Welcome from the Dean

Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering & Information Technologies at the University of Sydney. Our faculty has a very long history. It commenced in 1883, and has produced many distinguished graduates who have contributed immensely to the infrastructure of Sydney and Australia, and played a major role in the Australian economy through the engineering activities of the industries in which they work.

Our graduates are recognised world wide. Engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Australia our professional engineering body in Australia. Engineers Australia are authorised under the Washington Accord to accredit four-year Engineering degree programs to a world wide standard thus affording our graduates professional recognition in many countries including Canada, USA, UK, South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Ireland. Information Technology programs are accredited by the Australia Computer Society and this again affords international standing to the degrees.

Engineers create new structures, systems and products to achieve the goals of an industry or community. They are creative but must rely on their basic training in Mathematics and Science to achieve these goals. Our engineering programs are designed to produce engineers who are well educated in the fundamentals but have acquired problem solving and design skills to allow them to work in a large range of industries.

The graduate attributes to which we aspire in our programs are listed below. Graduates of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies will:

• be able to create new knowledge and understanding through the process of research and inquiry

• be able to use information effectively in a range of contexts

• be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges

• hold personal values and beliefs consistent with their role as responsible members of local, national, international and professional communities

• recognise and value communication as a tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, interacting with others, and furthering their own learning.

The faculty has strong links with Australian industry, and increasingly with international industry. Much of this takes place through our foundations and centres as well as alumni.

The relationship often starts with consulting and research but flows through into our teaching programs, which are practically oriented.

We frequently seek advice on our programs from industry and make use of adjunct staff to teach in areas of great practical value to students. Our new faculty-wide body called Engineering Sydney encompasses the foundations, centres, alumni (Sydney University Engineering Alumni) and student groups (Sydney University Engineering Undergraduates Association).

The Flexible First Year program has been designed to allow students to enter the faculty before deciding the branch/discipline of engineering they wish to specialise. Taken with the combined degrees in Science, Commerce, Medical Science, Arts and Law, we have one of the most flexible programs in Australia.

We do hope you enjoy your studies in Engineering and Information Technologies at the University of Sydney which we believe will lead to a rewarding career.

Professor Gregory Hancock AM FTSE
Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies