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 Business Law
ENG101 Information Systems in Organisations
ENG102 Digital Journalism
ENS103 Global Communication
MTH102 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
SCI102 Business, Governance and Society
SCI105 Work Integrated Learning Project
SCI107 Work Integrated Learning Placement
SCI110 Work Integrated Learning Project
SET111 Work Integrated Learning Placement
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202 Economics for Business
ENG203 Cell Biology
ENG211 Introductory Chemistry
ENG302 Science Research Methods
ENG312 Accounting Principles
ENG401 Information Systems in Organisations
ENG402 Discovering Management
ENG403 Business Law
ENG422 Discovering Science
ENS221 Marketing Essentials
ENS222 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS253 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ENS254 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENS300 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
ENS305 Business, Governance and Society
ENS351 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
GEO301 Special Field Studies Topic
LGL301 Analytical Sciences
MTH202 Special Research Project
MTH312 Workplace Learning I
PHY201 Work Integrated Learning Project
SCI202 Work Integrated Learning Placement
Major studies courses (8)
Students must complete one of the available Engineering major studies.
Construction major
ENG212 Foundations in Medical Science
ENG221 Introductory Chemistry
ENG225 Science Research Methods
ENG340 Think Health
ENG404 Cell Biology
ENG432 Introductory Bioscience
ENG451 Human Physiology
ENS281 Human Anatomy
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Molecular Biology
ENG411 Organic Chemistry
ENG412 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENG421 Immunology
ENS242 Integrated Physiology
ENS353 Biochemistry
MTH381 Microbiology
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