The Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science is a 36-unit program offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within The Faculty of Science and Engineering.

While the award can be taken stand-alone, it is specifically designed as a pathway to the University's Master of Engineering awards to facilitate entry to these by graduates without an engineering degree.  The program of study and the specific entry requirements are thus predicated on nominating a target Master of Engineering on entry to the Graduate Diploma.

Accreditation Note

The combination of this Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science together with one of Flinders' Master of Engineering programs is provisionally accredited by Engineers Australia at the level of professional engineer.  Full accreditation is normally granted when the first cohort of students graduate from the program.

Professional engineering courses accredited by Engineers Australia are recognised internationally under the Washington Accord.  Once fully accredited graduates of a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science / Master of Engineering combination will meet the academic requirements for attaining chartered professional engineering status.

Admission requirements

The admissions requirements for the award are one of the following:

  1. a science degree.
  2. a medical science degree (for later articulation to the Master of Engineering (Biomedical) which must include study in biology, chemistry/materials and human physiology.
  3. a computer science or information technology degree (for later articulation to the Master of Engineering (Electronics) which must include study in either programming or digital electronics.
  4. an engineering qualification.

In addition, whatever qualification is held, students are expected to be able to demonstrate previous study or recognised prior learning in communication and planning skills, mathematics (equivalent to first-year university mathematics) and science (equivalent to a university undergraduate topic in physics).  Some basic knowledge of biology and chemistry will be assumed.

The Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science is not available to graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering graduates in the same discipline as their intended masters award. These students should instead apply for the master's degree directly.

Course aims

The course has been designed to provide graduates with:

  • additional study in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of engineering that builds on a student’s previous knowledge and experience;
  • an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems;
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them;
  • well developed written and oral communication skills;
  • an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so;
  • preparation for future roles as a professional engineer.

The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in an engineering related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable. 

Completion of this award enables students to enrol in Flinders University Master of Engineering awards.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the award, students will be able to:

  • use professional skills and knowledge in the systematic development of complex engineering systems;
  • communicate effectively with other engineers and the wider global community using a wide range of communication technologies;
  • understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed;
  • understand the engineering fundamentals needed to generate a solution appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied.

Program of study

Student should select a stream from Electronics or Biomedical dependent upon which Masters Engineering they want to articulate to.

Stream - Electronics topics

Students must complete 36 units of topics according to their entry qualifications as specified below:

Core and Elective topics – Electronics pathway 1

Students who have entered with a Computer Science degree must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8703 Electronics GE# (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8731 Microprocessors GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8712 Electronic Design and Automation GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8812 Engineering Mechanics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8752 Engineering Physics and Materials GE (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units of electives selected from ENGR topics at level 7000 and above.

# Please note this topic starts before the normal teaching period.

Core and Elective topics – Electronics pathway 2

Students who have entered with an Engineering degree or a science degree with 1st year Mathematics and Physics or a non-Washington Accord accredited engineering degree must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8703 Electronics GE# (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8731 Microprocessors GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8712 Electronic Design and Automation GE (4.5 units)
COMP8801 Computer Programming 2 GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8800 Engineering Programming GE (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units of electives selected from ENGR topics at level 7000 and above.

# Please note this topic starts before the normal teaching period.

Core and Elective topics – Electronics pathway 3

Students who have entered with a TAFE Electronics qualification plus 10 years work experience must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
COMP8801 Computer Programming 2 GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8812 Engineering Mechanics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8752 Engineering Physics and Materials GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8800 Engineering Programming GE (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units of electives selected from ENGR topics at level 7000 and above.

Stream - Biomedical topics

Students must complete 36 units of topics according to their entry qualifications as specified below.

Core and Elective topics – Biomedical pathway 1

Students who have entered with a Medical Science Qualification or Biological Science based degree must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8703 Electronics GE# (4.5 units)
ENGR8800 Engineering Programming GE (4.5 units)
COMP8801 Computer Programming 2 GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8731 Microprocessors GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8772 Sensors and Actuators GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8812 Engineering Mechanics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)

# Please note this topic starts before the normal teaching period.

Core and Elective topics – Biomedical pathway 2

Students who have entered with an Engineering degree in a different area or a Non Washington Accord degree must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8703 Electronics GE# (4.5 units)
ENGR8800 Engineering Programming GE (4.5 units)
COMP8801 Computer Programming 2 GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8731 Microprocessors GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8772 Sensors and Actuators GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
MMED8931 Human Physiology GE (4.5 units)

# Please note this topic starts before the normal teaching period.

Core and Elective topics – Biomedical Pathway 3

Students who have entered with a TAFE  Electronics qualification plus over 10 years work experience must complete 36 units of topics comprising:

ENGR8800 Engineering Programming GE (4.5 units)
COMP8801 Computer Programming 2 GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8812 Engineering Mechanics GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8752 Engineering Physics and Materials GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8761 Engineering Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
MMED8931 Human Physiology GE (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units of electives selected from ENGR topics at level 7000 and above.