Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Computer Science

Chemical engineers play a critical role in transforming raw materials into useful products such as healthy foods, clean water, metals, medicines and sustainable energy.

Drawing on detailed process development, modelling and systems thinking, chemical engineers apply new approaches and big-picture thinking to reduce waste and energy consumption.

In this hands-on specialisation you'll explore topics including energy and mass flows, safety and sustainability, and the possibilities of interconnected systems.

You will benefit from the insights and expertise of world-leading researchers and highly-qualified academic staff. With practical projects, guest lecturers from industry, internships and placements with leading engineering companies, you will gain the knowledge, skills and industry connections needed to transition from university to the workplace.

Tailor your specialisation in chemical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Chemical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Biomedical engineering
• Bioprocess engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Materials engineering or
• Metallurgical engineering.

See the Chemical Engineering specialisation

In civil engineering you will study how to plan, design, construct and maintain infrastructure such as buildings, dams, airports and transport networks. You will also learn how to protect and improve the natural environment while meeting the changing needs of society.

The civil engineering specialisation enables you to develop technical skills in building materials, the design of structures, hydrology, geotechnical engineering and transport systems.

This is complemented with an understanding of natural systems and the analysis techniques used to examine how both the built and natural environments perform and adapt to environmental challenges such as climate change and associated shifts in rainfall, wind, flooding and natural disasters, as well as future population needs.

With a focus on applying engineering expertise to develop practical solutions, combined with regular interactions with the civil engineering industry and world-class academic staff, you will gain the knowledge, skills and industry links that will enable you to immediately contribute to the engineering profession.

Tailor your specialisation in civil engineering with majors or minors that meet your interests and career goals. Civil engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Environmental engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Mining engineering
• Structural engineering
• Transport engineering or
• Water and marine engineering

See the Civil Engineering specialisation

Are you passionate about renewable energy? Do you want to discover new ways to generate power? Are you interested in building digital devices that transmit data across the world?

Within the electrical engineering specialisation, you will learn to design and manage equipment and investigate embedded systems that contribute to almost every sector of society.

These systems include smartphones, electrical power and renewable energy, medical imaging for healthcare, electrical appliances for homes, scientific instruments for laboratories, lasers for high-speed communication and satellite systems for remote sensing.

With much of your coursework being hands-on, you'll leave UQ with highly regarded specialist technical skills. This flexible and transportable degree will open opportunities with companies across the globe.

Electrical engineers work in exciting roles in major internet, communications and power generation organisations. Many graduates establish their own companies early in their careers or work overseas.

Depending on the major you choose, career paths can lead to roles in the telecommunications industry, computer industry, the mining and transport sector, or in power generation and transmission industries.

Our electrical, computer, and biomedical engineers have been employed by organisations such as Siemens, Phillips, Cochlear, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and ResMed.

Tailor your specialisation in electrical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Electrical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Biomedical engineering or
• Computer engineering.

See the Electrical Engineering specialisation

From planes, trains and automobiles through to artificial hearts, elevators and the world’s largest power stations, mechanical engineering involves anything and everything with moving parts.

In this broad specialisation, you will learn how to design, manufacture and control machines and engines ranging from power generators through to manufacturing systems. You’ll also have access to innovative technologies and our specialist workshop areas (including our race car workshop) where you can practise your new skills.

You will study air, heat and energy flows, and learn how to control and automate machines. Using your strong analytical skills, you will identify and develop solutions for all kinds of mechanical challenges, and gain an excellent understanding of how machines are used in everyday conveniences from refrigerators to sound production, roller-coasters and computers.

You will develop expertise in creating precision machinery and apply the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology and technology to leverage the latest advances in cutting-edge nanotechnology.

Tailor your specialisation in mechanical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Mechanical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Aerospace engineering
• Biomedical engineering
• Fire safety engineering
• Materials engineering or
• Mining engineering.

See the Mechanical Engineering specialisation

Are you ready for one of the most hands-on mechatronic degrees in Australia? Do you want to learn how to retrieve a submarine from the ocean floor or build an autonomous drone?

This specialisation begins with the study of design principles, mechatronic systems, theory, communication skills and ethics. Your studies will incorporate the dynamics and materials of mechanical engineering along with electrical elements such as circuit design.

You'll explore concepts and practical applications in areas including artificial intelligence, signal and systems theory, and control theory. This knowledge will also be integrated with computer science as you learn how mechanical and electrical components work together.

Each year you'll complete a hands-on, project-based subject as part of a student team. This will involve designing and building a system to solve a mechatronics task.

Previous projects include a mini-rescue vehicle, autonomous drones, cars and sailboats, and submarine recovery. You'll also complete a robotics project in your third year of study.

Depending on the major you choose, employment opportunities can be found in product development and manufacturing, mining, aerospace and defence, transport, and government and industry research groups.

Mechatronic engineers are highly sought after for roles involving artificial intelligence systems, robotics, automated industrial machinery and avionics. Employers include BAE Systems, Arnott’s Australia, Epsom, Google, Amazon, Boeing ABB, Telstra, Uber and Accenture.

Tailor your specialisation in mechatronic engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Mechatronic engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Computer engineering or
• Mining engineering.

See the Mechatronic Engineering specialisation

Aerospace engineering is all about flight, whether that’s planes, helicopters or rockets.

Mechanical engineers with a major in aerospace engineering design fuel-efficient aircraft that cut emissions, design the fleets of satellites that power modern GPS technology, and create the next generation of spacecraft for missions to Mars and beyond.

You'll learn how to design and manufacture aircraft, launch vehicles, satellites, drones, spacecraft and ground support facilities.

This dynamic major incorporates industry-based project work to help ensure graduates future-proof their careers through the development of powerful industry connections and professional networks.

Employment opportunities are available locally, domestically and globally and include Boeing, Airbus, Gilmour Space, Nova Defence, Northrop, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Defence Science and Technology and BAE Systems.

This major is available to study within the mechanical engineering specialisation.

See the Aerospace Engineering major

Biomedical engineers create materials, devices and processes for better health outcomes.

Biomedical engineering bridges the gap between technology, medicine and biology. It integrates physical, chemical, mathematical and computational sciences and engineering principles with the ultimate aim of improving health care.

Biomedical engineers may be involved in the design, construction and development of health and monitoring devices and computers, implantable devices, diagnostic systems and therapeutic systems, cell and tissue engineering, and pharmaceuticals. You may also work with models of physiological function and prosthetics and implants.

Depending on your chosen specialisation, you may find employment with hospitals, biotechnology companies, medical equipment manufacturers, research institutes and government health departments.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The biomedical engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Biomedical Engineering major

Bioprocess engineers create processes and products that support the development of a healthy and sustainable world.

Bioprocess engineering combines the core principles of chemical engineering and biology for scalable production of medicines, such as vaccines during pandemics, foods, and beverages.

The same principles are applied to treating wastewater and converting waste streams into valuable products, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics.

This involves engineering living cells to produce desirable products and designing and optimising processes to manufacture bioproducts at scale to benefit society.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The bioprocess engineering major is available to study within the chemical engineering specialisation.

See the Bioprocess Engineering major

Do you want to create the next generation of iPads, laptops or PCs?

Are you interested in building computers that control machinery, medical instruments, cars, whitegoods, robots, communications equipment and satellites?

Computer engineers design and manage computer-based systems, including any device that has a computer embedded in it. That's almost every device these days – ranging from smart watches and devices, network routers and conventional desktop and laptop computers to the hundreds of computer chips that can be found in modern cars and more that will be found in future self-driving cars.

This major will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to claim your place within a high-growth industry. During your studies, you'll gain skills in digital logic design, computer networks, embedded and desktop operating systems, microcontroller selection and programming, electronics, telecommunications and signal processing.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The computer engineering major is available in the following specialisations.

See the Computer Engineering major

As computers become increasingly interconnected and support more services than ever, securing these systems becomes more challenging and more crucial.

By studying cyber security, you'll learn the fundamental processes and practices to protect computing systems from attack, damage or unauthorised access.

You'll study secure programming techniques and ethical hacking to safeguard individuals, businesses and governments against cybercrime, and you'll graduate with highly valued and employable skills.

Career paths can lead to roles such as cyber security analyst, cyber systems engineer or information security officer.

Join a growing industry

• Cyber security specialist was the #2 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).
• By 2026, Australia will need 18,000 more cyber security workers.
• Australia’s external spending on cyber security products and services grew by eight per cent in 2018 to $3.9 billion (Australian Cyber Security Growth Network).

See the Cyber Security major

Our world is recording more data than we have the ability to process, which presents enormous challenges associated with data storage, management and analysis.

You'll learn comprehensive and fundamental techniques for end-to-end processing that transforms data into information, and prepare to become one of the new breed of data science professionals.

This major will prepare you for a career in government departments, consultancy or private sector organisations.

Join a growing industry

• The rise of big data means data scientists are now some of the most in-demand professionals in the world.
• Data scientist was the #7 top emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).

See the Data Science major

Environmental engineers are responsible for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our natural ecosystems and urban environments.

There are few global challenges that environmental engineering doesn’t impact. Through this diverse and practical branch of engineering you’ll be able to drive real progress on the issues that matter and the ways we live.

The environmental engineering major equips future engineers with the ability to address the challenges of today and those that will emerge in the future.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The environmental engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Environmental Engineering major

Understanding and predicting the behaviour of soil and rock as earth materials is imperative for creating safe, sustainable and economical civil engineering solutions.

Geotechnical engineers apply scientific principles and engineering methods for developing civil engineering infrastructure on the surface and within the ground including prediction, mitigation and prevention of geological hazards.

The major in geotechnical engineering is unique in Australia and designed to meet the demands of mining companies, geotechnical consultations and construction managers, who look for graduates with a qualification in geotechnical engineering. 

The courses offered as part of this major will extend fundamental knowledge of the geotechnics of soils and rock to explore more complex processes, such as those associated with tunnels, mining operations, dams, roads, underground structures and waste management facilities.

State-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities combined with world-leading lectures and strong industry engagement will provide graduates of this major with a strong foundation from which they can contribute immediately to geotechnical engineering projects in industry.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The geotechnical engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Geotechnical Engineering major

Machine learning is the study of algorithms that automatically improve performance with experience.

These algorithms allow computers do things like automatically identify and harness useful data to help decision making, find hidden insights without being explicitly programmed where to look, and predict outcomes of certain policies to help authorities design effective policies.

You'll graduate with skills at the forefront of this massive growth area as society looks for automated and continuous improvements on how to enhance business and our lives through the use of computing systems and data.

These skills can be applied in government departments, consultancy or private sector organisations.

Join a growing industry

• Artificial intelligence specialist was the #1 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).
• AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030 (PwC research).
• New AI technologies will require highly-skilled workers who can develop and maintain complex systems and applications.

See the Machine Learning major

Materials engineers make new materials and improve existing materials by making them more functional, sustainable and affordable.

Materials – metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites – give manufactured products their functional and aesthetic qualities.

Materials engineers improve the way we do things. They apply their knowledge of the behaviour of materials to improve both the processing and the properties of a particular product.

You'll work across a broad range of industries on everything from your phone screen and running shoes to aircraft wings and artificial skin, and help to improve the performance of machines and structures.

Depending on your specialisation, career paths can include design, operation, management, research and consulting in the automobile, whitegoods, steel, aluminium and polymer industries.

Graduate in demand – UQ is the only university in Queensland to offer this highly specialised major.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The materials engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Materials Engineering major

Metallurgical engineers play a vital role in developing, managing and improving the processes required to transform ore into metals and recycle metals into useful products.

With a strong focus on efficiency and sustainability, these engineers are involved in the physical and chemical processing of metals from crushing, extraction and purification through to product development.

In this major, you will study the modelling, design, economics of resource industry processes.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The metallurgical engineering major is available to study within the chemical engineering specialisation.

See the Metallurgical Engineering major

Our new approach to mining engineering education gives you flexible options.

You'll study the fundamentals of mining engineering as a major in civil, mechanical, or mechatronic engineering. This will give you the foundational knowledge of mining engineering and more career opportunities in the resource sector.

The new major also enables multi-sector opportunities in the resources sector, as well as the mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors. You’ll graduate with more career opportunities and industry benefits, with a more diverse pool of engineers with mining engineering education joining the industry.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The mining engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Mining Engineering major

Programming languages are the building blocks of software in computer science.

Covering the different paradigms of programming, this major focuses on the design of computer languages that can be easily used to create programs.

You will study the craft and science of programming, and graduate with the skills to enable the construction of effective programming languages and reliable software.

Programming opens doors beyond tech

• Programmers write software that can be used to create websites, build computer networks, help doctors treat patients, or even drive a car.
• Half of all programming roles are in finance, manufacturing, health care, and other sectors outside of the technology industry.
• Coding skills can take you places: data analytics, scientists, engineers and designers all use coding.

See the Programming Languages major

You will study algorithms for mathematical analysis.

Computers hold the key for fast and efficient analysis of complex scientific problems. However, computers are digital systems, requiring discrete inputs and outputs, while mathematical analysis often relies on continuous functions. Therefore, careful approximations are necessary to enable computers to analyse complex mathematical functions.

You'll graduate with skills used in various scientific endeavours, including in hospitals and university medical research and big pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies across the public and private sectors.

Join a growing industry

• Help solve the complex scientific problems of the future using mathematical analysis.
• The digital technology sector is one of the fastest growing parts of Australia’s economy.
• Data engineer was the #8 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).

See the Scientific Computing major

Structural engineers must constantly evolve to anticipate the materials, environments, and technologies that will shape our future buildings.

They use innovative materials and manufacturing methods to design efficient, adaptable, and sustainable building infrastructure.

Because this infrastructure must be resilient in the face of a changing environment, structural engineers must also understand the future hazards and risks likely to arise – whether from cyclones, earthquakes, or other natural disasters.

Develop the capacity to create innovative solutions to structural engineering challenges using a variety of materials including steel, timber and concrete, and solve advanced design problems. 

You'll learn how to apply digital design and construction technologies and build your understanding of the role of wind loading, fire safety and sustainable design.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The structural engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Structural Engineering major

Transport engineers work to make our everyday travel smarter and faster.

They harness the power of big data analytics to learn more about how people travel around cities, and design new ways to shape their movement to reduce the density and congestion of our transport networks.

The expanding information environment is also being harnessed by transport engineers to drive future mobility innovations such as integration of autonomous and electric vehicles, and use of predictive video analytics to identify and prevent crashes.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The transport engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Transport Engineering major

Coastal and hydraulic engineers design and protect our urban waterways, hydraulic structures, coastlines, and oceans.

Advanced monitoring and modelling technologies allow them to predict and mitigate the risks of coastal flooding, land loss, and beach erosion.

These same tools allow them to work to restore large areas of coral reef and lead Australia’s efforts in finding promising locations for tidal and wave energy production.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The water and marine engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Water and Marine Engineering major

Chemical engineers play a critical role in transforming raw materials into useful products such as healthy foods, clean water, metals, medicines and sustainable energy.

Drawing on detailed process development, modelling and systems thinking, chemical engineers apply new approaches and big-picture thinking to reduce waste and energy consumption.

In this hands-on specialisation you'll explore topics including energy and mass flows, safety and sustainability, and the possibilities of interconnected systems.

You will benefit from the insights and expertise of world-leading researchers and highly-qualified academic staff. With practical projects, guest lecturers from industry, internships and placements with leading engineering companies, you will gain the knowledge, skills and industry connections needed to transition from university to the workplace.

Tailor your specialisation in chemical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Chemical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Biomedical engineering
• Bioprocess engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Materials engineering or
• Metallurgical engineering.

See the Chemical Engineering specialisation

In civil engineering you will study how to plan, design, construct and maintain infrastructure such as buildings, dams, airports and transport networks. You will also learn how to protect and improve the natural environment while meeting the changing needs of society.

The civil engineering specialisation enables you to develop technical skills in building materials, the design of structures, hydrology, geotechnical engineering and transport systems.

This is complemented with an understanding of natural systems and the analysis techniques used to examine how both the built and natural environments perform and adapt to environmental challenges such as climate change and associated shifts in rainfall, wind, flooding and natural disasters, as well as future population needs.

With a focus on applying engineering expertise to develop practical solutions, combined with regular interactions with the civil engineering industry and world-class academic staff, you will gain the knowledge, skills and industry links that will enable you to immediately contribute to the engineering profession.

Tailor your specialisation in civil engineering with majors or minors that meet your interests and career goals. Civil engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Environmental engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Mining engineering
• Structural engineering
• Transport engineering or
• Water and marine engineering

See the Civil Engineering specialisation

Are you passionate about renewable energy? Do you want to discover new ways to generate power? Are you interested in building digital devices that transmit data across the world?

Within the electrical engineering specialisation, you will learn to design and manage equipment and investigate embedded systems that contribute to almost every sector of society.

These systems include smartphones, electrical power and renewable energy, medical imaging for healthcare, electrical appliances for homes, scientific instruments for laboratories, lasers for high-speed communication and satellite systems for remote sensing.

With much of your coursework being hands-on, you'll leave UQ with highly regarded specialist technical skills. This flexible and transportable degree will open opportunities with companies across the globe.

Electrical engineers work in exciting roles in major internet, communications and power generation organisations. Many graduates establish their own companies early in their careers or work overseas.

Depending on the major you choose, career paths can lead to roles in the telecommunications industry, computer industry, the mining and transport sector, or in power generation and transmission industries.

Our electrical, computer, and biomedical engineers have been employed by organisations such as Siemens, Phillips, Cochlear, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and ResMed.

Tailor your specialisation in electrical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Electrical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Biomedical engineering or
• Computer engineering.

See the Electrical Engineering specialisation

From planes, trains and automobiles through to artificial hearts, elevators and the world’s largest power stations, mechanical engineering involves anything and everything with moving parts.

In this broad specialisation, you will learn how to design, manufacture and control machines and engines ranging from power generators through to manufacturing systems. You’ll also have access to innovative technologies and our specialist workshop areas (including our race car workshop) where you can practise your new skills.

You will study air, heat and energy flows, and learn how to control and automate machines. Using your strong analytical skills, you will identify and develop solutions for all kinds of mechanical challenges, and gain an excellent understanding of how machines are used in everyday conveniences from refrigerators to sound production, roller-coasters and computers.

You will develop expertise in creating precision machinery and apply the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology and technology to leverage the latest advances in cutting-edge nanotechnology.

Tailor your specialisation in mechanical engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Mechanical engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Aerospace engineering
• Biomedical engineering
• Fire safety engineering
• Materials engineering or
• Mining engineering.

See the Mechanical Engineering specialisation

Are you ready for one of the most hands-on mechatronic degrees in Australia? Do you want to learn how to retrieve a submarine from the ocean floor or build an autonomous drone?

This specialisation begins with the study of design principles, mechatronic systems, theory, communication skills and ethics. Your studies will incorporate the dynamics and materials of mechanical engineering along with electrical elements such as circuit design.

You'll explore concepts and practical applications in areas including artificial intelligence, signal and systems theory, and control theory. This knowledge will also be integrated with computer science as you learn how mechanical and electrical components work together.

Each year you'll complete a hands-on, project-based subject as part of a student team. This will involve designing and building a system to solve a mechatronics task.

Previous projects include a mini-rescue vehicle, autonomous drones, cars and sailboats, and submarine recovery. You'll also complete a robotics project in your third year of study.

Depending on the major you choose, employment opportunities can be found in product development and manufacturing, mining, aerospace and defence, transport, and government and industry research groups.

Mechatronic engineers are highly sought after for roles involving artificial intelligence systems, robotics, automated industrial machinery and avionics. Employers include BAE Systems, Arnott’s Australia, Epsom, Google, Amazon, Boeing ABB, Telstra, Uber and Accenture.

Tailor your specialisation in mechatronic engineering with majors that meet your interests and career goals. Mechatronic engineering offers these options:

Majors

• Computer engineering or
• Mining engineering.

See the Mechatronic Engineering specialisation

Aerospace engineering is all about flight, whether that’s planes, helicopters or rockets.

Mechanical engineers with a major in aerospace engineering design fuel-efficient aircraft that cut emissions, design the fleets of satellites that power modern GPS technology, and create the next generation of spacecraft for missions to Mars and beyond.

You'll learn how to design and manufacture aircraft, launch vehicles, satellites, drones, spacecraft and ground support facilities.

This dynamic major incorporates industry-based project work to help ensure graduates future-proof their careers through the development of powerful industry connections and professional networks.

Employment opportunities are available locally, domestically and globally and include Boeing, Airbus, Gilmour Space, Nova Defence, Northrop, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Defence Science and Technology and BAE Systems.

This major is available to study within the mechanical engineering specialisation.

See the Aerospace Engineering major

Biomedical engineers create materials, devices and processes for better health outcomes.

Biomedical engineering bridges the gap between technology, medicine and biology. It integrates physical, chemical, mathematical and computational sciences and engineering principles with the ultimate aim of improving health care.

Biomedical engineers may be involved in the design, construction and development of health and monitoring devices and computers, implantable devices, diagnostic systems and therapeutic systems, cell and tissue engineering, and pharmaceuticals. You may also work with models of physiological function and prosthetics and implants.

Depending on your chosen specialisation, you may find employment with hospitals, biotechnology companies, medical equipment manufacturers, research institutes and government health departments.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The biomedical engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Biomedical Engineering major

Bioprocess engineers create processes and products that support the development of a healthy and sustainable world.

Bioprocess engineering combines the core principles of chemical engineering and biology for scalable production of medicines, such as vaccines during pandemics, foods, and beverages.

The same principles are applied to treating wastewater and converting waste streams into valuable products, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics.

This involves engineering living cells to produce desirable products and designing and optimising processes to manufacture bioproducts at scale to benefit society.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The bioprocess engineering major is available to study within the chemical engineering specialisation.

See the Bioprocess Engineering major

Do you want to create the next generation of iPads, laptops or PCs?

Are you interested in building computers that control machinery, medical instruments, cars, whitegoods, robots, communications equipment and satellites?

Computer engineers design and manage computer-based systems, including any device that has a computer embedded in it. That's almost every device these days – ranging from smart watches and devices, network routers and conventional desktop and laptop computers to the hundreds of computer chips that can be found in modern cars and more that will be found in future self-driving cars.

This major will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to claim your place within a high-growth industry. During your studies, you'll gain skills in digital logic design, computer networks, embedded and desktop operating systems, microcontroller selection and programming, electronics, telecommunications and signal processing.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The computer engineering major is available in the following specialisations.

See the Computer Engineering major

As computers become increasingly interconnected and support more services than ever, securing these systems becomes more challenging and more crucial.

By studying cyber security, you'll learn the fundamental processes and practices to protect computing systems from attack, damage or unauthorised access.

You'll study secure programming techniques and ethical hacking to safeguard individuals, businesses and governments against cybercrime, and you'll graduate with highly valued and employable skills.

Career paths can lead to roles such as cyber security analyst, cyber systems engineer or information security officer.

Join a growing industry

• Cyber security specialist was the #2 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).
• By 2026, Australia will need 18,000 more cyber security workers.
• Australia’s external spending on cyber security products and services grew by eight per cent in 2018 to $3.9 billion (Australian Cyber Security Growth Network).

See the Cyber Security major

Our world is recording more data than we have the ability to process, which presents enormous challenges associated with data storage, management and analysis.

You'll learn comprehensive and fundamental techniques for end-to-end processing that transforms data into information, and prepare to become one of the new breed of data science professionals.

This major will prepare you for a career in government departments, consultancy or private sector organisations.

Join a growing industry

• The rise of big data means data scientists are now some of the most in-demand professionals in the world.
• Data scientist was the #7 top emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).

See the Data Science major

Environmental engineers are responsible for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our natural ecosystems and urban environments.

There are few global challenges that environmental engineering doesn’t impact. Through this diverse and practical branch of engineering you’ll be able to drive real progress on the issues that matter and the ways we live.

The environmental engineering major equips future engineers with the ability to address the challenges of today and those that will emerge in the future.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The environmental engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Environmental Engineering major

Understanding and predicting the behaviour of soil and rock as earth materials is imperative for creating safe, sustainable and economical civil engineering solutions.

Geotechnical engineers apply scientific principles and engineering methods for developing civil engineering infrastructure on the surface and within the ground including prediction, mitigation and prevention of geological hazards.

The major in geotechnical engineering is unique in Australia and designed to meet the demands of mining companies, geotechnical consultations and construction managers, who look for graduates with a qualification in geotechnical engineering. 

The courses offered as part of this major will extend fundamental knowledge of the geotechnics of soils and rock to explore more complex processes, such as those associated with tunnels, mining operations, dams, roads, underground structures and waste management facilities.

State-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities combined with world-leading lectures and strong industry engagement will provide graduates of this major with a strong foundation from which they can contribute immediately to geotechnical engineering projects in industry.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The geotechnical engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Geotechnical Engineering major

Machine learning is the study of algorithms that automatically improve performance with experience.

These algorithms allow computers do things like automatically identify and harness useful data to help decision making, find hidden insights without being explicitly programmed where to look, and predict outcomes of certain policies to help authorities design effective policies.

You'll graduate with skills at the forefront of this massive growth area as society looks for automated and continuous improvements on how to enhance business and our lives through the use of computing systems and data.

These skills can be applied in government departments, consultancy or private sector organisations.

Join a growing industry

• Artificial intelligence specialist was the #1 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).
• AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030 (PwC research).
• New AI technologies will require highly-skilled workers who can develop and maintain complex systems and applications.

See the Machine Learning major

Materials engineers make new materials and improve existing materials by making them more functional, sustainable and affordable.

Materials – metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites – give manufactured products their functional and aesthetic qualities.

Materials engineers improve the way we do things. They apply their knowledge of the behaviour of materials to improve both the processing and the properties of a particular product.

You'll work across a broad range of industries on everything from your phone screen and running shoes to aircraft wings and artificial skin, and help to improve the performance of machines and structures.

Depending on your specialisation, career paths can include design, operation, management, research and consulting in the automobile, whitegoods, steel, aluminium and polymer industries.

Graduate in demand – UQ is the only university in Queensland to offer this highly specialised major.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The materials engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Materials Engineering major

Metallurgical engineers play a vital role in developing, managing and improving the processes required to transform ore into metals and recycle metals into useful products.

With a strong focus on efficiency and sustainability, these engineers are involved in the physical and chemical processing of metals from crushing, extraction and purification through to product development.

In this major, you will study the modelling, design, economics of resource industry processes.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The metallurgical engineering major is available to study within the chemical engineering specialisation.

See the Metallurgical Engineering major

Our new approach to mining engineering education gives you flexible options.

You'll study the fundamentals of mining engineering as a major in civil, mechanical, or mechatronic engineering. This will give you the foundational knowledge of mining engineering and more career opportunities in the resource sector.

The new major also enables multi-sector opportunities in the resources sector, as well as the mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors. You’ll graduate with more career opportunities and industry benefits, with a more diverse pool of engineers with mining engineering education joining the industry.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The mining engineering major is available in the following specialisations:

See the Mining Engineering major

Programming languages are the building blocks of software in computer science.

Covering the different paradigms of programming, this major focuses on the design of computer languages that can be easily used to create programs.

You will study the craft and science of programming, and graduate with the skills to enable the construction of effective programming languages and reliable software.

Programming opens doors beyond tech

• Programmers write software that can be used to create websites, build computer networks, help doctors treat patients, or even drive a car.
• Half of all programming roles are in finance, manufacturing, health care, and other sectors outside of the technology industry.
• Coding skills can take you places: data analytics, scientists, engineers and designers all use coding.

See the Programming Languages major

You will study algorithms for mathematical analysis.

Computers hold the key for fast and efficient analysis of complex scientific problems. However, computers are digital systems, requiring discrete inputs and outputs, while mathematical analysis often relies on continuous functions. Therefore, careful approximations are necessary to enable computers to analyse complex mathematical functions.

You'll graduate with skills used in various scientific endeavours, including in hospitals and university medical research and big pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies across the public and private sectors.

Join a growing industry

• Help solve the complex scientific problems of the future using mathematical analysis.
• The digital technology sector is one of the fastest growing parts of Australia’s economy.
• Data engineer was the #8 emerging job of 2020 (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report).

See the Scientific Computing major

Structural engineers must constantly evolve to anticipate the materials, environments, and technologies that will shape our future buildings.

They use innovative materials and manufacturing methods to design efficient, adaptable, and sustainable building infrastructure.

Because this infrastructure must be resilient in the face of a changing environment, structural engineers must also understand the future hazards and risks likely to arise – whether from cyclones, earthquakes, or other natural disasters.

Develop the capacity to create innovative solutions to structural engineering challenges using a variety of materials including steel, timber and concrete, and solve advanced design problems. 

You'll learn how to apply digital design and construction technologies and build your understanding of the role of wind loading, fire safety and sustainable design.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The structural engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Structural Engineering major

Transport engineers work to make our everyday travel smarter and faster.

They harness the power of big data analytics to learn more about how people travel around cities, and design new ways to shape their movement to reduce the density and congestion of our transport networks.

The expanding information environment is also being harnessed by transport engineers to drive future mobility innovations such as integration of autonomous and electric vehicles, and use of predictive video analytics to identify and prevent crashes.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The transport engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Transport Engineering major

Coastal and hydraulic engineers design and protect our urban waterways, hydraulic structures, coastlines, and oceans.

Advanced monitoring and modelling technologies allow them to predict and mitigate the risks of coastal flooding, land loss, and beach erosion.

These same tools allow them to work to restore large areas of coral reef and lead Australia’s efforts in finding promising locations for tidal and wave energy production.

Specialisations

To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The water and marine engineering major is available to study within the civil engineering specialisation.

See the Water and Marine Engineering major