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 Communication and Thought
ENG101 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
ENG102 International Politics: An Australian Perspective
ENS103 Forces of Change in International Politics
MTH102 Indonesia: Society, Culture and Politics
SCI102 Politics of the USA
SCI105 Politics and the Media
SCI107 International Justice and Human Rights
SCI110 Making Public Policy in a Global Era
SET111 International Relations: Theory and Practice
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 International Security
ENG203 Internship in Politics and Public Policy
ENG211 Indonesia: Society, Culture and Politics
ENG302 Industry Project 1: International Studies
ENG312 Politics of the USA
ENG401 Industry Project 1: International Studies
ENG402 Making Public Policy in a Global Era
ENG403 International Relations: Theory and Practice
ENG422 International Security
ENS221 Politics and Security in East Asia
ENS222 Communication and Thought
ENS224 Engineering Professional Practice
ENS253 Engineering Statics
ENS321 Earth's Surface Processes
ENS325 Mathematics Foundations
GEO201 Biodiversity and Ecology
GEO302 Chemistry
MTH202 Physics
MTH312 Science Research Methods
PHY201 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Introduction to Engineering Design
SCI202 Engineering Computer Programming
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENS330 Engineering Project Management
ENS333 Soil Mechanics
SRP301 Engineering Project 1
WPL310 Engineering Project 2
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Engineering Research Methodology
ENG221 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG225 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENG340 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENG404 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
ENG432 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG451 Restoration Ecology
ENS281 Population Ecology and Genetics
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Hydrology and Geomorphology
ENG411 Coastal Geomorphology
ENG412 Calculus and Algebra
ENG421 Numerical Analysis
ENS242 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENS353 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
MTH381 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
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)