Handbook

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Organisation of the faculty

School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering and Physical Sciences

The Department is based at the Bendigo Campus, offers engineering, geology, and physics subjects for the civil engineering, science, business, information technology and education courses. The Department also offers postgraduate degrees by research. Staff members are active in research and consulting, and details of their areas of expertise are given on the web pages.

Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering - Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus

The Department has particular strengths in artificial intelligence, computer networks, software engineering, data engineering and knowledge management, enterprise computing, games technology, information systems, and mobile and ubiquitous computing.

It is the major provider for a wide range of challenging undergraduate courses:

• Bachelor of Computer Network Engineering
• Bachelor of Computer Science
• Bachelor of Computer Science in Games Technology
• Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering
• Bachelor of Computer Technology.
• Bachelor of Information Systems
• Bachelor of Software Engineering.

Many relevant double degrees are also available. The Bachelor of Computer Science can be combined with degrees in commerce, science, cognitive science, mathematics and statistical science, or electronic engineering – while the Bachelor of Information Systems can be combined with degrees in business and law. Specialisations in computer science may also be undertaken in the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Bioinformatics/Bachelor of Science degrees. Common to all courses is an emphasis on providing sound training in fundamental and theoretical issues, supported by industry-relevant practical applications. In all courses, a solid foundation is provided in programming using Java and/or C++ languages with an emphasis on object-oriented systems for solving problems, and students may complete a major year-long team-based software engineering project in their third year.

The opportunity also exists for students to specialise in any of the particular strengths of the Department.

Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering - Bendigo Campus

The Department at Bendigo offers undergraduate courses to Postgraduate level in generalist computing, information systems and information technology.

Courses offered are:

• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional)
• Double degrees are available with Science and Business.

The Department is committed to providing a friendly and supportive learning environment in which students can expect to experience a range of computer platforms, programming environments, and information systems approaches. The undergraduate courses include opportunities for participation in team-based information systems development projects, industry-based learning, and industry experience.

Department of Electronic Engineering

The Department emphasises teaching and research in the fields of biomedical engineering, circuits and instrumentation, communications, computer networks and architectures, control systems, embedded systems, optical systems, microelectronics, signal processing and sustainability in energy production. The Department offers the Bachelor of Electronic Engineering and Bachelor of Electronic Technology – as well as a five-year double degree comprising Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) with the Bachelor of Electronic Engineering.

The Department also offers three five-year undergraduate/Masters double degrees in the specialisations of biomedical engineering, microelectronic engineering, and communication engineering. All courses prepare graduates for professional employment or further postgraduate research study and are accredited by Engineers Australia. Electronics subjects are also offered in the Bachelor of Science degree. The Department offers a number of scholarships and prizes for high-achieving students, including those starting first year of the single or combined degrees.

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics – Bendigo Campus

The Department at Bendigo pays particular attention to offering mathematical and statistical subjects for students in a wide range of courses such as science and engineering, business, information technology, education, arts, and psychology.

The mathematics and statistics major in the Science degree aims at training graduates whose analytical and problem-solving skills are applicable in a wide range of careers. The major has a particular emphasis on developing skills in pure mathematics and practical data analysis, and the links between these two areas are highlighted. For students who wish to study mathematics and statistics, but not to the extent of a full major, pathways are available in many courses on the Bendigo campus. For example, prospective teachers can gain a mathematics discipline study within their Education course, Business and Psychology students can develop practical statistical skills that are valued by employers, and Information Technology students can explore the theoretical foundations of computing.

Research within the department is both pure and applied, with projects in analysis, graph theory, geometry, health care management, and demography. As well, there is ongoing work in statistical consulting. More information on all the Department’s activities can be found on the website.

Mathematics and Statistics– Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus

Research activities strongly influence the Department’s undergraduate subjects, particularly at the third and fourth year levels. Another distinctive feature is its strong emphasis on student participation in learning, with more practice classes and fewer lectures than is customary in other university mathematics courses.

The gateway to a major study in mathematics is the combination of MAT1CNS (Calculus and Number Systems) and MAT1CLA (Calculus and Linear Algebra). Students wanting to keep their future options open are advised to take both subjects. Students interested in mathematics are also encouraged to study MAT1DM (Discrete Mathematics), which is a prerequisite for some computer science subjects. The Department’s annual student Handbook gives full details of mathematics offerings from first to fourth year along with other useful information. It is available in printed form and on the Department’s web pages.

Statistics plays an important role in many fields, making it suitable for combination with almost every other discipline. Statistical science embraces the design of studies and the analysis of data arising from these studies, making them efficient and credible. Its methods are based on reasoning and the mathematics of chance, and are implemented by the use of modern computer software. The major in statistics comprises the subjects STA2AS and STA2MD in second year and STA3BS, STA3LM, STA3AS and STA3SI in third year. Students wanting to take this major need to take one of the first year prerequisite statistics subjects, with STA1SS recommended. It is also recommended that these students take the mathematics subjects MAT1CNS, MAT1CLA, and MAT2LAL. This major in statistics is accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia Inc. and entitles the holder to Graduate Statistician status upon joining the society. The major in statistics opens the way to Honours, Masters by coursework, Masters by research and PhD studies in statistical science. A minor in statistical science requires the completion of 65 credit points in statistical science, with a minimum of 30 credit points at third year level. The Department offers service subjects such as STA1LS (Statistics for Life Sciences), STA1PSY (Statistics for Psychology), STA2MS (Medical Statistics) and STA2BS (Biostatistics).

Department of Physics

The Department offers courses in physics for specialist physicists and in support of other sciences. All subjects aim to provide an understanding of the physical world appropriate to the level of the course and to the interests of the students with the expectation that students will be able to explain physical phenomena observed. Experimental investigation is important at all levels while mathematical representation is emphasised in the specialist stream.

The Department offers subjects that lead to a three-year major in physics as part of a Bachelor of Science, Specialisation in Space Science, Bachelor of Nanotechnology/Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Hons)/Master of Nanotechnology. Subjects leading to the major are – PHY1SCA and PHY1SCB, MAT1CNS, MAT1CLA, PHY2MOD, PHY2OPT and PHY2EMM, and MAT2VCA, MAT2LAL, MAT2MEC, PHY3PQM, PHY3ANP, PHY3TSP and PHY3EPP. Specialised subjects are offered for the Specialisation in Space Science: PHY2SPI, PHY3REM, PHY3GRE; Specialisation in Environmental Science: PHY1LSA, PHY1LSB, PHY3GRE; Agriculture and Life Sciences: PHY1LSB; Engineering and Technology: PHY2EMM. The Department also offers nanotechnology subjects that are part of the core requirements for the completion of the double degrees in nanotechnology and science, including ‘Issues in Nanotechnology’ at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Department has created opportunities for selected students following a physics major to undertake 15 credit point research projects under the supervision of La Trobe academic staff. Collaboration with appropriate outside research organizations and companies is also envisaged. Enrolment in these subjects (PHY2PRJ and PHY3PRJ) is by invitation and will depend on suitable supervision and project opportunities being secured. The research projects may be undertaken in either semester or during the summer and mid-year break periods.