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 Entrepreneurship and Venture Planning
ENG101 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
ENG102 Corporate Reporting
ENS103 Strategic Management Accounting
MTH102 Taxation Law and Practice
SCI102 Economics for Managers
SCI105 International Business Law and Ethics
SCI107 Managing Across Global Cultures
SCI110 Management Informatics
SET111 Managing Organisations
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Strategic Management
ENG203 Legal Regulation of Business Structures
ENG211 Contemporary Accounting Issues
ENG302 Issues in Auditing Practice
ENG312 Research Project
ENG401 Managerial Project
ENG402 Research Methods in Education
ENG403 Education Research Project
ENG422 Education Research Project
ENS221 Education Research Project
ENS222 Education Research Project
ENS253 Coastal and Marine Ecology
ENS254 Climate Change Adaptation
ENS300 Introduction to Climate Change Mitigation
ENS305 Coastal Conservation and Management Project
ENS351 Coastal Geomorphology
GEO301 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
LGL301 Pedagogies for Engagement
MTH202 Leadership for Learning Communities
MTH312 Assessment: Principles and Practices
PHY201 Communication and Thought
SCI202 Engineering Professional Practice
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Engineering Statics
ENG221 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
ENG225 Mathematics Foundations
ENG340 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG404 Chemistry
ENG432 Physics
ENG451 Science Research Methods
ENS281 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG411 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG412 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG421 Engineering Project Management
ENS242 Soil Mechanics
ENS353 Engineering Project 1
MTH381 Engineering Project 2
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
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.