It is the only geotechnical engineering undergraduate course available in Australia. Having run for three years, the new accreditation means that graduates are now recognised as practicing engineers.
The establishment and accreditation of this course addresses a gap that has been felt in the Australian market. It has been an area where Australia has been experiencing a skills shortage, yet geotechnical engineering was not being catered for in undergraduate education. Previously a student would have to choose to come through an engineering stream or a geology stream; neither of which fully encompasses all of the skills required for geotechnical engineering.
The Tasmanian mining industry has been supportive of the course, hosting mine site visits and field trips as well as vacation work for students.
Dan O’Toole, Coffey Group General Manager, Operations, said “Coffey Mining has a commitment to improving education and are proud to be involved with UTas to help solve the critical skills shortages in this profession. We have worked closely with UTas to establish the course and achieve the Engineers Australia accreditation.
We are continuously striving to enhance the learning experience of the students by providing practical and real case studies as part of their learning program and facilitating and supervising field visits to operations.”
The four year program has now produced its first group of graduates. Amongst them is Kellie Konings, now working as a graduate geotechnical engineer in Western Australia, who commented, “one of the things I loved was being taught by people from the industry, who have made engineering their profession.”
Students of the Bachelor of Engineering (Geotechnical) share a common three initial semesters with all other Bachelor of Engineering students at UTas. The degree can also be combined with other degrees such as a BSc (eg. Geology) or BBA in a 5 year combined degree. There is also an Honours program for outstanding students in the final year.
Here in Australia, accreditation of undergraduate engineering programs is the responsibility of Engineers Australia.
According to Engineers Australia, “Accreditation ensures academic institutions consistently meet national and international benchmarks, and engineering graduates of an accredited program are assured membership with us at the relevant career grade, and enjoy reciprocal privileges by equivalent professional bodies overseas.
International recognition is offered by countries such as the USA, United Kingdom, Hong Kong (SAR), New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and others that are co-signatories to international agreements on joint recognition.
The Washington Accord and the Sydney Accord recognise the substantial equivalence of accreditation systems and accredited programs across international boundaries at the Professional Engineer and Engineering Technologist levels respectively.”
A scholarship, worth up to $20,000 per year for four years, is offered by the Minerals and Metals Group (MMG) for a Tasmanian student commencing the Bachelor of Engineering (Geotechnical).
Media contacts
Prue Bowley, External Communications Manager, Coffey
T +61 8 8375 4400; E: prue_bowley@coffey.com
About the Bachelor of Engineering (Geotechnical)
To meet the future needs of industry, in partnership with Coffey Mining, the University of Tasmania offers the Bachelor of Engineering degree in Geotechnical Engineering.
Students can complete this full degree at UTAS with units in
- Mining Methods
- Mining Geomechanics
- Ground Control Systems and
- Mining Design Project
in the third and fourth year being delivered by staff from Coffey Mining giving these units a professional industry-based focus with an emphasis on stability, risk analysis and mine safety.
Further information on the course is available from Delia Sidea delia_sidea@coffey.com, Coffey Mining Course Coordinator.
