For double degrees, please check the Inherent Academic Requirements for both single degrees.
- Before you enrol
- Observation skills
- Communication skills
- Motor Skills
- Intellectual - conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Behavioural and social skills
- Sustained performance
Committed to equity and diversity
At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.
Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.
The inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) / Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the programs.
This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for the programs so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.
Externally accredited
UniSC offers Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) / Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) which qualify you for registration as an engineer with accrediting bodies such as Engineers Australia, and is internationally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas. It also qualifies you for graduate membership of Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer).
Key engineering practice skills are embedded and assessed throughout the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) / Bachelor of Environmental Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours).
Skills you need
The Engineering programs at UniSC have inherent academic requirements in six categories:
- Observational skills
- Communication skills
- Motor skills
- Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Behavioural and social skills
- Sustained performance
Before you enrol
If you intend to enrol in a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) / Bachelor of Environmental Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.
If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff.
Reasonable adjustments
Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the program if the adjustment is:
- logistically reasonable
- likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner
Support and further information is available from UniSC
- Ability Advisers
- Career Advisers
- Relevant academic contacts
Observational skills
The core observational requirements are the capacity to demonstrate adequate hearing and vision to safely and effectively complete tasks during laboratory practical classes, field trips and/ or work placements. Additionally, as an Engineers Australia accreditation requirement, students are required to complete at least 60 days of engineering work experience in an engineering office, a laboratory, in the field or factory activities.
Justification
Adequate vision and hearing are required to safely and effectively complete engineering practices during laboratory practical classes, field trips and work placements.
Adjustments
Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks required to complete the degree. Any strategies to address the effects of vision or hearing impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise completion of assessment tasks or safety.
Examples
As a student you must be able to:
- make observations and accurately take measurements and detect subtle changes in responses to engineering systems using instrumentation with visual and/or auditory outputs such as flow meters, seismometers, pressure sensors, etc
- participate in and understand work, health and safety briefings
- observe visual and auditory alarms, warnings and directions (for example, related to industrial or construction activities) to ensure the safety of yourself and others during laboratory work, field trips and work placements
Communication skills
Students must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English with language use and style appropriate to both professional and lay audiences.
Justification
Students require adequate English language skills to understand lectures, reading materials and verbal and written instructions, to participate in group activities and to complete assessment tasks. Effective written communication is a fundamental responsibility for engineers with professional and legal ramifications. Adequate communication with engineers, other personnel and stakeholders is essential for the safe completion of projects.
Adjustments
Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.
Examples
As a student you must be able to:
- write and present clear, concise and accurate reports, essays, oral presentations etc
- read and understand a range of literature, information and technical tools, including spreadsheets, graphs and engineering specific software
- write reports and keep records in a timely manner to meet academic and professional standards
- integrate and summarise information in a meaningful manner
- actively participate in group assessment tasks, tutorial and/or laboratory discussions
- comprehend spoken English delivered at conversational speed
Motor skills
Students must demonstrate adequate gross (e.g. standing, bending, pushing, pulling, carrying) and fine (e.g. manipulating various objects, grasping, pressing, pushing, turning) motor skills to safely and effectively complete tasks during laboratory practical classes, field trips and work placements.
Justification
Gross motor function and fine motor dexterity are required to complete various tasks in the laboratory, field and or work placements.
Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness and safety of self and others. Such adjustments may include adaptive equipment, assistive technology, practical assistant personnel or modifications to the task which do not impact upon the academic knowledge and skills required to complete it.
Examples
As a student you must be able to:
- accurately manipulate equipment and instruments in tests and measurements for laboratory, field and industrial data collection and analysis
- transport and operate field, laboratory and industrial equipment
- travel to, and participate in, field trips and work placements in off campus locations within reasonable timeframes
Intellectual skills, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
Students must demonstrate consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills to provide safe and appropriate engineering services. Students must be able to competently and accurately collect, organise, analyse and interpret numerical data and qualitative information.
Justification
Safe and effective delivery of engineering projects and services requires comprehensive knowledge that must be obtained, understood and applied appropriately. Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective delivery of engineering projects and services.
Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments must support the student’s ability to acquire, analyse and apply knowledge.
Examples
As a student you must be able to:
- apply knowledge of policy and procedures appropriately in industrial settings
- conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks and work placement activities
- read, interpret, synthesize and comprehend information from multiple sources
- perform accurate calculations
- accurately interpret data
Behavioural and social skills
The Engineering profession is governed by codes, guidelines and policies whereby engineering students are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in many different contexts. Students must be able to work with others and share responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and situations. Students must be able to demonstrate cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, field trips and work placements.
Justification
- Students must be able to work constructively and ethically in socially and culturally diverse academic and professional environments. These may include tutorials, laboratory classes, in the field and during engineering work placements.
- Students must comply with professional standards and requirements.
Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments must comply with standards and maintain ethical behaviour.
Examples
As a student you must be able to:
- respond appropriately and professionally to stressful situations and issues.
- work constructively in culturally and socially diverse groups while dealing with challenging practical and theoretical issues
Sustainable performance
Students must be able to perform and complete multiple physical and mental tasks over appropriate time frames to meet program requirements, particularly the compulsory 60 days of engineering work experience.
Justification
Students must be able to undertake and complete tasks and activities that require both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
Adjustments
Adjustments must ensure that physical and mental performance is consistent and sustained over a given period.
Examples
As a student you must be able to take responsibility for personal learning and complete multiple tasks within defined timeframes.