Engineer environmental solutions to build a better world.
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 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
ENG101 The Uses and Abuses of History
ENG102 Explorations in Environmental History
ENS103 Nationalism and Identity in the 20th Century: Themes and Tensions
MTH102 Making History in the Digital Age
SCI102 Research Project in History and Australian Studies
SCI105 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCI107 History of Australian Popular Culture: The Twentieth Century and Beyond
SCI110 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SET111 Justice and the Australian Legal System
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
ENG203 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENG211 Historical Geographies
ENG302 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
ENG312 The Uses and Abuses of History
ENG401 Explorations in Environmental History
ENG402 Nationalism and Identity in the 20th Century: Themes and Tensions
ENG403 Making History in the Digital Age
ENG422 Research Project in History and Australian Studies
ENS221 Indigenous Australia and the State
ENS222 Animal Ecology Field Course
ENS224 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
ENS253 Communication and Thought
ENS321 Cell Biology
ENS325 How Animals Work: Form and Function
GEO201 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
GEO302 Biodiversity and Ecology
MTH202 Science Research Methods
MTH312 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
PHY201 Animal Habitats
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Coastal and Marine Ecology
SCI202 Animal Ecophysiology
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ENS330 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS333 Numerical Techniques in Ecology
SRP301 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
WPL310 Coastal Conservation Planning
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Special Research Project
ENG221 Workplace Learning I
ENG225 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENG340 Animal Behaviour
ENG404 Global-Change Ecology
ENG432 Health Practicum
ENG451 Leadership and Team Dynamics
ENS281 Concepts of Epidemiology
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
ENG411 Environmental Health Risk Management
ENG412 Health Promotion Principles
ENG421 Health Promotion Settings
ENS242 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
ENS353 Public Health Project
MTH381 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
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)