Future Students
Undergraduate
CPVE is a small school and you really feel welcome and at home with your peers, lecturers, and staff...I think this is an experience that some of the students in the larger schools may miss out on. I guess my peers and I were the 'pathfinders' for this degree... This was both challenging and exciting.
Luke Johnson, BE.
Luke was one of the first graduates from the undergraduate Photovoltaics
and Solar Energy program
The need for the School and it's educational programs has arisen due to rapid growth and evolution in the photovoltaic industry in recent years, with considerable demand by industry for UNSW developed technologies and appropriately trained engineers across the entire photovoltaic and renewable energy sectors.
In 1999, special funding was received from the Australian government with the awarding of a Key Centre to the University of New South Wales in the area of photovoltaics. This was one of only 8 such Key Centres awarded Australia-wide across all disciplines, demonstrating the importance the government placed on this new and exciting field of photovoltaics. One of the primary new initiatives of this Key Centre was the establishment of the world’s first undergraduate engineering degree in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy. In 2003, the Key Centre and its activities were incorporated into the new Centre of Excellence, awarded to the same team at the University of New South Wales.
Since then the School has introduced another undergraduate degree program in Renewable Energy Engineering, and seen the graduation of the first group of students from the inaugural Photovoltaics and Solar Energy program. In September 2006, the School had its first ever graduate from Renewable Energy Engineering. Some of these graduands have gained employment locally or overseas, and others are furthering their education by undertaking postgraduate studies.
At the end of 2006, a total of 143 students were enrolled in the School's undergraduate programs, 93 of them studying Photovoltaics and Solar Energy and 50 studying Renewable Energy Engineering. 24% of these students were female. This is unusal for an Engineering program where typically 15% of the student population is female. The programs offered by the School attract very bright students with approximately 24% of undergraduate students having a UAI above 97. Students enrolled in the program are generally concerned and enthusiastic about making a personal contribution to society and the environment.
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy
A four year full-time program which focuses on photovoltaic technology, it's development, application, manufacture and also policy-related issues. Students also have the opportunity to learn about other renewable energy technologies through appropriate choices of electives.
Renewable Energy Engineering
A four year full-time program covering a broader range of renewable energy technologies including wind, biomass, photovoltaics and solar architecture.
Combined Programs
Combined programs allow students to qualify for two degree programs with 1-1.5 years of extra full-time study in addition to what is required to satisfy the requirements for their engineering program.
Flexible First Year Program
In 2006 the Faculty of Engineering introduced a flexibe first year program which allows students to defer their choice of specialisation until the end of their first year of study.