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
Exemption for first year Mathematics
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in Maths C in secondary school will be eligible for an exemption for the courses MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics and MTH104 Introductory Calculus on application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering and may substitute two engineering relevant courses 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 (11) 132 units
COR109 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 2
ENG101 Teaching Junior Secondary Technology
ENG102 Individual Learner Needs
ENG103 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
ENS103 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts 1
MTH103 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts 2
MTH104 Teaching Senior Secondary Business
SCI102 Teaching Senior Secondary English
SCI105 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
SCI107 Teaching Senior Secondary History
SCI110 Teaching Senior Secondary Health and Physical Education
Developing and Graduate courses (21) 252 units
ENG202 Teaching Senior Secondary Mathematics
ENG211 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
ENG302 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 2
ENG312 Teaching Senior Secondary Technology
ENG401 Diversity and Inclusion
ENG402 Literacy and Numeracy across the Curriculum
ENG403 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Teaching and Learning
ENG422 Assessing Learning
ENS221 Using Data for Learning
ENS222 Teacher as Researcher
ENS224 Introductory Counselling Skills
ENS253 Foundations of Human Behaviour
ENS321 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
ENS325 Communication and Thought
GEO201 Group Processes and Practice
GEO302 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
MTH201 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
MTH203 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
PHY201 Human Services Placement 1
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ANM203 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SCI202 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS317 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENS330
ENS333 Community Development and Social Action
SRP301
WPL310
Major studies courses (8) 96 units
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
Environment and Water major
Honours
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) may be awarded with Honours. The class of Honours to be awarded to a student is dependent upon:
- the percentage results achieved by study or transfer in eleven courses (132 units) as specified in the table below; and
- the student achieving at least 60% in ENG402 .
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Communication and Thought | MTH203 Introduction to Economics |
| ENG302 Introduction to Management | ENG302 Business Analytics |
| ENG312 Introduction to Marketing | ENG312 Accounting for Business |
| ENG401 Communication and Thought | ENG401 Introduction to the Creative Industries |
| ENG402 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship | ENG402 Art, Design and Digital Culture |
| ENG403 Design Methods | ENG403 Elements of Design |
| ENG422 Fundamentals of Photography | ENG422 Introduction to Games Programming |
| ENG340 Introduction to Interactive Media | ENG330 Responsive Design and Technology |
| ENG404 Drawing Practice | ENG411 Design Futures |
| ENG432 Design Capstone | ENG412 Work Integrated Learning Project |
| ENG451 Work Integrated Learning Placement | ENG421 Creative Engagement |
A student must complete a minimum of 8 courses (96 units) in the table and the research project for an honours grade to be awarded.
The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table:
| Honours results classification | Overall Percentage attainded in Specified Courses* |
| Honours Class I | 80% - 100% |
| Honours Class IIA | 70% - 79% |
| Honours Class IIB | 60% - 69% |
| Honours Class III | 50% - 59% |
*The percentage result shall be rounded up if ≥ 0.5 or rounded down if < 0.5.
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
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)