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USC to offer Mechanical Engineering degree
The University of the Sunshine Coast will introduce a Mechanical Engineering degree in 2012.
USC’s Professor of Engineering Mark Porter said he expected strong interest in the new four-year program, similar to that which followed the University’s introduction of Civil Engineering in 2009.
“I think this move to offer Mechanical Engineering underlines USC’s intention to become a significant provider of engineering graduates in Queensland,” he said. “We now have a series of programs in place and they are set to grow.”
Professor Porter said mechanical engineers were in high demand, particularly in mining, power generation, transport, building and manufacturing.
Mechanical engineers also work in industries like aviation and aerospace, health, water and waste, ship building, defence, agriculture, forestry, fishing, food processing, pharmaceuticals and chemical processing.
“This degree will allow students to investigate energy generation, dynamic mechanisms, simulation, manufacturing and fluid flow control,” Professor Porter said.
“They will develop skills crucial to the development and manufacture of efficient, economical and reliable products and learn how to design new machines and devices and develop better manufacturing methods and systems.
“The degree will also offer practical, real-world applications of the course materials, and guest lecturers from industry will ensure high-level exposure to current engineering professional practice.”
Professor Porter said USC would rely on cross-institutional support from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to establish the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) program.
Students will be required to undertake some external subjects via USQ and travel to Toowoomba for laboratory work intensives each semester.
Students can apply to study USC’s Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) via Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre at www.qtac.edu.au
— Terry Walsh