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 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.
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 Business, Governance and Society
ENG101 Cell Biology
ENG102 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG103 Chemistry
ENS103 Science Research Methods
MTH103 Discovering Science
MTH104 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SCI102 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SCI105 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
SCI107 Special Field Studies Topic
SCI110 Analytical Sciences
Developing and Graduate courses (21) 252 units
ENG202 Special Research Project
ENG211 Workplace Learning I
ENG302 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
ENG312 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
ENG401 The Child Client
ENG402 Caring for the Older Client
ENG403 Business Analytics
ENG422 Introduction to Economics
ENS221 Introduction to Marketing
ENS222 Introduction to Informatics
ENS224 Business Law and Ethics
ENS253 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
ENS321 Communication and Thought
ENS325 Understanding and Managing Organisational Behaviour
GEO201 Leading and Managing Organisations
GEO302 Innovation Management and Professional Development
MTH201 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
MTH203 Entrepreneurship and Business Model Innovation
PHY201 Management Informatics
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ANM203 Innovation by Design
SCI202 Project Management Principles
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS317 Economics for Business
ENS330 Discovering Management
ENS333 Marketing Essentials
SRP301 Accounting for Business
WPL310 Information Systems in Organisations
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 Business Law.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment | MTH203 Business, Governance and Society |
| ENG302 Introduction to Psychology A | ENG302 Introduction to Psychology B |
| ENG312 Current Directions in Psychology | ENG312 Research Methods in Psychology A |
| ENG401 Research Methods in Psychology B | ENG401 Physiological Psychology |
| ENG402 Introduction to Human Development | ENG402 Social Psychology |
| ENG403 Motivation and Emotion | ENG403 Advanced Methods in Psychology |
| ENG422 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology | ENG422 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies |
| ENG340 Personality and Assessment | ENG330 Human Associative Learning |
| ENG404 Abnormal Psychology | ENG411 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing |
| ENG432 | ENG412 |
| ENG451 | ENG421 |
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)