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 Game Art: Introduction to 2D & 3D
ENG101 Serious Video Game Design Workshop
ENG102 Interactive Narrative: Fundamentals
ENS103 ICT Project Management
MTH102
SCI102 Video Game Analysis
SCI105 Serious Game Project A
SCI107 Serious Game Project B
SCI110 New Venture Establishment
SET111 ICT Internship
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 ICT Industry Project
ENG203 Communication and Thought
ENG211 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
ENG302 Introduction to Coaching Science
ENG312 Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise
ENG401 Sports Field Studies 1
ENG402 Exercise Prescription and Programming I
ENG403 Principles of Nutrition
ENG422 Sport and Exercise Psychology
ENS221 Motor Control and Learning
ENS222 Professional Placement in Sport Studies
ENS224 Athlete Coach and Club Welfare
ENS253 Communication and Thought
ENS321 Animal Ecology Field Course
ENS325 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
GEO201 How Animals Work: Form and Function
GEO302 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
MTH202 Cell Biology
MTH312 Biodiversity and Ecology
PHY201 Science Research Methods
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Animal Ecophysiology
SCI202 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Animal Behaviour
ENS330 Global-Change Ecology
ENS333 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
SRP301 Animal Habitats
WPL310 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Coastal and Marine Ecology
ENG221 Numerical Techniques in Ecology
ENG225 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ENG340 Coastal Conservation Planning
ENG404 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENG432 Special Research Project
ENG451 Workplace Learning I
ENS281 Communication and Thought
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Engineering Professional Practice
ENG411 Engineering Statics
ENG412 Earth's Surface Processes
ENG421 Mathematics Foundations
ENS242 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS353 Chemistry
MTH381 Physics
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)