Design systems for and manage human interaction with the environment
Gain a broad foundation in civil engineering and enabling sciences with a focus on structures, construction 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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
Gain a broad foundation in civil engineering and enabling sciences with a focus on structures, construction and water.
During the program, you’ll build your expertise in areas including environmental management, planning and restoration, managed ecosystems and marine science.
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.
In this program you will:
- Complete more than 60 days of work experience.
- Learn about the creative nature of engineering.
- Develop skills in problem-solving, teamwork and communication.
- Gain technical, business management and scientific environmental knowledge.
- Attain Engineers Australia graduate status.
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:
- Government agencies
- Construction companies
- Engineering consultancies
- Building industry
- Water supply authorities
- Mining industry
- Research organisations.
- Parks and wildlife
- Resource management
- Environmental consultancies
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer)
- 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 Human Services Placement 1
ENG101 Human Services Placement 2
ENG102 Working With Children, Youth and Families
ENG103 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
ENS103 Community Development and Social Action
MTH103 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
MTH104 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCI102 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCI105 Social Research
SCI107 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCI110 Understanding Cultural Diversity
Developing and Graduate courses (21) 252 units
ENG202 Gender and Culture
ENG204 Health & Mental Health in Australia
ENG211 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
ENG302 Communication and Thought
ENG312 Foundations of Engineering
ENG401 Engineering Statics
ENG402 Introduction to the Internet of Things
ENG403 Earth's Surface Processes
ENG422 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
ENS221 Introductory Calculus
ENS222 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS224 Chemistry
ENS253 Physics
ENS321 Science Research Methods
ENS325 Introduction to Engineering Design
GEO201 Thermodynamics
GEO302 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
MTH201 Engineering Project Management
MTH203 Soil Mechanics
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ANM203 Engineering Project 1
SCI202 Engineering Project 2
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS317 Engineering Research Methodology
ENS330 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENS333 Plant Diversity and Ecology
SRP301 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
WPL310 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
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 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Restoration Ecology | MTH203 Population Ecology and Genetics |
| ENG302 Hydrology and Geomorphology | ENG302 Coastal Geomorphology |
| ENG312 Calculus II and Linear Algebra | ENG312 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG401 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data | ENG401 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics |
| ENG402 Coastal Conservation Planning | ENG402 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies |
| ENG403 Special Field Studies Topic | ENG403 Special Research Project |
| ENG422 Workplace Learning I | ENG422 Engineering Project 2 |
| ENG340 Numerical Analysis | ENG330 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG404 Engineering Project Management | ENG411 Engineering Project Management |
| ENG432 Soil Mechanics | ENG412 Soil Mechanics |
| ENG451 Engineering Project 1 | ENG421 Engineering Project 1 |
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 (unclassified) | 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
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.