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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

314824 v.1 Master of Subsea Engineering

MSubseaEng(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 081065A
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course is designed to prepare you for the entry to the multi-disciplinary subsea engineering profession. It has been developed in close collaboration with the subsea industry to ensure the syllabus is comprehensive and will meeting legal registration requirements. It provides broad based study of offshore oil and gas development and in-depth study on subsea infrastructure for the complete lifecycle of offshore fields.


Professional Recognition

The course has been designed to meet the requirements of Engineers Australia for registration as a Chartered Subsea Engineer.


Career Opportunities

Curtin Subsea Engineering graduates will be in high demand to an industry that it currently experiencing enormous growth both in Australia and worldwide with many major projects underway and numerous future projects planned. As a subsea engineering graduate you may pursue a career with various members of the oilfield industry including the oil majors, subsea equipment suppliers and the service companies.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants must have passed an Engineers Australia recognised Bachelor of Engineering course with a minimum of a Second Class Upper grade or equivalent. Students who have completed a Graduate Diploma in Subsea Engineering may apply to enter the Master of Subsea Engineering course and can apply for credit for recognised learning for successfully completed units


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Diploma in Subsea Engineering


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


This course focuses on the four main aspects of subsea engineering: subsea system design, subsea infrastructure requirement and design; construction and installation; operations and maintenance. The course is designed to provide you with the expertise in the various engineering fields of subsea engineering and knowledge of other aspects of offshore field development to enable you to be an effective team member in the multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural environment encountered in offshore oil and gas projects worldwide. Throughout your studies there will be significant interaction with leading industry experts working in the various subsea disciplines.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply the knowledge of subsea engineering to design and install subsea facilities that optimise the transport of hydrocarbon from wellheads to shore facilities and can be operated in an economic, healthy, safe and environmentally acceptable manner for the lifetime of the field

2. analyse a subsea field requirement or problem in a logical, rational and critical way; identify alternative methods of solving the issue and select the optimum solution that provides the best outcomes for both industry and the community

3. obtain, evaluate and apply relevant data from a range of sources for a subsea development or operational problem

4. communicate effectively with a wide range of people from different discipline areas, professional positions and countries; able to communicate engineering findings in a variety of ways via written, verbal or electronic communications

5. evaluate and utilise appropriate technology for the implementation and extension of subsea developments and the continual operational improvement of installed subsea systems throughout their lifecycle

6. appreciate the need for, and develop, a lifelong learning skills strategy in relation to enhanced personal and company performance

7. recognise the global nature of the oil and gas industry and apply global standard practices and skills for acceptable engineering outcomes regardless of discipline or geographical location

8. demonstrate an awareness and understanding of cultural perspectives and practices affected by oil and gas production; able to work and apply discipline knowledge within an International exploration and production company

9. apply lessons learnt in a professional manner in all areas of engineering design, demonstrating leadership and ethical behaviour at all times


Duration and Availability

Master of Subsea Engineering is a two year full time course. The course may be taken part-time over a maximum of 4 years.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313058 v.2   Phase Behaviour and Flow Assurance 606 4.0 25.0
314808 v.1   Introduction to Offshore Petroleum Engineering 511 4.0 25.0
313983 v.2   Corrosion Chemistry 500 3.0 25.0
314810 v.1   Introduction to Subsea Infrastructure Engineering 514 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
314821 v.1   Subsea Control and Communications 516 4.0 25.0
314811 v.1   Subsea Field Equipment 524 4.0 25.0
314812 v.1   Subsea Surveying and Installation 515 4.0 25.0
314813 v.1   Safety, Reliability and Integrity Management 517 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
314816 v.1   Offshore Geomechanics and Hydrodynamics 613 4.0 25.0
313069 v.2   Hydrocarbon Economics and Project Management 602 4.0 25.0
314814 v.1   Offshore Processing and System Operations 611 4.0 25.0
314815 v.1   Offshore Structures 612 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
314818 v.1   Umbilicals and Risers 623 4.0 25.0
314819 v.1   Flowlines and Pipelines 624 4.0 25.0
314817 v.1   Subsea Structures and System Engineering 622 4.0 25.0
314820 v.1   Subsea Engineering Project 650 4.0 25.0
  100.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.