Undergraduate prospectus - Faculty 2012.pdf

Built Environment 

and Engineering 

Undergraduate courses 2012 

Architecture | Construction Management | Engineering | Interior Design | Industrial Design | 

Landscape Architecture | Property Economics | Quantity Surveying | Spatial Science | Urban and Regional Planning

Do your research 

Choosing what you are going to study at university is a big decision. You need to 

research courses and universities, and carefully consider your options to make an 

informed decision about your study choice. 

Why QUT 

Each year QUT is the university of 

choice for many prospective students 

for a number of reasons: 

Employability QUT continues to 

outperform Queensland and Australian 

average rates for graduate employment. 

Practical teaching QUT continues to 

refine its winning balance of theory and 

practical experience with the addition of 

cutting-edge technology. 

Convenience Public transport and 

inter-campus shuttle buses make QUT one 

of Australia’s most accessible universities. 

Industry links QUT enjoys strong links 

with business and industry, ensuring our 

degrees respond to changing employer 

demands, and earning us our reputation 

as a university for the real world. 

Choice of courses QUT offers you a 

broad range of single and double degree 

options, and the ability to mix and match 

majors across many discipline areas. 

Instant access QUT is a recognised 

leader in using technology to enrich 

teaching and make studying easier. 

Student life There is a lot more to 

university than study. Being a student 

at QUT can be the most exciting time of 

your life. 

Support QUT’s support programs will 

help you to make a successful transition 

to university and realise your potential. 

International outlook QUT’s worldclass 

courses and learning facilities 

ensure our graduates are equipped to 

work in Australia and overseas. 

2011 events 

QUT staff and students will be available at 

the following 2011 events to answer your 

questions. You can sign up to receive email 

reminders about upcoming events at 

www.qut.edu.au/explore/events 

Regional Careers Markets 

March–August 

Queensland and New South Wales 

Reinvent Your Career Expo 

26–27 March, 10am–4pm 

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 

Careers and Employment Expo 

13–14 May 

9am–4pm Friday, 10am–4pm Saturday 


Parent Information Seminar 

24 May, 6–7.30pm 

Kelvin Grove campus 

Return to Study Seminar 

21 June, 6–7pm 

Caboolture campus 

Holiday Campus Tours 

27 June–1 July, 10am–12pm daily 

Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove 

and Caboolture campuses 

TSXPO (Tertiary Studies Expo) 

16–17 July, 10am–4pm daily 

Exhibition Building 

RNA Showgrounds 

QUT Open Day 

31 July, 9am–3pm 


QUT Caboolture Campus Open Day 

21 August, 9am–2pm 


Adult Tertiary Entry Expo 

3 September, 10am–4pm 


Parent Information Seminar 

13 September, 6–7pm 


Return to Study Seminar 

20 September, 10am–1.30pm or 5–7.30pm 

Gardens Point campus 

Holiday Campus Tours 

26–30 September, 10am–12pm daily 

Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove 

and Caboolture campuses 

Discover QUT 

Including Parents Information Seminars 

27 September, 


28 September, 


29 September, 


For full program visit 

www.qut.edu.au/explore/events 

QUT Real Decisions 

20 December, 10am–2pm 

Gardens Point campus

Contents 

2 Built Environment and Engineering 

on campus 

3 Real-world engineering, design 

and development 

4 International experiences 

6 Real research 

9 Engineering at QUT 

12 Bachelor of Engineering 

12 Dean’s Scholars Program 

14 Aerospace Avionics 

16 Civil 

18 Civil and Construction 

19 Civil and Environmental 

20 Electrical 

22 Mechatronics 

23 Computer and Software Systems 

24 Mechanical 

26 Medical 

28 Second study areas 

32 Urban development at QUT 

34 Bachelor of Urban Development 

34 Construction Management 

35 Quantity Surveying 

36 Property Economics 

38 Spatial Science 

40 Urban and Regional Planning 

42 Design at QUT 

43 Your design degree 

44 Bachelor of Design 

44 Architecture 

46 Industrial Design 

48 Interior Design 

50 Landscape Architecture 

52 Applying for entry 

54 Scholarships 

56 Built Environment and 

Engineering at a glance 

30 Double degrees 

30 Business/Engineering (Civil, Electrical 

or Mechanical) 

31 Engineering (Electrical)/Information 

Technology 

31 Engineering (Electrical)/Mathematics 

Explore your 

options 

Visit online 

QUT’s Start Here website will give you 

an insight into what you can expect at 

university. You can also find a course 

that matches your skills and email your 

questions to real QUT students. Visit 

www.qut.edu.au/starthere 

Other courses that might be 

of interest 

If you are interested in built 

environment and engineering 

degrees, you might also want to 

check out QUT’s science and 

technology-related courses. 

International students 

This publication has been prepared for Australian students and those with permanent resident status. 

Some courses are not open to international students. International students are advised to check at 

www.qut.edu.au if their preferred course is available. More information for international students is 

available at www.qut.edu.au/international 

Course information 

For in-depth information on the 

courses listed in this book and to 

explore other study options, visit 

www.qut.edu.au/courses

Built Environment and Engineering 

on campus 

QUT has campuses at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove in Brisbane’s CBD, and 

Caboolture in the growth corridor north of the city. All campuses are well serviced by 

public transport. 

If you study within the Faculty of Built 

Environment and Engineering, you 

will be based at the Gardens Point 

campus. Our CBD location is unrivalled. 

You will enjoy better access to industry’s 

city headquarters than at any other 

Queensland university, offering real 

advantages for networking and working. 

stimulating learning and research spaces, 

food and retail outlets, and a new 

swimming pool and gym. 

Facilities at Gardens Point include: 

• libraries 

• computing and science laboratories 

• Student Centre 

• student counselling and health services 

• bookshop 

• Oodgeroo Unit 

• cafeteria 

• Campus Club 

• cafés 

• automatic teller machines 

• gymnasium 

• travel agency. 

The precinct facilitates activities including: 

• hands-on design 

• collaborative learning 

• engine development and biofuels testing 

• geomaterials testing 

• experimental equipment analysis 

• mechanical workshop 

• motorsport 

• spatial sciences 

• instrumentation 

• rapid prototyping 

• medical engineering 

• tissue culture 

• medical robotics 

• experimental materials 

• research. 

2 


Faculties based at Gardens Point are Built 

Environment and Engineering, Business, 

Law, and Science and Technology. 

With 23000 students, Gardens Point 

campus has a prime location in Brisbane’s 

city centre, beside the Brisbane River, City 

Botanic Gardens and Parliament House— 

a position that reinforces QUT’s links with 

business, industry and government. 

Gardens Point is within easy walking 

distance of shops, restaurants, theatres, 

galleries, and public transport including 

buses, trains and its own ferry stop. The 

Goodwill Bridge—a pedestrian and cycle 

bridge—links the campus to South Bank, 

which is the cultural centre of Brisbane. 

Our Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove 

campuses are linked by free shuttle buses, 

making inter-campus travel easy and cheap 

no matter where your course is based. 

A new Science and Technology 

Precinct and Community Hub is under 

construction on Gardens Point campus. 

The Precinct, due to open in 2012, will 

bring together teaching and research in 

science, technology, engineering and 

mathematics disciplines. It will include 

Great facilities 

The Built Environment and Engineering 

labs and workshops house the latest hightech 

equipment and computer software 

to provide students with the ultimate 

hands-on learning experience. 

The O block laboratory precinct has 

been designed to accommodate flexible 

laboratory spaces intertwined with crossdisciplinary 

activities. The use of design 

elements such as full height glazing 

encourages visual connections between 

research and undergraduate learning 

spaces that complement large open social 

environments including a landscaped 

garden lounge. 

The S block Mechatronics lab teaches 

the principles of integrated computeraided 

design and manufacturing. It is 

equipped with a small manufacturing cell 

with a CNC lathe and milling machine, 

a track-mounted six-axis robot arm for 

materials handling and an image analysis 

system. The adjacent area has PCs 

equipped with 3D solid modelling software 

to generate designs and a software 

simulation of the manufacturing cell. 

The J block Design Fabrication Labs 

facilitate hands-on fabrication of prototype 

designs and concept models in a broad 

range of materials including wood, plastic 

and metal. Students use a range of 

tools and technologies including hand 

and power tools, foam cutters, CNC 3D 

routers, vacuum moulding, 2.5D laser 

cutters and 3D solid model printers, to 

realise their ideas.

Real-world engineering, design 

and development 

Welcome to the Faculty 

of Built Environment and 

Engineering 

Join our unique learning hub. The 

Faculty’s powerhouse combination 

of engineering, design and urban 

development offers unmatched access 

to facilities, study options and expertise, 

giving you the power to make a difference. 

The Faculty of Built Environment and 

Engineering is integral to QUT’s strategy 

to be a leader in the development of 

courses and research in the fields of 

science, technology, engineering and 

mathematics (STEM). 

Relevant and cutting edge 

Industry partners and professional 

bodies are closely involved in the ongoing 

development of our degrees, so your 

study is always relevant and up to date. 

In fact, many of our programs are unique, 

cutting-edge courses available nowhere 

else in Australia. 

We use our strong industry links to focus 

on hot topics, skills in demand now and 

in the future, and offer the best specialist 

facilities and latest technology to match. 

Winning approach 

Your QUT degree is about experiencing 

more real-world learning. Our winning 

balance of theory and practice equips you 

with skills and knowledge you can use 

straight away in your chosen career. That 

means real industry respect. 

You will learn from the experts. Your 

teachers are leaders in their field, 

innovative and inspiring, with many 

currently working in the real world. They 

will link you to industry and are recognised 

for their teaching prowess with scores of 

national awards. 

To learn more about what it’s like to be a 

student in the Faculty of Built Environment 

and Engineering, visit www.qut.edu.au/bee 

Lead a sustainable future 

A degree with the Faculty of Built 

Environment and Engineering will keep you 

at the forefront of Queensland’s escalating 

engineering and construction drive. As 

the demand for infrastructure and building 

development increases, the demand 

for professionals in engineering, urban 

development and design continues to grow. 

To find out more about the Faculty of 

Built Environment and Engineering visit 

www.qut.edu.au/bee 

Engineering 

A QUT engineering degree provides 

you with more choice, with 19 

dynamic programs of study and 

the flexibility to explore your career 

directions during your first year. 

Urban development 

Your urban development degree offers 

great career options, connecting you 

to a wide range of study areas from 

planning and engineering to business, 

project management and more. 

Design 

Innovate and create with a QUT design 

degree. Join a vibrant design domain 

where creativity meets function and 

graduate with a qualification that is 

respected worldwide. 

3

International experiences 

Why mobility 

Get connected 

We have forged links with key universities 

in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Choose 

to complete one or two semesters 

at a partner university and enjoy life 

overseas, building invaluable international 

connections at universities such as 

the University of Stuttgart (Germany), 

Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Danish 

Technical University (Denmark), École 

Polytechnique de Montréal (Canada) and 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA). 

Our global network of industry leaders 

provides a valuable insight into your 

chosen profession. We have partnerships 

with Boeing, Schlumberger, Hochtief, 

Robert Bird and Shell, so take advantage 

of internship opportunities with our 

extensive network of built environment 

and engineering corporate partners. 

Increase your employability 

Participating in an exchange program 

requires initiative, commitment and 

flexibility. These are all qualities 

that employers value highly, so the 

professional and personal skills you 

develop while overseas should give you 

the edge in the job market. 

The Student Exchange program is an 

exciting opportunity to study at a partner 

university overseas. Going one step 

further, an international internship with a 

global industry partner as part of (or in 

addition to) an exchange term abroad is 

another avenue for QUT students to gain 

highly valuable experience. Studying and 

working overseas can open up new and 

rewarding experiences and opportunities. 

If the thought of living and studying 

overseas seems daunting, more and more 

students are embracing the challenge. 

Short-term study options, including 

study tours and language programs, are 

available at selected partner institutions 

with demonstrated strengths across 

the built environment and engineering 

disciplines. Language is not the barrier 

it once was, with the range and number 

of units taught in English at our partner 

institutions increasing each year. 

Learn more about exchange 

and internship opportunities 


Engineering supports students to 

participate in exchange, internships or 

other international study opportunities 

each year. For more information visit 

www.qut.edu.au/exchanges 

Bryan Huang – USA 

QUT aerospace avionics 

engineering student 

Melanie Bowden – Germany 

QUT civil and environmental 

engineering student 

Melanie’s exchange in Germany 

involved one semester of study at 

RWTH Aachen University, along 

with a six-month practical internship 

at Hochtief’s Leighton Holdings. 

RWTH Aachen University is a leading 

European university of technology 

and Hochtief is global provider of 

construction-related services. ‘The 

opportunity to experience both study 

and work in another culture has been 

invaluable.’ 

Jason Wight – Germany 

QUT civil engineering 

student 

Fourth-year QUT civil engineering 

student Jason Wight recently 

returned from a year’s study 

exchange at the University of 

Stuttgart in Germany. ‘Learning from 

this different perspective meant 

changing my ideas on what it meant 

to be an engineer, while immersing 

myself in the local culture provided 

me with a life experience that will 

benefit much more than just my 

future career. ‘While in Germany I 

took the opportunity to travel through 

Europe—an eye opening experience.’ 

4 

Bryan describes his three-week 

Boeing and QUT-funded internship 

to the United States as a dream 

come true. The trip included tours 

of Boeing’s Satellite Development 

Centre in El Segundo, aircraft 

factories in Seattle and production 

lines in Philadelphia. Other highlights 

were fixing the engine of a B-25D 

World War II Bomber before flying it 

over Seattle’s Mount Barker. ‘This 

opportunity has opened my eyes to 

the enormous career opportunities 

that await me when I graduate.’

Real exchange 

Kate Morwood 

QUT civil engineering student 

‘I chose to study civil engineering 

at QUT for the focus placed on 

practicality and real-world issues. I 

have recently returned from the USA, 

having spent one semester studying 

at Purdue University. In addition to 

giving me the opportunity to learn at 

another world-class institution, my 

experience as an exchange student has 

broadened my horizons, enhanced my 

independence and helped me establish 

extensive international networks. While 

in the USA, I experienced life as a 

typical college student at a university 

with a great campus atmosphere and 

rich academic culture.’ 

Real exposure 

Pamela Caspani 

QUT interior design graduate 

‘The highlight of my study by far was 

the opportunity to spend a year on 

exchange studying at one of Italy’s 

best design schools, Politecnico 

di Milano. I was exposed to many 

different facets of design, from cruise 

ship design, to event design and even 

product service system design. 

I developed an international network 

of designers and architects, and I 

know I could not have learnt as much 

about design or myself without doing a 

student exchange.’ 

5

Real research 

Why research? 

QUT is situated in the heart of the world’s 

second fastest growing urban region. 

Queensland’s escalating population 

puts demands on housing and 

infrastructure, in a resource-rich state, 

with a geographically dispersed populace. 

Applications of knowledge and skills to 

engineer, design and develop solutions in 

this context are in high demand. 

Research strengths 

Through the application of research 

across engineering, design and urban 

development disciplines, the Faculty of Built 

Environment and Engineering has achieved 

global excellence in five key areas: 

• aviation and airports 

• complex urban systems design 

• energy 

• orthopaedics and trauma 

• transport. 

Research outcomes are also integrated 

into undergraduate and postgraduate 

teaching programs to improve quality 

learning through exposure to higher-level 

concepts. 

Industry collaboration 

The Faculty works in collaborative 

partnerships with private industry and 

government to solve real-world problems. 

Through these collaborations our research 

is making a positive difference to people’s 

lives. Our research partnership links 

are in the fields of transport, aviation, 

medical engineering, energy, security, 

resources, building and design. 

The Faculty plays a leading role in national 

centres of excellence in integrated 

engineering asset management, rail 

technologies, spatial information, and 

automotive technologies, and leads 

major national and international research 

projects in aviation and renewable energy 

and energy distribution. 

Research for real challenges 

Climate change has emphasised the 

urgent need for a transition to a new 

energy system that is low carbon and 

places lower demands on network 

infrastructure. This system will incorporate 

renewable energy, smarter use of power 

grids and increased energy efficiency in 

our homes, buildings and industry. QUT 

is a leading Australian university in the 

field of energy research and our team of 

researchers specialises in advancing new 

technologies and exploring more efficient 

use of energy systems. 

An example of a world-class research 

centre is the Medical Engineering 

Research Facility, which is a joint resource 

between QUT and The Prince Charles 

Hospital. It is the first research hub 

to support the full cycle of research, 

validation, commercialisation and training 

for widespread adoption of new medical 

devices and techniques. Researchers 

from the Faculty of Built Environment 

and Engineering are working alongside 

medical specialists to develop new ways 

of healing and faster recovery times for 

a range of critical conditions such as 

joint replacements and fracture healing, 

heart failure, back pain, spinal deformity 

and cancer surgery. This state-of-theart 

facility offers operating theatres, cell 

culture labs, materials testing labs and 

mechanical and electrical workshops. 

Take advantage of a learning environment 

where you have the opportunity to 

experience groundbreaking research as 

it happens, inside world-class research 

facilities. 

6

Real research 

Mark Broadmeadow 

QUT engineering graduate and current PhD student 

‘I chose to study power engineering so I could help find ways to use renewable 

energies more, and make energy a cleaner and more affordable resource.’ Mark’s 

research will help develop technology for improving renewable energy supply 

and storage for general consumption, reduce carbon emissions and help manage 

demand. ‘I aim to design and develop a cost-effective, smaller and lighter inverter, 

which will control voltage rather than current, to support renewable energy use in 

the grid, manage peak demand, and assist power storage.’ 

Mark’s research continues from his undergraduate studies, when he completed an 

industry project with Surtek to design a DC/DC converter to inject renewable energy 

into power grids. He has continued as an employee with Surtek while undertaking 

his PhD, and is currently involved in the implementation of new inverter technology 

for use by utilities, which can regulate voltage, filter harmonics and offset the need 

for large capacitor banks through real and reactive power management. 

7

Real graduate 

James Tilbury 

QUT engineering graduate and Rhodes Scholar 

QUT engineering graduate James Tilbury has joined a select club as the 2011 

Queensland Rhodes Scholar and will take up study at the prestigious Oxford University 

in October 2012. Only nine Rhodes Scholarships are awarded in Australia each year. 

James attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 

in 2009. He spent 2010 employed as a consultant in the climate change and 

sustainability services division of Ernst and Young in Brisbane and is currently in 

Cambodia for a 10-month stint as a volunteer in a capacity-building role. 

‘I see climate change as an integral part of sustainable development. I want to help 

the poorest countries to deal with the impact of climate change and still develop 

without reliance on fossil fuels. The Oxford masters degree will give me an insight 

into what the impacts of climate change are on international development and the 

best ways to manage them.’ 

8

Engineering at QUT 

To engineer a better world, you need to understand real-world applications. 

A QUT engineering degree offers you a winning combination of theory and practical 

learning, giving you the power to really make a difference. 

As an engineer, anything is possible. 

Engineers make things happen, 

developing practical solutions which 

impact on the real world with major 

significance to society. Your QUT 

engineering degree will give you the 

practical expertise to shape a more 

positive future. 

Experience a real difference 

Because your QUT degree is all about 

real-world application, it is the most 

rewarding engineering program available. 

Industry connections, student-led 

projects, international study tours and 

access to multimillion dollar research 

facilities add up to a rich and challenging 

learning experience. 

Teaching excellence, 

great advice 

Our teachers are leaders in their field, 

respected by and connected to industry. 

It’s this real-world experience that makes 

the difference. You will graduate industry 

savvy, with skills you can draw on 

throughout your career. 

Relevant and up to date 

You will select from disciplines at the 

cutting edge of real-world engineering. 

Your specialisation units allow you to 

tailor your course to suit your own career 

aspirations, pursue a project of special 

significance to your profession, and 

meet the requirements of professional 

accreditation. A QUT degree is your 

launching pad, an opportunity to develop 

skills that distinguish you from other 

graduates. You can also choose a double 

degree option combining skills from other 

faculties to give you an even greater 

competitive edge. 

Bonus scheme 

There is even more incentive to choose 

a QUT engineering degree in 2012, with 

our bonus ranking scheme awarding 

two bonus QTAC ranks for students who 

successfully complete either Engineering 

Technology, Maths C or a language in 

secondary school. For more information 

visit www.qut.edu.au/entry-bonus 

Real-world winners 

Jake Whitehead 

QUT civil engineering graduate 

and current PhD candidate 

Jake was awarded the Rod McGee 

Medal in Canberra as the nation’s 

highest achieving civil engineering 

student in his final year. He is 

now pursuing a PhD in transport 

engineering, which he hopes can 

be used to stimulate constructive 

debate around the suitability of a 

congestion-charging scheme for 

Brisbane CBD roads. 

Jake also spent 12 months in 

Sweden on a study exchange at the 

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) 

in Stockholm. 

Dr Karla Ziri-Castro 

QUT telecommunications 

engineering lecturer 

Karla won a Smart Futures 

Fellowship for her project aimed at 

enabling highly efficient wireless 

broadband communications in rural 

and regional Australia. 

The Smart Futures Premier’s 

Fellowships provide funds to entice 

experienced and distinguished 

researchers of national and 

international prominence to lead 

research teams in Queensland 

universities, research institutes, 

government agencies or industry 

research facilities. 

Emma Bart 

QUT civil engineering graduate 

After winning the Department of 

Transport and Main Roads Award, 

the Xstrata Mathematics Prize and 

the Rocla Prize, Emma embarked 

on a study exchange to Purdue 

University in the United States. 

During Emma’s exchange, her senior 

design project group placed second 

at the prestigious American Society 

of Civil Engineers Competition. 

After gaining substantial industry 

experience, Emma would like to 

pursue postgraduate studies in 

the engineering financial risk 

analysis area. 

9

Your engineering degree 

Explore your options 

We know you want to change the world. 

We also understand it can take time to 

work out what parts of it you want to 

change. With a QUT engineering degree 

you will have time to explore what study 

options suit you best. 

Our engineering course provides the time 

to explore your specialist choices during 

your first year. 

For many specialisations you also 

complete a second study area as part of 

your degree; you can pursue a number of 

interest areas and maximise your career 

opportunities. 

More time to choose 

Your first year will provide you with insight 

and a thorough theoretical grounding 

across a broad range of engineering units, 

including sustainability and professional 

learning, giving you insight into the 

engineering profession. You will have the 

chance to fully explore your career and 

study pathways. This means you can 

make a more informed decision about 

where you want your engineering degree 

to take you. 

In-demand specialisations 

At the end of your foundation year you will 

choose your career direction—selecting 

your principal qualification from nine 

in-demand areas within the engineering 

sector. These specialisations are your 

main study area, and fall within three 

broad engineering fields of mechanical, 

civil and electrical, which are also 

specialisations themselves. 

More study options 

Your degree will also include a second 

study area, and options vary according 

to your area of specialisation. The flexible 

nature of the course gives you a wide 

variety of options, designed to build strong 

career capabilities tailored to your personal 

aspirations and interests. For details on 

second areas of study see page 28. 

Common first year (8 units) + Choice of specialisation (16 units) + Second study area (8 units) 

Aerospace Avionics 

Major engineering extension 

Civil and Environmental 


Mechatronics 


Medical 


Computer and Software Systems 


Foundation units 

Civil 

Choice such as Structural Engineering or Transport Engineering and Planning 

or 

Minor engineering extension (4 units) + Minor studies in other areas (4 units) 

Civil and Construction 

Choice such as Civil Infrastructure 

Minor engineering extension (4 units) 

or 

+ Minor studies in other areas (4 units) 

Electrical 

Choice such as Control Systems, Power and Energy Systems, 

Signal Processing or Telecommunications 

or 


Mechanical 

Choice such as Motor Racing Engineering, Engineering Management, or 

Heavy Mechanical Engineering 

or 


Recommended study for the Bachelor of Engineering: Engineering Technology, Physics, Maths C, Chemistry. 

10

Your real-world learning 

Engineering students graduate with an 

up-to-date and contemporary degree 

taught in collaboration with industry 

and the professions. Through worldclass 

teachers in niche areas and 

problem-based learning, graduates 

gain the essential theoretical knowledge 

and practical experience to transfer 

immediately into the workforce. 

Student group projects 

A major feature of your real-world 

engineering course is the chance to join a 

range of student-led projects and clubs in 

areas such as formula racing, aerospace, 

international aid, and women in engineering. 

QUT Motorsport, the Search and Rescue 

Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Outback 

Challenge and Engineers Without Borders 

are just some of the groups where you 

can make leadership and team member 

contributions, working with your peers to 

really make a difference. 

Previous inspirational projects by the 

QUT Chapter of Engineers Without 

Borders (EWB) include work at an Indian 

bio-engineering research facility and 

construction of sustainable infrastructure 

at Bentinck Island, a remote Indigenous 

art community. 

At the 2010 National EWB Challenge held 

in Melbourne, QUT EWB students won the 

award for the First Year University Student 

category. 

For more information about student clubs 

visit www.qut.edu.au/bee/study 

In the workplace 

During your course you will learn at 

QUT and in the workplace. Our Work 

Integrated Learning program gives you 

the opportunity to combine workplace 

activities with academic study, 

assessment and support. 

Through this initiative you gain firsthand 

understanding of the professional 

workplace. The program provides 

you with quality experience under the 

supervision of a certified engineer, helping 

you become even more work ready. And if 

you are employed in a field related to your 

study, your paid work can count towards 

your Work Integrated Learning units, and 

your degree. 

Alongside researchers 

QUT offers a rich research environment 

and, depending on your specialisation, 

you will have the opportunity to connect 

with leading engineering-related research 

sites such as hospital-based facilities, 

environmental living laboratories and 

aerospace centres. 

At these facilities researchers are tackling 

innovative solutions to a huge range 

of real-world challenges. Engineering 

students benefit from direct exposure to 

these leading research teams whose 

findings impact on the future safety, 

health, security and wellbeing of 

Australians. 

Big Sister, Little Sister program 

This mentoring program is an 

initiative of the Girls in Engineering 

Making Statements group. It is open 

to all female engineering students at 

QUT and teams first- and secondyear 

students with third- and 

fourth-year students to encourage 

a supportive and social network. 

Mentoring groups form at the start 

of the year and meet regularly to 

discuss academic, career, social and 

industry-based topics. 

Real project 

QUT Motorsport is one popular 

multidisciplinary student project 

group which annually designs and 

builds a 600cc open wheel race 

car. At year’s end, the team heads 

to Melbourne to compete in the 

Formula SAE (Society of Automotive 

Engineers) competition. 

Experience what it’s like behind the 

wheel at www.qutmotorsport.com 

Real experiences 

QUT’s Engineers Without Borders 

(EWB) student group works with 

disadvantaged communities within 

Australia and overseas to improve 

quality of life through education 

and the implementation of 

sustainable engineering projects. 

EWB provides various opportunities 

for engineering students to travel 

and make a real difference to 

underprivileged communities and 

their standard of living. 

11

Bachelor of Engineering 

(Dean’s Scholars Program) 

Dean’s Scholars are highly sought 

after by industry as the potential future 

leaders in engineering. The Dean’s 

Scholars Program is the only scholarship 

and development program of its kind 

in Queensland, offering outstanding 

students a scholarship to complete 

studies in engineering, opportunities 

to access valuable industry exposure, 

international exchange programs, and 

mentoring. 

The Program is open to Australian and 

international students with outstanding 

academic ability and leadership potential, 

who are entering university from Year 12 

or a gap year. 

Why choose this program? 

If you are accepted into the Dean’s 

Scholars Program, your scholarship will 

give you a real head start. As a Dean’s 

Scholar you will network with current 

industry leaders in a range of organised 

forums including: 

• company site visits with major industry 

players, which give you the opportunity 

to experience high-level engineering 

management and environments 

• an annual leadership dinner 

• networking events relating to industry 

and associations 

• close interaction with senior academics 

with strong industry links. 

Some of the Dean’s Scholars industry 

sponsors include Bechtel, Boeing, 

Brisbane Airport Corporation, Farallon 

Capital, John Holland Group, Laing 

O’Rourke, Queensland Resources Council 

and Robert Bird Group. 

Lifetime networking 

opportunities 

Built Environment and Engineering Dean’s 

Scholars (BEEDS) is a networking and 

professional development group open 

to past and present Dean’s Scholars, 

industry partners and professional staff. 

Entry requirements 

Students who have completed high 

school within Australia must apply via 

QTAC for the Bachelor of Engineering 

(Dean’s Scholars Program). In addition 

to academic achievement, applicants will 

be selected for their leadership potential 

based on responses to a questionnaire, 

which is available from mid-year at 

www.qut.edu.au/bee/deans-scholar 

Students must apply via QTAC (course 

code 412052) as well as submit their 

questionnaire by 25 November 2011. 

Applicants may be required to attend 

an interview. 

Course requirements 

Dean’s Scholars are expected to maintain 

a course grade point average of 6.0 or 

above and complete at least 60 days of 

Work Integrated Learning. For a copy of 

the program rules please contact the 

Faculty External Relations office or visit 

www.qut.edu.au/bee/deans-scholar 

Student fees 

Domestic students who are accepted 

as Dean’s Scholars will receive a full 

scholarship for their undergraduate 

student contribution for the Bachelor 

of Engineering program. If they wish to 

proceed to research masters level within 

the Faculty and have met the eligibility 

requirements, their scholarship may 

continue. 

International students who accept a 

place in the program and who enrol 

in the Bachelor of Engineering course 

will receive a scholarship covering 

approximately one-third of the tuition fees. 

Students who complete their degree with 

a course grade point average of 6.0 or 

above and accept an offer to continue 

to the research masters program may 

continue to receive scholarship benefits. 

QTAC code 

412052 

2011 OP 

1 

2011 rank 

99 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 

BEng 4 years full-time 

BEng/MEng 5 years full-time 

Assumed Knowledge 

English (4 VHA) and Maths B (4 VHA) 

12 

For more details check the course table at the back of the book.

Dean’s Scholars Program 

Jason Wight with jason beutel 

QUT civil engineering student 

The Dean’s Scholars Program offers students unparalleled opportunities to further 

their potential on an international scale. Current fourth-year student Jason Wight 

(pictured on the right) recently completed an international exchange semester at the 

University of Stuttgart in Germany before spending five months in London working 

for structural and civil engineering consultancy Robert Bird Group, a sponsor of the 

Dean’s Scholars Program. 

‘As an emergent international company focused on innovation, the Robert Bird 

Group is proud to sponsor QUT’s Engineering Dean’s Scholars Program and 

encourages its students to achieve their fullest potential. Developing skills 

far beyond technical knowledge, the program fosters critical thinking, global 

networking, and leadership initiative—skills essential in today’s workplace. 

We are working closely with QUT to bring students the opportunities and real-life 

experiences they need to excel in their profession. We see them as the next 

generation of industry leaders, and providing students like Jason with opportunities 

such as this is just one way that Robert Bird Group is contributing to the future of the 

engineering industry.’ Jason Beutel, CEO Robert Bird Group, London, UK 

13


(Aerospace Avionics) 

Aerospace avionics engineering is 

concerned with design, development, 

manufacture and maintenance work 

on the electronic systems of military 

and civilian aeroplanes, helicopters, 

spacecraft, satellites and uninhabited 

aerial vehicles (UAVs). If you are interested 

in how things work, space and flight, 

technology, electronics and aircraft 

systems, an aerospace avionics career 

could be for you. 


Engineering at QUT combines broad 

foundation principles with a wide range of 

specialisation choices, giving you flexibility 

and options. Your engineering degree will 

feature a common first year, providing 

you with insight and a strong theory 

base before you choose your career 

specialisation, which will focus on QUT’s 

renowned combination of academic and 

real-world learning. 

Why choose this 

specialisation? 

This course is a unique offering 

in Australia. You will learn about 

aerodynamics, aircraft control systems, 

avionics navigation and communications, 

and specialise in the design of electronic 

systems for aircraft and satellite systems 

using systems engineering methodology. 

QUT is a major player in national avionics 

research, and has strong partnerships 

with government and industry. Students 

will be involved in research projects 

such as fixed-wing UAV and rotorcraft, 

aerospace vision systems, aircraft control 

systems and autopilot design. 

Field trips to Boeing Australia, Air Services 

Australia, ATC, Royal Australian Air Force 

Base and Australian Aerospace provide 

you with a first-hand view of aerospace 

avionics. 

Career outcomes 

As an aerospace avionics graduate you 

will be involved in work at the leading 

edge of technology in an international 

industry. You may be employed by the 

Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian 

Navy or by government bodies such as 

the Defence Research Centre and the Civil 

Aviation Authority. There are also career 

opportunities with aerospace companies 

such as Boeing, Australian Aerospace, 

Raytheon and aircraft maintenance 

and aeronautical consulting services. 

Opportunities outside aerospace also exist 

in the areas of electronics, communications, 

process control, instrument manufacture 

and automotive equipment. 

Professional recognition 

This course has professional accreditation 

from Engineers Australia (EA). EA is a 

signatory to the Washington Accord, 

which permits graduates to work in 

various countries across the world. 

The aerospace avionics course is 

widely recognised professionally and 

internationally, giving QUT graduates more 

career opportunites overseas. This course 

has close links with local and overseas 

industries. Graduates will be eligible to 

apply for membership of the Institution of 

Radio and Electronics Engineers Australia. 

It is also recognised by many international 

professional institutions. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 

4 years full-time 


English (4 SA) and Maths B (4 SA) 

Your course 

Year 1 

Start your studies with units that introduce 

fundamental concepts in engineering, the role 

of engineers in society and basic principles 

of sustainability. You are introduced to the 

foundations of engineering mathematics, which 

form the backbone of all engineering streams. 

Introductory studies in electrical engineering, 

engineering mechanics, engineering design 

and engineering materials provide a basic 

understanding of the three engineering streams: 

civil, electrical and mechanical. 

Year 2 

A solid grounding in the basic terminology and 

work practices commonly employed in the 

aerospace industry provide an understanding of 

air, spacecraft flight control principles and safety 

aspects of aviation. Exciting wind tunnel tests 

and understanding of Mach number effects, 

fundamentals of aircraft performance, estimating 

range and endurance, take off and landing 

calculations and light envelopes also feature. 

Year 3 

Your third year places emphasis on the flight 

control systems of modern aircraft which is one 

of the primary subsystems. You are introduced to 

methods for modelling the dynamic behaviour of 

aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, and to criteria for 

stability. Systems engineering methodologies and 

techniques are applied to aerospace engineering 

projects such as design and operation of a fully 

autonomous micro air vehicle or rocket. 

Year 4 

In your final year you focus on advanced 

concepts such as spacecraft guidance and 

navigation, orbit and altitude determination, 

dynamics for low earth satellites and also the 

dynamics of rocket ascent trajectories. Relevant 

RF and applied electromagnetic aerospace 

radio radar systems and navigation systems for 

aircraft are explored. You undertake a systembased 

one-year project and work integrated 

learning. 

14 


Real lecturer 

Dr Felipe Gonzalez 

‘The aerospace teaching team has years of experience working in the aerospace and 

avionics industry and we use our connections to offer a dynamic, stimulating and 

hands-on course. The QUT applied engineering approach is a perfect match for this 

exciting field and it’s rewarding to see students vigorously apply what they learn. 

QUT operates multiple aerospace facilities across two locations. Gardens Point 

campus has a wind tunnel and two avionics and uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) labs, 

and the Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation operates multiple 

fixed-wing and rotor UAVs, flight testing range and a custom-modified Cessna 172R 

aircraft. These facilities are used for advanced undergraduate projects and purposes. 

For example, one student project requires a team to build a UAV with the objective 

to locate a lost bush walker without human intervention. Another project group is 

working on a solar powered UAV with the latest green technology to provide 24-hour 

surveillance for disaster monitoring and fire prevention and planning. 

QUT aerospace avionics students are exposed to cutting-edge technologies and 

concepts, encouraging them to lead the future of aerospace engineering in an 

industry synonymous with innovation.’ 

15


(Civil) 

Civil engineers plan, design, construct, 

operate and maintain a variety of 

structures and facilities that benefit 

society—from roads and factories to 

railways and harbours. They are also 

involved with the assessment of the 

impact of projects on the natural and 

social environment in which they are to 

be constructed. Civil engineers have a 

responsibility to produce safe, economical 

and environmentally sound infrastructure 

for the community. 








base, before you choose your career 

specialisation. 



By studying civil engineering at QUT you will 

be recognised for professional membership 

in Australia and overseas giving you more 

employment opportunities. Because 

this course provides students with both 

broad knowledge and specialisations, 

its graduates are ready to start work in 

professional practice. Civil engineering 

at QUT is highly regarded for its strength 

in teaching and research. You will work 

closely with staff in an innovative learning 

environment that involves real-world 

hands-on activities, such as using specialist 

software to solve engineering problems. 


As a civil engineer you can work as a 

consulting engineer, project manager, 

municipal engineer, structural engineer, 

transport engineer, geotechnical 

engineer or water engineer. You may gain 

employment in government or semigovernment 

agencies, construction firms, 

power generating authorities, mining 

firms, property developers or consulting 

engineering firms. After obtaining 

suitable experience you may also have 

the opportunity to establish your own 

consulting engineering practice. Your 

technical expertise may also bring career 

opportunities in unexpected places such 

as law, finance or entertainment. 





which permits graduates to work in various 

countries across the world. This course is 

recognised internationally in the engineering 

profession, giving QUT graduates more 

career opportunities overseas. 

Expand your expertise 

When you select this specialisation your 

study plan will also include the choice of a 

second study area. For details see page 28. 

Other study options 

Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of 

Engineering (Civil, Electrical or Mechanical). 

For more details see page 30. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

Apply knowledge of fundamental engineering 

science in design areas of timber and 

concrete construction, and begin to explore 

theoretical aspects of geotechnical, fluids 

and sustainable engineering. Your theoretical 

understanding is reinforced by practical 

experience in our laboratories. Engineering 

statistics mathematical skills also help your 

understanding of all aspects of engineering 

design. 

Year 3 

Increase your knowledge and skills in 

geotechnical and water engineering. Explore 

steel construction, highway and transport 

engineering. Further develop communication 

and organisational skills by writing reports, 

presenting seminars and working in small 

groups. Choose your second study area. 

Year 4 

Build on your third year to complete your 

second study area. Undertake a major 

project which will bring together all your 

previously mastered skills, and advance your 

communication skills in report writing and 

seminar presentation. You also complete work 

integrated learning. 

16 


Real projects 

Luke Zaghini 

QUT civil engineering graduate and structural 

design engineer, AECOM 

‘I started working as an undergraduate engineer at AECOM from my first year 

of study at QUT. This enabled me to apply my QUT engineering knowledge and 

experience in a real-world environment. Even before obtaining my engineering 

qualification, I was exposed to large-scale projects including the Clem7 Tunnel, 

Gateway Bridge duplication and motorway upgrade project. 

Now I am employed by AECOM as a structural design engineer in the highways and 

structures team. My daily tasks can include anything from the design of bridges, 

steel structures, tunnels and retaining structures to managing clients, projects and 

undertaking site inspections and verifications. 

AECOM has provided me with valuable and significant experience. I recently worked 

with Queensland Rail to manage the installation of several steel height gauge 

structures, comprising elements of project management, project delivery and 

client relationship management. It was rewarding to witness my design solutions 

successfully implemented on site. My most recent project, the Wairere Drive 

Extension, involved the detailed design of two pre-stressed concrete bridges in 

New Zealand. With offices around the globe, AECOM provides opportunities for me 

to gain invaluable overseas engineering experience.’ 

17


(Civil and Construction) 

This course combines highly sought after 

skills in civil engineering and construction 

management. Civil engineers plan, design, 

construct, operate and maintain a variety 

of structures and facilities. Construction 

managers are responsible for coordinating 

the construction of large building projects. 












You will be exposed to the ideas and 

experience of lecturers and industry 

professionals. Our academic staff are 

industry experienced and also members 

of international networks and collaborative 

research project groups. You will have the 

opportunity to work with other students 

and staff in the student-run laboratory 

classes and on real-world projects, which 

will enhance your knowledge and develop 

your problem-solving skills. 


While the civil and construction 

specialisation retains sufficient traditional 

civil engineering to enable graduates to 

work in consulting offices, most graduates 

find employment with civil construction 

companies and government departments. 

Commercial and legal studies equip 

graduates to progress through the 

management structures of these 

organisations or to establish companies 

of their own. 

The range of work undertaken by civil 

construction companies ranges from 

residential land development through to 

earthworks, tunnels, roads and dams to 

airports, marine facilities, major bridges 

and complex buildings. The worldwide 

trend towards design and construction 

being undertaken within one organisation 

advantages engineers who are competent 

in both. 














QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

Apply knowledge of fundamental engineering 

science in design areas of timber and concrete 

construction. Explore theoretical aspects 

of geotechnical and materials engineering. 

Your theoretical understanding is reinforced 

by practical experience in our laboratories. 

Develop skills in construction administration 

and project management. Engineering statistics 

mathematical skills also help your understanding 

of all aspects of engineering design. 

Year 3 


geotechnical engineering, construction 

management, law and other related 

construction practices. Explore steel 

construction. Continue to develop 

communication and organisational skills by 

writing reports, presenting seminars and 

working in small groups. Choose a second 

study area. 

Year 4 

Build on your third year to complete your 

second study area. Undertake a major 




seminar presentation. You also complete your 

work integrated learning. 

18 



(Civil and Environmental) 

Civil and environmental engineering is a 

multidisciplinary branch of engineering 

concerned with planning, designing, 

building and maintaining infrastructure 

facilities such as road systems and 

wastewater treatment facilities. The focus 

is on providing engineering infrastructure 

while assessing and managing the effects 

of human and other activity on the natural 

and built environment. 












Civil and environmental engineering at 

QUT gives you the technical knowledge 

and practical experience you need to jump 

straight into the profession and make 

a sustainable difference. You will learn 

about technical civil and environmental 

engineering and science, as well as 

environmental management skills in urban 

infrastructure and mining development. 

You will also learn about the social, legal, 

regulatory and economic issues related to 

sustainable development. 


As a civil and environmental engineering 

graduate you may be employed 

by government bodies and private 

companies involved with the civil and 

environmental aspects of planning, 

designing, constructing and monitoring 

of structures and facilities including 

mines, factories, power stations, water 

and wastewater treatment plants and 

refineries. You may also specialise in 

particular industry sectors such as the 

mineral and chemical industries. 










QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

Apply your knowledge of fundamental 

engineering science in design areas of 

concrete construction. Explore the theoretical 

aspects of geotechnical, fluids and sustainable 

engineering. Your theoretical understanding 

is reinforced by practical experience in our 

laboratories. Engineering statistics mathematical 

skills also help your understanding of all aspects 

of engineering design. 

Year 3 


geotechnical and water engineering, and 

explore steel construction, highway and 

transport engineering. You are also introduced 

to environmental studies relating to population, 

resource management and environmental 

law. Continue to develop communication 

and organisational skills by writing reports, 

presenting seminars and working in small 

groups. 

Year 4 

Building on your third year by completing a 

major project which may be industry based 

will bring together all your previously mastered 

skills, and advance your communication skills 

in report writing and seminar presentation. You 

also complete work integrated learning. There 

are also additional electives to choose from. 

19


(Electrical) 

Electrical engineering is concerned with 

the design, research, development, 

planning, manufacture and management 

of electrical systems and devices which 

underpin modern economies and 

contribute to quality of life. Electrical 

engineers work with a variety of equipment 

ranging from heavy power generators 

to tiny computer chips. Many of these 

devices rely on the use of new information 

and computer-intensive technologies. 

Electrical engineers work with senior 

administrators, civil and mechanical 

engineers, computer scientists and various 

workers in the business, building and 

construction industries. 

If you are interested in working with 

your hands and technical equipment, 

and making things happen, an electrical 

engineering career could be for you. 












QUT’s strong industry links, real-world 

lecturers and emphasis on practical 

experience ensure you will be work ready 

upon graduation, with the ability to design 

and maintain cutting-edge products 

for the information and communication 

industries. You will be exposed to 

challenging, practical experience through 

laboratories and design projects, enabling 

you to make an immediate contribution to 

the industry. 


Studying electrical engineering can lead you 

to careers in the power industry, robotics, 

manufacturing, mining and bio-engineering. 

Career opportunities are also found in the 

telecommunications industry, mining and 

transport sectors, as well as the computer 

industry and transmission industries. As 

an electrical engineering graduate you 

may find employment in service industries, 

large industrial groups and small innovative 

private specialist firms. 






various countries across the world. This 

course is recognised internationally in 

the engineering profession, giving QUT 

graduates more career opportunities 

overseas. Electrical engineering at QUT 

is widely respected and also allows you 

to become a member of the Institution 

of Radio and Electronic Engineers and 

the Institute for Electrical and Electronic 

Engineers. 






Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)/ 

Bachelor of Mathematics; Bachelor 

of Engineering (Electrical)/Bachelor of 

Information Technology; Bachelor of 

Business/Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, 

Electrical or Mechanical). For more details 

see pages 30 and 31. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

You expand your knowledge of electrical 

engineering, and cover the fundamentals 

of analogue and digital electronics, and 

the approach to writing software to solve 

engineering problems. You are introduced 

to fundamental concepts in electronics, 

telecommunications and software design. You 

apply these concepts and are introduced to 

fundamentals of electrical engineering design. 

Year 3 

You increase your knowledge and skills 

in more advanced units in control, power 

systems, electronics, signal processing and 

telecommunications. You continue to develop 

your communication skills by writing assignment 

reports and presenting seminars. You choose a 

second study area. 

Year 4 

In your final year you complete your second 

study area. You undertake a major project 

which may be industry based and brings 

together all your previously mastered skills and 

advances your communication skills in report 

writing and seminar presentation. You will also 

complete your work integrated learning. 

20 


Real mentor 

Deanna Hood 

QUT electrical engineering student 

‘I wasn’t one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to be since 

childhood. So when I finished high school I just made the best guess I could based 

on what subjects I had enjoyed in school—maths and science. Turns out I made the 

right choice, and I haven’t looked back since. 

I love the chances I’ve had to design my own circuits. A siren, voice recorder, and 

robot might be simple enough to analyse, but designing them is a whole different 

challenge altogether—it really makes you think like a problem-solving inventor. 

I also love the extracurricular opportunities that uni life provides. There are heaps 

of clubs and activities to get involved with: the Big Sister, Little Sister program, 

for example, was developed for female engineering students as a peer mentoring/ 

support network as part of the Girls in Engineering Making Statements club. 

There is a such a wide variety of disciplines within electrical engineering—from 

power stations to nanoelectronics—so my current plan after graduation is to keep 

learning more about what I love with a masters degree before I head into the real 

world to help invent the future.’ 

21


(Mechatronics) 

Mechatronics engineering is the design 

and maintenance of machinery with 

electronic and computer control systems, 

such as aircraft and power generators, to 

work in the high-tech fields of automated 

systems and robotics. It describes a new 

concept in the world of making valueadded 

products, a skill that is becoming 

essential across all industrial sectors: 

manufacturing and process industries, 

primary production and mining, and the 

service and health industries. 

In the past, mechanical engineers, 

electrical engineers and computer 

engineers needed to cooperate to develop 

a product from concept to customer. 

Industry now needs a skilled engineer 

who can manage all these disciplines 

simultaneously, from design and 

development to construction and service 

of this modern equipment. 

Work in this field is at the cutting edge of 

technology, and therefore challenging and 

exciting. If you are interested in technical 

and engineering work, mechanical 

equipment such as robotics, physics and 

mathematics, a career in mechatronics 

could be for you. 












Mechatronics engineering is the hybrid 

discipline of mechanical engineering, 

electrical and electronic engineering, and 

computing. This cutting-edge degree 

is unique in Australia and provides you 

with the combined skills of all these 

disciplines to enter the growing industry 

of mechatronics. 

You will benefit from QUT’s close links 

with local and international industry and 

during your study may be involved in 

different projects such as QUT Motorsport 

and the aerospace avionics Uninhabited 

Aerial Vehicle Outback Challenge. 


Employment opportunities for 

mechatronics engineers are diverse and 

extensive. You may find employment as a 

consultant, project manager, designer or 

maintenance and instrumentation engineer 

in a wide variety of work situations. 

Some typical examples of organisations 

which employ our graduates include 

manufacturing plants of consumer 

products, computer peripherals 

manufacturers/maintenance companies, 

automobile manufacturing industries, 

large-scale manufacturing/maintenance 

industries such as aerospace, 

instrumentation industries, communication 

companies, research organisations, 

food and food processing industries and 

software development companies. 










overseas. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

Build your knowledge of fundamental 

engineering science in areas such as design, 

dynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing and 

mathematics. You are introduced to technical 

computing which is a specialist requirement 

for information technology. You gain practical 

experience in our laboratories and are 

introduced to computational fluid dynamics 

(CFD). Your communication skills are advanced 

with an introduction to engineering drawing and 

report writing. 

Year 3 

You increase your knowledge and skills in 

professional areas including design and 

thermodynamics. You are exposed to specialist 

areas such as electronics, microprocessors and 

mechatronics, operations management and 

machines. Throughout this level you continue 

to develop your communication skills by writing 

assignment reports and presenting seminars. 

Year 4 

In your final year you further your skills in 

specialised areas such as mechatronic systems 

design, instrumentation and control and 

computer intelligence. You also undertake an 

industry-based project which will bring together 

all your previously mastered skills, and advance 

your communication skills in report writing and 

seminar presentation. You will also complete 

your work integrated learning. 

22 



(Computer and Software Systems) 

Computer and software engineers create 

and modify software programs such as 

operating systems, applications software, 

communications software, and software 

embedded in devices ranging from mobile 

phones to GPSs, satellites and aircraft 

flight systems. Software plays a central 

role in the modern world—in banking 

and finance, government, education, 

transportation, entertainment, science, 

medicine and law. Many applications 

of software are safety critical, or involve 

large and expensive systems that have 

major impact on people’s lives, livelihoods 

and the economy. The effectiveness of 

these applications depends on the skills 

of software engineers. The discipline 

combines principles of computer science 

with the rigour and problem-solving skills 

of engineering. 

If you are interested in computer 

programming, technical design and 

solving complex problems, then software 

engineering may be for you. 












QUT’s computer and software engineering 

program is developed and delivered as 

a collaboration between the Faculty of 

Built Environment and Engineering and 

the Faculty of Science and Technology. 

This unique course will provide you with a 

background in electrical engineering with 

an embedded systems specialisation, 

along with software design and 

implementation skills. 


There is a wide variety of industries 

where software engineers may be 

employed. Software engineers can work 

in engineering/information technologyspecific 

industries, as well as in other 

organisations requiring software 

engineering expertise. 



from Engineers Australia (EA) and the 

Australian Computer Society (ACS). EA is 

a signatory to the Washington Accord, and 

ACS is a signatory to the Seoul Accord, 






QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

You expand your knowledge of software 

development, and cover the fundamentals 

of analogue and digital electronics, and 

the approach to writing software to solve 

engineering problems. A mathematics 

unit is completed. Semester two expands 

on electronics circuit design, introduces 

fundamentals of telecommunications and 

networking protocols, and broadens computer 

programming skills. 

Year 3 

You build on your knowledge of software 

engineering principles, covering topics such 

as formal software engineering processes with 

an emphasis on agile methodologies, data 

structures and algorithms and modern software 

engineering practices. Microprocessors and 

embedded digital systems are explored. 

Principles of systems engineering and project 

management are introduced and applied 

through a real-world project. 

Year 4 

You undertake a major project which may be 

industry based, in which principles of software 

engineering learnt to date are brought together. 

Study also covers embedded systems and 

security. You also have the opportunity to take 

one or two electives. 

23


(Mechanical) 

Mechanical engineering turns energy into 

power and motion. Mechanical engineers 

design, create, improve and maintain 

systems and machinery that are used for 

private and commercial purposes. They 

keep pace with technology and act as an 

interface between technology and society, 

playing an essential role contributing to 

the sustainability of the environment and 

future development of industry. 

Mechanical engineering interlinks closely 

with other areas of engineering and 

applies knowledge of materials, energy 

and structures. If you are interested in 

technical and engineering activities, 

working with your hands, mathematics, 

science and technology, a career in 

mechanical engineering could be for you. 












Mechanical engineering at QUT offers you 

a balanced mix of theory and practice to 

prepare you for the work environment. 

You receive a thorough grounding in the 

engineering sciences and hands-on, 

practical experience in real-world problem 

solving and application of theory in a 

program that is strongly oriented towards 

industry needs. In this way, QUT makes 

you fully prepared to work in every aspect 

of mechanical engineering from technical 

analysis to the operation and maintenance 

of equipment and systems. 


Due to the diversity of activities and 

skills associated with mechanical 

engineering, there is a wide range of 

exciting employment opportunities for 

graduates in Australia and overseas. You 

may find employment in a variety of roles 

such as a consultant, project manager or 

technical adviser in industries including 

manufacturing, mining, refrigeration 

and airconditioning, transportation and 

mechanical handling. 

Your responsiblities might include installing 

and commissioning a plant, selecting 

equipment or working in a design office. 

You might even work in a manufacturing 

plant where your principal concern is the 

logistics of production and the efficient 

management of people and systems. 















Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of 

Engineering (Civil, Electrical or Mechanical). 

For details please see page 30. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

You build your knowledge of engineering 

science in areas such as fundamentals 

of design, dynamics, fluid mechanics, 

manufacturing and mathematics. You also gain 

practical experience in our laboratories and are 

introduced to computational fluid dynamics 

(CFD). Your communication skills will also be 

advanced with an introduction to engineering 

drawing and assignment report writing. 

Year 3 

You increase your knowledge and skills in a 

number of professional areas, including design, 

where you are introduced to solids modelling, 

materials and manufacture, instrumentation 

and control, dynamics, thermodynamics and 

stress analysis. You continue to develop your 

communication skills by writing assignment 

reports and presenting seminars. You choose a 

second study area. 

Year 4 

In your final year you complete your 

second study area. You undertake a major 




seminar presentation. You will also undertake 


24 


Real team work 

Leal Minnis 

QUT mechanical engineering student and 

QUT Motorsport team member 

‘I have always aspired to a career in the automotive industry and because QUT had a 

successful Motorsport team I elected to study mechanical engineering at QUT. 

I really enjoy the mechanical design units, one of which includes designing a 

gearbox, and am looking forward to motor vehicle racing design this semester. 

My role in QUT Motorsport (Technical Manager) is to ensure that the engineering 

team work together cohesively. I hope that I can take on a similar role in a 

professional team once I graduate. 

After seeing the facilities of Triple 8’s workshop on a tour in association with QUT 

Motorsport, I would love to take on an engineering design role within a Supercar 

or Formula 1 team.’ 

25


(Medical) 

Medical engineering involves working 

with doctors and medical scientists to 

design, manufacture and maintain medical 

equipment to improve health care and 

medical services. The discipline applies 

engineering and scientific methods to find 

solutions to problems in medicine and the 

life sciences. It may involve developing 

medical products and different types 

of equipment used to monitor and treat 

patients or designing and improving 

equipment for people with disabilities. 

Medical engineering integrates engineering 

principles with human physiology to 

design, manufacture, install, monitor and 

maintain medical and surgical equipment. 

Engineers in this discipline are responsible 

for the safe and effective operation of 

equipment such as monitoring, diagnostic 

and therapeutic medical equipment 

ranging from CT scanners to kidney dialysis 

machines. They require a good theoretical 

and practical knowledge of engineering, a 

sound understanding of medical sciences 

and the ability to combine the two. 












As part of this degree you will undertake 

professional experience and other 

hands-on activities such as hospital and 

industry site visits and the possibility of 

industry-based projects and overseas 

study and work opportunities. You will 

also have the opportunity to be involved 

in groundbreaking research through the 

QUT Institute of Health and Biomedical 

Innovation, and the QUT Medical 

Engineering Research Facility. 


Graduates may find employment in 

hospitals as advisers to health and 

medical professionals; in firms concerned 

with the design, manufacture, supply 

and maintenance of medical, health and 

sporting equipment; occupational health 

agencies; and in research institutions. 

Biomedical engineers may be involved 

in the innovative use of technology 

in the design of new devices and the 

assessment of appropriate engineering 

solutions to medical problems. They may 

also manage biomedical engineering 

departments in hospitals and 

manufacturing companies and lead 

teams of engineers and technologists. 










overseas. 

QTAC code 

412502 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 












Year 2 

You build your knowledge of engineering 

science in areas such as fundamentals of 

design, dynamics, computer technology, 

fluid mechanics and mathematics. You are 

introduced to human anatomy which is a 

specialist requirement for medical engineering. 

You gain practical experience in our laboratories 

and are introduced to computational fluid 

dynamics (CFD). Your communication skills are 

advanced with an introduction to engineering 

drawing and assignment report writing. 

Year 3 

You increase your knowledge and skills in 

professional areas including thermodynamics 

and stress analysis. You are exposed to 

specialist areas such as biomedical engineering 

design, biofluids, biomaterials and human 

physiology. Throughout this level you will 

continue to develop your communication skills 

by writing assignment reports and presenting 

seminars. You also gain further professional 

learning in ethics and legislation. 

Year 4 

In your final year you further your knowledge 

in specialised areas such as modelling and 

simulation, biomedical instrumentation, 

instrumentation and control, and engineering 

asset management. You undertake a major 

project which brings together all your 



seminar presentation. You wil also complete 


26 


Real technology 

Kelly Stallman 

Biomedical engineer, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane 

QUT engineering graduate 

‘Medical engineering at QUT exposed me to a broad range of research initiatives 

and the latest technology development. It challenged me. I was fascinated.’ 

As a clinical engineer at Greenslopes Private Hospital, I face similar exposure and 

challenges. My role primarily involves asset management with responsibilities ranging 

from managing everyday maintenance of medical equipment to providing advice on 

medical device trial, purchase, replacement schemes and disposal. I am the “go-to” 

person for all issues and situations relating to medical devices in the hospital. 

QUT’s Medical Engineering degree has allowed me to diversify my role and offer 

my employer a broader engineering service. For example, I am currently involved 

in a clinical research project aimed at improving cardiac patient outcomes using 

biomechanics. 

QUT gave me the tools I needed to take my medical engineering career in my 

direction of choice.’ 

27

Second study areas 

A QUT engineering degree offers you 

diversity and options to pursue areas 

of study which match your career and 

personal interests. This means satisfying, 

challenging study; a personalised degree; 

and, most importantly, more real-world 

opportunities. 

Depending on your specialisation, your 

degree will feature a choice of a second 

study area, which can complement your 

main area of study and add breadth to 

your qualification. 

If you choose mechanical, electrical, civil 

or civil and construction as your main 

specialisation, your study plan will include 

a second study option from a variety of 

in-demand engineering areas. 

Students who choose to specialise in 

civil and environmental, mechatronics, 

medical, software engineering and 

aerospace avionics pursue intensive study 

in these highly specialist areas rather than 

undertaking a second study area. 

Academic and professional staff will 

support you in tailoring your study plan 

to meet your aspirations. Our staff are 

closely connected to industry, ensuring 

career advice and your degree are closely 

linked to the needs of industry. 

Second study areas are constantly being 

developed, and the options outlined below 

are an example of the range of programs 

which may be available with engineering 

degrees in 2012. To check the latest 

options visit www.qut.edu.au/bee 

Tailored option 

In all of the following specialisation 

options you can choose a double minor 

option where you study two sets of four 

units. This will consist of projects, work 

integrated learning, and specialisation 

units and your own selection of four preapproved 

University-wide units. Popular 

choices include units from Business and 

Science and Technology, to round out your 

skills and broaden your career options. 

Civil specialisation options 

If you choose the Civil specialisation, you 

also select a second study area such as: 

Structural Engineering 

Within this option, your studies in third and 

fourth year focus on advanced structural 

design and you undertake a combination 

of compulsory units and optional units 

exploring fields such as masonry 

design and project management in civil 

engineering. Your studies in this area 

will equip you with necessary skills for 

designing complex civil structures such as 

multistorey buildings and bridges. 

Transport Engineering and 

Planning 

This second major focuses on aspects 

of highway design and traffic engineering 

through compulsory units and your 

choices from a range of selected units. It 

also has some units in common with the 

structural engineering option. 

Civil and Construction 

specialisation options 

If you choose the Civil and Construction 

specialisation, you also select a second 

study area such as: 

Civil Infrastructure 

Civil infrastructure concentrates on 

advanced infrastructure engineering. You 

choose from a range of units that add 

value to your knowledge of construction 

practices in areas such as highway 

design, project management or more 

advanced structural design. Your choice 

of units adds value to the core units you 

study in your third and fourth year. 

Electrical specialisation 

options 

If you choose the Electrical specialisation, 

you also select a second study area such as: 

Power and Energy Systems 

Power engineers design, develop, plan 

and manage electric energy. The discipline 

includes power generation, transmission 

and distribution, network operation, 

energy management and systems 

development. It has a global scope, facing 

huge challenges in the coming decades, 

including energy efficiency, alternative 

and renewable energy and greenhouse 

gas abatement. Graduates work across 

Australia on large-scale power projects 

and remote power systems for major 

industries, and create new technologies 

for environmentally sustainable energy 

solutions. The power industry supports 

QUT students through scholarships and 

bursaries. See page 54 for details. 

Control Systems 

Modern industrial production lines 

and manufacturing plants typically use 

automated processes, sophisticated 

control systems and extensive data 

communication. Production efficiencies 

depend highly upon the cohesive 

integration of optimal control strategies, 

process scheduling, maintenance 

protocols, electronic warehousing/ 

product shipping, and corporate 

back-office processes and systems. 

This second major presents advanced 

techniques in process control algorithms, 

implementation methods in the factory 

environment and industrial data 

communications in the context of highly 

integrated industrial processing and 

manufacturing systems. 

28

Signal Processing 

Signal processing is the art and science 

of collecting and improving signals in a 

wide range of areas, including speech, 

light, images and video. You will learn 

advanced techniques for analysing signals 

and images with real-life applications in 

areas such as telecommunications and 

control and computer-based systems. 

Signal processing techniques are applied 

across a wide range of fields, for a variety 

of purposes. Examples can be found 

in mechanical engineering, for the early 

identification of faults in machinery, in 

seismology to aid in detecting the presence 

of natural resources and in the biomedical 

field to improve early detection of disease. 

Telecommunications 

Telecommunications is a diverse and rapidly 

changing field. Some more traditional 

areas covered by telecommunications 

include radio communications, telephone 

networks, antennas, and microwave and 

satellite communications. More recently 

areas include technology such as the 

Internet, broadband, wireless networks 

and Bluetooth. Students gain up-to-date 

knowledge about technologies that are 

used in wired and wireless communications, 

communications protocols, encoding 

techniques and standards. Prospective 

employers include major phone carriers, 

manufacturers of mobile phones, computers 

and electronic equipment and private and 

government bodies involved in information 

technology, telecommunications research 

and development. 

Mechanical specialisation 

options 

If you choose the Mechanical 

specialisation, you also select a second 

study area such as: 

Motor Racing Engineering 

Motor racing engineering at QUT is 

primarily concerned with the motorsports 

industry. Your study will feature operations 

management, motor racing vehicle 

design, principles of industrial design 

and engineering asset management and 

maintenance. Your theoretical knowledge 

will be extended through the Formula SAE 

competition and involvement with the 

QUT Motorsport program. Graduates may 

work at the leading edge of technology in 

the motorsports industry. Your graduate 

knowledge will be based on a mechanical 

engineering degree, so you will have 

flexibility in your choice of engineering 

industry placement. 

Engineering Management 

Engineering management provides you 

with knowledge and skills to pursue 

a career on the management side of 

mechanical engineering. You will be 

exposed to management practices 

such as operations management, asset 

management and maintenance, and 

energy management. You may also 

gain expertise in computer-integrated 

manufacturing and industrial engineering, 

which will provide you with techniques for 

improving processes and systems. 

Heavy Mechanical Engineering 

Heavy mechanical engineering is a second 

major in the Bachelor of Engineering 

(Mechanical) course. This second 

major is necessary for the development 

of mechanical engineers qualified to 

service many of the industries that are 

crucial to Queensland and the broader 

Australian economy, such as mining; 

materials handling and processing; power 

generation; heavy haulage; building 

services; and plant and equipment design, 

installation, commissioning and servicing. 

Heavy mechanical engineering refers 

to large-scale mechanical plant and 

equipment that use large quantities 

of mechanical energy, used in the 

processing of materials. Examples of 

such machinery include conveyors, mills, 

turbines, fans, piping, heat exchangers, 

and rail and ship transport. Specialist 

engineers need specific training in 

thermodynamics, noise and vibration, 

lubrication and plant design. Industry 

values mechanical engineers with this 

type of training and exposure. 

29

Double degrees 

Double degrees combine study in other 

areas with a degree in engineering to 

broaden your career options and give you 

an even greater competitive edge. 

A well-chosen double degree gives you 

a decided advantage. It allows you to 

specialise in two fields, which puts you 

in an excellent position to excel in your 

chosen career. 

And while it may double your 

opportunities, it doesn’t take double the 

time to complete. In just one extra year of 

study you can add an additional degree to 

your engineering qualification. 

Bachelor of Business/ 

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Electrical or Mechanical) 

Students combine engineering knowledge 

in civil, electrical or mechanical with a 

business course majoring in accountancy, 

advertising, finance, economics, human 

resource management, international 

business, management, marketing or 

public relations. 

Why choose this course? 

QUT’s strong industry links, real-world 

lecturers and emphasis on practical 

experience ensure you will be work 

ready upon graduation. The engineering 

component of the degree equips 

graduates with the ability to design 

and maintain cutting-edge products or 

infrastructure, and you will be exposed 

to challenging, hands-on practical 

experience through laboratories and 

design projects, enabling you to make an 

immediate contribution to the industry. 

Your additional business degree can help 

accelerate your career advancement. You 

will gain valuable skills in management, 

accounting, international business or 

marketing, depending on your choice 

of major, and gain a broad base of 

commercial knowledge. Understanding 

the business component of engineering 

is highly attractive to employers. A 

double degree incorporating business 

gives you a broader knowledge and skill 

base, equipping you with the ability to 

apply yourself to work challenges from a 

different perspective. 


This double degree offers you a wide 

range of career opportunities. 

The electrical engineering degree will 

lead you to potential careers in the power 

industry, robotics, manufacturing, mining 

and bio-engineering. Career opportunities 

are also found in the telecommunications 

industry, mining and transport sector, 

computer industry and transmission 

industries. As an electrical engineering 

graduate you will find employment in 

service industries, large industrial groups 

and small innovative private specialist firms. 

Mechanical engineering graduates will find 

employment in a variety of roles such as a 

consultant, project manager or technical 

adviser in a wide range of industries 

including manufacturing. 

Civil engineering graduates can work as 

a consulting engineer, project manager, 

structural engineer or transport engineer. 

You may also have the opportunity to 

establish your own consulting engineer 

practice. 




signatory to the Washington Accord, which 

permits graduates from accredited member 

courses to work in various countries across 

the world. Depending on your choice of 

business major you may also be eligible for 

membership of a number of professional 

bodies. Please see the QUT Business 

School course booklet for more information 

on your intended business major, or visit 

www.qut.edu.au/business 

QTAC code 

419532 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




30 



Bachelor of Information Technology 

Electrical engineering is concerned with the 

design, research, development, planning, 

manufacture and management of electrical 

systems and devices which underpin 

modern economies and contribute to 

quality of life. Information technology is an 

integral part of all commercial, industrial and 

government activities. 


The engineering component consists of 

studies in electronic systems engineering 

and integrates with the information 

technology component to give you a 

wide and advanced study of modern 

electronics and computer systems. 

This double degree gives you the skills 

to become a computer and electronic 

engineer suited to the development and 

application of consumer electronics (like 

mobile devices, iPods, DVD players and 

CD players) and electronic and computer 

systems (like traffic lights, ATMs and 

mobile networks). 


Many graduates find employment 

in government areas such as 

communications, railways, electricity 

supply, hospitals, transport and in private 

organisations that are using electronics, 

electronic systems, computers and 

microprocessors to monitor, control, 

communicate and optimise processes 

and production, in areas such as mining 

and aerospace. 



from Engineers Australia (EA), and the 

Australian Computer Society (ACS) for the 

Bachelor of Information Technology. EA 

is a signatory to the Washington Accord, 

and ACS is a signatory to the Seoul Accord, 

which permits graduates from accredited 

member courses to work in various 

countries across the world. 

Cooperative Education 

Program 

The Cooperative Education Program is a 

joint venture between industry and the 

Faculty of Science and Technology which 

gives you the opportunity to undertake six 

or 12 months of paid industry placement 

to better prepare you for employment after 

you graduate. For more information visit 

coop.scitech.qut.edu.au 

QTAC code 

419512 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 





Bachelor of Mathematics 

Electrical engineers design, install and 

maintain electrical, electronic, 

telecommunications and computing 

systems on behalf of government and 

private companies. A stronger training 

in mathematics and statistics enhances 

capabilities in modelling, analysis and 

design. 


The program integrates both the electrical 

engineering and mathematics degrees. 

Mathematics and engineering have 

always had close connections, but recent 

advancements in mathematics and 

statistics are increasingly being used to 

help solve complex engineering problems. 


Studying electrical engineering will lead 

you to potential careers in the power 

industry, robotics, manufacturing, mining 

and bio-engineering. Career opportunities 

are also found in the telecommunications 

industry, transport sector, computer 

industry and transmission industries. 

As an electrical engineering graduate 

you will find employment in service 

industries, large industrial groups and 

small innovative private specialist firms. In 

addition to your knowledge and skills in 

mathematics you will also be valued for 

your analytical and problem-solving skills. 





which permits graduates from accredited 

member courses to work in various 

countries across the world. 

The course also meets the coursework 

requirements for accredited graduate 

membership of the Australian 

Mathematical Society. Students may also 

become a member of the Statistical 

Society of Australia. 

QTAC code 

419572 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




31

Urban development at QUT 

Our unique combination of courses provides a learning environment that mirrors the 

emerging multidisciplinary trends of industry. 

As an urban development student you 

will enjoy a high-quality, innovative and 

relevant degree that mirrors industry 

trends and developments. Our history of 

close connections with industry means 

your qualification is focused on the most 

current and emerging issues. 

Exciting and flexible 

Our courses in urban development are 

exciting and flexible. 

A unique cross-disciplinary connection 

within the Faculty and University offers 

outstanding opportunity to choose 

units from a broad range of areas such 

as business, information technology 

and design. 

Real-world teachers 

Your teachers include real-world 

researchers, working in partnership 

on major commercial and government 

projects; lecturers completing 

postgraduate study themselves; and 

part-time lecturers from local industry. 

We’re connected, and so 

are you 

QUT is proud research partner and 

host of both the Sustainable Built 

Environment National Research Centre 

and the Construction Industry Institute 

of Australia, focused on the needs of the 

property, design, construction and facility 

management sectors. 

Customise your degree 

Your course features eight units of broadbased 

introduction to the principles of 

each degree, including Faculty-wide units 

of sustainability and professional learning; 

16 units in a primary area of study; plus a 

choice of eight units in a specialised area 

of study, or two groups of four units to 

broaden your study. For some students 

your course includes important set units 

for industry accreditation. 

Learn in the workplace 

Our Work Integrated Learning program 

gives you the opportunity to combine 

workplace activities with academic 

learning, assessment and support. 

Real-world winners 

Robert Davies 

QUT spatial science graduate and spatial 

scientist with AAM Surveys, Perth 

Robert was awarded the Queensland 

Spatial Excellence Award in the 

Tertiary Student category for his 

final year project, ‘Gravimetry and its 

application in Antarctica’. 

The project provided a summary 

of common methodology and 

instruments used and sensitivity and 

expected accuracy of results. 

Robert Webb 

QUT spatial science program 

coordinator 

Robert was recognised for Excellence 

in Education and Professional 

Development in the prestigious Asia- 

Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards. 

‘I estimate a 25 per cent increase 

in spatial science and surveying 

graduates is needed to meet demand 

for current Queensland infrastructure 

projects. Graduate work is almost 

guaranteed; they can take their skills 

anywhere.’ 

Eric David 

QUT property economics student 

Eric won the Pricewaterhouse 

Coopers (PwC) Excellence Award, 

which recognises outstanding 

academic and extracurricular 

achievements. The Award is open 

to all domestic and international 

students currently studying any 

degree discipline at an Australian 

university who have demonstrated 

achievement in their studies and 

beyond. 

32

Real-world 

experience 

QUT property and 

construction China 

Tour 

Ten high-achieving QUT property and 

construction students were selected 

to travel to China to find out about 

its booming construction industry. 

With backgrounds in construction 

management, property economics, civil 

and construction engineering, quantity 

surveying and project management, 

QUT students were involved in site 

visits to exciting building projects 

and participated in presentations and 

lectures with the Chinese academics 

and students. Professor Jay Yang, 

who led the exchange, said the trip 

was a life-changing experience for the 

students who gained valuable industry 

insight on a global scale. 

Real-world 

construction 

Nicky Crane 

QUT construction 

management graduate and 

ULDA development manager 

‘As a development manager for the 

Urban Land Development Authority 

(ULDA), I am currently part of a 

team delivering an 1800-dwelling 

development. This involves coordinating 

the project’s cash flow, design and 

construction to ensure on-time 

delivery within budget. Few jobs are 

as rewarding as development because 

you have a tangible result at the end. 

My job pushes industry boundaries in 

terms of best practice urban design 

and environmental sustainability, and 

encourages innovation within every 

facet of the business.’ 

33

Bachelor of Urban Development 

(Construction Management) 

Construction managers are responsible 

for the coordination and supervision of the 

construction of large and often complex 

building projects such as low-rise and 

high-rise apartments, hotels, factories, 

office blocks, commercial buildings, 

schools and hospitals. 


The construction management course 

at QUT is considered one of the 

best in Australia and is highly ranked 

internationally. The course provides you 

with skills to manage resources (plant, 

materials, subcontractors and labour) 

and equips you to obtain meaningful 

employment in the construction 

industry. You will gain skills in the broad 

foundations of construction management, 

such as measurement and estimating, 

site management, scheduling 

and programming, and technical 

communications. 

Construction management teaching 

staff at QUT have real-world experience 

in a variety of practical and theoretical 

contexts, and maintain constant 

engagement with industry professionals 

and organisations. You will regularly 

attend lectures and tutorials as part of 

your engagement with this course in realworld 

construction management, often 

delivered by the industry’s best frontline 

professionals. You will also undertake 

professional practice, learn problemsolving 

techniques using specific case 

studies and attend site visits to become 

a valuable work-ready graduate once you 

complete the course. 


A construction management degree can 

facilitate your path to a challenging and 

interesting career, with the prospects 

of extremely high job satisfaction and 

financial rewards. You may be employed 

in private organisations such as large 

construction and development companies 

or consultancies, or government 

departments. 

As a graduate construction manager, 

you may be required to supervise 

construction, coordinate subcontractors’ 

plant, materials and equipment, estimate 

costs and quantities of materials needed 

and plan construction methods and 

procedures. You will also help to ensure 

that the requisite standards of building 

performance, quality, cost schedules and 

safety are achieved, in accordance with 

the building contract documents, and that 

building projects under your supervision 

are completed—on time, to budget and of 

a required standard of quality. 

Other tasks that are typical for 

construction managers in the field include 

studying and interpreting building contract 

documents, negotiating with developers 

and subcontractors and assisting in 

controlling project budgets as well as 

preparing documentation for contract 

tender bids. You may also be involved 

in ensuring compliance with building 

regulations and standards and that 

by-laws are suitably enforced on projects 

in consultation with architects, engineers, 

other construction professionals and 

partners in related technical disciplines. 


The course is accredited by the Australian 

Institute of Building. 

QTAC code 

412312 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 



English (4 SA) and Maths A and/or B (4 SA) 

Your course 

Year 1 

You start your studies with foundation 

units including residential construction and 

engineering, basic professional learning 

(including an introduction to research 

writing), sustainability, land stewardship, 

urban development economics and building 

measurement. 

Year 2 

You build on your knowledge of construction 

management by studying low-rise commercial 

construction and engineering, structural 

engineering, building measurement and 

estimating, construction-related law, building 

services engineering, basic business skills and 

minor study units. 

Year 3 

You increase your knowledge by studying highrise 

construction and advanced structural and 

formwork design. You extend your management 

learning in business skills, contract 

administration and statutory construction 

law and further engage in your chosen minor 

study units as well as building your research 

capabilities. 

Year 4 

Your final year draws together previous learning 

and integrates it with more advanced concepts 

of strategic management, program and 

planning management, and human resources 

planning, preparing you for entry to the 

construction industry at managerial level. You 

have the opportunity to gain interdisciplinary 

skills via your minor units and specialist skills 

in advanced construction management and 

research methods and report writing. 

34 



(Quantity Surveying) 

Quantity surveying involves providing 

professional advice to the construction 

industry on the financial and legal aspects 

of new constructions, and operation of 

existing buildings. Quantity surveyors are 

involved in the construction process from 

the feasibility stage to post-completion. 

They manage and administer construction 

costs and contracts for a variety of levels 

and types of construction. This may 

include tasks such as preparing cost 

plans and estimates, bills of quantities, 

tender appraisals, valuations, project 

audits, property taxation and life cycle 

cost advice. 

In addition to new projects, quantity 

surveyors also use their skills in the 

refurbishment of older buildings, 

alterations to existing buildings and 

insurance replacement estimates. 

If working for public authorities they 

maintain cost statistics on a statewide or 

nationwide basis. 

Quantity surveyors work closely with many 

other professionals including architects, 

financiers, project managers, engineers, 

contractors, suppliers, solicitors and with 

all levels of government. They usually work 

in offices but also visit building sites, clients 

and other members of design teams. 


Quantity surveying offers studies in 

building management, cost planning 

and cost control, building development 

techniques, building research, computer 

software applications, measurement of 

construction, and legal issues. 

You will be offered opportunities such as 

field trips, site visits, and practical and 

laboratory-based work, which enhance 

your employment opportunities. 

The flexible structure of the course 

enables you to choose a second 

specialisation or groups of minor units 

to match your career aspirations and 

personal goals. This maximises your 

employment opportunities, offering 

breadth of knowledge and a real focus 

based on your unique study plan. 


As a quantity surveyor you will be 

employed predominantly on major building 

and construction projects as a consultant 

to the owner, in both the public and 

private sectors. You may find employment 

with consulting firms, local, state or federal 

government departments/authorities, and 

increasingly with building contractors, 

financiers, property developers, project 

managers and universities. 

Specialisation pathway 

Quantity surveying is a specialist discipline 

within the construction industry. To 

become a quantity surveyor, apply to 

enrol in Bachelor of Urban Development 

(Construction Management), QTAC 

code 412312. Your first year will provide 

you with important foundation units in 

construction. From second year you begin 

specialising in quantity surveying, and 

graduate as a quantity surveyor with the 

degree Bachelor of Urban Development 

(Quantity Surveying). 


The course maintains various 

accreditations with the Australian Institute 

of Quantity Surveyors, the Royal Institution 

of Chartered Surveyors – honours version 

only, and the Board of Quantity Surveyors 

Malaysia – with property economics 

second major. 

QTAC code 

412312 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

Complete a common first year with construction 

management students. You are introduced to 

knowledge to support professional practice in 

design, engineering and urban development 

disciplines, through professional learning and 

sustainability units and basic construction 

knowledge through residential construction and 

measurement. Develop analytical abilities in 

engineering construction materials, stewardship 

of land, urban development economics, and 

professional work ethic and lifelong learning 

skills through a project-based unit. 

Year 2 

Apply your construction body of knowledge 

introduced in first year, and begin to develop 

the range of graduate capabilities through an 

introduction to more complex construction 

techniques, methodologies and management 

issues relating to your degree in quantity 

surveying. Your analytical and technical skills 

continue to be honed through commercial 

construction and the environment. The law and 

business skills you gain in the second year will 

also help further develop lifelong learning skills. 

Year 3 


construction and quantity surveying. You 

are introduced to in-depth knowledge of the 

economic, managerial, legal and technical 

aspects of construction activity, such as highrise 

construction, cost planning and control. 

Undertake second majors/minors to extend 

construction and quantity surveying knowledge. 

These allow you to broaden your education 

by undertaking units from other faculties 

within the University, subject to accreditation 

requirements. 

Year 4 

In your final year you complete your selected 

second major/minors, involving a major 

project which brings together all your 

previously mastered skills, and advances your 

communication skills in dissertation writing and 

seminar presentation. You also complete work 

integrated learning in the quantity surveying 

discipline, ensuring you are workforce ready. 

35


(Property Economics) 

Property economists provide advice to 

owners and other interested parties on the 

use, value, management and marketing of 

their property interests in order to optimise 

benefits from ownership or occupation. 

Property economists are primarily 

concerned with the value of real estate 

assets and optimising the performance of 

these assets. 


QUT offers one of the few specialised 

property courses in Australia. Property 

economics at QUT is concerned with all 

aspects of property: investment, asset 

management, development, valuation and 

research, with a focus on finance and on 

the commercial property market sector. 

You will gain hands-on, practical experience 

to supplement your theoretical knowledge. 

In line with Faculty priorities, this course 

has a focus on sustainable development 

and environmental and energy efficiency 

in all forms of property. 

The flexible structure of the course 

enables you to choose a second 

specialisation or groups of minor units 

to match your career aspirations and 

personal goals. This maximises your 

employment opportunities, offering 

breadth of knowledge and a real focus 

based on your unique study plan. 


As a property economics graduate, 

you will have career opportunities in 

property valuation, property consultancy, 

strategic advice, real estate, banking 

and finance, property management, 

and funds management in both the 

public and private sectors. Careers in 

property economics may include property 

valuer and adviser, investment analyst, 

development manager, property and 

asset manager, funds manager and 

corporate real estate. 

You may work in your own private 

enterprise or as an employee of 

property development, valuation, 

property management, professional 

services investment or property finance 

companies. You may also work in 

government departments and local 

authorities concerned with rating, 

compulsory acquisitions, property 

development or property and portfolio 

management. Your work will usually 

combine a mix of office and field work. 


The degree has professional accreditation 

from the Australian Property Institute, the 

Valuers’ Registration Board of Queensland 

and the Royal Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors. 

QTAC code 

412322 

2011 OP 

12 

2011 rank 

76 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

You are introduced to land management, 

sustainability, construction, economics, law 

and fundamental property valuation practice. 

You will have a preliminary understanding of the 

knowledge required of a property professional 

including factors that influence the value of 

property. You develop verbal and written 

communication skills and work collaboratively 

on projects with other students. 

Year 2 

You further develop skills in applying analytical 

problem solving in property valuation, 

investment analysis and property development. 

You continue to build your knowledge and skills 

in planning and urban development, urban 

economics, and law associated with interests 

in land and property transactions. Focus is 

maintained on developing written and verbal 

communication to a professional standard. You 

develop an understanding of your future role as 

a property professional. 

Year 3 

You collaborate with other students in related 

disciplines to determine the feasibility of 

a hypothetical development project. You 

explore property finance and property and 

asset management and hone research 

expertise. Guest lectures from leading industry 

practitioners and industry-focused workshops 

are a feature. You also embark on a specialist 

focus through elective major/minor units in your 

chosen specialisation. 

Year 4 

You continue to specialise in your chosen 

area of study through elective major/minor 

units. You develop skills in property taxation, 

property marketing and real estate practice. 

These property skills are supplemented by 

business study which provides you with a useful 

understanding of commercial enterprise. The 

year culminates with industry-focused learning 

experiences including a work integrated learning 

unit to ensure you are workforce ready. 

36 


Real success 

MIRANDA WILSON 

Asset analyst, QIC Global 

Real Estate 

‘The property economics course at 

QUT is the experience of a lifetime. 

I am already enjoying success in my 

career, and it is a result of my highly 

practical course and lecturers with real 

industry experience.’ 

This course is one of the few specialised 

property courses in Australia, offering 

flexible career options. Combined with 

QUT’s work-ready teaching practices our 

property economics graduates secure 

outstanding careers with global leaders, 

in Brisbane and around the world. 

Real-world 

lecturer 

LYNDALL BRYANT 

QUT property economics 

lecturer 

Lyndall Bryant has recently joined 

QUT’s Property Economics group in 

the School of Urban Development. 

Lyndall is an experienced property 

professional who has more than 15 

years of experience in the property 

economics industry, within private 

and government organisations. 

Having held management positions in 

some of Australia’s leading property 

development companies, Lyndall is a 

fine example of a real-world lecturer 

and brings an extensive array of 

industry-specific knowledge to QUT’s 

Property Economics teaching program. 

37


(Spatial Science) 

Spatial science (surveying) is concerned 

with the measurement, management, 

analysis and presentation of spatial 

information depicting the earth’s physical 

features and the built environment. It 

involves assembling and assessing 

geographic-related information for 

implementing suitable administration 

for the land, sea and related structures. 

Surveyors are the professional experts in 

land measurement and land information 

management. They make strategic and 

caring contributions to the economic, 

social and environmental wellbeing of 

nations throughout the world through their 

unique knowledge of and ability to map 

and guide the spatial, contextual and value 

relationships between people and land. 

If you are interested in mathematics, 

working in a variety of environments and 

geography, you may enjoy a career in 

spatial science (surveying). 


Spatial science at QUT provides you with 

a comprehensive knowledge of the field 

and fully equips you for immediate and 

meaningful employment upon graduation. 

You will study the broad foundations of 

spatial science such as mathematics and 

digital mapping presentation skills then 

advance to study specific areas such as 

topographic mapping, photogrammetry, 

geographic information systems (GIS), 

global positioning systems and land 

development design. Cadastral surveying 

involves interpreting and advising on the 

boundary locations of a property. It also 

involves recognising the status of land 

ownership including the rights, restrictions 

and interests of that land. 

The spatial science program at QUT is 

also highly regarded for its professional 

staff, modern mapping science 

laboratories and multidisciplinary 

approach to urban and regional 

projects. Teaching staff have real-world 

experiences in a variety of practical 

and theoretical contexts, actively 

engaging with industry professionals and 

organisations. You will regularly undertake 

engaging tutorials and field practical 

sessions focused upon problem-solving 

activities relating to measurement science 

and digital mapping. 


QUT spatial science graduates are highly 

sought after in the spatial information 

industry with strong employment 

opportunities throughout Queensland, 

Australia and internationally. The spatial 

science profession is a rapidly growing 

industry with long-term potential. Our 

graduates are in enormous demand 

and also have the advantage of diverse 

employment opportunities, capacity for 

high earnings, and participating in exciting 

infrastructure projects. After some years 

of experience, you may specialise as a 

cadastral/land surveyor, GIS professional, 

engineering measurement specialist, 

spatial analyst, spatial information officer 

or cartographer (mapping). 



from the Surveyors Board of Queensland 

and accreditation is being sought from the 

Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute 

Australia (SSSIA). Graduates are eligible 

for membership of SSSIA. 

QTAC code 

412532 

2011 OP 

11 

2011 rank 

79 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

You undertake foundation units where you 

study broad aspects of the built environment, 

stewardship of land and foundation 

mathematics to assist with an understanding 

of geospatial information and measurement 

science/surveying. A number of experiential 

field practicals support the study of introductory 

surveying techniques. 

Year 2 

You undertake further measurement-related 

study applied to cadastral surveying and 

computations. Digital mapping, GIS and remote 

sensing studies, that broaden measurement 

and analysis aspects, are introduced. Land 

development, measurement science and 

mapping/GIS themes are structured as a 

sequential learning process. 

Year 3 

Multidisciplinary land development units are 

undertaken to reflect real-world development 

projects. Land information management study 

supports the ‘big-picture’ view of sustainable 

developments while the geodesy theory 

unit covers high-precision state-of-the-art 

technology measurement applications. Projectbased 

learning through spatial analysis practice 

is encouraged in this third year of study. 

Year 4 

Your final year prepares you for entry into 

the spatial information industry. Study units 

provide opportunities to gain interdisciplinary 

skills and specialist spatial measurement 

and presentation skills. Project and workintegrated 

learning units allow for industry work 

experiences and exposure to the diversity of 

workplace cultures. 

38 


Real opportunities 

ryan white 

QUT spatial science graduate 

and Kevin Holt Consulting graduate surveyor 

‘Working for Kevin Holt Consulting has allowed me to travel to various sites across 

South-East Queensland. Kevin Holt Consulting provides me with access to surveying 

mentors who teach me new and more efficient ways to improve my skills in the 

industry. The best part about working as a surveyor is the good mix between field 

and office work. I usually start my day in the office, then spend the majority of the 

day on site, and head back to the office in the afternoon to perform calculation 

reductions from my fieldwork. 

QUT provided me with endless opportunities for practical learning which helped me 

to decide which specific field of surveying I wanted to work in—cadastral surveying, 

which focuses on defining and redefining property boundaries. 

In the future, I would like to gain some surveying experience overseas and then return 

to Brisbane and Kevin Holt Consulting as they are a great company to work for.’ 

39


(Urban and Regional Planning) 

Urban and regional planners design 

and manage the use of land and natural 

resources to meet future human needs in 

a sustainable way. Working with elected 

representatives, communities and other 

clients, they prepare and administer 

physical schemes that create better 

places and lives for neighbourhoods, 

cities and regions. They plan large-scale 

projects such as new cities, suburbs, 

ports, recreational and industrial areas 

and transport routes. To do this they 

consult widely among local communities 

and colleagues in related fields such as 

environment, engineering, economics, 

architecture, spatial science and transport. 

If you are interested in social, economic, 

environmental and cultural issues, art and 

design, using your imagination and being 

creative, and working with people, you 

may enjoy a career in urban and regional 

planning. 


QUT is recognised for its lively tradition of 

combining community involvement with 

design and implementation skills, which 

are based on links with engineering, 

spatial science, property economics, 

architecture and landscape architecture. 

You will work on inclusive community 

planning, integrated infrastructure 

provision, creative design, and practical 

problem-solving projects run in 

collaboration with partners in local and 

state government, developers and local 

community groups. 

You will have the opportunity to enhance 

your broad appreciation of fields related to 

urban and regional planning, for example, 

urban design, property economics, 

spatial science, architecture, landscape 

architecture, law or business management. 

Students are required to complete 

the built environment and engineering 

applications minor in order to gain 

accreditation as practising planners with 

the Planning Institute of Australia. This 

enables additional training in geographical 

information systems, workplace learning 

and transportation planning. In addition, 

the flexible structure of the course enables 

you to choose a second minor to match 

your career aspirations and personal 

goals. This maximises your employment 

opportunities, offering breadth of 

knowledge and a real focus based on 

your unique study plan. 


As a planning graduate, you will have a 

wide and expanding range of employment 

opportunities internationally and in state 

and local government departments 

and agencies, large multi-stranded 

development companies, and professional 

planning consultancies. Career choices 

include urban design, transport 

planning, development assessment, plan 

preparation for housing and industrial 

areas, open space and recreational 

planning, environmental protection, and 

social and economic development. 


This course has accreditation from the 

Planning Institute of Australia. 

QTAC code 

412352 

2011 OP 

11 

2011 rank 

79 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 



English (4 SA) 

Your course 

Year 1 

Your first year as a planning student will give you 

a strong foundation in design skills, experience 

in working in teams on planning projects, and an 

understanding of the importance of the social, 

economic and environmental contexts of 

planning activity. 

Year 2 

In your second year as a planning student, you 

will develop your practical skills through working 

on site-related projects and development 

assessment. The second year of the degree 

also explores the philosophical and theoretical 

basis of planning. 

Year 3 

In the third year of your degree, you will focus 

on the application of design skills on a broader 

scale through urban design principles. You will 

also be prepared for the public role of planners 

through negotiation and conflict resolution, and 

investigate the importance of environmental 

planning. 

Year 4 

In the final year of your degree, you will integrate 

the skills and capacities developed throughout 

the course through a major research project, 

a challenging exploration of planning theory 

and ethics, and real-world planning projects 

that move from the community through to the 

regional level. 

40 


Real planning 

Jessica Chatwin 

QUT urban and regional planning graduate and 

Flinders Group planner 

‘The Flinders Group is a multidisciplinary planning and project management firm 

based in Brisbane. My role extends from performing research tasks and site 

investigations, to producing development applications and other planning-related 

documents. I also tutor at QUT, to engage with the next generation of planners and 

other built environment professionals and help them to reach their potential. 

The Bachelor of Urban Development (Urban and Regional Planning) at QUT helped 

prepare me for the workforce with practical learning subjects and engaging 

lecturers. Their advice and range of experience provided me with valuable insights 

and perspectives on how the real world actually operates.’ 

41

Design at QUT 

To design a better world, you need to understand the real world. As a QUT design 

student, you are part of a vibrant, multidisciplinary school with excellent connections 

to the real world of the design and built environment professions. 

The Faculty’s passion for a better world 

strongly influences the design degree 

which has sustainability as a key course 

theme. This means you will graduate with 

qualifications and skills to make a difference. 

Practical, hands-on design 

Your design degree features unique realworld, 

project and studio-based learning. As 

a student of design at QUT, your creativity is 

encouraged within a vigorous design culture. 

Our courses are supported by new digital 

technologies, well-equipped workshops and 

design studios that offer a unique hands-on 

university experience. 

Get connected 

Our strong links with practice, the 

community, government and industry 

mean you’re connected too. Our lecturers 

are leaders in their field. You will enjoy 

inspiring interaction with the design 

community through public lectures, 

collaborative real-world design studios, 

student-run exhibitions and off-campus 

and international study tours. 

Make a difference 

We actively play a role in discovering real 

solutions for a better world and are proud 

partners in the Centre for Subtropical 

Design. This centre aims to ensure that 

growth and development in South-East 

Queensland employs best practice design 

that reflects our subtropical environment, 

our heritage and our vision for the future. 

Learn in the workplace 

Our Work Integrated Learning program 

allows you to integrate meaningful, 

professional, workplace activities with 

academic learning, assessment and 

support. 

Real-world 

winners 

QUT design students deliver 

new plan for Normanton 

community 

A team of QUT students and staff 

from the Schools of Design and Urban 

Development embarked on the ‘Get 

engulfed: Normanton 2020’ project 

in the town of Normanton in the Gulf 

of Carpentaria. Sixteen students 

and four staff travelled to this remote 

town to engage with the community 

and develop strategic responses to 

issues of town identity, liveability, and 

tourism expansion. Students from a 

diverse range of disciplines, comprising 

landscape architecture, architecture, 

interior design, and civil and construction 

engineering, collaborated on the project. 

42

Your design degree 

Innovative course structure 

Your design course consists of 16 units 

from your primary major (architecture 

studies, industrial design, interior design or 

landscape architecture) and eight units that 

are common to all four of these majors. 

You will learn alongside students from 

related disciplines because that’s how it 

will be when you graduate and work in the 

real world of design. 

Customise your degree 

Eight units of your course are taken from 

outside your primary major. You will 

choose from one second major or two 

minors from any approved QUT degree. 

Minors and majors allow you to tailor your 

studies to suit your interests and career 

aspirations. Minors give you breadth of 

knowledge from two other areas and a 

second major provides depth in one area. 

Design degree 

The possibilities are endless. Here are 

some examples that might inspire ideas: 

• an architecture student could take a 

minor in interior design and a work 

integrate learning minor to gain 

professional industry experience 

• a landscape architecture student could 

take a minor in sustainability and a 

language minor such as Italian to help 

them work overseas 

• an interior design student could take 

a second major in industrial design 

to aid their ambition to design and 

manufacture their own range of office 

furniture 

• an industrial design student could 

take a second major in mechanical or 

electrical engineering to give them a 

deeper understanding of manufacturing 

and production. 

Second degree 

Undertaking a second major in one of the 

four design disciplines also gives you the 

option of obtaining a second degree with 

a minimum of further study. 

After graduation, you can return to 

complete the remaining eight units from 

your second major to obtain a second 

qualification. This is usually undertaken 

part time over two years while working 

Note: this is not a ‘double degree’ because 

it is not undertaken simultaneously with the 

first degree. 

Example 

A student completes a Bachelor of Design 

in industrial design with a second major in 

interior design. 

They can return to complete a further eight 

units in interior design and graduate with 

a second design degree in interior design, 

as 24 units are credited from the first 

design degree. 

8 units 16 units 8 units 

Common units 

Select one of the following 

primary majors: 

• Architectural Studies 

• Industrial Design 

• Interior Design 

• Landscape Architecture 

One approved second 

major from a QUT degree* 

OR 

Two approved minors** 

from other QUT degrees 

* To pursue a second design 

degree, this second major must 

be an approved set of eight units 

from within a Bachelor of Design 

degree primary major. 

** One of these minors must be 

from outside the Bachelor of 

Design degree. 

43

Bachelor of Design 

(Architectural Studies) 

Architecture engages with the design, 

theory and practice of making spaces 

and environments for human activity. The 

profession of architecture has an extensive 

history as a practice and academic 

discipline. Developed from an apprenticeship 

model of professional education, workplace 

experience is still a requirement for 

professional registration and recognition 

of architects. This historic relationship with 

workplace learning still strongly informs 

architectural education at QUT. 

Architecture strongly relates to built 

environment and urban planning disciplines 

such as civil and structural engineering, 

quantity surveying, and property 

economics and management. If you are 

interested in creating things, buildings 

and spaces, technology, art and design, a 

career in architecture may be for you. 


Your architecture and design degree at 

QUT focuses on sustainable systems and 

the application of advanced digital design 

tools to address sustainability. Your 

study is supported by the integration of 

teaching, practice and research. 

Architecture at QUT is increasingly 

recognised internationally for its service 

to the advancement of the discipline, 

and its focus on innovation in design and 

sustainable development. To address 

the sustainability imperative, entirely 

new approaches to constructing and 

retrofitting cities are necessary. We inspire 

and empower you to create environments 

with positive impact on human health, 

environmental quality, social relationships 

and urban systems. 

Architectural education at QUT is also 

supported by active and cooperative 

learning between the University and the 

workplace. The course prepares students 

with necessary knowledge and skills for 

professional life, while integrating aspects 

of practical workplace experience. 

You will undertake architectural design 

projects with a practical edge, which will 

require you to think logically about how 

buildings function and are constructed. 

Designers learn and develop these skills 

in synthesis with innovative and creative 

thinking. 

Project-based architectural design units, 

conducted in a studio setting, are a 

feature. Attitudes, theories, philosophies 

and practices associated with this learning 

environment align well with recognised 

good practice in teaching and learning in 

higher education. 


Graduates can find employment in 

the fields of architecture and building 

design. Upon completion of the Master 

of Architecture and the required period 

of practical experience, graduates 

are eligible to sit for registration as an 

architect in Australia. 


This course has received preliminary 

assessment for accreditation from 

the Australian Institute of Architects, 

Architects Accreditation Council of 

Australia and the Board of Architects 

of Queensland and will undergo full 

assessment in 2011. 

QTAC code 

412372 

2011 OP 

5 

2011 rank 

92 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

Your foundation year sets the groundwork for 

architecture design and theory units. Five units 

are common to the design degree or Faculty 

and these cover design, design history, design 

and sustainability and digital communications. 

You undertake two units of introductory core 

architecture design studios and the first unit 

dealing with place making. 

Year 2 

You participate in two design studios covering 

process of design, dwelling, tectonics and 

public spaces. Further design units which 

integrate technology (climate) and history/ 

theory (culture and space) are covered and 

lecture-based units address history/theory 

(architecture in the twentieth century) and 

architectural technology (building construction). 

You complete the first two units for your second 

major or first minor. 

Year 3 

Design studios address course focus areas 

of digital tools and sustainability. Design units 

continue, integrating specific knowledge of 

technology (structure). Additionally there is a 

collaborative design unit where you work with 

students in other disciplines of design. Two 

lecture-based units address history/theory 

(architecture and the city), and architectural 

technology (building services). You complete 

a further two units for your second major or 

first minor. 

Year 4 

Core design studios are of an advanced level, 

addressing the context of buildings in the urban 

setting, and culminating with a design project 

that demonstrates the integration of knowledge 

accumulated through the course. You also 

complete two common units in design research 

and professional practice. You complete a 

further four units of your second major or four 

units of your second minor. 

44 


Real experience 

Lachlan Joseph 

Architecture graduate, Shane Denman Architects, Gold Coast 

‘Winning the Boral Award (Student Design category) in 2009 was a great achievement 

for me and brought about some new opportunities including the chance to meet 

some innovative and inspirational leaders in the industry. My masters study is helping 

me articulate my own ideas about architecture and develop the skills necessary 

to make positive contributions in a practice environment. My employer has been 

supportive of my course, allowing me the time to study as well as work. 

Over the next few years I’m looking forward to working full-time and being able to 

engage with projects and introduce some of the interesting ideas and skills I have 

developed at QUT.’ 

45


(Industrial Design) 

Industrial designers play a part in the 

creation of the thousands of products 

people use each day, in all walks of life. 

This includes hot new consumer devices, 

more efficient work products, safer 

industrial tools, even medical equipment. 

Industrial designers make people’s lives 

safer, happier, more efficient and fun. 

Industrial designers don’t just design 

products, they also think in terms of the 

context in which products exist and of the 

experience of using them. They understand 

technology and innovation, people and 

society, design process and problem 

solving; then bring these things together 

to create innovative, attractive, sustainable 

and useful products and systems that are 

viable to produce and distribute. 


Graduates of this course excel in the real 

world, and have an outstanding record 

of achievement nationally and globally. 

The very hands-on and practical program 

has a strong focus on technology and 

design leadership, which is highly valued 

in the business community. Graduates 

are equipped with strong, applied design 

research and product-usability knowledge 

and can make an immediate and positive 

contribution to the industry, community 

and profession. Students who are 

committed and passionate about design 

thrive in this course, finding it engaging 

and fulfilling. 

The course combines the technical 

aspects of design, design management, 

CAID (computer-aided industrial 

design) technology, human factors and 

ergonomics with innovation, aesthetics, 

marketing, cultural and social values and 

design leadership. 

You will develop the capacity to contribute 

to the design of products and systems 

for the mutual benefit of users and 

manufacturers of a wide range of products. 

During your degree you will benefit from 

the wide range of activities, such as study 

trips and project presentations, and from 

QUT’s strong collaborative links with 

international and national professionals 

and business communities. Each 

semester students are involved in handson 

design units focusing on all aspects of 

the profession. 


Graduates have a broad range of skills 

and knowledge which they turn to diverse 

applications. This includes employment 

as industrial designers in, or as owners 

of, industrial design firms; with design 

departments of product manufacturers; 

and as entrepreneurs who design and 

produce their own products. 

In addition, graduates have applied their 

abilities in related fields, working as 

usability experts, interaction designers, 

interface designers, corporate identity 

designers, model makers, movie special 

effects producers, design managers, 

design researchers, computer-aided 

design experts, game designers, new 

product developers, design leadership 

experts and strategic design experts. 


Graduates qualify for membership of 

the Design Institute of Australia, the 

professional body for Australian designers. 

The course is an educational member of 

the International Council of Societies of 

Industrial Design. 

QTAC code 

412382 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

In this foundation year you learn about design 

process, physical and aesthetic function, an 

introduction to design history and the role of 

design professions. You undertake five units 

common to the design school or Faculty covering 

design, design history, design and sustainability 

and digital communication. You explore symbolic 

function, ergonomics and product usability as 

well as the use of digital media and sustainability. 

Year 2 

You focus on the key aspects of how products 

are made, computer-aided industrial design, 

products systems and the social and cultural 

issues of design. You will also commence your 

second major or first minor units. 

Year 3 

You bring together what you have learnt so far 

to design realistically detailed products suitable 

for manufacture. You also learn about working 

with other professionals and the practical issues 

of bringing products to the market. Second 

major or minor units continue. 

Year 4 

The final year sees you using applied design 

research to develop truly innovative product 

solutions. You learn about professional practice 

and become ready to adopt a leadership role in 

design. You also conclude your second major or 

minor studies. You are now ready to make your 

mark as a professional industrial designer. 

46 


Real product 

Rafael Gomez with patrick shirley 

QUT industrial design graduate and design consultant 

Rafael Gomez (pictured on the right with Patrick Shirley, QUT industrial design 

graduate and fellow design consultant) is a QUT industrial design graduate, lecturer, 

PhD candidate and design consultant. 

‘I chose to study industrial design to design products and services that could one 

day be used by people to enhance and improve their daily life. I see an opportunity 

for industrial design to become a critical part of solving some of the major issues 

facing our planet in the 21st century through innovative and visionary thinking. 

Industrial design at QUT is an exciting and well-structured course that sets students 

up to be leaders in whatever field of design they choose to pursue. Professional 

lecturers who have many international links teach the degree, which encourages 

students to consider opportunities in the international market as well as the local 

design industry. 

I run my own successful design company and also undertake research and teaching 

commitments. I believe that industrial design is moving into an exciting era that will 

see future designers involved in more strategic and leadership roles in traditional 

industries such as electronics, automotive, fast consumer goods as well as larger 

and more prominent projects in product development, transportation, environmental 

management and urban development.’ 

47


(Interior Design) 

Interior design is concerned with the 

relations between people and the 

environment through aesthetically 

meaningful interior environments. As such 

they are functional, enhance the quality of 

life and culture of the occupants, and are 

aesthetically attractive. Interior designers 

consider the purpose, efficiency, comfort, 

safety and aesthetics of interior spaces to 

arrive at an optimum design, integrating 

creative and technical solutions. They 

custom design or specify furniture, 

lighting, walls, partitions, flooring, colour, 

fabrics and graphics to produce an 

environment tailored to a purpose. 

As well as technical knowledge, interior 

designers possess theoretical knowledge 

of how people interact with environments 

psychologically and socially. They often 

work as part of a team that may include 

architects, builders, project managers, 

engineering consultants, shopfitters, 

cabinet makers, furniture suppliers and 

materials suppliers. 


This internationally recognised course 

integrates design with social and 

environmental issues. Links with QUT’s 

Creative Industries Faculty facilitate digital 

design, virtual and interactive environments 

and provide broader career opportunities. 

Interior design at QUT has strong 

connection to local industry, employing 

award-winning practitioners as tutors, and 

promoting student work in prominent public 

settings. The degree prepares students for 

a career in an increasingly diverse field that 

embraces small and large scale design in 

both real and virtual environments. 

Recent focus on physical and digital 

experimentation and attention to body/ 

space relations is driving the course into 

the third millennium. Developed from 

traditional foundations, our approach 

extends interior design into new and 

emergent fields that demand the spatial 

thinking of interior designers. 

This vision is supported by a new 

understanding of teaching, culminating 

in upper-level design studios that are the 

site for experimentation and research-led 

enquiry. Here students conceptualise and 

develop their designs through to detailed 

resolution, using representational means 

ranging from models to full-scale material 

constructs and digital animations. As an 

important location for self-discovery, these 

project-based design units engage staff 

expertise offering different and individual 

specialist approaches. 


Many interior designers work 

independently or in both small and 

large practices. Others elect to work in 

multidisciplinary firms specialising in largescale 

complex architectural projects, both 

locally and internationally. Other career 

areas include retail, theatre and exhibition 

design, particularly gallery or museum 

settings. Exciting new areas include 

interaction design, gaming and virtual 

environments—specialist areas requiring 

high visualisation skills. 


Graduates qualify for membership of the 

Design Institute of Australia. The course 

is an educational member of the Interior 

Design/Interior Architecture Educators’ 

Association of Australia and New Zealand. 

QTAC code 

412362 

2011 OP 

7 

2011 rank 

88 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

The foundation year includes a diverse range 

of subjects in order to expose the breadth 

of design process and theory. Five common 

units cover design, design history, design and 

sustainability and digital communication. There 

are three units specific to the discipline, two 

concerned with core interior design studios and 

the other dealing with design technology. 

Year 2 

You complete two design studios exploring 

issues of inhabitation in both transitory and 

permanent residential situations, and discuss 

these relative to theory and practice of leading 

designers. This is supported by two units that 

advance understanding of interior systems and 

technology, alongside further topics in colour and 

the environment that engage issues of aesthetic 

and psychological perceptions of space. There is 

opportunity to commence second major or first 

minor units. 

Year 3 

This year departs from previous years to take a 

more experimental attitude to design studios. 

A range of topics allow you to discover differing 

approaches to the interior. Alongside these 

studios are lecture-based units addressing 

interior theory and environments in transition, 

raising issues such as gendered spaces, 

interiority and globalisation. A collaborative 

unit with other design students facilitates 

interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary studies. 

You complete two second major or minor units. 

Year 4 

Two semi-structured research-led design 

studios allow you to develop a body of work that 

distinguishes and advances your own design 

interests. Supporting this area of study are two 

common design units in design research and 

professional practice, providing a context for 

design practice. A further four units of second 

major or four units of a second minor can also 

be taken in this year. 

48 


Real practice 

Katie O’Brien 

QUT interior design graduate and 

BVN Architecture interior designer and QUT tutor 

‘As an interior designer at BVN Architecture I have been involved in a variety of 

projects ranging from the Brisbane International Airport expansion, to multiresidential 

projects, commercial fit outs and now large-scale projects for the 

Department of Defence. My daily schedule can include talking to suppliers, taking 

part in team meetings, being out on site, design sketching, computer drafting and 

facilitating client meetings. At a basic level, design is about collaboration; you never 

work alone and that’s what makes this job so appealing. 

During my degree I chose to complete a sustainability elective which involved a 

study tour of South Africa with other QUT students. It was an amazing experience. 

Designers need to create environments that challenge and exceed the user’s 

expectations—it is not acceptable for our work to simply ‘look good’ for a photo 

shoot in a magazine: it needs to fulfil a purpose. Design is a career that becomes 

part of you. It’s intrinsic and so very addictive.’ 

49


(Landscape Architecture) 

Who designed New York’s Central 

Park, and the gardens of the Palace 

at Versailles in France? They were the 

work of landscape designers, nowadays 

called landscape architects. Landscape 

architecture offers a design career 

combining art and science to create longlasting 

and meaningful, enjoyable outdoor 

places. Today’s landscape architects 

continue to play a significant role in the 

economic, social and environmental 

interests of communities through design, 

planning, development and management. 

Landscape architects research, plan, 

design and advise on the stewardship, 

conservation and sustainability of 

development of all kinds of outdoor 

environments. Landscape architects 

can make really important contributions to 

making the world a better place physically, 

socially, culturally and environmentally. 

The profession is concerned with the 

design of external landscapes at all 

scales, to ensure the health and welfare 

of the environment and people. 

Landscape architects design and plan 

projects including parks and other 

recreational places, botanic gardens, 

sporting complexes, various educational, 

commercial, industrial and residential 

sites as well as landscapes associated 

with major infrastructure systems such as 

roads and railways. 


Studying landscape architecture at 

QUT is a great choice. We offer the only 

fully accredited landscape architecture 

degree in Queensland and have a 40-year 

history as one of Australia’s principal 

landscape educators. Graduates are 

leading practitioners employed around the 

world. Subtropical Brisbane also offers an 

exceptional threshold location. 

During your degree you will be involved in 

some real-world problem-solving projects 

for our final-year students involving 

community participation. We use many 

part-time tutors from professional practice 

in our design studios and theory units. 

This keeps our teaching well grounded 

and linked to industry. We’re passionate 

about keeping our courses real and 

relevant. We also feed our findings from 

individual staff research back into our 

teaching so we can advance the 

discipline of landscape architecture for 

the community and practice. 


As a landscape architect you may work 

independently, in small partnerships 

or large multidisciplinary teams with 

other professionals such as architects, 

engineers, urban design and town 

planners. You may work in private practice 

or in government areas at all levels 

(municipal, state and federal). You will be 

engaged primarily in site planning, site 

design, planting design and landscape 

planning. Many graduates enjoy work in 

overseas practices. 


This course has accreditation from 

the Australian Institute of Landscape 

Architects. Graduates can apply 

for membership of this professional 

organisation. 

QTAC code 

412342 

2011 OP 

10 

2011 rank 

81 

Campus 

Gardens Point 

Duration 




Your course 

Year 1 

This foundation year sets the groundwork for 

landscape design and theory units in later 

years. You undertake five units common to 

the design degree or Faculty covering design, 

design history, design and sustainability and 

digital communication. You also complete two 

units of core landscape design studios and your 

first unit dealing with plant studies. 

Year 2 

Four units for the second major or minors come 

on stream in your second year. You participate 

in two key design studios covering place theory, 

environmental psychology and site planning. 

Two theory units explore landscape ecology, 

aspects of physical geography and a preliminary 

construction unit based on land grading. 

Year 3 

You complete two units for your second major 

or minor plus two landscape design studios 

which extend the scale and complexity of 

previous studios, including an emphasis on 

planting design and detailed design resolution. 

Three construction and practice units reach an 

advanced level. Lastly, a history and criticism 

unit focuses on landscape design in the 

past, with a critical overview of contemporary 

landscape design trends. 

Year 4 

You further expand your expertise with two 

units towards your chosen second major/ 

minors. Four units are devoted to advanced 

landscape design studios covering a wide 

range of urban and regional sites and scenarios. 

Two of these studios contain opportunities for 

personal design exploration on an agreed topic. 

You also complete two units in design research 

and professional practice. 

50 


Real expert 

Andrew Scott 

QUT industrial design senior lecturer 

‘I originally became interested in industrial design as it was a great match for my 

interest in how things work, how things look and making things. It appealed to me 

because of the impact these products have on peoples’ lives due to the quantity 

of scale in which they are produced. I chose QUT because they were the first in 

Brisbane to offer industrial design and the course is comprehensive. 

My current research is around how people become attached to products and so 

I have been studying people and their iPods and iPhones. It’s really interesting to 

look at how these things become such an important part of our lives and to explore 

ways of making them more meaningful. Industrial designers need to learn how to 

make products that last longer—more sustainable products. I think energy, labour 

and material costs are going to make all products more expensive so we need to 

make them last longer, be upgradable and repairable and, more than anything, less 

disposable so that people want to keep them for the long term. Designers are going 

to change the world … because we don’t have a choice.’ 

51

Applying for entry 

Applying to a university can seem like a daunting task, but all you need to do is follow 

this simple guide to help you through the process. 

1. How to apply 

Application for entry into QUT undergraduate 

courses is made through the Queensland 

Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). 

The QTAC Guide is distributed through 

Queensland schools and is available from 

newsagencies across Queensland, or 

directly from QTAC. Visit www.qtac.edu.au 

Current Australian Year 12 students 

apply online through the QTAC Twelve to 

Tertiary service. 

Non-Year 12 students apply online 

through the QTAC Apply by Web service. For 

advice on alternative pathways to university 

and how entry ranks are allocated based on 

previous study, life and work experience 

visit www.qut.edu.au/real-options. To 

order a copy of Real Options online visit 

www.qut.edu.au/explore 

International students apply by 

submitting an F form. International 

students completing Year 12 

studies in Australia may apply directly 

to QUT or through QTAC. For more 

information on entry requirements 

including an application form visit 

www.qut.edu.au/international, phone 

Australia Freecall 1800 181 848, or 

email qut.international@qut.edu.au 

2. Investigate the entry options 

Assumed Knowledge QUT has 

replaced mandatory subject prerequisites 

with an Assumed Knowledge scheme, 

allowing capable students greater flexibility 

in course choices. Assumed Knowledge 

does not apply to international applicants. 

QUT specifies the knowledge it assumes 

applicants have for each course but it does 

not use this as criteria for entry. To find the 

Assumed Knowledge for each QUT course, 

visit www.qut.edu.au/courses 

If you do not have the specified Assumed 

Knowledge we strongly recommend 

preparatory studies, before the course 

begins or during the first semester of 

study, through QUT or other recognised 

providers. QUT’s Continuing Professional 

Education runs courses in chemistry, 

mathematics and physics. For more 

information visit www.qut.edu.au/ 

professional-education 

OP Guarantee The OP Guarantee takes 

the guesswork out of entry into 

the majority of QUT’s courses. If you 

receive an OP 1–5 (or an entry rank of 93 

or better), you are guaranteed a place. 

Offers are made through QTAC in the usual 

manner, so it is important that you finalise 

your application by the closing date. To 

find out whether a course is part of the OP 

Guarantee, visit www.qut.edu.au/courses 

Entry Bonus Scheme QUT’s Entry 

Bonus Scheme applies to students 

completing Year 12 or equivalent in 2011 and 

applying for entry in 2012. QUT will offer: 

• two bonus QTAC ranks if you complete 

Mathematics C or Languages Other 

Than English (LOTE) subjects 

• one bonus QTAC rank if you complete 

university subjects while at school 

(e.g. START QUT) 

• two QTAC ranks if you successfully 

undertake the subject Engineering 

Technology and apply to study QUT’s 

Bachelor of Engineering. 

For more information visit 

www.qut.edu.au/entry-bonus 

START QUT START QUT is an 

enhanced studies program that offers 

university experience and preferential 

entry for Year 12 students. Students 

who pass two units gain guaranteed 

admission to selected QUT courses 

following completion of Year 12, and may 

receive credit (advanced standing) for 

related units, saving time and money. One 

QTAC bonus rank will also be awarded to 

students who pass a university unit. 

START QUT students pay no tuition 

fees but may need to cover other 

associated study costs. Students must be 

recommended by their school, have parent/ 

guardian support and be accepted by the 

relevant QUT faculty. For more information 

visit www.qut.edu.au/startqut 

Deferment QUT allows all domestic 

applicants to defer commencement of 

their study for one year, except in courses 

using specific admission requirements 

such as questionnaires, portfolios, 

auditions, prior study or work experience. 

In exceptional circumstances, a further 

deferment of up to 12 months may be 

granted. For more information visit 

www.deferment.qut.edu.au 

52

3. Check for additional 

requirements 

To gain entry into a number of QUT 

courses you may need to make an 

application to QUT in addition to QTAC or 

you may need to finalise your application 

by a certain date. 

Entry into specific degrees in the Creative 

Industries Faculty is based on portfolio, 

audition or interview in addition to 

academic achievement. Please note that 

some of the additional entry requirements 

need to be submitted prior to the QTAC 

closing date. 

Dean’s Scholars programs offered by 

a number of faculties as well as QUT’s 

radiotherapy degree have additional entry 

requirements. 

For specific information on entry 

requirements and closing dates visit 

www.qut.edu.au/additional-entry 

4. Apply for entry programs 

Indigenous Australian students The 

Oodgeroo Unit provides courses in 

Indigenous studies, conducts research 

and provides student support for 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 

students. The Unit manages an alternative 

entry scheme that aims to increase 

Indigenous access to and participation in 

tertiary studies. It provides information on 

scholarships, bursaries and other financial 

assistance for prospective students. 

For more information phone (toll free) 

1800 645 513, email information. 

oodgeroo@qut.edu.au or visit 

www.qut.edu.au/oodgeroo 

Low-income students If financial 

hardship has made it difficult for you to 

achieve to your full potential, QUT’s special 

entry program Q-Step, can help. This 

program is available to school leavers and 

non-school leavers from Queensland or 

interstate. 

Q-Step can help you gain entry into 

your preferred course with successful 

applicants receiving an admission bonus 

of up to three OP bands or six entry ranks 

for entry into most undergraduate degree 

courses at QUT. Q-Step students are 

guaranteed a $1000 QUT Equity bursary. 

In addition to applying through QTAC, you 

must also lodge a Q-Step application form 

with QUT by late October. Application 

forms are available from guidance officers, 

or by phoning Q-Step on 07 3138 8766 or 

visiting www.qut.edu.au/qstep 

Elite Athlete Entry Program If you are 

an elite athlete, sportsperson, manager or 

coach, we encourage you to apply for the 

QUT Elite Athlete Entry Program, which 

offers a bonus of up to three OP bands 

or six entry ranks to eligible applicants. 

For more information and an online 

registration form visit www.qut.edu.au/ 

elite-athletes 

5. Check the costs 

Attending university is a real investment 

in your future. There are costs associated 

with university study but it may not be as 

expensive as you think. To research the 

fees visit www.qut.edu.au/courses 

6. Apply for a scholarship 

You may be eligible for a QUT scholarship 

if you are a high-achieving student, from 

a low-income background or regional 

area, have excelled in sporting activities 

or are studying in a specific discipline 

area. For the full range of scholarships 

and application closing dates, visit 

www.qut.edu.au/scholarships 

7. Make your application count 

Ordering your preferences It is 

essential that preferences are ordered 

carefully as offers are made to eligible 

applicants in order of the major offer 

round date. For example, if January is the 

major offer round for your first preference, 

and December is the major offer round 

for your second preference, you will not 

be considered for a place in your second 

preference in December as offers for it are 

released prior to your application being 

assessed for your first preference. Visit 

QTAC at www.qtac.edu.au for further 

preference ordering advice. 

Making the most of your 

preferences Talk to your guidance 

officer, QUT or QTAC staff about making 

the most of your six QTAC preferences to 

increase your chances of being offered 

your ideal course. As a guide, your: 

• first and second preferences are courses 

you really want to study, even if you think 

you may not be offered a place 

• third and fourth preferences are courses 

you should realistically gain entry into, 

may provide another way to the career 

you want, are a second choice of 

career, or can be used to upgrade 

• fifth and sixth preferences are courses 

that you are prepared to do if you miss out 

on all of your other choices, are easier to 

get into and can be used to upgrade. 

Upgrading options There are upgrading 

options available if you don’t think you 

will receive the OP or rank to gain entry 

into your preferred course. You will need 

to undertake at least one year of full-time 

study to upgrade your OP or rank. Visit 

www.qut.edu.au/upgrading 

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a Registered Provider of Education Services and Training and operates in compliance with the Commonwealth 

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the Universities Australia Code of Practice in the Provision of Education to International 

Students. QUT and all courses offered to international students are registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas 

Students (CRICOS No. 00213J). 

53

Scholarships 


Engineering offers scholarships and 

bursaries to support and encourage study. 

Each year students are awarded more 

than $750 000 of industry-sponsored and 

Faculty scholarships and bursaries. 

Some scholarships provide assistance 

from first year while others are available as 

students progress through their studies. 

A variety of scholarships are offered to 

meet a range of student needs. Some 

are awarded to high-achieving students, 

others to students with economic needs, 

and some to solid, all-round students. 

Faculty support 

Some opportunities include: 

The Dean’s Award for High School 

Achievement scheme supports and 

encourages the outstanding high school 

performances of first-year students. 

Each year these scholarships are 

offered to students who commence an 

undergraduate program within the Faculty, 

straight from Year 12 or after a gap year. 

The Women in Engineering 

Scholarship aims to encourage and 

support female students who are entering 

their first year of full-time engineering study 

at QUT. Female students who complete 

Year 12 or a gap year in the year prior to 

their enrolment are encouraged to apply. 

The Dean’s Scholars Program 

is the only scholarship and development 

program of its kind in Queensland. It 

offers outstanding students a scholarship 

to complete studies in engineering. For 

details see page 12. 

Industry partners 

QUT enjoys a reputation as a university for 

the real world, providing career-focused 

courses and invaluable links to industry. 

The Faculty is fortunate to offer a number 

of industry-sponsored scholarships which 

support students while they study and 

connect them to industry early in their 

degree. This engagement with industry 

provides students with a wealth of 

opportunity and experience. 

Business seeks to invest in supporting 

deserving students who aim to pursue 

a career in their industry. Academic 

performance is not the only consideration. 

Companies seek well-rounded students 

with good communication skills and 

leadership potential who would possibly 

make good future employees. Successful 

recipients also have the opportunity of 

paid vacation work with the sponsoring 

company, which provides extra financial 

support and invaluable real-life experience. 

The Australian Power Institute (API) 

is a not-for-profit national organisation 

established by the electricity power industry 

to boost the quality and numbers of power 

engineering graduates with the skills 

and motivation for a career in the energy 

industry. The API awards bursaries to 

first-year engineering students to support 

students’ interest in areas of engineering 

relevant to the power industry. Bursary 

holders also benefit from paid vacation 

work, with a potential value exceeding 

$20 000 over three summer vacations. 

International opportunities 

The Faculty has strong relationships with 

international universities and companies 

and our students can apply for travel 

bursaries to broaden their educational and 

industry experience. 

Find out more 

The Faculty is continually developing 

its scholarships and bursaries. To find 

out more visit www.qut.edu.au/bee/ 

scholarships 

54

Real support 

Travis Quang 

Laing O’Rourke Scholarship 

(Travis Quang with Mark Vining, 

General Manager Human 

Capital Laing O’Rourke) 

QUT construction management 

student Travis Quang (pictured at 

left) received the Laing O’Rourke 

Construction Scholarship valued at 

$10 000 per annum. The scholarship 

offers the recipient paid work 

experience with one of the world’s 

most dynamic and innovative 

development and construction 

specialists. Selection is based on 

demonstrated initiative and leadership 

skills and academic merit. 

Real support 

Kate Francis 

Women in Engineering 

Scholarship winner 

Kate Francis is one of 10 annual 

recipients of Women in Engineering 

Scholarships valued at $6000. 

The scholarship encourages and 

supports female students entering 

undergraduate engineering studies at 

QUT. During Year 12 Kate displayed 

strong leadership in her studies, 

community work, charity fundraising, 

sports and mentoring of Year 8 

students. 

Selection for the Women in 

Engineering Scholarship is assessed 

on the applicant’s ability to maintain 

active participation in extra-curricular 

activities and undertake leadership 

roles during their high school studies. 

55

Built Environment and Engineering 

at a glance 

Course 

Single degrees 

B Engineering (Dean’s Scholars 

Program) 

B Engineering 

with specialisations in Aerospace 

Avionics, Civil, Civil and Construction, 

Civil and Environmental, Electrical, 

Mechatronics, Mechanical, Medical, 

Computer and Software Systems 

B Urban Development (Construction 

Management) 

B Urban Development (Quantity 

Surveying) 

B Urban Development (Property 

Economics) 

Campus 

QTAC 

Code 

Length of 

course in years 


GP 412052 4F English (4 VHA) and 

Maths B (4 VHA) 

Prerequisite: Successful 

questionnaire and applicants may 

be required to attend an interview. 

Recommended study: Engineering 

Technology, Physics, Maths C 

and Chemistry 

GP 412502 4F English (4 SA) and Maths B 

(4 SA) 



and Chemistry 

GP 412312 4F English (4 SA) and 

Maths A and/or B (4 SA) 





B Urban Development (Spatial Science) GP 412532 4F English (4 SA) and 


B Urban Development (Urban and 

Regional Planning) 

2011 OP 

cut-off 

2011 rank 

cut-off 

Preparatory 

studies for 

students 

without the 

specified 

Assumed 

Knowledge 

OP 

Guarantee 

1 99 ★ ✦ No No 

10 81 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

10 81 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

11 79 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

12 76 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

11 79 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

GP 412352 4F English (4 SA) 11 79 ✦ Yes Yes 

B Design (Architectural Studies) GP 412372 4F English (4 SA) 5 92 ✦ Yes Yes 

B Design (Industrial Design) GP 412382 4F English (4 SA) 10 81 ✦ Yes Yes 

B Design (Interior Design) GP 412362 4F English (4 SA) 7 88 ✦ Yes Yes 

B Design (Landscape Architecture) GP 412342 4F English (4 SA) 10 81 ✦ Yes Yes 

Double degrees 

Deferment 

B Business 

B Engineering 

(Electrical) 

B Engineering 

(Electrical) 

B Engineering 

(Civil, Electrical or 

Mechanical) 


Maths B (4 SA) 



and Chemistry 

B Mathematics GP 419572 5F English (4 SA) and 




and Chemistry 

B Information 

Technology 





and Chemistry 

10 81 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

10 81 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

10 81 ★ ✦ Yes Yes 

QUT continually updates its courses to ensure relevance to the real world and to maximise choice and flexibility for students. For the latest 

course information visit www.qut.edu.au/courses 

56

Footnotes 

F = full-time 

CPE = Continuing Professional Education 

GP = Gardens Point 

★ 

Maths: QUT unit Preparatory Mathematics 

as a visiting student or QUT CPE course 

Mathematics Bridging. 

✦ 

English: Students who do not have the 

Assumed Knowledge requirements in English, 

or have not successfully completed a year of 

vocational or tertiary study, should consider an 

English bridging course. For further information 

visit www.qut.edu.au/real-options, contact 

QUT Information Services on 07 3138 2000 

or email study@qut.edu.au 

The 2011 OP and rank cut-offs should be 

taken as a general indication only. Courses 

may be harder or easier to get into from 

year to year, depending on their popularity. 

Information contained in this publication was 

correct at time of printing. The University 

reserves the right to amend any information, 

and to cancel, change or relocate any course. 

Course information 

For in-depth information on the courses listed in this book and to explore other study 

options, visit www.qut.edu.au/courses

Contact us 

General information 

QUT Information Services 

Phone 07 3138 2000 

Email study@qut.edu.au 

ask.qut.edu.au 

Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering 

Phone 07 3138 1433 

Email bee@qut.edu.au 

www.qut.edu.au/bee 

International students 

Australia Freecall 1800 181 848 

Phone +61 3 9627 4853 

Fax +61 3 9627 4863 

Email qut.international@qut.edu.au 

www.qut.edu.au/international 

QUT is committed to sustainability. 

The paper used in this publication has the credentials: 

© QUT 2011 17492 

CRICOS No.00213J

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