Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty

Bachelor of Electronic Technology (SBET) – Melbourne (Bundoora)

The Bachelor of Electronic Technology is a three-year course that prepares students for the profession of engineering technology in the field of electronics and offers minor specialisations in biomedical, optical and communication, electronic systems engineering and sustainable energy generation. It introduces students to electronic engineering technology and develops an understanding of the pure and engineering sciences, computing, mathematics and management practices needed in the profession of electronic technology. Students develop an appreciation of the role of engineering technologists in the community, and an awareness of the social and environmental effects of their decisions. Graduates may apply for membership of Engineers Australia at the grade of Affiliate and seek employment in industry as an engineering technologist.

Biomedical engineering

The provision of first-rate health care and the prevention of disease are priorities for the 21st century. Advances in medicine in recent years have been assisted by new technology, including the applications of advanced electronics.

Biomedical engineers are at the forefront of the rapidly expanding, high-technology provision of these health services, including such fields as patient monitoring systems for operating theatres and intensive care subjects, computerised medical imaging and monitoring, artificial organs, neural prostheses and life-support systems, hospital safety and equipment management, as well as all other aspects of technology applied to medicine.

Optical and Communication engineering

Technologists working in the area of optical and communication engineering are faced with many challenges because of the rapid advances in computer, internet, multimedia, and telecommunications technologies. For example, mobile phones have become common and the move to digital techniques has allowed many new features to be introduced to the telephone network. The introduction and expansion of optical fibre networks has meant that massive amounts of information (for example telephone conversations, television signals and data communications) can be transmitted as light waves. This specialisation emphasises the digital communications techniques, which underpin many of these developments.

Electronic systems engineering

New developments in the field of electronics continue to appear at an ever-increasing rate and microelectronics has made an impact in nearly every aspect of our lives. An immense amount of computing power can now be provided by microprocessors for embedded systems and robotics. Modern scientific and industrial instrumentation relies heavily on electronic techniques of measurement, storage, processing, and display of information. Electronic control systems are an integral part of modern society in industrial, commercial, and domestic environments.

Sustainability in Energy Production

The topic of global sustainability has come into sharp focus as global warming and climate change threaten our existence. This specialization examines zero emissions power generation technologies such as photovoltaic, wind, hydro-electric, wave and hot rock. It also examines conversion technologies, such as inverters for DC to AC, transmission line and other communications technologies for the implementation of power management strategies and management issues as they relate to the rapidly expanding renewable energy industry in Australia.

Entry with advanced standing

Students who have completed or partially completed a Diploma or Certificate studies may be granted advanced standing.

Articulation to Bachelor of Electronic Engineering

Students who have passed the Bachelor of Electronic Technology may apply to articulate to the Bachelor of Electronic Engineering degree. For such students it may be possible to complete the Bachelor of Electronic Engineering with a further 120-150 credit points of study over at least one year.

Industry experience

Students are required to complete at least 8 weeks certified practical experience under the guidance of an experienced engineer before being deemed to have completed the course and therefore qualify to graduate. This is preferably undertaken during the annual vacation following the second year of the course but may be done at the conclusion of the final year.

Scholarships

First year scholarships are available for high achieving students. Prospective candidates should contact the Department of Electronic Engineering early in their Year-12 studies for details.

Course structure

The course consists of subjects with a total work value of 360 credit points, taken over three years full-time or an equivalent part-time duration. It has many subjects in common with the first three years of the Bachelor of Electronic Engineering course.

First year (120 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Introductory Electronics ELE1IEL 15
TE-SEM-1 Calculus and Probability for Engineers MAT1CPE 15
TE-SEM-1 C Programming for Engineers and Scientists CSE1CES 15
TE-SEM-1 Principles of Physics A PHY1SCA 15
TE-SEM-2 Basic Electronic Circuits ELE1CCT 15
TE-SEM-2 Calculus and Linear Algebra MAT1CLA 15
TE-SEM-2 Electronic Engineering Design Project ELE1EDP 15
TE-SEM-2 Principles of Physics B PHY1SCB 15
Second year (120 credit points)

Core subjects (105 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Electrical Power ELE2PWR 15
TE-SEM-1 Linear Circuits and Signals ELE2CIR 15
TE-SEM-1 Microprocessors and Digital Design ELE2MDD 15
TE-SEM-1 Vector Calculus MAT2VCA 15
TE-SEM-2 Digital Design with Programmable Logic ELE2DDP 15
TE-SEM-2 Analogue Circuits and Interfacing ELE2ANI 15
TE-SEM-2 Linear Algebra MAT2LAL 15

Elective (15 credit points)

Fifteen credit points may be chosen from any discipline. Recommended subject: PHY2EMM.

Third year (120 credit points)

Core subjects (90 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Communication Systems ELE3CMN 15
TE-SEM-1 Control Systems ELE3CON 15
TE-SEM-1 Embedded Processors ELE3EMB 15
TE-SEM-1 Instrumentation Electronics and Sensors ELE3IES 15
TE-SEM-2 Electronics Technology Project ELE3ETP 30

Specialty option (15 credit points)

Students must undertake a specialty subject from one of the following streams.

Biomedical Engineering Stream:

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-2 Biomedical Engineering ELE3BIO 15

Optical and Communication Engineering Stream:

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-2 Digital Communication Systems ELE3DCS 15

Electronic Systems Stream:

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-2 Electronic Design Automation – Tools and Techniques ELE3DDE 15

Sustainable Energy Stream:

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-2 Sustainable Power Generation ELE3SPG 15

Elective subject (15 credit points)

Students may take 15 credit points from third year level electronic engineering, fourth year level electronic engineering, third year level mathematics, or any other subject approved by the undergraduate course adviser. Recommended that students take ELE5DES (Design for Mass Production).

For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, students should access the Subject Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.