Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering equips students with the relevant skills, experiences and knowledge to provide a range of professional mechanical engineering services in regional, national and international environments.

The course prepares graduates for work involving the design and maintenance of machinery, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), consumer product design, automotive, robotics and control systems, water supply, vibration, acoustics and noise control, heat transfer and refrigeration, energy technology and pollution control in the marine, oil, gas and aerospace industries.

The course is structured around 16 key competencies identified by Engineers Australia as being essential to the graduating engineer. The educational philosophy and objective of this course aims to cultivate insight and knowledge in the mechanical engineering discipline, producing highly skilled engineers who not only have technical skills but also a commitment to continuous learning throughout their careers.

Students gain the skills necessary to define and develop solutions to challenging problems, as well as leadership skills and the ability to respond to the demands and expectations of society, industry and academia.

Major areas of study
The course comprises three main study streams that cover all aspects of mechanical engineering:

• Design and Production System Engineering
  • This stream will develop your knowledge and skills in machine element design, mechanical systems design, dynamics of machines, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), finite element methods, mechanics of solids and fracture mechanics. Immerse yourself in this stream via a research project.
• Thermo-Fluid Mechanics and Energy Systems
  • This stream will develop your knowledge and skills in thermodynamics, thermal engineering, fluid mechanics, hydraulic systems, modern internal combustion engines, heating and refrigeration technology and conventional and renewable energy. You will improve your understanding about the design and operation of coal, oil, gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, nuclear and cogeneration power plants, developing alternatives to thermal energy, power cycle devices, fuel cells, gas turbines, and innovative uses of wave, wind, ocean thermal energy conversion and tidal energy. You will be involved in all aspects of the production and conversion of energy from one form to another.
• Mechatronics and Control Systems
  • This stream will develop your knowledge and skills in electro-mechanical systems, robotics technology, control systems and automation. Modern experimental facilities are used to teach electrical circuits and machinery – alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) motors and generators, industrial automation using programmable logic controllers (PLC), automobile technology, mechatronics, and robotics engineering. Students learn industrial robotics and work together with local industry to design and build autonomous systems. Additionally, Southern Cross runs a robotics club to practice and create innovative ideas with the opportunity to take part in national and international competitions.
• Elective units include: Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development, Waste Technology and Local Government.
• Thesis unit
  • All students undertake a full-year subject in engineering research (thesis unit) in their final year, which enables them to explore the frontiers of engineering development and contribute to new knowledge in their chosen field.