the electronics, robots and autonomous systems that power our future.
With ground-breaking facilities and a strong focus on project-based learning, we’re changing the way students train to become engineers.
Interested in joining aspiring engineers in some of the most advanced facilities in Australia?
Robots won’t be the only thing you build when you study mechatronics with us. You’ll learn how to design, program and integrate electronic devices with mechanical designs to deliver innovative solutions as diverse as anti-lock brakes, self-driving cars and even artificial hearts.
Mix electrical, mechanical and robotics engineering into a single degree and you could land a career shaping the innovative robotics systems of the future.
Delve into mechatronics engineering principles, then take your learning even further with opportunities to put your skills into practice. Through project-oriented design-based learning (PODBL), you’ll be challenged to apply theory and science to industry-relevant projects such as the automation of industrial processes using robotics and other cutting-edge technologies, flying drones, 3D printers, robotics and self-driving cars.
Another way we bring authentic industry experiences to you is through CADET, our $55 million dollar engineering facility with state-of-the-art simulation and visualisation systems, purpose-built interactive labs and workshop learning spaces. At CADET you’ll get hands-on with the very latest engineering tools, take part in work-integrated learning opportunities and hear from the brightest minds in the field with frequent guest lectures. Some of CADET’s world-class facilities include:
- one of the two largest 3D printing labs in the southern hemisphere
- state-of-the-art mechatronic systems
- industrial robots
- virtual reality lab
- high-voltage lab
- CNC machining centres
- digital manufacturing lab
- mechatronics and electronics lab
- Deakin AusNet Services electrical engineering lab.
Through final-year projects, you’ll gain an introduction to advanced research areas such as mobile robotics and 3D printing, and have the opportunity to design an autonomous robot.
Become even more employable by building transferable skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, project management, technical report writing and more. And be well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future by developing an understanding of the ethical, technical and professional issues within the industry, all while gaining an insight into the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the modern engineer.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
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 Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) course is accredited by Engineers Australia, which gives the degrees international recognition, allowing graduates to practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world.
Career opportunities
With an international skills shortage in the industry, and roles expected to rise significantly in the next five years, Deakin graduates are in demand both in Australia and further abroad.
Not only that, employers seek out Deakin graduates for their forward-thinking, innovative and entrepreneurial qualities.
As a mechatronics engineering graduate, you could be employed in the following roles:
- biomedical service engineer
- control systems engineer
- automation engineer
- electronics test engineer
- robot engineer.
Participation requirements
In order to satisfy course accreditation requirements, as specified and administered by Engineers Australia, all Cloud Campus enrolled students are required to participate in Campus learning activities equivalent to a minimum duration of one full academic week for every trimester of effective full time study in order 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.
Cloud Campus enrolled students are required to attend campus mode conducted activities during the corresponding Intensive Week in a trimester. Attendance at campus mode activities is linked to assessment requirements within the Engineering programmes, 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.
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. Information about the hardware and software requirements may be obtained from the School of Engineering, telephone 03 9244 6699.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
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 Mechatronics Engineering (Honours), students must attain 32 credit points. Units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 or 2 credit points, sometimes abbreviated as cps. Most students choose to study units amounting to 4 credit points (or cps) per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 32 credit points which must include the following:
- 30 credit points of core units (including SEP499 Professional Engineering Practice (12 weeks) and 2 elective units (1 credit point each)
- completion of SEJ010 Introduction to Safety and Project Oriented Learning (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Cloud Campus enrolled students are required to attend campus mode conducted activities during the corresponding Intensive Week 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.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SEJ010 | Introduction to Safety and Project Oriented Learning (0 credit points) |
| SEJ101 | Design Fundamentals (2 credit points) |
| SEB101 | Engineering Physics |
| SIT199 | Applied Algebra and Statistics |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SEJ102 | Electrical Systems Engineering Project (2 credit points) |
| SIT172 | Programming for Engineers |
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SEM200 | Machine Design (2 credit points) |
| SEP291 | Engineering Modelling |
| SEE216 | Analogue and Digital Electronics |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SEE212 | Power Electronics |
| SER203 | Programming and Visualisation |
| SEE222 | Embedded Systems Design (2 credit points^) |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SER300 | Mechatronic Design (2 credit points) |
| SEE312 | Data Communication |
| SEE326 | Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Systems |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SER301 | Electromechanical Systems Design (2 credit points) |
| SEE344 | Control Systems |
| SEM327 | Dynamics of Machines |
Level 4 - Trimester 1
| SEJ441 | Engineering Project A (2 credit points)~ |
2 Elective units
Level 4 - Trimester 2
| SEJ446 | Engineering Project B (2 credit points)~ |
| SER400 | Virtual and Augmented Interfaces |
| SEP499 | Professional Engineering Practice * |
* SEP499 Professional Engineering Practice is available in trimester 1, trimester 2 and trimester 3. Students are encouraged to complete this unit in Trimester 3 of the third year of study.
~ Note: 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.
^ Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
Course structure
Electives
Engineering recommended elective units:
| SEE407 | SCADA and PLC |
| SED304 | Product Development |
| SEJ451 | Materials Performance and Durability |
| SEE705 | Energy Efficiency and Demand Management |
| SEE711 | Sensor Networks |
| SEN700 | Research Methodology |
| SEV415 | Infrastructure Engineering |
| SET404 | Engineering Design: International Study Tour |
Work experience
Through SEP499 Professional Engineering Practice, you’ll gain industry experience by completing at least 60 days (12 weeks fulltime) of practical work experience in an engineering workplace, developing and enhancing your understanding of the engineering profession, 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.
- Contact Student Central
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.