How Swinburne engineering students meet Engineers Australia Competencies

Engineers Australia uses the Stage 1 Competencies (covering 16 mandatory Elements of Competency) to define the competency standards for an Engineer (Professional or Associate). These Competencies are the profession's expression of the knowledge and skill base; engineering application abilities; and professional skills, values and attitudes that must be demonstrated at the point of entry to practice.

Source: Engineers Australia, Stage 1 competencies professional engineer and associate engineer

Swinburne University of Technology designs its engineering courses and units so that students can attain these Engineering Australia Stage 1 Competencies. Swinburne engineering courses must also meet multiple accreditation standards that include Engineers Australia (Stage 1 Competencies); the Engineering Accreditation Council, Malaysia; the Malaysian Government; Australian Qualification Framework; and Swinburne’s own Graduate Attributes.

That is why the University developed Swinburne Engineering Competencies (SECs) to meet all these accreditation standards. The SECs define the elements of knowledge, skills and application that are covered and assessed in the engineering units that make up an engineering course. 

Students complete assessment tasks to meet the learning outcomes of a Unit (ULOs). Completing assessment tasks instils engineering competencies (Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and SECs). When a student completes all the Units in a Course then the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and the required engineering competencies, have been met, as shown below.

 

Required learning outcomes and engineering competencies
 

Assessment tasks in each unit
Unit Learning Outcomes taught and assessed by each task
Unit Learning Outcomes mapped to Swinburne Engineering Competencies/Engineers Australia stage 1
Swinburne Engineering Competencies mapped to Course Learning Outcomes

At the completion of their Swinburne engineering course, graduates demonstrate attainment of the Swinburne Engineering Competencies that align with the Engineering Australia Stage 1 Competencies. How Swinburne Engineering Competencies align with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies is demonstrated here:

Swinburne Engineering Competencies alignment with Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

Swinburne Engineering Competencies (SECs)

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

Professional Engineer
(accredited Masters and Bachelor degrees*)

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

Engineering Associate
(accredited Associate Degrees and Advanced Diplomas*)
KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE
K1 Basic Science:
Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.		 1.1. Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.  1.1. Descriptive, formula-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the practice area.

K2 Maths and IT as Tools:
Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools in complex engineering activities.

1.2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.

 1.2. Procedural-level understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences, which underpin the practice area.
K3 Discipline Specific:
Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering within that context.		 1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.  1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. 
K4 Emerging Disciplinary Trends:
Proficiently applies research principles and methods on current or emerging complex problems of Manufacturing Engineering.		 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 1.4 Discernment of engineering developments within the practice area.
K5 Practice Context:
Discerns and appreciates the societal, environmental and other contextual factors affecting professional engineering practice.		 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the practice area.
K6 Professional Practice:
Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.		 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.  1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the area of practice.
SKILLS ENGINEERING APPLICATION ABILITY ENGINEERING APPLICATION ABILITY
S1 Engineering Methods:
Applies engineering methods in practical applications and complex engineering problems.		 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 2.1. Application of established technical and practical methods to the solution of well-defined engineering problems.
S2 Problem Solving:
Systematically uses current or emerging knowledge and research methods to undertake independent research in solving complex engineering problems and as preparation for research higher degrees.		 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. 2.2. Application of technical and practical techniques, tools and resources to well-defined engineering problems.
S3 Design:
Systematically uses engineering methods in designing solutions to complex engineering problems.		 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. 2.3. Application of systematic design processes to well-defined engineering problems.
S4 Project Management:
Systematically uses engineering methods in conducting and managing project work including finance.		 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.   2.4. Application of systematic project management processes
ATTITUDE PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
A1 Ethics:
Values the need for, and demonstrates, ethical conduct and professional accountability.		 3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability.  3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability. 
A2 Communication:
Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences including in complex engineering activities.		 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
A3 Entrepreneurial:
Appreciates entrepreneurial approaches to engineering practice.		 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
A4 Information Management:
Demonstrates seeking, using, assessing and managing information.		 3.4. Professional use and management of information. 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
A5 Professional Self:
Demonstrates professionalism and life‐long learning.		 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. 3.5. Orderly management of self and professional conduct.
A6 Management of Self:
Demonstrates self‐management processes.
A7 Teamwork:
Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.		 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership. 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

*For a list of the Swinburne engineering courses currently accredited by Engineers Australia visit their Accredited Engineering Program Directory on the Engineers Australia website.

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