Shape the way we live and improve our impact on the environment.
Mechanical engineers work with machines and mechanical systems to develop better manufacturing methods. This four year embedded honours program focuses on engineering design, machine design, energy systems, fluid mechanics and production engineering.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * Campus note: some courses are supplied by the University of Southern Queensland and taken by cross institutional enrolment. Workshops and tutorials for these classes are conducted at Sippy Downs. Students may be required to travel to and attend the Toowoomba campus for block intensive practical classes.
- +Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs
- ** Only a Semester 1 commencement is available at Gympie
- The first intake for international students on a Student visa is Semester 1 2017
- * Campus note: some courses are supplied by the University of Southern Queensland and taken by cross institutional enrolment. Workshops and tutorials for these classes are conducted at Sippy Downs. Students may be required to travel to and attend the Toowoomba campus for block intensive practical classes.
- +Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs
- ** Only a Semester 1 commencement is available at Gympie
- The first intake for international students on a Student visa is Semester 1 2017
Mechanical engineers work with machines and mechanical systems to develop better manufacturing methods. This four year embedded honours program focuses on engineering design, machine design, energy systems, fluid mechanics and production engineering.
Our program is designed to qualify you as a mechanical engineer for registration with the accrediting body, Engineers Australia, and is provisionally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas. You’ll learn how things operate, and work out better ways to do them to benefit all people.
You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience including 12 weeks work experience with professional engineers and engineering associates. You’ll also get to recreate real life interactive scenarios in our state-of-the art visualisation lab and dedicated engineering laboratories. Learn from industry professionals with guest lectures that expose you to current engineering professional practice.
Special selection criteria
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in Maths B and Maths C in secondary school will be eligible for an exemption for the course MTH102 Social Media Management*. On application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering they may substitute another mathematically based and engineering relevant course for MTH102 Mathematics Foundations as a Variation to Program in order to fulfil the requirements of the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
Mining, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, aviation, electrical power, transport, defence, agriculture.
Membership
Engineers Australia have assessed the program and provisional accreditation at the level of professional engineer was granted in late 2014.
Program structure
For students commencing in the current semester.
Introductory courses (6)
COR109 Mathematics Foundations
ENG101 Communication and Thought
ENG102 Engineering Professional Practice
MTH102 Engineering Statics
SET111 Mathematics Foundations
# ENG1101 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving
# This course is undertaken via external mode at the University of Southern Queensland
Advanced courses (24)
ENG202 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG203 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG221 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG225 Mechanics of Materials
ENG226 Engineering Materials
ENG227 Manufacturing Technology
ENG228 Mechanical Design 1
ENG335 Mechanical Design 2
ENG336 Production Engineering
ENG401 Engineering System Design
ENG402 Engineering Project 1
ENG403 Engineering Project 2
MTH202 Engineering Research Methodology
MTH312 Calculus and Algebra
PHY202 Numerical Analysis
# ENG2102 Engineering Problem Solving and Analysis
# ENG3003 Engineering Management
# MEC2101 Thermodynamics
# MEC2401 Dynamics I
# MEC3102 Fluid Mechanics
# MEC3203 Materials Technology
# MEC3302 Computational Mechanics in Design
# MEC3403 Dynamics II
# MEC4103 Heat Transfer
# These courses are undertaken via external mode at the University of Southern Queensland
Elective courses (2)
Students must choose 2 elective courses from the following list:
BUS203 Electronics and Electromagnetism
ENG330 Business Law and Ethics
ENG421 Engineering Hydrology
ENG422 Design of Water Supply Systems
ENP211 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENP236 Planning and Environmental Law
ENS300 Regions, Change and Sustainability
ENS310 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENS320 Climate Change Adaptation
MTH381 Introduction to Climate Change Mitigation
PED312 Applied Systems Modelling
PUB262 Property and Asset Management
#AGR2302 Agricultural Machinery
#CIV8803 Mechanics and Technology of Fibre Composites
#ENG4004 Engineering Project and Operations Management
#ELE1301 Computer Engineering
#ELE2103 Linear Systems and Control
#ELE3105 Computer Controlled Systems
#ENV4204 Environmental Technology
#MEC4104 Energy Technology
#MEC4406 Robotics and Machine Vision
# These courses are undertaken via external mode at the University of Southern Queensland
Practice courses
Required practical work
Students must complete the following zero unit practice course. This course requires 50 hours of student effort and are graded as a Pass or Fail. There is no fee associated with the course. This course is delivered in an intensive block in Residential School during September ( Year 3) at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba campus.
# MEC3904 Mechanical Practice 4
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Undertake via external mode, courses denoted with # at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
- Complete practical courses denoted with @ at the University of Southern Queensland. These courses are graded as a Pass or Fail. There is no fee associated with these courses and they are zero unit value. These courses are delivered in intensive blocks in Residential School during February and September at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba campus. Students may enrol in these courses in Years 2, 3 or 4 of their program. Students must meet all costs associated with travel and accommodation.
- Complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable work experience. Students must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of practical experience to satisfy this requirement.
- Apply to enrol in USQ courses via Student Administration in C Block on the appropriate form and prior to the USQ Cross Institutionally closing date.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Study Plan.