The development of a bachelor of engineering program at the Northern Territory University, Australia

This paper describes the development of a bachelor of engineering (BE) program at the Northern Territory University (NTU), the electrical/electronic stream of which was offered in all four years for the first time in 1993. The development of an overall framework based on perceived worldwide developments in engineering education is discussed, together with the effects of a range of constraints imposed such as the need to maintain feeder arrangements for other disciplines, the size and remoteness of the institution, the expected size of the student body, and the requirements of the national accreditation body, the Institution of Engineers Australia (IEAust). Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Australia is the national provider of technical and vocational education, and at the NTU teaches apprenticeships and two-year associate diplomas in Engineering. Particular reference is made to the very strong links with TAFE in the presentation of the four-year BE program at the NTU. These links involve common use of laboratories and specialist staff, and address issues of articulation.<
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