University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a leading Australian research university and has an international reputation for excellence, innovation and enterprise. A member of the Australian 'Group of Eight' research universities, it is also among Australia's leading research universities.
Sitting on the banks of the Swan River, the UWA Crawley campus is the oldest in Western Australia and among the most picturesque in the nation with its grand sandstone and terracotta buildings sitting among elegant heritage-listed gardens.
UWA is ranked second in Australia for the quality of its undergraduate programs. Our students benefit from the strong knowledge base and experience of teaching staff, many of whom have substantial international experience.
The University's strong foundation in research and teaching creates a scholarly environment which promotes the pursuit and rigorous critical interpretation of new information as well as the acquisition of knowledge.
Apart from regular delivery of information (lectures, tutorials, supervised research, field trips and student placements), the University also provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge on collaborative projects with business, industry, government and the wider community.
Courses offered
Business and Finance
University Level
Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Relations)
You will examine the nature of industrial relations both in Australia and in other countries pursuing both institutional and sociological perspectives.
An understanding of Economics or History would be useful when studying Industrial Relations, but also just being aware of the news and issues facing people at work is a good basis from which to start your studies.
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Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
The Bachelor of Commerce is a highly flexible programme allowing students to combine their choice of majors, minors and electives. Graduates from this programme have a strong record of success in finding employment within the local and international business communities.
Accounting
Studying Accounting will teach you how business works, the real nuts and bolts of what makes a successful organisation. You will look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of an enterprise as well as learning how to evaluate employee performance. You will also learn how to use accounts to assist you in making capital investment decisions for a variety of purposes, including the acquisition or sale of shares, lending of money, and provision of goods on credit.
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Bachelor of Commerce (Management)
Completion of the major will give you an understanding of the functions and development of organisations, interactions with local and international environments, management of people, marketing of goods and services, and strategic decisions that direct and harmonise all activities.
Management can be studied as a major in the Bachelor of Commerce. This includes combined courses which includes this degree
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Bachelor of Economics (Industrial Relations)
This course offers...
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Bachelor of Laws
Good lawyers possess proficient language skills, clear thought processes and the ability to resolve complex problems, which have both a legal and a human component.
Not a day passes without legal issues forming a significant part of the daily news. This illustrates that law does not exist in a vacuum but is an integral part of modern living and that legal issues raise social and, at times, political issues.
An understanding of the way in which the law deals with these complex issues allows more informed debate and criticism, both for cases decided by the courts and of proposed legislative changes. There are three options for studying a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Each of these options qualifies you for legal practice. You do not have to enter Law School straight from secondary school to gain the chance to study law.
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Computing and Information Technology
University Level
Bachelor of Engineering (Computer)
The field of Computer Engineering encompasses a wide variety of areas.
These include:
- Computer Systems - hardware, software embedded, design, management
- Networks and Communications - local, global, wireless, concurrency, Internet
- Intelligent Information Systems - robotics, automation, manufacturing, vision, neural networks
- Signal Processing - adaptive systems, real-time, fuzzy logic
- Automotive Systems - motor management, brake systems, drive information, navigation.
The course covers:
- Computer Engineering: focuses in the areas of the design and development of hardware and sofware systems.
- Communication and Network Engineering: concentrates on different service needs, and developing and applying hardware and software to meet them.
- Software Engineering: focuses on the design and development of software.
- Intelligent Systems: concentrates on the development of expert systems or neural network components or devices.
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Exploration and Mining
University Level
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Civil Engineering involves the application of basic scientific and technological principles to the design and construction of facilities necessary for the welfare of the community. It is concerned with such projects as railways, harbours and docks, road systems, bridges, water supply and wastewater treatment, dams, offshore rigs, tunnels and underground construction, power projects, offshore structures, and commercial and industrial buildings. The effective practice of civil engineering necessitates a strong background in the mathematical and physical sciences, an understanding of the properties of construction materials such as steel, concrete and natural aggregates and an ability to evaluate the performance of structures under variable forms of loading. Many engineering projects require a close working relationship with other groups - planners, architects, environmental scientists - and an appreciation of the impact of civil works on society in terms of both social obligations and finance. The civil engineer also needs training in management of resources, equipment, materials and finance.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)
The course focuses on understanding the functioning of natural systems and enables Environmental Engineers to combine the need for sustainability with creative and practical problem solving skills. This often means finding a balance between economic development and protection and enhancement of the environment.
Challenges facing Environmental Engineers:
- Disposal of toxic wastes, remediation of contaminated sites and rehabilitiation of mine sites
- Water treatment and reuse
- Management of saline affected land
- Degradation of wetlands, estuaries and the coastal zone
- Management of of surface and groundwater resources
- Deelopment of environmental policies
- Minimising water and air pollution and environmental impact of new development
- Designing developments to preserve biodiversity and cultural diversity
This multidisciplinary degree trains you in engineering, scientific, technical, computer software, communication, economic, legal, social, cultural and political skills.
Throughout the degree you will have regular guest lecturers, site visits and work on applied projects in and with the community. There is a strong emphasis on project team work.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
Mechanical Engineering addresses the conception, design, manufacture, control, maintenance and management of any system in which motion is a key feature. The system may comprise moving solid elements - components - combined to create a mechanism or machine. Alternatively, it may involve a fluid flowing within or around a solid structure. Mechanical Engineering permits humanity to harness the energy and forces that exist in nature, providing for the needs of society. The range of Mechanical Engineering istherefore vast: machines from the size of micro-mechanical devices through to massive power generating turbines are covered by the discipline. Similarly, the flight and performance of modern aircraft is largely an accomplishment of Mechanical Engineering.The work of a mechanical engineer could include the design and specification of components or entire systems, design and planning of manufacturing processes, plant operation and maintenance, consulting, research and development, and management. These tasks are common to a wide range of industries such as power generation, mining, mineral processing, transport, water supply and their support industries.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Systems)
The mining industry is the backbone of our modern way of life. We all rely on its products such as metals, coal, mineral sands, even talcum powder!
The mining industry is Australia's largest single exporter - contributing over one third of the nation''s total.
Australia's mining industry is also large on a world-wide scale, with Australia ranking in the top three countries for supply of commodities such as gold, iron ore, lead diamonds, nickel, mineral sands, alumina and zinc.
To remain as one of the world leaders in mining technology, the Australian industry is always looking at ways to mine 'smarter' by applying cutting-edge innovations and technologies.
By mining ''smarter'' we not only save money, but also our environment!
Mining industry professional engineers need the ability to:
- Use a broad range of skills in different types of engineering
- Assess and implement new technologies
- Take responsibility for multi-million dollar decisions
- Work outdoors, as well as in an office
Mining Engineering is all about extracting the ore from the ground. This includes analysing and designing:
- The mining method that is the best for a specific deposit - underground or surface, large or small
- The best equipment to efficiently perform the chosen mining method and cope with unexpected variations in the rock being extracted
- The most appropriate blasting technique
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Bachelor of Engineering (Ocean Science Engineering)
Ocean Systems Engineering is a new and exciting branch of engineering focusing on estuaries, coastal seas, continental shelves and the deep ocean.
Engineers trained in Ocean Systems will use their knowledge of coastal and continental shelf areas to design sustainable management strategies to maintain the ecological health of these systems in the face of nutrient enrichment, climate change, selective extraction of elements of the food chain and dispersion of pollutants.
This degree will provide you with fundamental theoretical knowledge in the physical, chemical and biological sciences and training in the practical linkage of these disciplines in the ocean. The degree also trains you in engineering, scientific, technical, computer software, communication, economic, legal, social and political skills. You will complete an applied ocean science design project and work in groups to prepare an environmental management plan in conjunction with the community.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Offshore Engineering)
Offshore Engineering involves the design of infrastructure for offshore oil and gas production, including the offshore platform, subsea production equipment and pipelines.
Offshore Engineers may specialise in the following areas:
- Design of offshore platforms
- Offshore installation of structures
- Subsea technology
- Structural design and analysis of offshore structures
- Dynamics and hydrodynamics of offshore structures
What do Offshore Engineers do?
- Determine the most cost effective type of facility for the field
- Calculate wind and wave effects on offshore structures
- Determine how to fix a structure to the sea bed
- Design structures to support the topsides of the platform
- Select appropriate strength, weight and corrosion-resistant material for offshore structures
- Design equipment to connect subsea wells to production platforms
- Design floating production facilities
- Perform analysis of strength of offshore structures to withstand ocean forces
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Bachelor of Engineering (Oil and Gas)
The Bachelor of Engineering (Oil and Gas) provides students with the option for a comprehensive introduction to the Oil and Gas industry without the specialisation required for degree offerings in Petroleum, Process or Offshore Engineering.
The Bachelor of Engineering (Oil and Gas) encompasses aspects of all the above degrees to give students an inclusive overview of how the industry operates.
Oil and Gas Engineers may work in one of the following areas:
- Production of Oil and Gas from reservoirs
- Design and operation of processing plants
- Installation and maintenence of facilities for petroleum production such as drilling rigs, production platforms and sub-sea structures.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)
Petroleum Engineering involves locating petroleum and natural gas deposits (called reservoirs) and estimating their value.
Determining the quantity and quality of oil and natural gas in a reservoir is essential, as setting up pretroleum and gas production is extremely expensive, potential recovery must justify the cost.
Petroleum Engineering is concerned with the safe drilling of oil wells and managing the extraction of oil and gas from reservoirs. Petroleum Engineers may specialise in different disciplines such as drilling exploratory wells, the design and building of oil wells and estimating the size, volume and quality of petroleum reservoirs. Petroleum Engineers manage the safe and cost effiecient day to day running of petroleum and gas reservoirs.
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Bachelor of Science (Agriculture)
At the same time, agricultural systems are being placed under pressure to meet environmental and social and economic goals.
To meet these goals and maintain or increase production levels, an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is required. This degree will prepare you well to participate in the rapidly evolving area of agricultural science.
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Geology - Bachelor of Science
This course provides a range of opportunities in exploration/applied geology environmental geology, and hydrogeology/engineering geology. Graduates typically find employment in Australian and overseas industries involved in mineral and petroleum exploration, groundwater exploration, environmental management and energy resource development programs.
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Bachelor of Science (Earth Science)
Earth Science involves the application of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics to understanding these processes and solving problems related to Earth environments.
The Bachelor of Science (Earth Science) is a named program, under which you will complete at least one of the following majors: Physical Geography, Geology, Soil Science, and Land and Water Management. This program has a separate TISC code from the other Science courses.
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Horticulture - Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) caters for the increasing demands of the expanding horticultural industries.
Horticultural scientists enable growers and managers to supply
this demand in a sustainable way. The course is about understanding
the growing and management of trees, vines, vegetables, flowers,
turf and specialist crops such as bush foods and essential oils.
You will learn to produce quality horticultural products, and how
to manage crops in a way that has least impact on the
environment.
Horticulture is a program under the four-year Bachelor of
Science.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Science (Petroleum Geoscience)
Petroleum Geoscience covers a wide variety of aspects involved in the study of petroleum (oil and gas) accumulations and related resources such as coal.
Society is very reliant on these resources known as 'fossil fuels' for road and air transport and electricity generation, as well as a range of petroleum-based products that we use every day. Understanding how oil and gas form and where oil discoveries might be made requires good geological and geophysical knowledge and skills.
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Bachelor of Science (Physical Science)
These most fundamental of sciences provide the basis for our understanding of the complex world around us, from the cosmological to the sub-nuclear scale, from the interplay of atoms and molecules to the collisions of continental plates and the life and death of galaxies.
By addressing fundamental questions about the natural processes in the Universe and on planet Earth, these sciences drive the development of new technologies.
In the BSc (Physical Science) program, you complete at least one of the following majors:
- Chemical Physics
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Materials Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
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Health and Community Services
University Level
Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies)
This course offers the chance to develop skills and knowledge in two or more related fields of study at the intersection of media, information and new communication technologies. It offers contextual study of the history, theory, ethics and criticism of the various practices, institutions and discourses in media, communication and information. Foundation skills and knowledge for work in the corporate media and information field is provided with considerable breadth of expertise. Areas of study available are: Film and Television, Internet Policy and Culture; Journalism; Advertising Design, Internet Design, Marketing; Multimedia, Photography and Public Relations.
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Bachelor of Commerce (Industrial Relations)
Industrial Relations focuses on the dynamics of workplace relations between employer and employee. It will prepare you for career opportunities in management, unions and government agencies.
You will examine the nature of industrial relations both in Australia and in other countries pursuing both institutional and sociological perspectives.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)
The concept of marketing is about identifying customer needs and developing and selling products that satisfy those needs. An infinite variety of products can be marketed ranging from soft drink to government departments and instrumentalities such as the Defence Force or the Education Department, as well as tourist destinations, politicians, churches and charity groups. Consequently, marketing is a big asset to your job prospects and is useful whether you are a marketing manager, running your own business, a recruitment officer in the army or a dentist.
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Processing (Science)
University Level
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Process Engineering)
Chemical and Process engineers intimately deal with the scaling up of chemical reactions or processes that are of importance to society. Chemical and Process Engineering is therefore a field distinguished from the science of Chemistry by the scale and industrial applications to which the principles are applied. Put simply, Chemists deal with fundamental phenomena such as determination of the chemical reactions, while Chemical Engineers must determine how to exploit this information to design and operate the facilities and processes in order to produce commercial quantities of a product.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)
Chemical and Process engineers intimately deal with the scaling up of chemical reactions or processes that are of importance to society. Chemical and Process Engineering is therefore a field distinguished from the science of Chemistry by the scale and industrial applications to which the principles are applied. Put simply, Chemists deal with fundamental phenomena such as determination of the chemical reactions, while Chemical Engineers must determine how to exploit this information to design and operate the facilities and processes in order to produce commercial quantities of a product.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electroninc Engineering)
Communication Engineering deals with the transfer of information of diverse kinds by the modulation, transmission and subsequent demodulation or reception of electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals. These signals may be digital or analogue and may be transmitted over cable, radio or optical fibre media. National and international communication networks; television and telecommunication; cable, microwave, satellite and optical communication are among the topics included.
Control Engineering deals with automatic means by which the performance of a process or plant is controlled or regulated from measurements of its own response. Feedback control of this kind, and its fundamental concepts, has very wide applications and implications. Control engineers need wide knowledge and the ability to work with specialists in other fields. This branch of engineers involves the marriage of electrical and mechanical systems.
Power Systems Engineering is a very large field of professional engineering practice in Australia and throughout the world. Every modern economy depends increasingly on electricity supply. Expansion of electricity supply throughout most of the Asian countries is now on a massive scale. The major field of expertise in this department is in all aspects of power generation, transmission, distribution and supply and especially computer-aided design and control of large integrated power network systems.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Engineering)
Materials Engineering is a challenging profession which often forms the bridge between the scientific disciplines of physics and chemistry and the various branches of engineering.
It is concerned with investigating relationships between the structure and the properties of metals, polymers and ceramics (as well as composites of these) and with design, manufacturing and processing of materials with desired properties.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics)
Mechatronics is the title given to the subdiscipline of engineering which studies the integration of mechanical and electronic technologies to create 'intelligent' machines, systems and controllers. High levels of automation in manufacturing environments require designers with skills in the mechanical sciences since the machinery and robotic equipment utilised are fundamentally mechanical in nature. The actuation, monitoring and control of the mechanical devices are, however, achieved by electrical and electronic means. This course provides graduates with skills and knowledge in both mechanical and electrical technologies that will equip them for employment in manufacturing and related environments.
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Bachelor of Science (Geochemistry)
Extractive metallurgists are expected to understand the fundamental science of mineral extraction processes, yet operate in an engineering environment, working with engineers in the design, commissioning and operation of metallurgical plants. The Bachelor of Science in Mineral Science provides training in the core areas of extractive metallurgy - mineral processing, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and process mineralogy. Units in process control and instrumentation, financial management and process economics, and environmental and operational management, bridge the science and engineering disciplines.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience)
Extractive metallurgists are expected to understand the fundamental science of mineral extraction processes, yet operate in an engineering environment, working with engineers in the design, commissioning and operation of metallurgical plants. The Bachelor of Science in Mineral Science provides training in the core areas of extractive metallurgy - mineral processing, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and process mineralogy. Units in process control and instrumentation, financial management and process economics, and environmental and operational management, bridge the science and engineering disciplines.
View full course details on the University of Western Australia website.
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Chemistry is about understanding the properties of the element - how they interact with each other to construct living organisms to produce power from the sun, produce minerals and fuel environmental processes.
Life has evolved systems that depend on carbon as a fundamental element, and several other elements are particularly important in biological systems. A true understanding of such systems must be based upon a full knowledge of the structures, properties and reactivity of the molecular components of life and this knowledge comes from the study of chemistry.
Chemistry plays a pivotal role in the natural sciences. It supplies essential knowledge for the applied sciences, such as astronomy, materials science, engineering, agriculture, medical sciences, pharmacology, and forensic science.
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