Study plan

The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Geotechnical) is undertaken full-time over four years. Students enrol in junior units of study with a maximum 48 credit points during first year. A typical unit of study has a value of 6 credit points.

During the first two years, the foundation for all civil engineering studies is laid, with science, mathematics, computing, and introductory civil engineering subjects. A surveying camp completed in the second year of the course enhances both practical skills and important professional and social skills in a team environment. At the end of third year, students usually undertake practical industry experience, working for about three months in an engineering firm. In order to complete a geotechnical specialisation, students will enrol in electives within that specialisation in third and fourth year and undertake an honours thesis or engineering project in a related topic in fourth year.

Progression rules

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of the Bachelor of Engineering. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements (as defined by the progression requirements of the Coursework Rule), students must pass any unit of study identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.

What is an elective?

An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject and are often recommended within an engineering stream as they are directly related to, or build a more comprehensive understanding of content taught in, core units of study within that stream. Each stream will also list acceptable alternative units of study, and free electives, providing a flexible study plan.

Course opportunities

The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Geotechnical) includes a mandatory 10-12 week practical/industrial placement, plant and site visits, and opportunities for the development of significant professional relationships with industry partners.

A surveying camp completed in the second year of the course enhances both practical skills and important professional and social skills in a team environment. The course also offers one-year exchange programs with universities in Europe, Asia and North America.

Graduate opportunities

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies enjoys strong professional and research links with Australian and global industry, affording unparalleled opportunities for Sydney Engineering graduates. See the details provided for the School of Civil Engineering (CE) http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/civil

Career paths for geotechnical engineering graduates include investigating sites to find out what is under the ground, designing foundations, planning and designing of road, rail and canal cuttings, offshore work investigating and designing cable routes, pipelines, foundations for offshore facilities and design of landfills for society’s waste products.

Course accreditation

Sydney engineering awards are accredited by Engineering Australia http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au and by other major professional engineering institutions. Our graduates are recognised internationally through the Washington Accord of the International Engineering Alliance http://www.washingtonaccord.org

Further study

The Graduate School of Engineering and IT provides a link between postgraduate students in the different engineering disciplines, and offers a welcoming and supportive environment in which to undertake challenging coursework programs and research. The faculty's postgraduate coursework and research are focused on industrial applications supported by strong fundamental research programs run by internationally recognised academics.

About honours

Honours is available to meritorious candidates in the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Geotechnical) who complete an alternative set of units of study in the final year of the program. Admission to the honours year is by permission of the program coordinator after the completion of third year. Admission requires an ISWAM (Intermediate-Senior Weighted Average Mark) of at least 65 in units of study completed over second and third year. To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Geotechnical) (Honours) degree a candidate must complete the requirements for the pass degree but include the alternative 12 credit point honours pathway described in the table of units of study for the stream.

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for domestic mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.

Flexible Entry Scheme available for this degree http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/futurestudent/flexibleentry

Assumed knowledge

HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics. If you attempt engineering without this prior level of knowledge of Mathematics you may experience difficulty, so you are strongly advised to undertake an appropriate bridging course.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September. On-time applications for the July Semester close in May. Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.