Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Qualification code:: OP700501

Level:: 7

Credits:: 360

Open Polytechnic and the University of Southern Queensland (Australia) have formed a partnership to offer the Bachelor of Engineering Technology by distance delivery in New Zealand. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is a vocationally oriented undergraduate degree that provides students with the knowledge and skills to be admitted as engineering technologists with the Institution of Professional Engineers in New Zealand and the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is for people wanting to upgrade their qualifications and increase their knowledge or for those wanting a career in the engineering sector. The courses provide a core of basic analytical and communication skills common to all branches of engineering and then permit students to undertake indepth study in one or more of the following discipline areas:

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is made up of 360 credits, which can be gained by completing or gaining exemptions from all of the core courses and a selection of the electives. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree comprises a total of 24 courses (each of 15 credits) and five practice units. A maximum of 120 credits can be at Level 5 and a minimum of 90 credits must be at Level 7.

You will also be required to complete five practice units. Although they provide no credits, they are an essential component of your degree, and your degree cannot be completed without this requirement being met. These practice units are held on the Toowoomba campus of the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree can be studied on a part-time basis by studying one or two courses per trimester. If you wish to study full-time you must have successfully completed eight courses in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree before your request will considered by the Degree Convenor.

Trimester 1, 2012 is now closed for enrolment however we are currently accepting applications for entry into Trimester 2, 2012.

University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland (Australia) (USQ) has established itself as one of Australia’s leading universities with a worldwide reputation for academic programmes and student support. USQ is funded by the Australian Government and is a member of the Commonwealth Association of Universities.

Undergraduate, Masters and Doctorate qualification are offered in the faculties of Arts, Business and Commerce, Education, Engineering and Surveying, and Sciences. USQ believes in teaching based upon industrial research and scholarship. Independent surveys report a high level of graduate satisfaction with the standard of its qualifications and graduates are highly sought after in the workplace.

The University is located in Toowoomba, a regional city on the Darling Downs, 130 km west of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. Toowoomba is known as the ‘Garden City’ and is noted for its pleasant climate and relaxed atmosphere. The University has a satellite campus situated on the coast 400 km north of Brisbane in the town of Hervey Bay.

It has a student body of approximately 19,000 students. About 5000 students study on campus; 15% of these are international students representing 42 different nations. The remaining 14,000 students study off campus by distance education and 25% of these live outside of Australia.

Admission requirements

New Zealand students

All candidates for admission to the joint Bachelor of Engineering Technology qualification at the Open Polytechnic must have:

Demonstrated ability to undertake tertiary level study,

AND

Adequate prerequisite knowledge and skills in the areas of written communication, mathematics and, where appropriate, science.

If you lack the necessary knowledge and skills in any of these areas, you may be admitted to the qualification but will be required to undertake a special programme of study.

Eligibility

Check your eligibility for enrolment by working through the following considerations and criteria:

You are eligible for admission to level 5 courses only if you are at least 18 years of age and have obtained (and supplied evidence of) at least:

A minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the NQF or NCEA of which at least 14 credits shall be NCEA mathematics at Level 3 or higher, ‘B’ Bursary mathematics or equivalent, having studied mathematics with calculus to year 13 (7th form) level. The NCEA mathematics credits should be taken from:

90635 – 6 credits
90636 – 6 credits
90637 – 4 credits
90638 – 5 credits
90639 – 3 credits, OR
Passes in recognised Level 5 degree courses in New Zealand, OR
An overseas qualification assessed to be equivalent to the above by the Degree Convenor, OR
Passes in other certificate/diploma qualifications or courses as considered appropriate by the Degree Convenor.

If you do not meet the above criteria or want to enrol in courses at Level 6 or above, you may be eligible for admission with the approval of the Degree Convenor.

You cannot be enrolled in any other qualification if you are accepted into the Bachelor of Engineering Technology programme.

If English is not your first language, please supply evidence of one of the following:

A minimum score of 550 in TOEFL (or 213 in the computer-based test)
A minimum grade of 6.0 in IELTS (with no sub-score less than 5.5)
A grade A1 or A2 in SPM from Malaysia
A grade A1 or A2 in UEC from Malaysia
CAE Grade C or better
C/CPE Grade C or better
Passes in other recognised English proficiency tests subject to the Academic Registrar’s discretion.

Pre-Entry Courses

If you do not meet the maths entry criteria, we have a range of bridging courses. Also, if you have not studied at tertiary level, you may benefit from the Tertiary Study Skills course that we offer. Discuss your particular situation with the relevant Major Leader.

International students

Due to the licensing agreement between the Open Polytechnic and the University of Southern Queensland, the Bachelor of Engineering Technology is not available to international students living in New Zealand or overseas, or to New Zealand students living overseas.

English language proficiency

You will be expected to:

Read and understand written English course materials
Speak English clearly as some courses include workshops and practical and/or on-the-job assessment
Write clearly and accurately in English including developing ideas.

This includes mathematical and scientific courses where calculations and formulae are used extensively.

Other requirements

To study the Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree you need access to a computer with Internet access in order to be able to do the following:

Send and receive emails
Access UConnect
Download documents
Carry out online research
Interact with other students
Use CAD for drafting courses

Provide your work to us in one of the following formats: .doc, .ppt, .rtf or .zip. For some courses you will also need to provide spreadsheets and/or databases to us in one of the following formats: .xls and/or .mdb.

Note: For some courses you may need specialised software. See individual course descriptions for details.

Note: We use Microsoft software and the resources we provide for your study are in this format. If you need to buy software, you can buy it at a special academic price from most software sellers (generally about a third of the normal retail cost).

Recommended Hardware Specifications:

Windows/Linux based Computers

Minimum Specifications

CPU 2 Ghz Intel Core
2 Duo or equivalent processor
RAM 2 Gb
Hard Drive 80 Gb
Optical Drive (CD or DVD) DVD Burner (reads/burns CD and DVD)
Sound Card Yes
Operating System Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (English version if support required)
Video Card 256 Mb VRAM
Internet Connection Broadband, Cable, ADSL or Local Area Network (e.g. at your workplace)
Macintosh based Computers

Macintosh Minimum Specifications (OS 10.4 Tiger Capable)

CPU 2.0 Ghz Intel Core2 Duo

RAM 1 Gb

Hard Drive 80 Gb

Optical Drive (CD or DVD) DVD Burner (reads/burns CD and DVD)

Sound Card Yes

Operating System Mac OS 10.4 (or later)

Video Card 128 Mb VRAM

Internet Connection Broadband, Cable, ADSL or Local Area Network (e.g. at your workplace)

*Issues regarding software compatibility and peripheral hardware are the owner’s responsibility

Software, test equipment and tools

For students studying Electrical or Computer Systems courses.

Students will be required to buy electronic components for ELE1502 Electronic Circuits at an approximate cost of $50.
Students in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology qualifications will be required to buy a kit of electronic components costing approximately $50 to complete the construction assignment for ELE3506 Electronic Measurement.
Students in Bachelor of Engineering Technology qualifications will be required to buy a kit of electronic components costing approximately $50 to complete the construction assignment for ELE2501 Electronic orkshop and Production.
Students studying these courses externally are expected to obtain access for at least several hours per week to the items listed below. These items are required for the courses specified and immediate access is not necessary. Access may be at a place of employment or other venue, however, if equipment has to be bought, the cost will be approximately $85 for test equipment excluding the power supply, $250 for computer software and $80 for hand tools.

Item Required for Courses

Computer Software

MICRO-CAP VIII student edition (NB: Adequate demo version

available free on the Internet)

ELE1301, ELE1502, ELE2503, ELE2504, ELE3506, ELE3508

Altium PCB design software, student limited-term licence ELE2501, ELE3506

MatLAB student edition ELE2103, ELE3105, ELE3107, ELE4108, ELE4605, ELE3803, MAT1502

Mathcad Ver. 11 (Win) student edition (or earlier) ELE2702, ELE2704

AutoCAD 2010, ProEngineer Wildfire 4 or equivalent ENG1100, MEC2304 (ProEngineer Wildfire 4 available on application to Course Leader).

Test Equipment and Tools

Digital multimeter

DC ranges 0.2V to 1000V 200MicroA to 10A
AC ranges 0.2V to 1000V 200MicrA to 10A

ELE1502, ELE2503, ELE2504, ELE3506

Electronic breadboard (at least 640 holes) ELE1502, ELE2503, ELE2504, ELE3506

DC power supply + 5V, 500mA; +-15V, 100mA ELE2503, ELE2504, ELE3506

One pair of wire cutters/strippers and one pair of smooth jawed

pliers suitable for electronic work (approximate size 11 cm)

ELE1502, ELE1911, ELE2501, ELE2503, ELE2504, ELE2913, ELE3506

Analogue multimeter, hook-up wire, some electronic components ELE2702

Soldering iron and safety glasses ELE2501, ELE3506

Note:

Many software packages have their own minimum hardware requirements. If you are a new computer buyer, you should check the requirements of the software you plan to use before you commit yourself to particular hardware.
If you need to buy software, you can often get it at a special academic price from most software vendors (generally at about a third of the normal retail cost). You will need proof of acceptance into your course, and you may use the confirmation of enrolment letter for this purpose. Go to the Lapshop or contact a Microsoft Software reseller.

Graduate profile

Bachelor of Engineering Technology graduates should be able to:

Understand and apply knowledge of engineering fundamentals and the basic sciences, including computing and mathematics, relevant to their discipline.
Use a systems approach to understand and improve engineering outcomes.
Develop engineering designs.
Adapt, apply and implement technologies relevant to their field.
Schedule, manage and complete engineering projects.
Communicate effectively in English in a variety of modes with members of the engineering team, allied professionals and the community at large.
Make sound decisions based on open-mindedness, objectivity and reasoned analysis.
Function effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
Apply problem-solving techniques including problem identification, formulation and solution, initiative, innovation and creativity.
Investigate and report on situations or the behaviour of a system, using standard techniques appropriate for their discipline.
Manage work efficiently and effectively under time and resource constraints.
Adapt to changing circumstances and master new knowledge, technologies, and techniques.
Learn independently and understand the need to undertake lifelong learning.
Gather and effectively use information from the range of sources relevant to their field.
Understand and operate effectively within the cultural environments in which engineering technologists practice in local, national and global contexts.
Practise in a professional manner informed by a knowledge and acceptance of the economic, ethical, legal, professional and workplace responsibilities of an engineering technologist.
Understand and accept the social, cultural and environmental responsibilities of an engineering technologist.

Lecturer/Tutor

Alan Culver

Brochure and more information

For more information view the brochure below or request a brochure to be sent to you. If you have any questions please contact us.

Practice units and residential programmes

The practice units are to enable you to acquire specific competencies associated with your major study. These competencies range from specific practical and communication skills through to generic competencies including ethical and social responsibility, awareness of the environment and teamwork. Practice units contain activities that will enable you to acquire the practical, professional and generic competencies appropriate to your field of study.

After enrolling in a practice unit you will receive an information package from USQ covering all aspects of your Australian voyage. A practice unit will normally consist of a one-week residential school, which will be held on the Toowoomba Campus of the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. All costs associated with practice units will be at your expense.

You are advised to book your flights early to avoid the holiday rush, especially in September. Applications close 17 June 2011 for September 2011 Residential Practice units.

Applications close 28 October 2011 for February 2012 Residential Practice units. However, due to limited places on any practice unit, you should plan and apply at least 6 months before the above dates.