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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Accounting Principles
ENG101 Informatics for Financial Professionals
ENG102 Communication and Thought
ENS103 Engineering Professional Practice
MTH102 Engineering Statics
SCI102 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
SCI105 Mathematics Foundations
SCI107 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI110 Chemistry
SET111 Physics
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Science Research Methods
ENG203 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG211 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG302 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG312 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG401 Engineering Project Management
ENG402 Soil Mechanics
ENG403 Engineering Project 1
ENG422 Engineering Project 2
ENS221 Engineering Research Methodology
ENS222 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENS253 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS254 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS300 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS305 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
ENS351 Environmental and Resource Economics
GEO301 Environmental Chemistry
LGL301 Integrated Environmental Management
MTH202 Biogeography
MTH312 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
PHY201 Calculus and Algebra
SCI202 Numerical Analysis
Major studies courses (8)
Students must complete one of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
ENG212 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENG221 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG225 Structural Engineering
ENG340 Mechanics of Materials
ENG404 Engineering Materials
ENG432 Construction Technology
ENG451 Engineering Sustainable Design
ENS281 Advanced Soil Mechanics
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Concrete Structures and Technology
ENG411 Sustainable Energy Systems
ENG412 Engineering Hydrology
ENG421 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
ENS242 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems
ENS353 Design of Water Supply Systems
MTH381 Weather and Climate
PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: 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:
- 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)
- 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
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Study Plan