Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Materials Engineering

Course summary

Technology can only advance if someone creates the materials needed to turn ideas into reality. Materials engineers play a key role in reducing environmental impact through recycling, redesigning processes to reduce waste, and developing high performance materials for new energy technologies.

Materials engineers apply knowledge of science and engineering to turn raw materials into finished products: everything from construction materials and consumer goods to advanced electronics and biomedical implants such as artificial muscles and bionic eyes. They understand how the structure and properties of materials can be controlled by composition and processing. They design and select materials and processing methods to suit a particular application.

There are countless opportunities in materials engineering, as the field supports every branch of engineering. Graduates work everywhere, from mining, materials processing, and manufacturing to aerospace and biotechnology. Many are researchers, creating new materials like superconductors and nanoparticles.

This degree

You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields before deciding which discipline to study. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids. You then focus on your chosen major study from second year.

Your degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement. You may gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Engineers work in a variety of industries, for example: construction, mining, resources, aeronautical, electronics, engineering management, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, aerospace, water resource management, robotics and manufacturing, railroad and shipbuilding.

What you will study

As an engineering student at UOW you will have access to fully-equipped laboratories and the latest computer-aided software that is used in modern industrial workplaces. Our engineering students are trained through practical learning experiences including:

  • Laboratory experiments
  • Problem based learning
  • Computer simulations
  • Teamwork assignments
  • Industrial case studies
  • Project management
  • Site visits to industry

From second year you also have the option to complete a double major, combining two engineering disciplines. Available double major combinations include:

  • Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering
  • Mining Engineering and Materials Engineering

In your third and fourth year of the major you will choose electives from more specialised areas including: engineering alloys; fracture, failure and degradation; polymeric materials; ceramics, glasses and refractories; materials processing and transport; materials science and technology; metallurgical processing; materials forming and manufacturing; and sustainability in materials engineering.

Course information

Study area

Engineering

Campus

Wollongong

Course Code

1856

ATAR-SR

80

IB Score

29

Duration

4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

On Campus

Cricos

083339G

UAC Code

755613

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via non-ATAR or ATAR-based options.

NON-ATAR ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than ATAR.

Non-ATAR admissions at UOW take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.

Early Admission

Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.

ATAR-BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of ATAR or ATAR plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Guaranteed entry selection ranks

The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an ATAR-Selection Rank of 80 or an IB of 29. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors

Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your ATAR to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your ATAR. Find out more about UOW's adjustment factors.

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit for prior learning towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Upon successful completion of the UOW College Diploma of Engineering, you will receive credit of 48 credit points towards a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) at UOW. You will be required to meet minimum subject requirements in order to progress from the Diploma of Engineering into the second year of a BE.

Click here for more information on UOW's credit transfer arrangements.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject. For information regarding student contribution amounts, please refer to the UOW Current Students website.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in Australia.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

70

18

18

17

17

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.


CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit for prior learning towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Upon successful completion of the UOW College Diploma of Engineering, you will receive credit of 48 credit points towards a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) at UOW. You will be required to meet minimum subject requirements in order to progress from the Diploma of Engineering into the second year of a BE.

Click here for more information on UOW's credit transfer arrangements.

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$20,136 (2024)

$161,088 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Applicant background

2023 intake

2023 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


ATAR PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.

ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023

ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More Information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2024 Autumn

Wollongong

Orientation: 20 - 22 February 2024
Session: 26 February – 21 June 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 29 September 2023 (early bird), 2 February 2024 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2023*
  • International Applicants: 31 December 2023*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.
Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

2024 Spring

Wollongong

Orientation: 15 July 2024
Session: 22 July – 15 November 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 4 July 2024 (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 May 2024*
  • International Applicants: 31 May 2024*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.
Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

Course Structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Handbook

Accreditation & professional recognition

UOW’s engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Australia and relevant world engineering bodies through the Washington Accord. This ensures recognition by equivalent professional engineering bodies in the USA, UK, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.

This recognition ensures that graduates from this course are admitted, on application, to the grade of Graduate Membership of Engineers Australia.

Why choose this course

We are a leading engineering research institution in Australia, based on our longstanding collaboration with local and multinational industries and research centres in Australia and overseas. The Australian Research Council ranked our multidisciplinary research as 'well above world standard', and our civil, manufacturing, materials and mechanical engineering research as 'above world standard' performance.

Our faculty members are driving relevant and cutting-edge research in a wide range of areas focused on providing innovative solutions to global issues.

Career opportunities
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Computer Architect
  • Computer Systems Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Construction Manager
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Metallurgist
  • Mining Engineer
  • Network Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Security Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Transport Engineer
  • Water Quality Manager 
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