Why is an australian engineering program so underrated.

[Ian_Brooks]

why are australian engineering program so underrated.

I just did a year in an Australian university for a study abroad program and found it much harder than what I was exposed to in Purdue. Some things I noted was the following:

- no freshman engineering a lot of the second year ECE courses are taught from first year (EE201 and EE202 taught as a first semester course)
- their math courses are combined with linear algebra, complex analysis and DEQ for the first year of mathematics
- With less deadlines they concentrate on solving a variety of problems in their own time
- the final is worth 75-80% of their final grade, a very traditional method which I'm not very fond of - but cramming becomes obsolete as its impossible to cram 14 weeks of material into a couple of days before the final
- 3 hr labs ?!?

heres a sample look at their program:

Year 1 (Flexible)
* MATH1141 Higher Mathematics 1A (6 UOC)
* MATH1241 Higher Mathematics 1B (6 UOC)
* PHYS1131 Higher Physics 1A (6 UOC)
* PHYS1231 Higher Physics 1B (6 UOC)
* COMP1011 Computing 1A (6 UOC) (HASKEL)
* COMP1021 Computing 1B (6 UOC) (C / RISC)
* ENGG1000 Engineering Design (3 UOC)
* ELEC1011 Elec & Telecomm Eng (6 UOC)
* ELEC1041 Digital Electronic Design (6 UOC)
* MATH1081 Discrete Mathematics (3 UOC)
Year 2

* COMP1921 Data Structures and Algorithms (6 UOC)
* ELEC2031 Circuits and Signals I (3 UOC)
* ELEC2032 Circuits and Signals II (3 UOC)
* PHYS2939 Electro Magnetism (3 UOC)
* ELEC2015 Electromagnetic Applications (3 UOC)
* ELEC2041 Microprocessors and Interfacing (6 UOC)
* ELEC2042 Real Time Instrumentation (6 UOC)
* MATH2069 Mathematics 2A (6 UOC) - Several Variable Calculas + Complex Analysis
* MATH2099 Mathematics 2B (6 UOC) - Prob Stats + Linear Algebra
* 2 General Education (6 UOC)

Year 3
* ELEC3006 ELECTRONICS A (6 UOC)
* ELEC3104 Digital Signal Processing (6 UOC)
* ELEC3105 Electrical Energy (6 UOC)
* ELEC3106 Electronics (6 UOC)
* ELEC3114 Control Systems Engineering I (6 UOC)
* ELEC3117 Electrical Engineering Design (6 UOC)

+ 3 Year 3 Electives

* COMP3111 Software Engineering (6 UOC)
* COMP3211 Computer Architecture (6 UOC)
* COMP3231 Operating Systems (6 UOC)
* COMP3311 Database Systems (6 UOC)
* COMP3411 Artificial Intelligence (6 UOC)
* MATH3411 Information, Codes and Ciphers (6 UOC)
* SOLA3540 Applied Photovoltaics (6 UOC)
* TELE3113 Analogue and Digital Comms (6 UOC)
* TELE3118 Network Technologies (6 UOC)
* TELE3119 Trusted Networks (6 UOC)

Year 4

* ELEC4120 Thesis - Part A (Elec Eng) (6 UOC)
* ELEC4121 Thesis - Part B (Elect Eng) (6 UOC)
* ELEC4122 Strategic Leadership & Ethics (6 UOC)
* ELEC4123 Electrical Design Proficiency (6 UOC)

And four electives from Year 4

Year 4 Electives

Microelectronics

* ELEC4601 Digital & Embedded Syst Design (6 UOC)
* ELEC4602 Microelectronic Design & Tech (6 UOC)
* ELEC4603 Solid State Electronics (6 UOC)
* ELEC4604 RF Electronics (6 UOC)

Systems and Control

* ELEC4631 Cont - Time Control Sys Design (6 UOC)
* ELEC4632 Computer Control Systems (6 UOC)
* ELEC4633 Real - Time Engineering (6 UOC)

Energy Systems

* ELEC4611 Power System Equipment (6 UOC)
* ELEC4612 Power System Analysis (6 UOC)
* ELEC4613 Electrical Drive Systems (6 UOC)
* ELEC4614 Power Electronics (6 UOC)

Signal Processing

* ELEC4621 Advanced Digital Signal Proces (6 UOC)
* ELEC4622 Multimedia Signal Processing (6 UOC)
* ELEC4623 Biomed Instrum, Measu & Design (6 UOC)

Data and Mobile Communications

* TELE4642 Network Performance (6 UOC)
* TELE4651 Wireless Communication Tec (6 UOC)
* TELE4652 Mobile & Satellite Comm System (6 UOC)
* TELE4653 Digital Modulation & Coding (6 UOC)

Photonics

* PHTN4661 Optical Circuits and Fibres (6 UOC)
* PHTN4662 Photonic Networks (6 UOC)

My question is - why are Australian engineering programs so underrated? To be brutally honest I chose the college based on its location - near the city and 20 minutes to a beach, and that it was rated the top engineering college in the Country. Why isn't it ranked higher when compared to other colleges?

 

[user101]

Wow, excellent choice of courses available. I wish I had some of those courses available to me.

 

[Mene]

There could be several reasons why Australian engineering programs may be underrated. One reason could be the lack of awareness and exposure to these programs on a global scale. Unlike some of the top engineering schools in other countries, Australian universities may not have the same level of reputation and recognition in the international community. This could be due to a variety of factors such as limited marketing and promotion, smaller student population, and lesser international collaboration and partnerships.

Another reason could be the grading and evaluation system used in Australian engineering programs. As mentioned in the content, the final exam often carries a significant weightage in determining the final grade. This traditional method of evaluation may not be as appealing to some students who are used to a more continuous assessment approach. This could lead to a perception that the program is harder or more challenging than others, and thus, underrated.

Additionally, the structure and content of the program itself may also play a role in its underrated status. Australian engineering programs may have a strong focus on practical and hands-on learning, which may not be as appealing to students who prefer a more theoretical approach. The emphasis on problem-solving and independent learning may also be perceived as more challenging and demanding. However, these factors also contribute to producing highly skilled and competent engineers.

In conclusion, Australian engineering programs may be underrated due to a combination of factors such as limited global recognition, traditional evaluation methods, and a different approach to teaching and learning. However, it is important to note that these programs produce highly qualified engineers who are in demand in the job market. So, while they may not be as highly ranked as other programs, they still offer valuable education and training for aspiring engineers.