From: kaic@mamura.ee.mu.oz.au (David Chan)
Subject: Re: Australian Universities failed
Organization: Electrical and Electronic - University of Melbourne 
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 05:05:16 GMT

ystan@fawlty10.eng.monash.edu.au (Mr YS Tan) writes:
>u926009@postoffice.utas.edu.au (C-Loh) writes:
>>	# stuff deleted 
>>Prof Ian Falconer, the deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide,
>>however, emphasize that the post-graduate courses in Australia take longer and
>>show the guaruantee of quality education.
>
>Damned right, courses in Australia take longer time to complete; in
>particular Engineering. In my first year, back in 1988, we have 
>introductory courses to
>all major engineering fields (incl materials, chemical, civil, mechanical
>& electrical). No complains, even though I almost flunk the first 3. I
>think they are meant to create engineers who are kind of an "all-rounder".

	Also, you need to take a look at the secondary school system here. 
It may be possible somewhere else to complete a degree course in 3
years (where it would take 4 in Australia) or in 2 ( where it would take 3
here), because stuff that would be covered in the first year here have already
been done in high school there. The first year of a course (especially science
and engineering) here seems to be used for bringing students up to par.
If the secondary education can be improved (like covering more, having options
for advanced students to take specialised electives that will gear them for
a tertiary course of their choice etc), the time you need to spend getting
a degree could be lessened.

>But then we had lots of rubbish like organic, inorganic & physical
>chemistry ---> a waste of time ( including 3 hrs lab each week). In 2nd yr

	I beg to differ - chemistry is definitely NOT a waste of time IMO.
It's a pity that when I did undergrad here at Melbourne, the double degree
courses were highly inflexible - I'd have done more chemistry! Of course,
that shouldn't mean that everyone else have to do it - people should be
given a choice.

>even though we streamed into Elect. Eng, we still have electives for a bit of 
>Mech eng, a bit of Chem Eng, a bit of that ... I'm not sure if other Uni in
>Aus have the same system.

	Well, it was the same here at Melbourne a few years back, but things
have changed. Also, an article in the University's news periodical indicate
that the powers to be are actively looking into improving things. 
>
>Personally, I think these 2nd year electives & chemistries could have been
>done without, and the course could then be shrunk to 3 or 3&1/2 years.
>Anyway, now the new Eng. freshies no longer have to learn organic & 
>inorganic chemistry. Lucky them ! But the 2nd year electives remain.

	Unlucky them! Chemistry is such a great subject! 	B-)

Regards,
DC

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