Future students

Luming Shen Senior Lecturer: As an academic staff member in Structures group, I would rather consider myself as a Mechanician (not a person who fixes your car, but an engineer or a scientist working in the field of mechanics). My research interests are mainly focused on computational mechanics, which is the discipline concerned with the use of computer simulation to study phenomena governed by the principles of mechanics. Some examples where computational mechanics have been put to practical use are vehicle crash simulation, building reaction under explosion, glass manufacturing, semiconductor modeling, etc. To do well in computational mechanics, one will need solid background in mathematics, computer science and mechanics.

I teach mechanics, in particular, Engineering Mechanics for the first year engineering students. Many of you may think mechanics is boring. In fact, mechanics is fun and important because it can be used to describe the performance and/or motion of just about every object we interact with on an everyday basis: buildings, bridges, cars, airplanes, boats, birds, etc. To become a good civil engineer, one will need to become a good Mechanician first.

Flexible First Year

Thinking of studying engineering at the University of Sydney but unsure what area you’d like to specialise in? Now you can explore a number of areas of engineering before deciding upon your ultimate specialisation.

All streams of engineering in the Faculty are now included in the Flexible First Year so you have the opportunity to discover your strengths and interests before committing to one stream.

How does Flexible First Year work?

Flexible First Year allows change at the end of Semester 1 or the end of first year to one of the many streams of engineering. You will still complete your engineering degree in the normal time and, as a graduate, you will emerge fully qualified in the area of your choice with as much in-depth knowledge as those from other less flexible courses. We keep all your options open, so you change direction without affecting the duration of your course.

Will I be able to get into a higher UAI course in second year after having completed the Flexible First Year?

It will be possible but it will depend on your UAI and academic performance in your first year. Generally you will need a credit average (65%) for UAI streams in the low 90’s range and distinction average (75%) for those in the high 90’s range. If you have already achieved the required UAI for a stream, entry into that stream is assured.

Will I still be able to do combined degrees in Commerce, Science, Arts, Law and Medical Science with the Flexible First Year?

Yes, provision has been made for elective units in the new program to enable you to complete the requirements for the “other” degree e.g Accounting for BE/B Commerce students.

Will I be able to do the Advanced Engineering option with the Flexible First Year?

Yes! There is no UAC entry into advanced engineering. Students with a UAI of 98 or above are invited by the Dean to undertake an Advanced Engineering project. This can be done as a replacement for, or in parallel with, Science based subjects that may already have been adequately covered in High School.

The standard Civil Engineering degree program is completely compatible with the flexible first year program (Stream A).

JJC Bradfied, a graduate from The University of Sydney, was the engineer responsible for the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The University of Sydney - Civil Engineering

Flexible First Year