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 2023 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
ENG101 Professional Engineering
ENG102 Engineering Statics
ENS103 Earth's Surface Processes
MTH102
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
SCI107 Physics
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SET111
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202
ENG203
ENG211
ENG302 Engineering Project Management
ENG312
ENG401 Engineering Project 1
ENG402 Engineering Project 2
ENG403
ENG422
ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS224 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
ENS253 Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS321 Restoration Ecology
ENS325 Population Ecology and Genetics
GEO201 Hydrology and Geomorphology
GEO302 Coastal Geomorphology
MTH202
MTH312
PHY201
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SCI202 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Coastal Conservation Planning
ENS330 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENS333 Special Field Studies Topic
SRP301 Special Research Project
WPL310 Workplace Learning I
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212
ENG221
ENG225
ENG340
ENG404
ENG432 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENG451
ENS281
Environment and Water major
ENG330
ENG411 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
ENG412
ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems
ENS242 Weather and Climate
ENS353 Applied Geospatial Analysis
MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling
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)