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
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Managing People in Organisations
ENG101 Managerial Economics
ENG102 Business Law
ENS103 Principles of Leadership
MTH102 Corporate Governance, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
SCI102 Strategic Management
SCI105 Business Finance for Managers
SCI107 Managing Human Capital
SCI110 New Venture Planning A
SET111 Communication and Thought
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Engineering Professional Practice
ENG203 Engineering Statics
ENG211 Earth's Surface Processes
ENG302 Mathematics Foundations
ENG312 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG401 Chemistry
ENG402 Physics
ENG403 Science Research Methods
ENG422 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENS221 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENS222 Engineering Computer Programming
ENS224 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENS253 Engineering Project Management
ENS321 Soil Mechanics
ENS325 Engineering Project 1
GEO201 Engineering Project 2
GEO302 Engineering Research Methodology
MTH202 Design of Roads and Drainage
MTH312 Plant Diversity and Ecology
PHY201 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
SCI202 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Restoration Ecology
ENS330 Population Ecology and Genetics
ENS333 Hydrology and Geomorphology
SRP301 Coastal Geomorphology
WPL310 Calculus and Algebra
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Numerical Analysis
ENG221 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
ENG225 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ENG340 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG404 Coastal Conservation Planning
ENG432 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENG451 Special Field Studies Topic
ENS281 Special Research Project
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Workplace Learning I
ENG411 Structural Engineering
ENG412 Mechanics of Materials
ENG421 Engineering Materials
ENS242 Construction Technology
ENS353 Engineering Sustainable Design
MTH381 Advanced Soil Mechanics
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)