Design and build the future
Civil engineers plan, design, build and maintain the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as a civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
- 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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^First year courses offered at Moreton Bay campus from Semester 1, 2020.
- Climate Change and Coastal Zone Studies minor, Public Health for Engineers minor, Supply Chain Management minor and Town Planning Studies minor not on offer at Moreton Bay campus.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^First year courses offered at Moreton Bay campus from Semester 1, 2020.
- Climate Change and Coastal Zone Studies minor, Public Health for Engineers minor, Supply Chain Management minor and Town Planning Studies minor not on offer at Moreton Bay campus.
Civil engineers plan, design, build and maintain the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as a civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
In this program you will:
- Learn how to use mathematical and scientific principles to solve a range of technical problems
- Get hands-on experience through 12 weeks of work experience with professional engineers and engineering associates
- Choose from a wide range of minors including climate change and coastal zone studies, management for engineers, mechatronic engineering and electrical and electronic engineering
- Complete a major final-year research project on a topic of your choice
- Learn from industry professionals through guest lectures that expose you to current engineering professional practice
- Recreate interactive real-life scenarios in USC's state-of-the-art visualisation studio and dedicated engineering laboratories
Exemption for first year Mathematics
High achieving mathematics students can apply for exemptions to introductory mathematics and calculus subjects. However, exempted courses will need to be replaced with engineering relevant courses to fulfil the requirements of the degree. Apply through the School of Science and Engineering.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
- Government agencies
- Construction companies
- Engineering consultancies
- Building industry
- Mining industry
- Research organisations
Membership
Engineering students are eligible for free membership to Engineers Australia. Once their degree is completed they are eligible for Graduate membership.
This program is internationally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
ENG101 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
ENG102 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
ENG103 Personality and Assessment
ENG104 Human Associative Learning
MTH103 Abnormal Psychology
MTH104 Cell Biology
SCI107 Human Physiology
SCI110 Human Anatomy
Developing courses (8) 96 units
CIV200 Chemistry
CIV201 Physics
ENS253 Science Research Methods
MEC200 Biochemistry
MEC221 Functional Anatomy
MEC225 Biomechanics I
MTH201 Exercise Physiology I
MTH203 Exercise Prescription and Programming
Graduate courses (12) 144 units
CIV300 Introduction to Sports Medicine
CIV301 Foundations of Engineering
CIV330 Engineering Statics
CIV340 Introduction to the Internet of Things
CIV400 Introduction to Engineering Design
CIV401 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
CIV451 Introductory Calculus
ENG302 Physics
ENG304 Science Research Methods
ENG401 Structural Analysis and Computer Modelling
ENG402 Soil Mechanics
CIV404 Geographic Information Science and Technology
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Students must select one of the following minor study areas:
- Climate Change and Coastal Zone Studies
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (for Civil Engineers)**
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Studies for Engineers^
- Management for Engineers^
- Mechatronic Engineering (for Civil Engineers)**
- Mechanical Engineering (for Civil Engineers)
- Public Health for Engineers^
- Town Planning Studies^
- Visualisation and Animation
- Wider Engineering Studies
^Not available at Moreton Bay campus
**Not available at Sunshine Coast campus
Honours
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) may be awarded with Honours. The class of Honours to be awarded to a student is dependent upon:
- the percentage results achieved by study or transfer in twelve courses (144 units) as specified in the table below; and
- the student achieving at least 65% in ENG402 Thermofluids 1.
| Courses |
| CIV201 Mechanics of Materials |
| CIV300 Engineering Materials |
| ENG302 Calculus II and Linear Algebra |
| CIV301 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG304 Structural Engineering |
| ENG401 Design of Roads and Drainage |
| ENG402 Engineering Hydrology |
| CIV404 Construction Technology |
| CIV400 Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment systems |
| CIV451 Sustainable Transport Systems |
| CIV401 Concrete Structures and Technology |
| MTH203 Engineering Project Management |
A student must complete a minimum of 8 courses (96 units) in the table and the research project for an honours grade to be awarded.
The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table:
| Honours results classification | Overall Percentage attained in Specified Courses* |
| Honours Class I | 80% - 100% |
| Honours Class IIA | 70% - 79% |
| Honours Class IIB | 60% - 69% |
*The percentage result shall be rounded up if ≥ 0.5 or rounded down if < 0.5.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Select a minor from one of the minors as listed below. Students must choose the minor to be studied before the completion of Semester 1, Year 3
- 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) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enroll correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.