Engineer environmental solutions to build a better world.
Gain a broad foundation in engineering and enabling sciences, before you choose to specialise your studies in either construction or environment and water.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Gain a broad foundation in engineering and enabling sciences, before you choose to specialise your studies in either construction or environment and water.
During the program, you develop skills in problem-solving, teamwork and communication, and gain technical, business management and scientific environmental knowledge. Build your expertise in areas including environmental management, planning and restoration, managed ecosystems and marine science.
Earn invaluable work experience, completed over 60 days, examining current engineering professional practice with emphasis on the creative nature of engineering. At the end of your studies you will have the scientific skills needed to make judgements on the conservation and use of Australia's natural ecosystems and resources.
Majors
Construction; Environment and water
Special selection criteria
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in a Maths B and Maths C in secondary school will be eligible for an exemption for the course MTH102 on application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering they may substitute another mathematically based and engineering relevant course for MTH102 as a Variation to Program in order to fulfil the requirements of the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
You can find employment pathways in Government agencies, construction companies, engineering consultancies, building industry, water supply authorities, mining industry, research organisations. As a specialist in environmental science, you can pursue career paths in environmental management and protection, parks and wildlife, resource management, waste and pollution control, catchment management agencies, local councils and environmental consultancies.
Membership
Graduate membership of Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer) available on individual application; Australian Network for Plant Conservation; Australian Water Association; Ecological Society of Australia; Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand; Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Program structure
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Taxation Law and Practice
ENG101 Administrative Law
ENG102 Corporations Law
ENS103 Professional Conduct
MTH102 Regulation
SCI102 Evidence
SCI105 Economics for Business
SCI107 Discovering Management
SCI110 Communication for the Creative Professional
SET111 Visual Storytelling
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Exploring Business Research
ENG203 Accounting for Business
ENG211 Information Systems in Organisations
ENG302 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship
ENG312 Marketing Essentials
ENG401 Business Law
ENG402 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
ENG403 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
ENG422 Business, Governance and Society
ENS221 Public Health Foundations
ENS222 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
ENS224 Health Promotion Principles
ENS253 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
ENS321 Communication and Thought
ENS325 Engineering Professional Practice
GEO201 Engineering Statics
GEO302 Earth's Surface Processes
MTH202 Mathematics Foundations
MTH312 Biodiversity and Ecology
PHY201 Chemistry
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Physics
SCI202 Science Research Methods
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENS330 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENS333 Engineering Computer Programming
SRP301 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
WPL310 Engineering Project Management
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Soil Mechanics
ENG221 Engineering Project 1
ENG225 Engineering Project 2
ENG340 Engineering Research Methodology
ENG404 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG432 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENG451 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS281 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
Environment and Water major
ENG330 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG411 Restoration Ecology
ENG412 Population Ecology and Genetics
ENG421 Hydrology and Geomorphology
ENS242 Coastal Geomorphology
ENS353 Calculus and Algebra
MTH381 Numerical Analysis
PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Select a major in either Construction or Environment and Water
- Complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable work experience. Students must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of practical experience to satisfy this requirement
- Register your selected major and/or minor
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)