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 Managing Organisational Change
ENG101 Health Law and Ethics
ENG102 Cultural Diversity in Nursing and Midwifery
ENS103 Health Practicum
MTH102 Workplace Learning I
SCI102 Education Research Theories and Methodologies
SCI105 Communication and Thought
SCI107 Engineering Professional Practice
SCI110 Engineering Statics
SET111 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Mathematics Foundations
ENG203 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG211 Chemistry
ENG302 Physics
ENG312 Science Research Methods
ENG401 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG402 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG403 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG422 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENS221 Engineering Project Management
ENS222 Soil Mechanics
ENS253 Engineering Project 1
ENS254 Engineering Project 2
ENS300 Engineering Research Methodology
ENS305 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENS351 Plant Diversity and Ecology
GEO301 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LGL301 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
MTH202 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
MTH312 Environmental and Resource Economics
PHY201 Environmental Chemistry
SCI202 Integrated Environmental Management
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Biogeography
ENG221 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
ENG225 Calculus and Algebra
ENG340 Numerical Analysis
ENG404 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENG432 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG451 Structural Engineering
ENS281 Mechanics of Materials
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330 Engineering Materials
ENG411 Construction Technology
ENG412 Engineering Sustainable Design
ENG421 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENS242 Concrete Structures and Technology
ENS353 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
ENS381 Engineering Hydrology
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.