Associate Degree of Engineering

2023 course information for Domestic Students
2023 course information for International Students

updated 6:02 AM on Wed, 31 May

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
ATAR
55
Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
2 years full-time
Location
Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
Gold Coast, Lismore
Start date
March, July
June
Course code
2206800
Course abbreviation
AssocDegEng
Credit points
192
Equivalent units
16
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview
There is increasing demand for technical skills to help build the infrastructure, manufacturing and production systems of the future. This degree will prepare you to work in these industries, and to contribute to shaping the future in Australia and globally.
 
The Associate Degree of Engineering is designed to meet the requirements for accreditation at the level of Engineering Associate by Engineers Australia. The course is structured around 16 key competencies identified by Engineers Australia as being essential to the graduating engineer, which are broadly grouped into knowledge and skills, application, personal and professional skills.
 
The course is suited to school leavers or those with a trade qualification who are looking to enter the civil construction or manufacturing and production industries in a supervisory, project management or technical role, or progress their careers in these industries to the next level.
 
Foundational core units build knowledge of the practical and technical skills and the processes and philosophy that underpin engineering systems. You’ll then choose a specialisation to build additional knowledge and skills needed to perform technical roles in a range of engineering systems relevant to your specialisation. Finally, you'll complete project-based units that will develop your skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving. and project management, and additionally complete a total of 30 days of professional placement in industry during your studies, ensuring you are ready to hit the ground running as a graduate.
There is increasing demand for technical skills to help build the infrastructure, manufacturing and production systems of the future. This degree will prepare you to work in these industries, and to contribute to shaping the future in Australia and globally.
 
The Associate Degree of Engineering is designed to meet the requirements for accreditation at the level of Engineering Associate by Engineers Australia. The course is structured around 16 key competencies identified by Engineers Australia as being essential to the graduating engineer, which are broadly grouped into knowledge and skills, application, personal and professional skills.
 
The course is suited to school leavers or those with a trade qualification who are looking to enter the civil construction or manufacturing and production industries in a supervisory, project management or technical role, or progress their careers in these industries to the next level.
 
Foundational core units build knowledge of the practical and technical skills and the processes and philosophy that underpin engineering systems. You’ll then choose a specialisation to build additional knowledge and skills needed to perform technical roles in a range of engineering systems relevant to your specialisation. Finally, you'll complete project-based units that will develop your skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving. and project management, and additionally complete a total of 30 days of professional placement in industry during your studies, ensuring you are ready to hit the ground running as a graduate.

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

About the course

Students will choose one of the following specialisations:
  • Civil Construction
Students develop practical skills and knowledge to solve practical problems related to four main engineering systems, namely civil construction systems, transport systems, built structures, and sustainable water systems.
 
  • Intelligent Machines
Students develop practical skills and knowledge to solve practical problems related to four main engineering systems, namely namely design and production systems, sustainable energy and power systems, smart machines, and robotics and control systems.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3

International students

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  3N/A112800C
LismoreTerm  3N/A112800C

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

Gold Coast
Term 3 July 2023
Lismore
Term 3 July 2023
Online
Term 3 July 2023

International students studying in Australia

View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree of Engineering, students must complete 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Civil Construction (Engineering and Management) after completing 8 core units (96 credit points) from the Civil Construction specialisation.


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 16 units (192 credit points):
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ENGN1004Engineering Governance
ENGN1003Engineering Technology and Design
MATS1001Introduction to Engineering Materials
INFO1001Essentials of Information and Communication Technology
MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
PHYS1004Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves
ERTH2004Project Management and Professional Development
ENGN1005Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects
ENGN3003Tendering Project
ENGN2005Statics of Solids and Fluids
CIVL2018Water Cycle Systems
CIVL2019Road Transport Systems
CIVL2020Built Structure Systems

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 16 units (192 credit points):
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ENGN1004Engineering Governance
ENGN1003Engineering Technology and Design
MATS1001Introduction to Engineering Materials
INFO1001Essentials of Information and Communication Technology
MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
PHYS1004Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves
ERTH2004Project Management and Professional Development
ENGN1005Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects
ENGN3003Tendering Project
PHYS2001Physics II: Electricity and Circuits
MANI2001Smart Sensing and Control Systems
MANI2002Industrial Robotics Systems
MANF2001Smart Manufacturing Systems


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
ENGN1004Engineering Governance
Term1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
ENGN1003Engineering Technology and Design
Term2,3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Lismore
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
N/A
Enrolment informationThis unit requires the use of SolidWorks software. The software is Windows-only; there is no MacOS version. Mac users will need to install Windows on their Mac via Bootcamp or similar or use the computer in A2.41/42 in Lismore Campus either remotely or in person
ERTH2004Project Management and Professional Development
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Anti-requisitesBUSN2001 - Professional Development for the Workplace
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
Term3
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics
INFO1001Essentials of Information and Communication Technology
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MATS1001Introduction to Engineering Materials
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Second Year

MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
PHYS1004Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves
Term1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
ENGN2005Statics of Solids and Fluids
Term2
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisitesPHYS1004 - Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves OR PHYS1003 - Physics OR CIVL1001 - Applied Mechanics
ENGN1005Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects

Not currently available

CIVL2020Built Structure Systems
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
CIVL2019Road Transport Systems
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
CIVL2018Water Cycle Systems
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
ENGN3003Tendering Project
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
ENGN1004Engineering Governance
Term1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
ENGN1003Engineering Technology and Design
Term2,3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Lismore
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
N/A
Enrolment informationThis unit requires the use of SolidWorks software. The software is Windows-only; there is no MacOS version. Mac users will need to install Windows on their Mac via Bootcamp or similar or use the computer in A2.41/42 in Lismore Campus either remotely or in person
ERTH2004Project Management and Professional Development
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Anti-requisitesBUSN2001 - Professional Development for the Workplace
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
Term3
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics
INFO1001Essentials of Information and Communication Technology
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MATS1001Introduction to Engineering Materials
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Second Year

MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
PHYS1004Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves
Term1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
PHYS2001Physics II: Electricity and Circuits
Term2
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
ENGN1005Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects

Not currently available

MANI2002Industrial Robotics Systems
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MANF2001Smart Manufacturing Systems
Term3
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MANI2001Smart Sensing and Control Systems
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
ENGN3003Tendering Project
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A



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Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

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Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

Define and respond to technical and contextual factors in the implementation of human-centred solutions to well defined industry-relevant problems in an engineering practice area

Identify and evaluate emerging trends and issues and apply to a specialised engineering practice area

Lead or function as a team member and systematically manage information and projects to deliver industry-relevant engineering solutions aligned with stakeholder and community needs

Define and respond to technical and contextual factors in the implementation of human-centred solutions to well defined industry-relevant problems in an engineering practice area

Apply established engineering methods, techniques, tools and resources in the context of systematic design and engineering management processes for well defined problems

Apply professional conduct and judgement that reflects contemporary industry standards of ethical, sustainable and human-centred engineering practice

Demonstrate an understanding of foundational and practical knowledge of mathematics and basic sciences, computing and information sciences, and a specialised engineering practice area

Identify and evaluate emerging trends and issues and apply to a specialised engineering practice area

Identify and evaluate emerging trends and issues and apply to a specialised engineering practice area

Reflect on and document development of proficiency in competencies in the relevant field of engineering practice to guide continuing professional development and lifelong learning

Employ effective oral and written communication and social skills, informed by an appreciation of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives

Employ effective oral and written communication and social skills, informed by an appreciation of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives


Assessment methods

Under the Southern Cross Model, assessment is designed to help you learn. Most units don't have exams, and instead focus on real-life tasks and scenarios that allow you to gain experience and confidence in the same tasks you'll be doing in your future career.

Teaching methods

Both on campus and online students will be taught in the Southern Cross Model, with a strong focus on scenario-based and problem-based learning. The Southern Cross Model is highly interactive, engaging, and flexible. Teaching for online students strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community.

Career opportunities

Graduates will have opportunities to work at a paraprofessional level in the civil construction or manufacturing and production industries as follows:

  • Graduates from the Civil Construction specialisation will be able to work at the level of engineering associate in a range of roles in the civil construction industry related to the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, including as site superintendents, site supervisors, site engineers.

 

  • Graduates from the Intelligent Machines specialisation will be able to work at the level of engineering associate in a range of roles in manufacturing and production industries related to building, installing and commissioning, operating, maintaining and repairing control systems, smart machines, and robotic systems.
Professional placement

As part of this course, students must complete at least 30 days of professional placement in industry, typically with an organisation conducting work related to engineering practice. Industry experience enables students to apply their knowledge and skills to engineering problems within a real work environment, and to make valuable contacts within industry. 

Professional recognition

The Civil Construction and Intelligent Machines specialisations are currently provisionally accredited by Engineers Australia at the level of Engineering Associate (Dublin Accord).

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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