CEVSOC Academic Guide

ACADEMIC GUIDE 2 0

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C E V S O C

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

Welcome to UNSW! First and foremost, congratulations on making it so far along your academicjourney,landingyouaspotintheNo1Civil&EnvironmentalEngineeringSchoolin Australia!!CEVSOCwelcomesyouwithopenarmstoventurethroughthemostgruellingand amazing experiences during your degree We are CEVSOC’s Learning & Development Team, heretoguideyoutoacademicsuccess,developyourtechnicalskills,andoverallelevatethe learningexperiencehereatUNSW

WhatWeDo

The main goal of our team is to support the Civil & Env Engineering community here at UNSW in achieving your development and personal goals during your time with us is aimed at self improvement or learning something new, to help through running events, creating resources, a providinganenjoyableexperienceforyoutogrowin.

Throughout each step of your academic journey, we will assist you along the way With Course Workshops fo Industrial Training Night for 2nd and 3rd years, and Thesis Electives Night for final year students, we hope you fee throughout your studies, improving your overall uni experie mention, our technical and self development events will h some essential technical skills such as AutoCAD, and fo neglecting your personal wellness during your time study alwayswillingtohearyourfeedbackforunicourses(through Thought),foranyofourevents,orjustinacasualconversatio freetoreachoutandsharewhat’simportanttoyou!

InthisGuide

This guide provides some key bits of information applicable to Civil, Environmental or Surveying to help tackle the academic side of uni Consolidated through the questions we personally asked ourselves and feedback on what others felt like they wished they knew when they entered uni, this guide aims to help you set foot on your academic journey in confidence! Divided into sections of Program Information, Course Administration, and PersonalStudyTips&Advice,wehopethisguideprovidesaninsightfulsummaryofthesekey aspectsoflearningatUNSW,whichare,orwillgrowrelevanttoyouingiventime.Thishandy digitalguidealsoprovideseasyaccesstoavarietyofofficiallinkstounipageswhichmaybe confusingorhardtofindotherwise.

WelcomingAddress

WehopethatthisAcademicGuidewillbeusefultoyouthroughoutyourtimehereatUNSW! Feel free to reach out to any of us on the team for any questions, queries, or just to have a nicechat!

Bestofluckinuni! WarmRegards, Learning&DevelopmentTeam

MackLi -Learning&DevelopmentManager| ArjunaEdirisinghe - Learning & Development Subcommittee|RicaCabling-Learning&DevelopmentSubcommittee

Industrial Training Night

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AutoCAD withArup

Stress LessFest

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

WeightedAverageMark

WeightedAverageMark(WAM)

WAM is the record of your performance in the courses you’ve undertaken which are shown on your transcript.

On one’s transcript (updated and released termly), there will be a record of your individual raw marks for each course along with a grading (FL = Fail, PS = Pass, CR = Credit, DN = Distinction, HD = High Distinction) Additionally, there is a record of each term WAM, which indicates your cumulative performance for each particular term, and your nominal/overall WAM, being a record of your performance throughout your entire degree program

Grade-only results not included in calculating WAM can be found here

Note:Ifyouare approvedfortransferof creditforcourse(s) completedatUNSWina differentprogram,then themarksyouachieved forthosespecific course(s)willbe includedinthe calculationofyourWAM foryournewProgram (2016onwards).

HonoursWAM

Honours/faculty WAM will be more relevant in the later years of your degree and is calculated differently to your overall WAM As all students studying civil engineering (single or dual) are enrolled in an honours program, this WAM is used to determine your award class at the end of the degree. It uses the following formula, where there is a weighting placed dependent on the level (not year taken) of the course indicated in the Handbook

Details on Honours WAM and its calculation can be foundhere.

Opportunities

Your time at university should not only revolve purely around your studies and your results do notfullydictateyourunderstandingofengineering.However,bymaintainingaconsistentlyhigh WAM, there are several opportunities that are made available to you. Some notable opportunitieshavebeenincludedbelow

BecomingaDemonstrator

If you would like to work for the school as a paid demonstrator on a course that you have completed,youareabletoapplyviatheCVENIntranet.Theselectionofdemonstratorsishighly dependent on your WAM and performance in the particular course, along with your past experiencewithteaching.

ProgramTransfer

Oneoftherequirementsfortransferringprogramswillusuallybethatyoumusthaveachieved above a specified WAM This mark will be different depending on the program that you would liketotransferto.

Exchange

Students who would like to apply for exchange may want to maintain a good WAM in order to increasethelikelihoodofbeingacceptedintotheschoolwhichtheyapplyfor Dependingonthe competitivenessoftheinstitutionselected,the“cutoff”WAMmaybemuchhigherforsomethan others.

Training

Some companies (although not many) look at WAM when selecting applicants for interviews, anditisoftenarequirementtodeclareyourWAMintheapplicationprocess Maintainingahigh WAM could open up more opportunities for work and increase your chances of progressing forwardintheapplicationprocess,althoughitiscertainlynoteverything.

Thesis

In your final years, students will be required to complete a thesis, which could be either coursework-based or honours research-based. For Research Thesis, a prerequisite WAM of >70 isrequired.HighHonoursResearchwillalsobemadeavailableforhighperformingstudentswho haveaWAMof>80.

HonoursClass

IfstudentsareaimingforaparticularHonoursClassattheendoftheirdegree,theyshouldpay attentiontotheirHonoursWAM.ClassdivisionsincludeHonoursClass1,HonoursClass2Division 1andHonoursClass2Division2

IndustrialTraining

IndustrialTraining(IT)givesengineeringstudentstheopportunitytogainexposuretoa professionalworkplace,cultureanditsexpectations MoststudentswilltendtostartlookingforIT intheir3rdor4thyear,howeverfindingopportunitiesearlyoninone'sacademicjourneyallows formoreflexibilityandexposuretodifferentspecialisationsthatmayinterestyou.

ItallowsUNSW's industrypartnersto workwithcurrent studentsandidentify potentialfuture recruits.

Requirements

Itisanessentialpart ofprofessional development,hence itisarequirementat UNSWtocomplete yourdegree.

Italsoallowsyouto practiseandgain exposuretothe interviewprocess withoutthepressure ofhavingtolandthe role.

Atleast60daysofindustrialtrainingthroughoutyourdegree

ThiscouldbeacombinationofTraditionalPaidorUnpaid,Non-traditionalPlacementsor OverseasPlacements,eachwiththeirownsetofruleswhichmustbefollowedforthe placementtoqualify.

Formoreinformationondifferenttypesofplacements,pleasereadTypesofIndustrialTraining.

UNSWEmployability

Wehighlyencouragestudentstostartconsideringwhichcareerpathissuitableforthemas earlyonintheirstudiesaspossible.Thisgivesampletimeforstudentstotryalargervarietyof options,sothatbytheendoftheirdegree,theywillhaveadefinitiveideaonwhattheywould liketopursue.Useavailableuniresourcessuchasprofessionaldevelopmentseminars,booking one-on-oneappointmentstohaveyourCVreviewedorfreecareers-relatedresources!Findout moreatwwwcareersunsweduau

MoodleCourse

TobeginyourITprocess,itisheavilyencouragedtoenrolintheFacultyofEngineeringIndustrial TrainingMoodlepageearlyon(forexamplein2ndyear)

Manyquestionsregardingtheprocessandrequireddocumentationswillbeprovidedonthis coursepage.

Itwillprovideyouwithresourcesontopicssuchaswheretofindtraining,howtoapplyfor training,andhowtobesuccessfulintheprocess

ThispagealsoincludesinformationaboutIndustrialTrainingWorkshopsruneachtermby theengineeringfaculty.

IndustrialTraining

PriortobeginningIT,prerequisitemodulesmustbecompletedviathisMoodlecourse,and supportingdocumentationmustbesubmittedandapprovedbytheSchool.Documentationwhich mustbeprovidedincludes(butisnotlimitedto):

Companyletterhead.

Durationofyourplacement(minimumofcommencementdate).

Remuneration(iftheplacementispaid).

Jobdescription(fromcompany/supervisor)

ThismustincludethetechnicalengineeringtasksyouwillperforminrelationtoEngineers AustraliaStage1Competencies.

Thiscouldbe:

Employmentcontractwhichlistsyourresponsibilities(oncompanyletterhead).

JobAdvertisement(fromcompany/website).

Jobdescription(oncompanyletterhead)

Screenshotofanemailfromyoursupervisor/employerlistingyourresponsibilities(from companyemail).

Letterofoffer/contractfromthecompany

1. 2. 3.

1.

CEVSOCalsoholdsour annualIndustrialTraining Night(Term2),soifyou wanttolearnmoreorhave anyqueries,weencourage youtoattend!

SequencingofElectives

Electivesareasetofsubjectswhere,unlikecore courses,youcanpickandchoosewhichareas ofcivilengineeringyouwishtolearnmore about ThetwotypesofelectivesareDiscipline ElectivesandPracticeElectives

DisciplineElectives

Inthefinalyear(s)ofyourCivilEngineering degree,allstudentsmustcompleteatleast6 UOCofDisciplineElectives.Studentsare recommendedtopickdisciplineelectives directedtowardsyourspecialisation.

PLEASENOTE:MATS1101isno longeranelective(itwasunder “Level1PrescribedElectives” before2023),butitisnowaLevel 1CoreCourse,meaningthatitis mandatorytotakethiscourse duringyourCivilEngineering degreeinordertocompleteyour degree.

Generally,straightCivilEngineeringstudentsneedtotakeatotalof5disciplineelectives:

3fortheCivilEngineeringspecialisationstreamcomponentofyourdegree(partof themain168UOC)

2additionaldisciplineelectivesfortheEngineering(Honours)degreecomponent(an extra12UOCtomeettheUoCrequiredforcompletion).

IfyoustudyadoubledegreeordecidetotakeapracticeelectiveorHigherHonours Thesis,thenumberofdisciplineelectiveswillvary ContacttheNucleusHubforfurther details.

PleaseseethelistofavailableDisciplineElectivesatCivilEngineeringHandbookand EnvironmentalEngineeringHandbookincludingtheirprerequisitesandofferingterms.

Note:Ifyou’re planningtotake HonoursResearch Thesis,CVEN4701is aprerequisite.

SequencingofElectives

PracticeElectives

Practiceelectivesisalsoanotheroptiontosatisfytheprogramrequirementsinsteadoftaking DisciplineElectives.

IfstudentsaretotakePracticeElectives,theymusttake6UoCofeither:

EngineeringVerticallyIntegratedProjectcourses(ENGG2600,ENGG3600,ENGG4600),which runsacross3consecutiveterms,eachcontributingtowards2UoCeach.

ENGG1400,whichisa6UoCcourse.

GMAT1110,whichisa6UoCcourse.

VerticallyIntegratedProjectsareoneoffourmainpillarsthatformstheframeworkoftheChallENG Program.TheChallENGProgramaimstoconnectUNSWengineeringstudents,academicsand industrytoreal-world,projectbasedlearninginitiatives Studentsareexposedtoamultidisciplinary learningapproachthatemphasisesdevelopmentoftechnicalanddesignskills,andexpandstheir professionalexpertise Findoutmoreathttps://wwwchallengunsweduau/home/about

ENGG1400andGMAT1110arenewadditionstothePracticeElectivessectionofthe2023Civil EngineeringHandbook(inpreviousyears,itwasunder“Level1PrescribedElectives”).Thesetwo electiveswerecommonlydoneamongstfirstyearstudentsbefore2023.Theirrespectivehighlights areprovidedbelow.

ENGG1400(EngineeringInfrastructureSystems)

Asystemoptimisationandnetworkmodellingcourse Recommendedifyouaregenerally interestedintransportsystems

Arelativelyeasyanddoablecoursewhichexploresconceptswhichareusuallynotexplored inothercourses,howeverapplicabletoawiderangeofreallifesituations

GMAT1110(SurveyingandGeospatialEngineering).

ThisistherecommendedelectiveforSurveyingstudents,intendedtoreplaceENGG1400. Delvesintodeterminingrelativepositioningoffeaturesabove,onandbelowEarth’ssurface. Involvesoutdoorpracticalexercisestofamiliarisestudentswithusingelectronicsurveying equipment.

Ofcourse,youcanenrolinwhateverelectivesareavailable!Readuponeachelectiveandspeakto olderstudentsabouttheirchoicestoseewhatinterestsyou-don’tbediscouragedtodigressfrom therecommendedelectives!

SeethefulllistofPracticeelectivesintheCivilEngineeringHandbookandtheEnvironmental EngineeringHandbook

StreamSpecificCourses

SomecorecivilengineeringsubjectsaretaughtbyboththeSchoolofCivilandEnvironmental EngineeringandSchoolofMechanicalEngineering.ThesesubjectsareENGG1300,ENGG2400 andENGG2500.

ENGG1300(EngineeringMechanics)

Buildsfoundationofusingrigid bodymechanicstoanalysestatic anddynamicsystems/structures.

TaughtbytheCivilSchoolinTerm2

TaughtbytheMechanicalSchoolin Term3

ENGG2400(MechanicsofSolids1)

Buildsafundamental understandingofthemechanicsof solids,focusingontheanalysisof internalstressesandforceswithin bodies

Canbethoughtofasanextension ofENGG1300content

TaughtbytheCivilSchoolinTerm1

TaughtbytheMechanicalSchool inTerm2

Timetabling

ENGG2500(FluidMechanics)

Buildsfoundationofanalysingthe behaviourandpropertiesofwater (primarily),anditseffects,within systems

TaughtbytheCivilSchoolinTerm1

TaughtbytheMechanicalSchoolin Term3

Studentsareabletoregisterfortheirclassesandselecttheirweeklytimetables,uponenrollingin coursesfortheterm.ClassenrolmentandregistrationisaccessedviamyUNSWanddoneona firstcomefirstservebasis.Detailedguidesforbothprocessescanbefoundatsubjectselection andclassenrolment.

Foreachsubject,studentsmustselectoneofeachclasstypeavailable Theseclasstypesare:

LEC(Lectures)-Sessionswheremajorityofthesubjects’conceptsandtheoryaretaughtby thecourselecturer(s) Lectureswilltakeupthemosthoursofyourweeklyclasses

WKS(Workshops)-Sessionswhichfocusonsolvingpracticequestionsandproblemsolving relevanttothesubject’scontent.Tutorialsarerunbydemonstrators.

LAB(Labs)-In-person/onlineinteractivelessons,wherestudentsapplypracticalmethodsto collectandanalysedatawithinanengineeringcontext.

OTH(MidtermExam/Quiz)-Fixedsessionwhenanin-termexamorquizisgoingtooccur.

COURSE ADMINISTRATION

InternalProgramTransfer

Throughoutyourdegreeyoumayrealisethattheprogramyouarecurrentlyenrolledinisnot rightforyou.Ifthisweretohappen,pleaseseekadvicefromtheEngineeringProgram Authoritytoseewhatoptionsareavailableforyourparticularcircumstances.Theymaybe abletoassistyouinfollowingthecorrectproceduretowithdraw,addcourses,transferand identifyanylimitationswithoutyouracademicrecordbeingaffected

ChangingPrograms

TheUndergraduateInternalProgramsTransfer(IPT)enablesprogramtransferwithinUNSW. Thisprocessallowsforboththetransferbetweendifferentprogramsaswellasthetransfer betweensingleanddoubledegreeswithouttheneedtoapplythroughUAC

Pleasecheckyoureligibilitypriortousingtheservice.Thismaydependonyourenrolment status,age,currenttermofstudy,WeightedAverageMark,unitsofcreditcompleted, academicstanding,feesandprogramavailabilityforthespecifiedterm Additionaladvice maybegivenforinternationalandinternational-sponsoredstudents

DuringtheapplicationperiodyoucanApplyforIPTviamyUNSW.However,ifyouareunder18 yearsofage,youmustcontactTheNucleus:StudentHubtocompleteyourapplication.

ChangingStreams

Thestreamdeclarationservicemaybeusefulforstudentswhohaveenrolledindouble degrees,ofwhichthedegreeotherthancivilengineeringmayincludemajors,minorsor specialisations

Tochangestreams,usetheStreamDeclarationserviceinmyUNSW.Youmayhave initiallyusedittodeclareyourstreaminthefirstplace.Hereyouareabletoviewyour currentstream,declareyourstreamorchangeyourstreambyfollowingtheprompts given Pleasenotethatnotallprogramsusethisserviceandyoumayneedtocontact yourProgramAuthoritydirectly.TheStreamDeclarationservicewillindicateifthisisthe case.

DegreeProgression

ProgressionPlansprovidestudentswithanexampleofhowtheyshouldstructuretheirdegree.This helpsensurethatstudentsareabletofinishtheirdegreewithintheallocatedtimeframeand avoiddelays

Tofindyourrelevantprogressionplan, pleasevisitEnrolmentSequencingand enterthedegreecodeapplicabletoyou. Notethatthissequenceisasuggestion, henceyoudonotneedtofollowifitdoes notsuityou.

Additionally,lateroninyourdegree,you maywanttoperformanofficial progressioncheckifyouhavemade significantchangestoyourplan.Thiscan bedonethroughsubmittingtheforms foundatProgramProgressionCheck

TIPSAND ADVICE

Studyspotsoncampus

ThereareplacesforyoutostudyinallmajorlecturebuildingsinUpper,MidandLowercampus, andyoumightwanttodecidedependingonyourpersonalpreferences

possible.

Formoredetailsonplacestostudyoncampus,checkoutUNSW’sofficialplacestostudyguide here.

StudyTips

StudySchedule

Studyinganengineeringdegreecanbegruellingattimes,anditishardtomanageeverythingon yourscheduleifyouleaveeverythinglast-minute.Everyonehasdifferentstudyhabits,however herearesomepotentialmethodsandtipsoncreatingastudyschedulethatsuitsyou

Prior to the start of term, spend time takingnoteofwhatdeliverablesthereare for each of the courses you are taking. Divide them up into one off deliverables (major course assignments or exams) or weekly deliverables (mini quizzes or weeklyassignments)andseewheneach of them are due. This helps you make a mental note of all the tasks that need to bedoneduringtheterm,whenyouwillbe the most busy, and when you can still affordtotakeabreakandrelax

Tryincorporatingweeklydeliverables into a set weekly schedule so that it is done around the same time each week. This sets aside all the additionaltimeyouhavelefttofocus on the bigger items on your list without falling behind on the items whichcangetyou‘freemarks’.

Some people work well when focusing on one particular subject for extended periods of time, while others like to alternate subjects frequently to maintain interest. Work out what is suitedforyouandplanyourstudydays accordingly This could drastically boost your productivity and minimise timespentidlethinkingaboutwhatyou shoulddonext.

Make sure you are well rested! Set out days or time blocks where you get to take a break from studying to focus on your hobbies, socialise, and enjoy your time as an uni student. A well rested you will be the most productive and also help you avoid burnout as you progress forward.

StudyTips

Use technology to your advantage! Take note of your study plan and commitments using digital calendars (such as Google Calendar) or productivity apps They are easily accessible, customisable and allow for group meetings to be scheduled seamlessly into everyone’sschedules.Additionally,makeuseofappswhichminimiseprocrastination.Apps suchasForestcanhelpfriendsstudytogetherwhilestillconcentratingonthetaskathand.

Makesurethescheduleyouchooseisconsistent Taskssetforeachweekshouldbeevenly distributed so that you do not fall behind with content Usually content progressively becomes more difficult towards the end of the term, hence do not think that it would be a goodideatocrameverythingintothelastfewweeks.Consideringthelengthofeachterm, it is also extremely likely to fall behind, hence plan accordingly by making sure you attend lectures,gothroughcontentandattemptquestionsduringtheweekthatyouaretaught

Don’tstudyjusttopass!Itissoimportantthatyouarenotlearningthecontentjusttopass a course, hence do not just cram all the content at the very end! A lot of key concepts get used in later courses in your degree, where lecturers will often only brush over or consider as assumed knowledge. Additionally, knowing what you study could help in the workforce, especiallywhenapplyingtotechnicalroles,wherejargonandimportantconceptswillform the foundation of what you work on This is often seen tested in interviews for graduate roles.

AppRecommendations

LostonCampus

TheUNSWcampusismassive,soitis easytolosetrackofwhereyou’re goingwhenheadingtoyournext lecture.LostonCampusisagoodGPS apptouseoncampustohelpyouget towhereyouwanttogowithonscreen mapdirections.

Timeweave

Ifyouhavefriendsstudyingother degreesatUNSWoratdifferent universities,oriftheyjusthavea differenttimetabletoyou,Timeweave isagoodapptoinstall Timeweaveisa timetablingappthatcanbe connectedtoyourmyUNSWaccount. Youcanalsoconnectwithyour Facebookfriendsandarrangemeetupsbylookingattheirtimetables

CrossAngles

Schedulingyourtimetablecan bechallengingattimes, especiallyforpopularcourses whereclassesfillinamatterof minutes CrossAnglesisauseful appyoucanusetopreviewyour timetableschedulesand availableclasstimesbefore registrationstarts,whichwill definitelycomeinhandyinyour universitycareer.

UsefulContacts

ThroughoutyourtimestudyingCivil/EnvironmentalEngineeringorSurveying,youareableto seekhelpfromacademicsandstaffmemberswhichwillguideyouonyourjourney.Somekey contactstonoteare:

UndergraduateCoordinators:

CivilEngineering:StevenDavis.

CivilwithArchitecture:RobertHoldom.

EnvironmentalEngineering:WillGlamore.

Surveying:BruceHarvey

AcademicStandingCoordinators/YearAdvisors:

Year1: UlrikeDackermann/AndrewDansie.

Year2: ElenaAtroschenko/LinlinGe.

Year3: EhabHamed/DivyaNair.

Year4: RobertHoldom/BruceHarvey(Surveyingonly)

ExchangeCoordinators:

Civil&Environmental: StevenDavis.

Surveying&Geospatial: BruceHarvey.

IndustrialTrainingCoordinator: LinlinGe.

Ethics&GrievanceOfficer:StevenDavis

ThesisCoordinator:

HonoursResearchThesis(CVEN4951/4952/4953):IanTurner(T1&T2)KristenSplinter (T3).

HonoursThesis(CVEN4050/4051):RobertHoldom.

Otherkeylocationsoncampus(andonline)tonoteare:

TheNucleusStudentHub:Ifyouhaveaninquirywhichyoudonotknowwhotoask,good chancethattheNucleuswillhavetheanswerorredirectyoutotherightperson!

GeneralEnrolmentEnquiries

TheNucleus,MainLibraryLevel2(entrylevel)

0289367005

SpecificCourseEnquiries

ContacttheEngineeringStudentSupportServices: unswto/webforms

TheNucleus,MainLibraryLevel2(entrylevel)

+61293858100

SchoolofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringOffice: H20CivilEngineeringBuilding,Level4(leftoflifts)