Become a skilled environmental professional and manage human interaction with the environment
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 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG101 Contracts A
ENG102 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
ENS103 Public Health Project
MTH102 Introduction to Mathematics
SCI102 Mathematics Foundations
SCI105 Contracts B
SCI107 Property A
SCI110 Constitutional Law
SET111
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202
ENG203
ENG211
ENG302
ENG312
ENG401
ENG402
ENG403 Communication and Thought
ENG422 Engineering Professional Practice
ENS221 Engineering Statics
ENS222 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
ENS253 Mathematics Foundations
ENS254 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS300 Chemistry
ENS305 Physics
ENS351 Science Research Methods
GEO301 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
LGL301 Introduction to Engineering Design
MTH202 Engineering Computer Programming
MTH312 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
PHY201 Engineering Project Management
SCI202 Soil Mechanics
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Engineering Project 1
ENG221 Engineering Project 2
ENG225 Engineering Research Methodology
ENG340 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG404 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENG432 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENG451 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS281 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENG411 Environmental Chemistry
ENG412 Integrated Environmental Management
ENG421 Biogeography
ENS242 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
ENS353 Calculus and Algebra
ENS381 Numerical Analysis
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Total units: 480
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Select a major in either Construction or Environment and Water.
- Register your selected major with your Faculty.
- 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.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Study Plan.