Design and build the future.
Civil engineers plan, design and build the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
- 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 2024 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.
Civil engineers plan, design and build the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
- Learn how to use mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide range of technical problems
- Get plenty of hands-on experience, including 12 weeks’ work experience with professional engineers and engineering associates
- Specialise in construction or water and environment, and complete a major final-year research project on a topic of your choice
- Learn from industry professionals through guest lectures that expose you to current engineering professional practice
- Recreate interactive real-life scenarios in USC’s state-of-the art visualisation studio and dedicated engineering laboratories
Majors
Construction; Environment and water
Exemption for first year Mathematics
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in a Maths B and Maths C in secondary school may be eligible for an exemption for MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics and may also be eligible for an exemption to MTH104 Introductory Calculus on application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering. Students who are exempted from one or two courses will need to substitute one or two 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.
Accreditation and membership
This program qualifies you for registration as a civil engineer with the accrediting body, Engineers Australia, and is internationally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas. It also qualifies you for graduate membership of Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer).
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Administrative Law
ENG101 Evidence
ENG102 Professional Conduct
MTH103 Regulation
MTH104 Communication and Thought
SCI107 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCI110 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENG103 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
ENG202 Introduction to Psychology A
ENG204 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
ENG211 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
ENG302 Social Research
ENG312 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENG401 Health, Society and Culture
ENG402 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
ENG403 Critical Practice with Mental Health, Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis
ENG422 Working with Children, Youth and Families
ENS253 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
MTH201 Social Work Field Education 1
MTH203 Critical Social Policy Analysis
Major studies courses (8) 96 units
Students must complete one of the following major studies in the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours):
Construction major
ENG212 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
ENG221 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
ENG225 Understanding Cultural Diversity
ENG340 Community Development and Social Action
ENG404 Social Work Field Education 2
ENG432 Communication and Thought
ENG451 Human Development and Learning
ENS281 Professional Experience: Play and Pedagogy in Early Learning
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Engagement and Behaviour in Early Learning
ENG411 Foundations of Literacy and Numeracy
ENG412 Sustainability Through Play and Pedagogy
ENG421 Professional Experience: Learning Theories in Early Learning
ENS242 Teaching Science in the Early Years
ENS353 Integrating ICT into Learning
MTH381 Professional Experience: Communities and Partnerships
SCI105 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Students must select one of the following minor study areas:
- Climate Change and Coastal Zone Studies
- Construction Engineering (for Environment and Water major students only)
- Engineering Design
- Environmental Engineering (for Construction major students only)
- Environmental Studies for Engineers
- Management for Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering (for Construction major students only)
- Planning Studies
- Public Health for Engineers
- Wider Engineering Studies
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 twelve courses (144 units) as specified in the table below; and
- the student achieving at least 65% in ENG402 Teaching English: Curriculum and Pedagogy.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Teaching Arts in the Early Years | MTH203 Teaching HPE in the Early Years |
| ENG302 Assessing Learning | ENG302 Teaching HASS in Primary School |
| ENG312 Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years | ENG312 Professional Experience: Evidence Based Decision Making in Early Learning |
| ENG401 Teaching Reading and Writing | ENG401 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education |
| ENG402 Inclusive Practices and Intervention in Early Learning | ENG402 Professional Experience: Curriculum Approaches and Pedagogies |
| ENG403 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Learning | ENG403 Teaching Primary School Mathematics |
| ENG422 Design of Roads and Drainage | ENG422 Design of Roads and Drainage |
| ENG212 Structural Engineering | MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling |
| ENG340 | ENG330 |
| ENG404 | ENG411 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering |
| ENG432 Advanced Soil Mechanics | ENG412 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems |
| ENG451 | ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems |
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: 384
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Construction Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Construction Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Environment and Water Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Environment and Water Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement only (February)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Select a minor from one of the minors as listed below. Students must choose the minor to be studied before the completion of Semester 1, Year 3
- Apply for your selected major and/or minor
- 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 is 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 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
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Recommended Study Sequence: