1. Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Melbourne School of Engineering

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Melbourne School of Engineering

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About the Department

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering was established in 1947 as part of the Melbourne School of Engineering, which has been offering degrees at The University of Melbourne since 1889.

Find out more about our history

Our courses

The Department offers both PhD and Masters level research higher degrees. Our flagship programs are the Master of Engineering (Electrical) and the Master of Engineering (Electrical with Business) — with a Bachelor degree pathway via an Electrical Systems Major via the Bachelor of Science.

Both the Master of Engineering (Electrical) and Master of Engineering (Electrical with Business) are professionally recognised under two major accreditation frameworks — EUR-ACE® and the Washington Accord (through Engineers Australia).

Find out more about our study options

Our research

The Department is host to a vibrant internationally recognised research program, which receives exceptional support from industry and government. The Department has strengths in these main discipline areas:

  • Communication systems and networks
  • Control and signal processing
  • Photonic and electronic systems
  • Power and energy systems

These disciplines reflect the core ingredients of our research and research training programs, across a number of centres, institutes and laboratories, including:

  • Centre for Neural Engineering
  • Networked Society Institute

Professor Chris Manzie
Head of Department

Research

We are a vibrant community of internationally recognised researchers focused on addressing major challenges in power systems, computation networks, electronic devices and materials, and systems engineering.

  • Communication and networks

    We analyse, design and optimise communications systems and networks for a variety of emerging applications. We use tools and approaches from communication theory, coding, information theory, detection and estimation, systems theory, stochastic processes, game theory, signal processing, network optimisation and much more.

  • Control and signal processing

    We undertake research, education, and industry engagement activities that relate to the modelling, optimisation, monitoring and automation of dynamical systems. Our research expertise ranges from the mathematical foundations of systems engineering, to applications in water and power system management, defence, and biomedical technology.

  • Electronic and photonic systems

    Advancing the frontiers in photonics and electronics towards the development of novel devices and systems for emerging applications. Our research spans electronics, nano-electronics, photonics, nano-photonics, antenna engineering, microwave and millimetre-wave engineering, and systems engineering.

  • Power and energy systems

    Electrical networks are the backbone of the future low-carbon energy infrastructure. Our research spans power and energy system modelling (transmission and distribution), techno-economic modelling, stochastic optimisation, integration of low-carbon technologies, and Smart Grids, from both planning and operational perspectives.

Research projects

Centres and institutes

  • Centre for Neural Engineering

    An interdisciplinary centre, established to undertake research in neuroscience and neural diseases. The Centre draws together leading neuroscientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, cell biologists, geneticists, electrophysicists, chemists, physicists and engineers from the University of Melbourne and partner institutions.

  • Networked Society Institute

    The networked society is rapidly emerging from the increasing connectivity between people, places and things. This transformation is being powered by digital, networking and automated technologies. The Institute fosters interdisciplinary research to understand and create the connected future and to address the impact of connectivity on society.

Industry engagement in teaching

We recognise the value of a curriculum guided by industry. We invite industry members to contribute to the ongoing refinement of our curriculum.

  • Host a student intern

    Host a Masters student within your organisation through our internship programs.

  • Student industry projects

    Engage our students to work on a technical project of relevance to your organisation. These projects are undertaken by Masters students on campus.

  • Industry Advisory Group

    Our advisory group provides valuable insights on our strategic planning, teaching, and research programs, to ensure they are relevant to industry needs.

Study

  • Undergraduate

    The Electrical Systems major is offered in the Bachelor of Science and leads to masters-level study in Electrical Engineering.

  • Graduate coursework

    At the coursework masters level, we offer two accredited courses: the Master of Engineering (Electrical) and the Master of Engineering (Electrical with Business).

  • Graduate research

    Our graduate research programs — the MPhil and the PhD — are built on world-leading projects and are led by staff with international recognition for their multi-disciplinary research contributions.

  • Internships and industry projects

    A unique opportunity to practise technical skills in a real-life work environment, supported by a dedicated workplace and an academic supervisor. Gain practical experience to enhance your employment prospects and networking opportunities.

Career outcomes

Electrical engineering and mechatronics graduates are known for their strong analytical and problem solving skills. They find employment in a variety of capacities, ranging from research and technical engineering work to management and finance, across a broad array of areas, including the energy, telecommunications, computer, electronics, defence, manufacturing, automation, transport and biotechnology industries.

Download: Electrical Engineering Career Pathways brochure [PDF]

Leadership

  • Prof Chris Manzie

    Head of Department

  • Prof Girish Nair

    Deputy Head (Research & Research Training)
  • Prof Christina Lim

    Deputy Head (Academic Programs)
  • Lyn Buchanan

    Department Administrator

All staff and research student listing

News

9 November 2018

IEEE Australia Council 2017 Outstanding Student Branch Competition

The University of Melbourne’s IEEE Student Branch has won the ‘IEEE Australia Council 2017 Outstanding Student Branch Competition’. Competing with other student branches from across Australia, the local branch won the award, which is judged on these criteria: significantly improving the vitality of each student branch with regard to activities, membership, or finances; effective interaction of each student branch with the local Section or Region, or IEEE technical societies, through seminars, conferences, etc; and community involvement that benefits local schools and/or the community, the IEEE’s image, and the image of engineering in general.

17 September 2018

Christina Lim elected as a 2019 OSA Fellow

Prof Christina Lim, from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has been elected as a 2019 Fellow of The Optical Society (OSA), at their 17 September meeting in Washington, DC, USA. This honour is in recognition of outstanding and sustained pioneering contributions to the research, development, and applications of fibre-wireless technology in the field of microwave photonics. Congratulations Christina!

3 October 2018

The Road to Endeavour: What it takes to engineer the future

Closeup shot of 3D printer in action

Follow the three teams taking us behind the scenes as they prepare for 2018's Endeavour Exhibition

19 September 2018

New project aims to improve life for mobility-impaired people

woman in wheelchair with dog in autumn nature.

"This project truly delivers an immediate social impact that will fill an urgent gap in the current mobility and orientation space."

21 May 2018

‘Loads, Diodes and Cathodes’ Win the 2018 Case Study Competition

Presenting to peers, academics and a panel of industry-based judges on 26 March 2018, over 154 students comprising 33 multidisciplinary teams competed in this year's Case Study Competition, with 'Loads, Diodes and Cathodes' taking home the prize.

14 December 2017

Tansu Alpcan awarded seed funding for interdisciplinary research

Associate Professor Tansu Alpcan from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has been awarded a seed funding grant of $75,000 from Northrop Grumman Corporation to work on an interdisciplinary research collaboration.

22 November 2017

Worawa drone exercise teaches students science and numeracy

Indigenous school students from Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville have learned how drones can assist rangers in remote communities in an exercise led by researchers from the University of Melbourne’s School of Computing and Information Systems (CIS).

Events

    There are no upcoming events scheduled.

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    Electrical and Electronic Engineering

    • About us
      • About us
      • History
    • Industry
      • Internships
      • Student industry projects
      • Industry Advisory Group
    • Research
      • Communication and networks
      • Control and signal processing
      • Photonic and electronic systems
      • Power and energy systems
      • Projects
    • Study
      • Undergraduate
      • Graduate
      • Research
      • Internships and industry projects
    • People
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