Tell me about… new postgrad engineering degrees

Applications are now open for new Master of Engineering degrees, with places available to start studying in Semester 1, 2016.

Professor Tom Steiner, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor, Learning and Teaching, in the College of Science, Engineering and Health, explains what's on offer.

Tell me about the six Master of Engineering programs now available at RMIT.

These degrees aim to develop a new generation of engineers that are equipped with the critical skills and technical capabilities that are becoming increasingly more important to Australia and to the Asia-Pacific region. 

They follow a new and exciting format. 

All the degrees share common subjects to develop the skills needed to excel in industry where engineers commonly work in cross-disciplinary teams.

They lead to a Master of Engineering qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering or Transport Systems Engineering.

Each take two years of full-time study (or four years part-time) to complete. Students with an AQF 8 qualification or equivalent – typically a four-year degree with honours – will be considered for advanced standing and may receive up to one year’s credit for previous studies.

What and how will students learn?

Students will learn about engineering from a contemporary perspective, and study in a contemporary way.

These degrees enhance students’ professional engineering capabilities, and offer experience in real-life engineering practice through cross-disciplinary work, project-based learning and industry partnerships.

In the shared subjects, students from all six degrees will work in cross-disciplinary teams, reflecting how they will actually work in industry once they graduate.

Under the traditional approach, they would only study with engineers from their particular field. But we know our graduates need to work well with specialists from other fields and this way of teaching gives them that experience and develops their collaborative skills.

How have industry connections been built into these degrees? 

Each of the degrees has been designed in collaboration with our industry partners, both in Australia and internationally. They’ll be taught through a combination of learning models and approaches.

Student will be exposed to contemporary industry issues and practices through industry-based projects and internships. Each degree will also hear from industry presenters, while industry representatives will act as co-supervisors on projects and assignments.

The degrees are designed to meet Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 accreditation requirements, with some Stage 2 competencies included. They will be put forward for accreditation according to timelines set by Engineers Australia.

What are the possible career outcomes for graduates?

These kinds of specialist engineering skills are in demand in industries such as:

• food manufacturing and other areas of process engineering
• industrial automation and industrial processes digitisation
• infrastructure and asset management
• urban transport systems development and optimisation
• energy
• design of mechanical systems
• advanced manufacturing and robotic systems
• water treatment and urban hydrology
• humanitarian engineering

Who would benefit from these Master degrees?

These programs offer benefits for engineering graduates who want to strengthen their employment prospects or build their career path.  Once accredited, graduates will be eligible to become members of Engineers Australia.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, engineering science or engineering technology.

Applicants’ industry experience is also taken into consideration for those who achieved lower academic results in their undergraduate degree. Students with a GPA of 2 on a scale of 4 can be considered for entry if they have at least two years’ of relevant work experience.

Be true to you: Learn more about the new Master of Engineering degrees and start studying in March, 2016.

Story: Rebecca McGillivray