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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
The undergraduate programs What Programs are Offered by the school?The School offers a range of single and double degree programs. In 2006 a new Year 1 structure (flexible entry) will allow students either to enter directly into their chosen, specialised program or to enter into a program which allows the choice of specialisation to be delayed until the end of Year 1.
Students are able to complete
a Masters program in combination with an undergraduate
program in 4 and half years. After the first three years
of the BE program students may apply for transfer to the
MEngSc program if they have a credit weighted average. The cut-off for admission to all UNSW engineering programs in 2007 is expected to be a UAI of 85. Students who achieve a UAI between 75 and 84.99 are still encouraged to apply for entry, but they will need to do so under the new Faculty of Engineering Admission scheme for admission to our undergraduate engineering degree programs in 2007. Entry to the programs is competitive. The University tries to ensure that entry standards are high enough to avoid academic problems at later stages during the program. The University and the Department of Education, Employment and Training negotiate the number of places which the university will try to fill each year. Potential students determine the level of demand for places by indicating their preferences to the UAC. This demand will result in a certain University Admissions Index being required for those students who are successful with their applications. The required UAI is unknown until the level of demand is finally determined after HSC results are published in late December, and potential students have indicated their final preferences to the UAC. Preferences may be changed right up until this moment. Over the past
three years, the entrance requirements have been:
If you have qualifications in addition to, or instead of, the HSC (e.g. a TAFE Associate Diploma), then the UAC makes an estimate of the UAI which is equivalent to that qualification, and that is used to determine entry. In these circumstances, it is also worth contacting the School, as they can assist in determining the equivalence of qualifications in relation to the academic requirements of the program. What is the Faculty Of Engineering Admission Scheme? This is a new entry
scheme, first introduced in 2006. Students who expect
to achieve a UAI between 75 and 84.99 need to apply for
admission through the FEAS scheme. A MCE application and interview must be completed for eligibility. See http://www.eng.unsw.edu.au/multiplecriteria/2005/
for details. Should I use the UAI Cut-off to determine my prefrences?The levels of UAI required for entry over the past two years are probably the most reliable guidelines. However, the UAI cutoff is not meaningful without knowing the average UAI and the number of students that were admitted above that UAI. In 2004 40% of students admitted in BE Elec and Telecoms were above the average UAI of 90.57. Something else to consider is the size of intake quota (i.e. number of offers made). An institution making offers to 150 students will have a lower UAI cutoff than an institution which makes offers to only 50 students despite the programs being of equal quality. The School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications at UNSW is the largest such engineering school in Australia. It follows that we makes far more offers than most other schools offering similar programs. In making final
decisions about which program to opt for, consideration
should be given primarily to your interests, to the flexibility
for study that exists within established programs such
as Electrical Engineering, and to opportunities in the
rapidly growing field of Telecommunications and Photonics. What are the entry requirements for the combined degree programs? Entry into the majority of combined degree programs is by direct application to UAC. Over
the last three years entry requirements across the Faculty
have been:
At any time after the end of Year 1 of an Engineering Program, students may apply to UAC to transfer to a combined degree program with Arts, Science or Commerce.
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| Electrical Energy (L3) | |
| Electrical Drive Systems (L4) | |
| Power System Equipment (L4) | |
| Power System Analysis (L4) | |
| Power Electronics (L4) |
Control Systems
| Continuous-time Control System Design (L4) | |
| Computer Control Systems (L4) | |
| Real Time Engineering (L4) |
Signal Processing
| Advanced
Digital Signal Processing (L4) |
|
| Multimedia
Signal Processing (L4) |
|
| Biomedical
Instrumentation Measurement & Design (L4) |
Data and Mobile Communications
| Network
Technologies (L3) |
|
| Trusted
Networks (L3) |
|
| Digital
Modulation & Coding (L4) |
|
| Mobile and Satellite Communications (L4) | |
| Network Performance (L4) | |
| Wireless Communication Technologies (L4) |
Computer Systems
| Software
Engineering (L3) |
|
| Operating
Systems (L3) |
|
| Computer
Architecture (L3) |
|
| Database Systems (L3) | |
| Artificial Intelligence (L3) |
Microelectronics
| Solid-State
Electronics (L4) |
|
| Microelectronic
Design & Technology (L4) |
|
| Digital
and Embedded Systems (L4) |
|
| RF Electronics |
Photonics
| Applied
Photovoltaics (L3) |
|
| Optical
Circuits and Fibres (L4) |
|
| Photonic
Networks (L4)) |
Business Administration
| Entrepreneurial
Engineering (L4) |
Mathematics
| Information,
Codes and Ciphers (L3) |
Can I take other courses?
A limited amount of substitution is permitted within each program. Any such substitution must be approved by the Head of School or the Director of Academic Studies, who will ensure that:
| The replacement course is at least the same length and level as the prescribed course it replaces; and | |
| The resulting program of study is suited to the award of the degree as applicable. |
All Engineering programs have a design strand through all 4 years, supplementing design in other subjects. In EE&T, there are particularly innovative and exciting design subjects in Year 1 and 3, in addition to the Year 4 Thesis, Professional Electives and core subjects emphasizing design in Year 2.
A major part of fourth year is the thesis, which is taken over the whole year, culminating in an oral presentation, a demonstration of the final results of the work and a written report.
This is the single most important piece of work undertaken by an engineering student and addresses a significant practical design or a research problem. The work is an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate their use of sound engineering methods and process.
The Thesis comprises
work in research and design under guidance of members
of the lecturing staff. Typical activities may include:
theoretical work; modeling and simulation; design, construction
and testing of circuits and systems; development of software
and computer systems.
What is Industrial Training?
Students must complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable Industrial Training. The objectives of Industrial Training are:
| to develop an appreciation of the structure and operation of industrial organisations, | |
| to understand the role of the engineer and engineering in industry, | |
| to appreciate the importance of good communication and interpersonal skills, and to develop these skills, and | |
| to appreciate the ethical basis of engineering practice in industry |
At least some of this training should be obtained in Australia. Overseas employment may be acceptable with prior approval. Students are required to submit a written report on their industry placements, typically 2000-3000 words, describing the organisation of the Company, summarising the work done and the training received. The report must be accompanied by certification of their industrial placement by a senior company representative. The bound report must be submitted to the School office for approval.
Industrial Training
must be completed as part of one of the Year 4 courses
(Ethics and Electrical Engineering Practice). Material
within this course will build on the experiences of students
during industrial Training placements.
How Much Study will I have to do?
EE&T degrees
are challenging programs. The study hours required to
meet these challenges are sometimes difficult to manage
with part-time work, family commitments, etc. However,
the reward is that you will graduate with a quality degree
which is recognised worldwide. Engineers Australia accreditation
carries recognition under the Washington Accord.
Can I do part-time study?
Local students have the option of part time study. The School does not have special class times for part-time students in undergraduate programs; however, you can make up your program from any mix of courses and the mix can be less than the normal load. Less than 3/4 load ( or less that 18UOC) is regarded as "part-time".
If your load becomes so light that you will take a very long time to complete your program, then there are academic reasons why you might be counseled out of such decisions. For example, programs, courses and pre-requisites keep changing to match changing technology requirements. Someone who does not keep up with the changes to the program may experience difficulties when selecting courses from a program which has been altered.
International
students are required to study full time as a condition
of their student visas.
How do I apply?
Local students need to communicate program preferences to the UAC. Please carefully check the method of lodging preferences and precise dates for close of acceptances (Friday 29 September 2006 for on-time applications). Late applications are accepted with payment of an appropriate late fee).
A UAC Guide with all
relevant information is available from:
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UAC Quad 2, Australia Centre (first building on right) 8 Parkview Drive Homebush Bay NSW Tel: (02) 9330 7200 Website: www.uac.edu.au |
You really need to obtain the UAC guide. It has all the relevant information about making an application, and it also lists all UAC program codes and descriptions.
Please note the Faculty
of Engineering Admission scheme, for students with UAIs
between 75-84.99, has additional application requirements.
See http://www.eng.unsw.edu.au/multiplecriteria/2005/
for details.
International
students have to complete an application form, available
from the University Admissions Office or on-line. Forms
are available in the UNSW Undergraduate Prospectus. Alternatively,
application forms can be downloaded from the University
website, where there is more detailed information about
the application process. A good starting point is http://www.international.unsw.edu.au/.
Can I Defer acceptance of my university place?
International students may
not remain in Australia on a student visa if they are
not studying. If they take leave they must change their
visa status and/or leave the country.
Can I transfer from another university?
You can transfer from another university. If you are an Australian resident, then you must apply for a place at UNSW through the UAC in the normal way. International students should apply directly to UNSW. It is worth contacting the Undergraduate Admissions Office before applying, as they may have suggestions about how to lodge an application. The School may let you know informally what course exemptions you may expect to be offered if you are successful.
Entry level requirements must be satisfied. Whatever courses you have taken will be used to determine a relative ranking, which will then be used in allocating places. Once you have gained entry to the UNSW program, you may apply for exemptions from courses at UNSW which are substantially the same as those you have passed elsewhere. Exemptions are determined by the School for each student with “advanced standing”.
Does UNSW Recognise other qualifications?
Advice should be obtained from staff and the Admissions Office.
| Certificate IV and Diplomas (e.g.TAFE) may be considered if they are AQF Accredited and completed by December 2006. | |
| One full time year of university standing or more may be considered. | |
| If tertiary performance has been affected, candidates may submit a SCAT application to UNSW. |
Does UNSW recognise disadvantages?
Applicants may obtain recognition of disadvantage by applying through the UAC EAS process. You should obtain advice about this process from the UNSW Admissions Office, or the UAC website.What Scholarships are available?
A full list of UNSW scholarships available to first year students can be found at http://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/home.html
A Co-op Scholarship is an industry-sponsored scholarship that combines the academic program with carefully structured industrial training that makes the total program 5 years in duration. Many of Australia’s more innovative and dynamic electrical and telecommunications companies are involved in sponsoring such scholarships that currently pay $13,400 per annum. Scholarship holders are selected on the basis of academic merit (minimum UAI 95.7 in 2003).
Further details can be found at http://co-op.web.unsw.edu.au/.
Applications close on 30th
September each year.
Student Support Services at UNSW
UNSW Admissions Office
Lower Ground Floor, The Chancellery (C22)
Telephone: 9385 3656
The
Learning Centre
Inside Main Library entrance E 21
Telephone: 9385 3394
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au
Academic assistance with note taking, time management, assignment writing and examination techniques
Science Student Centre
Ground Floor Webster Building (G15)
Telephone 9385 6125
3rd Floor, Square House Building
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/Religious.html
Student Counseling Service
Second Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle Building
Telephone: 9385 5418
http://www.counselling.unsw.edu.au/
Confidential counseling service
Careers and
Employment Service
Second Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle Building
Telephone: 9385 5429
http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au
Equity and Diversity Unit
Second Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle
Building
Telephone: 9385 4734.
http://www.equity.unsw.edu.au
University Health Service
Ground Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle
Building
Telephone: 9385 5424/5426/5427
Dental Surgery
Within the University Health Service
Ground Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle Building
Telephone: 9385 5877
Optometry Clinic
Third Floor, Newton (Physics) Building
Telephone: 9385 4627 or 9385 4624
Housing Office
Ground Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle Building
Telephone: 9385 4985
http://www.housing.unsw.edu.au
Student Guild
First Floor, East Wing, Quadrangle Building
Telephone: 9663 0461 (from off campus) or 9385 5454 or
9385 3228 (from on campus).
http://www.studentguild.org/guild
Employment Notice board - Student Guild casual work notice
board
Religious Assistance
3rd Floor, Square House Building
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/Religious.html

