Course Overview

About This Course

Instrumentation control and automation engineering is the integration of electrical, electronic and computing engineering with control engineering. This integrated discipline includes the development of intelligent systems to automate monitoring, processing, and production in different engineering industries. The course is designed to provide graduates with a strong background to enter into a range of career pathways related to automation and control application in the mining and mineral processing, oil and gas, and agriculture industries that are strongly represented in the economy of Western Australia. Graduates of the course will be conversant in electrical and electronic engineering; have specialist skills in design, development and management of advanced control and automation systems; and have the ability to participate in, and lead, complex multidisciplinary projects. The program focuses on the development of knowledge and skills relevant to professional engineering practice along with a sound theoretical base, and includes strong elements of practical problem solving, team work and project development. As a result, graduates will have strong analytical skills, in addition to multiple technical and transferable competencies. The course covers topics in process control algorithms, computer interfacing and communications of industrial controllers, as well as computer automation, including the use of PLCs, SCADA, and PC-based systems to control systems and processes. Topics such as advanced PLC control and SCADA systems, and manufacturing execution systems are introduced in the advanced years of the program, after students have gained proficiency in the theory of modern control and dynamic systems. The first year of this course includes a set of eight units that are common across all engineering honours courses. This allows students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the various engineering disciplines on offer and the flexibility, if desired, to switch to another engineering discipline/course without penalty after the first year of study.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA

500 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 6000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

All applicants are required to have Mathematics: Methods ATAR, with equivalents considered
All applicants are required to have Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR or Chemistry ATAR or Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, with equivalents considered
It is desirable that all applicants have Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR, with equivalents considered; students without Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR may need to take a bridging unit in the first year of their studies
Indicative ATAR: 80 (domestic students)
Academic admission requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following: AQF Diploma or equivalent; Undergraduate Certificate; Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test; University Preparation Course; Indigenous University Orientation Course
For international students, requirements include your secondary school results
English competency requirements (Band 3) may be satisfied through one of the following: Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent; Special Tertiary Admissions Test; IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0); Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada; University Preparation Course; Indigenous University Orientation Course; AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page
Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The course is designed to provide graduates with a strong background to enter into a range of career pathways related to automation and control application in the mining and mineral processing, oil and gas, and agriculture industries that are strongly represented in the economy of Western Australia.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Engineers Australia (EA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Engineers Australia

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units33 units

ENS1154

Introduction to Engineering

ENS1115

Materials and Manufacturing 1

ENM1102

Engineering Drawing and Computer Aided Design

MAT1250

Mathematics 1

ENS1101

Engineering Mechanics

ENS1180

Introduction to Energy and Resource Engineering

ENS1253

Electrical Engineering Fundamentals

MAT1251

Mathematics 2

ENM2104

Instrumentation and Measurement

ENS2456

Digital Electronics

ENS2159

Engineering Innovation and Ethics

ENS2120

Engineering Systems

CSP2151

Programming Fundamentals

ENS5230

Electrical Machines and Transformers

ENS3553

Signals and Systems

ENS2457

Analog Electronics

ENS3555

Communication Systems 1

ENS3551

Electrical Networks

ENS3554

Data Communications and Computer Networks

ENS5253

Control Systems

ENS2257

Microprocessor Systems

ENS5191

Electrical Engineering Design

ENS5240

Industrial Control

ENS5111

Engineering Professional Practice

ENS5175

Distributed Control Systems

ENS5130

Advanced Industrial Control

ENS3215

Power Electronics

ENS4152

Project Development

Standard project unit; alternative to Engineering Honours Thesis 1 for students not on graded Honours pathway

ENS5145

Engineering Honours Thesis 1

For students undertaking the graded Honours pathway, in place of Project Development

ENS5543

Engineering Management

ENS5209

Process Control

ENS4253

Engineering Project

Standard project unit; alternative to Engineering Honours Thesis 2 for students not on graded Honours pathway

ENS5146

Engineering Honours Thesis 2

For students undertaking the graded Honours pathway, in place of Engineering Project

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the graded and ungraded Honours pathways?

Students who receive a WAM of 70 per cent or above at the end of their third year of study will be invited to complete a graded Honours degree by taking the two Honours Thesis units (ENS5145 and ENS5146) in place of the standard project units in their fourth year. Students below this cut-off, or who decline the offer to undertake the Honours Thesis, will graduate with an ungraded Honours degree.

What are the prerequisites for entry into this course?

All applicants are required to have Mathematics: Methods ATAR, with equivalents considered, and Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR or Chemistry ATAR or Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, with equivalents considered. It is desirable that all applicants have Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR; students without these may need to take a bridging unit in the first year of their studies. The indicative ATAR is 80.

What industries will graduates be prepared to work in?

Can I switch to a different engineering discipline after my first year?

Yes. The first year of this course includes a set of eight units that are common across all engineering honours courses. This allows students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the various engineering disciplines on offer and the flexibility, if desired, to switch to another engineering discipline/course without penalty after the first year of study.

What are the estimated fees for this course?

For domestic students, the estimated first year indicative fee is AUD $8,350 (Commonwealth supported). For international students, the estimated first year indicative fee is AUD $42,900.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $65,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $130,000 per year

Career Paths

Instrumentation and Control EngineerAutomation EngineerProcess Control EngineerControl Systems EngineerSCADA Engineer

Key Skills

Design and implementation of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systemsSCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system development and operationProcess control system analysis, modelling, and optimisationAnalogue and digital electronics design and troubleshootingSignal processing, measurement, and sensor technology application

Full Course Overview

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