Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Honours

Effective from 01-JUL-2024 : Code C87

The fields of robotics and autonomous systems engineering are rapidly growing in importance in the modern world as businesses strive to find ways to increase the safety and efficiency of their operations. This is particularly true in Western Australia where mining and resource companies have been at the forefront of developing and deploying robotic and autonomous systems to reduce the numbers of fly-in / fly-out workers required to operate in remote and dangerous environments. The development and operation of these systems requires engineers with complex skillsets including detailed knowledge of mechanical systems, electronic hardware, sensors and interfacing, and complex software development, including knowledge of emerging areas of artificial intelligence and machine vision. This course will provide graduates with the skills necessary to work in this exciting new field. Graduates of the course will be conversant in the fundamental physical sciences, digital electronics, intelligent systems, principles of computer aided design and manufacturing, dynamic systems and controls, embedded and cyber-physical systems, robotics, and advanced software development and machine learning. The course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills relevant to professional engineering practice, and along with a sound theoretical base, includes strong elements of practical problem-solving, teamwork and project development. As a result, as well as having multiple technical and transferable skill competencies, graduates will have strong analytical skills and the ability to lead complex projects.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

Before being eligible to graduate from this course, students must meet the requirement of accumulating and being credited with a minimum 12 weeks professional practice in a relevant industry environment. This can be commenced at any point in the course.

Enrolment process

While the Engineering Practicum unit (ENS5111) appears in Year 4 Semester 1 of the course structure, students can complete the practicum requirements at any point after commencing the course. The unit is not available for direct enrolment, instead once the Practicum requirements have been fulfilled, students will need to lodge their Practicum documents through the Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning online application form in order to have the completion of this unit recognised on their academic record. The School’s Practicum coordinator should be contacted for advice on completion of the Practicum.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and in depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the robotics and autonomous systems engineering discipline.
2. Think critically, and apply established engineering methods and research skills to complex robotics and autonomous systems engineering problem solving.
3. Apply systematic engineering synthesis and design processes to conduct and manage robotics and autonomous systems engineering projects, with some intellectual independence.
4. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics and computer and information sciences which underpin the robotics and autonomous systems engineering discipline and fluently apply engineering techniques tools and resources.
5. Demonstrate clear and coherent oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook and knowledge of contextual factors impacting the robotics and autonomous systems engineering discipline, including respect for cultural diversity and indigenous cultural competence.
7. Demonstrate effective team membership and team leadership to implement engineering projects according to relevant standards of ethical conduct, sustainable practice and professional accountability.
8. Demonstrate responsibility for own learning, professional judgement and an understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 4)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Diploma or equivalent;
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have Mathematics: Methods ATAR, with equivalents considered, and Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR or Chemistry ATAR or Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, with equivalents considered. It is desirable that all applicants have Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR, with equivalents considered, students without Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR may need to take a bridging unit in the first year of their studies, with equivalents considered.

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 4 Years
• Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Alexander RASSAU

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 30 Core units, 2 Elective units and a Practicum unit.

Note: Students who receive a WAM of 70 per cent or above at the end of their third year of study will be invited to complete a graded Honours degree by taking the two Honours Thesis units in place of the standard project units in their fourth year. Students below this cut-off, or who decline the offer to undertake the Honours Thesis, will graduate with an ungraded Honours degree.

Note: Students undertaking the graded Honours pathway should enrol into ENS5145 Engineering Honours Thesis 1 in place of ENS4152 Project Development.

Note: Students undertaking the graded Honours pathway should enrol into ENS5146 Engineering Honours Thesis 2 in place of ENS4253 Engineering Project.

Note: Electives chosen from outside this list must be approved by the Course Coordinator.

^ Core Option