30 October 2007

UNSW’s Faculty of Engineering attracted strong interest from potential students at the launch of the new suite of Postgraduate Coursework Programs on October 11.

A reception and information evening in the John Niland Scientia provided a forum for Dean of Engineering Dianne Wiley to introduce the new programs and for undergraduate and graduate students to discuss possible options with academics from the faculty.

Professor Wiley said the new coursework programs allow students to move between disciplines as well as further their studies in the same field.

The Coursework Programs have been designed to provide high-quality continuing education for engineers in the workforce and other graduates who have not had previous exposure to engineering.

“Your undergraduate training may have been in one area of engineering and you are looking to specialise in another, perhaps related, area of engineering. Or your undergraduate qualification may be in science, medicine, mathematics or another area and you may be seeking to use those skills in an aspect of engineering,” Professor Wiley said.

Fiorella Torres, 21, a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student, will start work next year but was at the program launch examining studying energy systems for her Masters Degree over the next two years.

“I’m going to start working with Energy Australia next year as a Band One engineer,” Fiorella said.

“I think it would be a good incentive to gain more knowledge within my field because I’m going to be working in that field anyway.

“It’s not such a bad idea to go straight back into study – I think I’m fresh so the knowledge is all there and I’m used to studying.”

Ryan Thompson, 21, another fourth-year electrical engineering student, was considering using coursework to decide on whether he will go into full time research.

For full information on the Postgraduate Coursework Programs go to:
http://www.eng.unsw.edu.au/prospect/pgcourse/cwprog.htm

Electrical Engineering student Fiorella Torres.