From 2023, some of our undergraduate engineering majors will have new names.
We’ve renamed some undergraduate majors within the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design to better reflect what you'll be studying and your career options.
These new changes will apply from Semester 1, 2023.
Bachelor of Science
In the Bachelor of Science, the following majors have undergone name changes:
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Chemical Systems is now Chemical Engineering Systems
Chemical engineers play a role in plastic, pharmaceuticals and even our food. You’ll hone your analytical and problem-solving skills though computer modelling of chemical systems and learn how to conduct lab experiments to solve chemical problems.
To become an accredited chemical, biochemical or materials engineering, you can follow this major to the Master of Chemical Engineering.
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Civil Systems is now Civil Engineering Systems
You will learn about design, planning and construction of the built environment, reimagining the cities and infrastructure of our growing world.
Follow this major with the Master of Civil Engineering to a career as a civil, structural or architectural engineer.
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Electrical Systems is now Electrical Engineering Systems
Whether you want to find out how to make your phone battery last longer or build a nationwide power grid, electrical engineering design and build electronic devices on all scales.
You’ll apply skills in maths and electrical phenomena t solve problems in telecommunications and energy distribution using simulations, modelling and lab experiments.
For professional accreditation as an electrical engineer, follow this major with the Master of Electrical Engineering.
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Mechanical Systems is now Mechanical Engineering Systems
Create innovative solutions to global challenges, in industries like robotics, aeronautics and manufacturing.
Follow this major with the Master of Mechanical Engineering, your pathway to a career as a professionally accredited mechanical engineer.
Mechanical Engineering Systems major
This major is the same in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design.
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Mechatronic Systems is now Mechatronic Engineering Systems
Combine your passion for mechanical, electrical and software engineering and gain the skills to develop the technology of the future- from self-driving cars to Amazon Delivery drones.
Follow this major with the Master of Mechatronics Engineering to a career as a professionally accredited mechatronics engineer.
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Spatial Systems is now Digital Infrastructure Engineering Systems
You will learn to work with digital systems and strategies like robots, scanners and satellites to design the infrastructure of the future. It’s a combination of location data, digital replications and building information modelling.
You might use drones to scan bushfires and assess affected areas or create a digital representation of a new building to test engineering techniques.
Follow this major with the Master of Digital Infrastructure Engineering to a career as an engineer.
Digital Infrastructure Engineering Systems major
This major is the same in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design.
Bachelor of Design
In the Bachelor of Design, the following majors have undergone name changes:
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Civil Systems is now Civil Engineering Systems
You will learn about design, planning and construction of the built environment, reimagining the cities and infrastructure of our growing world.
Follow this major with the Master of Civil Engineering to a career as a civil, structural or architectural engineer.
Civil Engineering Systems major
This major is the same in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design.
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Computing is now Computing and Software Systems
We’ve updated the name of this major so it’s consistent with the Computing and Software Systems major in the Bachelor of Science. You can develop your professional and technical capabilities in programming and developing digital material.
With a science degree, you can combine your maths and science subjects to focus on the backend development of software systems.
With a design degree, you can combine programming and user experience technology for front-end programming.
You can use this major as a pathway to the Master of Information Systems, Master of Information Technology, Master of Software Engineering or Master of Computer Science.
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Digital Technologies is now User Experience Design
Study human-computer interaction and develop skills to create information technology that is usable, useful and satisfying to engage with. We interact with digital devices almost every day – from our smartphones and their apps, to navigating websites.
This major will help you understand how their built in the back end, so you can make the front-end experience useful for your audiences.
This major is a natural pathway to the Master of Information Systems and the Master of Information Technology.
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Mechanical Systems is now Mechanical Engineering Systems
Create innovative solutions to global challenges, in industries like robotics, aeronautics and manufacturing.
Follow this major with the Master of Mechanical Engineering, your pathway to a career as a professionally accredited mechanical engineer.
Mechanical Engineering Systems major
This major is the same in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design.
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Spatial Systems will become Digital Infrastructure Engineering Systems
You will learn to work with digital systems and strategies like robots, scanners and satellites to design the infrastructure of the future. It’s a combination of location data, digital replications and building information modelling.
You might use drones to scan bushfires and assess affected areas or create a digital representation of a new building to test engineering techniques.
Follow this major with the Master of Digital Infrastructure Engineering to a career as an engineer.
Digital Infrastructure Engineering Systems major
This major is the same in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Design
Frequently Asked Questions
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When do I choose my major?
You will begin to explore your major options in first year by enrolling in subjects from a range of discipline areas that interest you.
In second year, you will narrow down your options and begin to focus on fewer discipline areas. Some courses may require you to nominate your major at this time in order to enrol in core level 2 major subjects.
By third year, you must have nominated your major to ensure you meet your course requirements.
Be aware that some majors require careful planning from first year). You should refer to the Handbook to check major requirements, and book an appointment with a course adviser if you need further guidance.
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Does the name of my major appear on my graduation certificate (testamur)?
No, the name of your major will not appear on your certificate. The wording on your graduation certificate can be viewed here.
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The Bachelor of Design and the Bachelor of Science have different entry requirements, how can they have the same majors?
The entry requirements for the Bachelor of Design and the Bachelor of Science are different but the engineering majors will require you to have completed some maths subjects. So while the Bachelor of Design does not require you to have completed VCE Maths Methods or Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent), you will still need maths to enrol in the subjects for the major.
If you have not completed the required maths subjects but want to enrol in an engineering major, you can find out more information about satisfying subject prerequisites.
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Why do our websites still say the old major names?
The University websites are based on the University of Melbourne Handbook - the official source of course and subject information. The Handbook website gets updated when the Academic Board and the University Council approve information for our teaching, learning and subjects. The Board meets a few times a year, and while the decision to update our major names has been approved by the Academic Board, the subject information for 2023 will be updated in the Handbook in October/November 2022.
This is to protect students from untimely changes. When the changes are finalised through the University Handbook, the other University websites will be updated.
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Have there been any changes to the content or structure of the major?
We've changed some of the major names to be consistent across our programs or to help make it clear what you'll be studying.