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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Law Honours Thesis
ENG101 Communication and Thought
ENG102 Engineering Professional Practice
ENS103 Engineering Statics
MTH102 Earth's Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
SCI102 Mathematics Foundations
SCI105 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI107 Chemistry
SCI110 Physics
SET111 Science Research Methods
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENG203 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG211 Engineering Computer Programming
ENG302 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG312 Engineering Project Management
ENG401 Soil Mechanics
ENG402 Engineering Project 1
ENG403 Engineering Project 2
ENG422 Engineering Research Methodology
ENS221 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENS222 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS253 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS254 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS300 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
ENS305 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENS351 Environmental Chemistry
GEO301 Integrated Environmental Management
LGL301 Biogeography
MTH202 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
MTH312 Calculus and Algebra
PHY201 Numerical Analysis
SCI202 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
Major studies courses (8)
Students must complete one of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
ENG212 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG221 Structural Engineering
ENG225 Mechanics of Materials
ENG340 Engineering Materials
ENG404 Construction Technology
ENG432 Engineering Sustainable Design
ENG451 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENS281 Concrete Structures and Technology
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
ENG411 Engineering Hydrology
ENG412 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems
ENS242 Weather and Climate
ENS353 Applied Geospatial Analysis
MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling
PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: 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:
- 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)
- 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
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Study Plan