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
For students commencing 2015. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Managing Organisations
ENG101 Strategic Management
ENG102 Research Project
ENS103 Marketing Management
MTH102 Communication and Thought
SCI102 Engineering Professional Practice
SCI105 Engineering Statics
SCI107 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
SCI110 Mathematics Foundations
SET111 Biodiversity and Ecology
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Chemistry
ENG203 Physics
ENG211 Science Research Methods
ENG302 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG312 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG401 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG402 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG403 Engineering Project Management
ENG422 Soil Mechanics
ENS221 Engineering Project 1
ENS222 Engineering Project 2
ENS253 Engineering Research Methodology
ENS254 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENS300 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS305 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS351 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
GEO301 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
LGL301 Environmental and Resource Economics
MTH202 Environmental Chemistry
MTH312 Integrated Environmental Management
PHY201 Biogeography
SCI202 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Calculus and Algebra
ENG221 Numerical Analysis
ENG225 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENG340 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG404 Structural Engineering
ENG432 Mechanics of Materials
ENG451 Engineering Materials
ENS281 Construction Technology
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330 Engineering Sustainable Design
ENG411 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENG412 Concrete Structures and Technology
ENG421 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
ENS242 Engineering Hydrology
ENS353 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
MTH381 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems
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.