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
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Numerical Analysis
ENG101 Discrete Mathematics
ENG102 Reading in Advanced Mathematics
ENS103 Applied Mathematics
MTH102 Applied Systems Modelling
SCI102 Calculus II and Linear Algebra
SCI105 Discrete Mathematics
SCI107 Numerical Analysis
SCI110 Applied Mathematics
SET111 Microbiology
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology
ENG203 Microbial Pathogenesis
ENG211 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
ENG302 Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG312 Earth Observation: Remote Sensing and Surveying
ENG401 Applied Geospatial Analysis
ENG402 Mapping with Drones
ENG403 Italian A
ENG422 Italian B
ENS221 In-Country Italian Studies A
ENS222 In-Country Italian Studies B
ENS224 Italian C
ENS253 Italian D
ENS321 Italian E
ENS325 Italian F
GEO201 Migrants' Lives in the World
GEO302 Languages and Linguistics
MTH202 Italian A
MTH312 Italian B
PHY201 In-Country Italian Studies A
PLUS select 1 course from:
ANM203 In-Country Italian Studies B
SCI202 Italian C
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENS317 Italian D
ENS330 Italian E
ENS333 Italian F
SRP301 Migrants' Lives in the World
WPL310 Languages and Linguistics
Major studies courses (8)
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
ENG212 Advanced and Transcultural Counselling
ENG221 Advanced Psychological Assessment and Reporting
ENG225 Clinical Psychological Practice 1
ENG340 Advanced Research Design and Methods
ENG404 Clinical Psychological Practice 2
ENG432 Professional Skills 1
ENG451 Professional Skills 2
ENS281 Clinical Health Psychology and Psychopharmacology
Environment and Water major
ENG330 New Venture Development
ENG411 Managing the Social Enterprise
ENG412 New Venture Establishment
ENG421 Social Enterprise Establishment
ENS242 Sustainable Transport Systems
ENS353 Environmental Engineering
MTH381 Geotechnics and Geohydrology
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)