Diploma in Engineering (DipEng)

Program Code
DENG

Program Faculty
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Academic Year
2025

These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).

Overview

The Diploma of Engineering provides a flexible program of study in which students can gain exposure to a variety of discipline specific courses, meet SACE Stage 2 prerequisites in mathematics, physics and/or chemistry for admission to Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) awards through equivalent University courses, and gain direct entry into a named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) single or double degree upon completion.

The Diploma of Engineering is an AQF Level 5 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 1 year.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Contribute to the design of creative, sustainable, economic and safe solutions, which satisfy the objectives of clients and stakeholders.
  2. Demonstrate a broad, theory-based understanding of the mathematical, natural and physical sciences underpinning engineering practice.
  3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the computer and information sciences that underpin engineering practice.
  4. Demonstrate an introductory body-of-knowledge of engineering methods, tools and processes for a specific discipline, complemented by relevant knowledge from related disciplines.
  5. Professionally and ethically conduct themselves and their work, respecting the communities and cultural norms within which that work is carried out.
  6. Communicate objectively and effectively, in written and oral forms.
  7. Apply critical and independent thinking to make sound judgements, based on evidence, theory and logical reasoning.
  8. Be an effective, emotionally and culturally intelligent team member.

Conditions

Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.

Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program. 

Academic Program Rules for Diploma in Engineering

There shall be a Diploma in Engineering.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for the Diploma of Engineering, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of 24 units, comprising: 

  1. Level I courses to the value of 24 units, which must include:
  • Core Mathematics courses to the value of 6 units 
  • Core Engineering courses to the value of 3 units 
  • Stream Elective courses to a minimum value of 9 units and maximum value of 15 units 

and may include:

  • Prerequisite Physics courses to the value of up to 6 units 

      2. Students must choose one set of Stream Elective courses from the following: 

  • Architectural and Structural Engineering 
  • Chemical Engineering 
  • Civil Engineering 
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
  • Environmental and Climate Solutions Engineering 
  • Mechanical Engineering 
  • Mining Engineering 
  • Petroleum Engineering 
  • Software Engineering 
  • Flexible Entry 

Transferring to Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) award

Upon meeting the program entry requirements, students may apply to transfer into a named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree of their choice and receive up to 24 units of credit from their Diploma of Engineering.  

Students who have completed the Diploma of Engineering, inclusive of the required pre-requisites (as applicable) are guaranteed entry into the named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree of their choice. 

The named degrees are accredited by Engineers Australia and graduates will qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia. Single degrees include: 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural and Structural) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental and Climate Solutions) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum) 
-  Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software) 

Prerequisite course requirements

Mathematics:  
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in MATHS 1013 Mathematics IM, followed by MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA.  

Students who have undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) will enrol in MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA followed by MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB. 

Physics
For all Streams, except Chemical Engineering: 
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Physics (or equivalent), but have taken SACE Stage 1 Physics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in PHYSICS 1101 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IA. 

Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 1 Physics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in PHYSICS 1101 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IA and PHYSICS 1201 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IB. 

Chemistry
For Chemical Engineering Stream only: 
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Chemistry (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in CHEM 1101 Foundations of Chemistry IA and CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB in lieu of CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA and CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB. Students following the Chemical Engineering stream are not required to enrol into Physics pre-requisite courses. 

Core Courses

Electives