0303 Process and Resources Engineering

Process and Resources Engineering is the study of planning, designing and developing systems, processes and plant for locating and extracting minerals, oil and gas from the earth, and for physically and chemically transforming raw materials to produce metals, alloys, petrochemicals, ceramics, polymers and other materials. It includes the industrial manufacture, processing, packaging and handling of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and biochemicals.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of the theory and technology of extracting, processing and refining minerals, oil and gas; the chemical and physical properties of metals, alloys, petrochemicals, ceramics, polymers and other materials; the techniques of packaging food; and the management, regulatory and safety aspects of production.

Courses in Narrow Field 0303 Process and Resources Engineering develop skills in:

• analysing the structure, composition and properties of materials
• applying chemical and metallurgical techniques to the commercial production of metals, alloys, petrochemicals, ceramics, polymers and other materials
• developing techniques for producing and processing metals, alloys, petrochemicals, ceramics, polymers, foodstuffs and other materials
• designing, constructing and operating mines, refineries, chemical and food processing plants
• surveying mineral, oil and gas deposits to assess the economic feasibility of mining

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

030301  Chemical Engineering
030303  Mining Engineering
030305  Materials Engineering
030307  Food Processing Technology
030399  Process and Resources Engineering, n.e.c.

Chemical Engineering is the study of planning, designing and developing products and processes where chemical and physical changes occur.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• process control optimisation and simulation
• laws of physical chemistry in chemical engineering
• biochemical engineering
• process plant design
• petrochemical product development
• petroleum refining

Mining Engineering is the study of planning, developing, assessing, directing and managing the extraction of minerals, oil and gas from the earth.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• economic feasibility of mining mineral deposits
• mine design and construction
• gas and oil extraction methods
• mine safety

Mining surveying. This is included in Detailed Field 031101 Surveying.

Materials Engineering is the study of assaying, producing and refining materials, including metals, alloys, ceramics and polymers, timber, pulp and paper.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• composite materials analysis
• papermaking technology
• materials production and processing techniques
• drying, treating and grading timber
• materials testing
• metallurgy

Food Processing Technology is the study of the industrial processing, packaging and handling of food.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• smallgoods manufacturing
• fruit and vegetables, sugars and cereal product processing
• food packaging and storage principles
• dairy products manufacturing
• seafood processing
• meat inspection

Butchery. This is included in Detailed Field 110105 Butchery.
Food science. This is included in Detailed Field 019905 Food Science and Biotechnology.
Wine making. This is included in Detailed Field 019905 Food Science and Biotechnology.

This detailed field includes all Process and Resources Engineering not elsewhere classified.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• fuel technology
• pharmaceutical manufacturing