Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a learning approach that is most commonly constructed around a series of problems selected by a teacher. PBL is particularly beneficial to the engineering discipline as it produces engineers that have sound technical knowledge together with the following generic competencies:
- Communication in all forms
- Mathematical and numerical ability
- Use of Information Communication Technology
- Creativity
- Interpersonal and team working skills
- Improving own performance and self learning skills
- Problem solving
- Business skills
- Project management skills
- Information literacy skills
In PBL courses, the problems are industry related in order to emulate the real work environment. The PBL approach to learning in the engineering discipline exhibits, but is not limited to, the following characteristics:
- Using stimulus material to help students discuss an important engineering problem, design task or issue,
- Presenting the problem as a simulation of professional industry practice or a real life workplace situation,
- Guiding engineering students to utilise critical thinking and directing and/or providing limited resources to help them solve the problem,
- Requiring students to cooperatively work as a member of a team, to complement each other's work, and not to compete with other team mebers, in an environment providing access to a teacher who facilitates the group's learning process,
- Requiring students to identify their own learning needs, and develop their information literacy skills to locate, evaluate and manage resources that are useful to help them solve engineering problems,
- Self-assessment to evaluate their learning process.
Using PBL, you will not only develop your engineering skills by being exposed to industry relevant projects from day one, you will also develop the generic or 'soft' skills required by industry.
The School of Electrical Engineering offers an electrical & electronic engineering course with the choice of specialisation in communications, computer or software engineering, microelectronics, photonics, control or power engineering.
The School of Architectural, Civil and Mechanical Engineering offers courses in architectural, building, civil and mechanical engineering.
For further information download the 
PBL Course Brochure (1198KB)
International students should refer to the International Undergraduate Course Guide or contact their agency.
