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 Introduction to Creative Advertising
ENG101 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
ENG102 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
ENS103 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
MTH102 Editing for the Communications Professional
SCI102 Risk, Crisis and Issues Management
SCI105 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
SCI107 Communication Campaign Planning
SCI110 Community Engagement Events
SET111 International Communication
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Public Relations Writing
ENG203 Researching Media and Audiences
ENG211 Public Relations Internship/Industry Project
ENG302 Social Media
ENG312 Politics and the Media
ENG401 Communication and Thought
ENG402 Engineering Professional Practice
ENG403 Engineering Statics
ENG422 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
ENS221 Mathematics Foundations
ENS222 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS253 Chemistry
ENS254 Physics
ENS300 Science Research Methods
ENS305 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENS351 Introduction to Engineering Design
GEO301 Engineering Computer Programming
LGL301 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
MTH202 Engineering Project Management
MTH312 Soil Mechanics
PHY201 Engineering Project 1
SCI202 Engineering Project 2
Major studies courses
Students must complete one (1) of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
Required courses (8)
ENG212 Engineering Research Methodology
ENG221 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG225 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENG340 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENG404 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG432 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
ENG451 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENS281
Environment and Water major
Required courses (8)
ENG330
ENG411 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
ENG412
ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems
ENS242 Weather and Climate
ENS353 Applied Geospatial Analysis
MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling
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.