Environmental Engineering (Physical Systems)
Environmental engineering involves the planning, design and management of the natural environment. Environmental engineers require an understanding of the complexity and variability of natural systems. They focus on land and water engineering, examining issues such as land use and management, salinity, water resources management, water quality and soil rehabilitation. An understanding of the interaction between the built and natural environments is essential to environmental engineers and they regularly work with biologists, ecologists and resource managers in order to solve problems related to ecologically sustainable development.
These courses are available to students pursuing a career in environmental engineering:
- Bachelor of Environments with a major in
Physical Systems
Followed by the two-year Master of Engineering (Environmental)
This option will qualify you to become an environmental engineer and leads to professional accreditation.
OR
- From 2009 students will be able to study a Masters of Environmental Engineering, via a Bachelor of Science.
Students who complete a Bachelor of Science with a major in:- Civil Systems
- Chemical Systems or
- Mechanical Systems
will be eligible to continue on to a professionally accredited Master of Environmental Engineering.
This pathway will allow students greater flexibility in their course choice. It also ensures they obtain a broader engineering and science context to their understanding of the complex natural and human systems with which an environmental engineer contends with.
Careers
Graduates usually work with local and international engineering consulting firms, urban and rural water agencies, conservation and natural resources departments, environmental protection agencies, catchment management authorities, local, state and federal government agencies, mining companies and industries, management consulting firms, and research.
Sample course plan Bachelor of Environments (Physical Systems)*
| Year 1 | Sem 1 | Reshaping Environments | Constructing Environments | Governing Environments | Calculus |
| Sem 2 | Natural Environments | Designing Environments | Mapping Environments | Linear Algebra | |
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Mechanics of Solids | Environments Elective | Environments Elective | Australia in the Modern World (Breadth) |
| Sem 2 | Engineering Materials | Earth Processes | Engineering Maths | Food for a Healthy Planet (Breadth) | |
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Risk Analysis | Introduction to Imaging | Fluid Mechanics | A History of Nature (Breadth) |
| Sem 2 | Systems Modelling & Design | People, Land & Sustainability | Environments Elective | Water for a Sustainable Planet (Breadth) |
Followed by a two -year Master of Environmental Engineering
* This sample is provided as a guide only. Subject availability will vary from year to year and there is no guarantee that the listed subjects will be available in future years. Students who have not completed VCE Specialist Mathematics should seek advice from a Course Adviser as to which mathematics to undertake.
Further information
- Admissions/how to apply
- Engineering Future Students - Frequently Asked Questions
- University of Melbourne Future students: www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au