General faculty and program information

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Access to information technology facilities

Minimum and Preferred Computing Requirements

Students should refer to the University's minimum and recommended requirements available at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/hardware.htm and http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/software/default.htm

A scanner may also be useful in some areas, but is not essential.

A USB 'Memory Stick' or 'Thumb Drive' of 256 Mb capacity or larger will be useful to transfer files.

Students enrolled in one of the following majors are advised that they may require access to a more powerful computer facility than one with the 'preferred' specifications listed in the table. They should contact their Program Coordinator for further details.

• Computer Systems Engineering

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Instrumentation and Control Engineering

• Power Engineering

• Software Engineering.

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Students enrolled in the Computer Systems or Software Engineering majors of the Bachelor of Engineering should also check the computer requirements for the Bachelor of Information Technology (Faculty of Sciences) in the Faculty of Sciences section of this Handbook.

Program computer requirements

Software, Test Equipment and Tools

For students studying Electrical and Electronic or Computer Systems courses:

• students will be required to purchase electronic components for ELE1502 Electronic Circuits at an approximate cost of $50

• students in the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering Technology programs will be required to purchase a kit of electronic components costing approximately $50 to complete the construction assignment for ELE3506 Electronic Measurement

• students in Associate Degree in Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering Technology programs will be required to purchase a kit of electronic components costing approximately $50 to complete the construction assignment for ELE2501 Electronic Workshop and Production

• students studying these courses externally are expected to obtain access for at least several hours per week to the items listed below. These items are required for the courses specified and immediate access is not necessary. Access may be at a place of employment or other venue, however, if equipment has to be purchased, the cost will be approximately $85 for test equipment excluding the power supply, $250 for computer software and $80 for hand tools.

On-campus students studying the Electrical and Electronic major will be expected to purchase the following items to assist with project oriented laboratory work as follows. The approximate cost of these items is $50.

Further details will be provided at the commencement of ELE1502 and other courses listed above.

General information - undergraduate programs

The following information applies to all undergraduate programs and programs of study offered by the Faculty.

ENG1500 Engineering Fundamentals

Students who achieve a high level in year 12 mathematics, or an equivalent mathematics program may apply, using the application form available at http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2009/eng/geninfo.html to the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying to replace the study of ENG1500 Engineering Fundamentals with MAT1500 Engineering Mathematics 1. The application must include supporting documentation that clearly shows that the student has, in the three years prior to that application, achieved either:

1. an exit level of VHA in Mathematics B from Queensland Year 12 studies; or

2. an exit level of at least HA in both Mathematics B and Mathematics C from Queensland Year 12 studies; or

3. satisfactory completion of TPP7183 Mathematics Tertiary Preparation Program Level C; or

4. a qualification assessed by the examiner of the course ENG1500 Engineering Fundamentals to be equivalent to that above.

Exemption

Exemptions will normally only be granted on the basis of formal studies of equivalent material undertaken at a college of TAFE, college of advanced education or university. Studies successfully completed within the last five years are automatically eligible to be used as a basis for a claim for exemption. Studies completed more than five years ago will be considered, but should be accompanied by evidence that the knowledge and skills acquired from those studies have been maintained. Students who believe that they may qualify for exemptions should consult Section 5.5.5 (Exemptions) of the USQ Academic Regulations and the course synopses section contained in this Handbook for further information about the content of courses and the procedures to be followed for exemption claims.

Students who have been granted exemptions have a responsibility to ensure that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date in these areas. This is particularly important when they have been granted exemption from a course which is pre-requisite for another course. Refer to the section entitled Exemptions, Credit and Advanced Standing in the Guide to Faculty Policies and Procedures section of this Handbook.

Practice courses and residential schools

The major practical work requirements associated with each of the Faculty's programs are contained within a series of Practice Courses. These courses are designed to enhance learning, communication and practical skills through laboratory sessions, workshops, seminars, field trips and group activities.

Practice Courses may be undertaken in either on-campus or external mode. Students enrolling externally will be required to attend a compulsory residential school. However, students who enrol in Practice Courses in on-campus mode may be required to undertake a series of weekly activities and/or attend a compulsory residential school. The only final grades available in these courses are Pass (P) or Fail (F).

Practice Courses are zero unit courses that are a compulsory part of the program. However, they do not attract a student contribution charge for Australian residents or a tuition fee for international students. External students should ensure that they are able to attend the residential school prior to enrolling in a Practice Course. The recommended enrolment pattern for Practice Courses is shown as a separate table below the Recommended Enrolment Pattern for Academic Courses in each program entry in this Handbook.

ENG1901 Engineering Practice 1 is the first in a series of Practice Courses designed to enable students to acquire engineering and professional practice skills, including practical and teamwork skills, problem solving and engineering judgement. It is designed principally to cater for the needs of recent school leavers and those lacking any significant experience of the engineering workforce.Students who have a trade certificate and who have been employed in the engineering industry for some time may be able to claim exemption from the course.

Residential school schedule

Students should refer to the Residential School schedule for a complete list of courses that require residential schools and the dates in which they are scheduled.

Students enrolled in Practice Courses in Semester 3 2009 who will be attending Residential Schools in February 2010 should consult the Residential School schedule for correct dates.