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 2024 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 Second Language Teaching Methodologies
ENG101 Education Research Project
ENG102 Professional Learning
ENS103 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
MTH102 Leadership for Learning Communities
SCI102 Assessment: Principles and Practices
SCI105 Interlanguage Phonology
SCI107 Language, Culture and Second Language Learning
SCI110 Education Research Project
SET111 Education Research Project
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Education Research Project
ENG203 Communicating Education Project Outcomes
ENG211 Communication and Thought
ENG302 Engineering Professional Practice
ENG312 Engineering Statics
ENG401 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
ENG402 Mathematics Foundations
ENG403 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG422 Chemistry
ENS221 Physics
ENS222 Science Research Methods
ENS253 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENS254 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENS300 Engineering Computer Programming
ENS305 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENS351 Engineering Project Management
GEO301 Soil Mechanics
LGL301 Engineering Project 1
MTH202 Engineering Project 2
MTH312 Engineering Research Methodology
PHY201 Design of Roads and Drainage
SCI202 Plant Diversity and Ecology
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENG221 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG225 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
ENG340 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENG404 Environmental Chemistry
ENG432 Integrated Environmental Management
ENG451 Biogeography
ENS281 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330 Calculus and Algebra
ENG411 Numerical Analysis
ENG412 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENG421 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENS242 Structural Engineering
ENS353 Mechanics of Materials
MTH381 Engineering Materials
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.