Wondering what UNSW Environmental Engineering is all about? Maybe youâve even envisioned the degree for yourself?
Either way, youâve come to the right place!Â
Weâre going to walk you through the units, culture, assessments, and what itâs really like to study a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering at UNSW.Â
Keep scrolling!Â
What is a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) at UNSW?
Core Units for this Degree
How to Get into Environmental Engineering at UNSW
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
What is a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) at UNSW?
To start, Environmental Engineering is a relatively new discipline that studies the impact that humans have made to the natural environment and the ways to manage and alleviate these effects. Environmental engineering involves the development of infrastructure to improve waste disposal, public health, water contamination, air pollution and water supply.Â
This degree encourages students to create sustainable and impactful innovations to conserve the natural environment. Youâll gain extensive knowledge in the potential of engineering to identify solutions to conserve the environment by combining biology, ecology, geology, physics and chemistry!
Honours
Environmental Engineering at UNSW is actually only offered through an Honours program. This means that once you enrol, youâre committed to completing 4 years of study â this includes the 3-year undergraduate program as well as an extra year of additional study where youâll undertake advanced classes as well as completing a long-term thesis or research project.Â
Graduating with an Honours degree is a great way to widen your knowledge and skill set as well as improving your employability so that youâre one step closer to securing your dream profession.Â
Can this degree be studied in conjunction with another?
Yes! At UNSW, youâre given the opportunity to combine your Engineering degree with the following courses:
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- Bachelor of ArtsÂ
- Bachelor of Advanced MathematicsÂ
- Bachelor of Advanced ScienceÂ
- Bachelor of CommerceÂ
- Bachelor of MusicÂ
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Computer ScienceÂ
As you can see, youâve got a lot of options and these arenât even all of them! You can take a deeper look for yourself here. Â
Career Paths
UNSW Environmental Engineering is a specialised degree that will set you up for some pretty important professions in environmental and sustainability sectors. You may want to work within industries like:
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- Water
- ConstructionÂ
- EnergyÂ
- ManufacturingÂ
- Government positionsÂ
With a degree like this, youâll most likely be extremely involved in governmental, private or public environmental initiatives. Maybe youâd be a consultant in a water company that focuses on water loss strategies, or maybe youâll be designing the next big recycling project.
Youâve got a lot of options, most importantly, your skills will be valued in great programs that conserve and protect our natural environment!
Core Units for this Degree
The Bachelor of Engineering course at UNSW is worth a total of 192 credit points. This accounts for the 168 units designated towards your major stream which, in this case, is Environmental Engineering.Â
Credit points are the way in which universities measure the workload of particular subjects.
Most of the subjects in the undergraduate Engineering program at UNSW are worth 6 credit points each â this means that, overall, youâll be taking approximately 32 classes across your 4 year program. Although, this system gets a little trickier as you begin your Honours year.Â
You can take at UNSWâs Handbook for Environmental Engineering right here!Â
Hereâs a breakdown of what your program structure as an Environmental Engineering student will look like:
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- Youâve got 168 credit points in your Environmental Engineering stream to completeÂ
- Alongside this, youâve got 12 credit points from the General Education subjectsÂ
- Finally, 12 credit points worth of Discipline ElectivesÂ
This means that over your 4 years as a UNSW student, youâll take about 28 subjects in your Environmental Engineering stream, 2 general education subjects and at least 2 elective subjects. Weâll dissect this further now!Â
Environmental Engineering Stream
Your Environmental Engineering classes are generally pretty prescriptive and structured throughout your degree. Youâll get to choose a few of your classes but for the most part youâll be following the same structure as the rest of your cohort.
This is great for two reasons. Firstly, it means that we can explain some of the classes you can expect to take and secondly, it means that youâll be scoring yourself some pretty long-term friends since youâll all be doing the same classes! Yay!Â
Your core classes as a first year Environmental Engineering student include:
Subjects | Description |
---|---|
Ecology, Sustainability and Environmental Science | This subject will provide students with an introductory understanding of a range of biological concepts that relate to our natural environment and draws the ways we can create sustainable solutions to environmental issues. |
Introduction to Engineering Design and Innovation | In this fundamental engineering subject, youâll be taught the importance of design and creativity to develop solutions to environmental and social issues. |
Computing for Engineers | In this foundational computing subject, youâll develop an understanding of the ways in which engineers use computers to program and problem solve. Youâll learn about topics like algorithms, data types, coding, simulation, animation and programming. |
In your first year, youâll also be completing some maths, physics and chemistry classes. For these classes, youâll have the option to choose between an advanced version or a standard version.Â
General Education
As we mentioned, youâre required to take 12 credit points worth of General Education subjects throughout your engineering degree.
This is only really two subjects so itâs not a major part of your degree but itâll give you a chance to branch out and widen your knowledge since there are so many options. Some of the general education classes include:
Subjects | Description |
---|---|
Environment and Society | This is a class that emphasises the need for urgent solutions in the current state of our environment. In this subject, youâll be taught societal ideas surrounding human impact like urban development, political systems, energy access, food production and the effects of particular economic and cultural needs. |
Global History: Exploring the First Globalisation | This is a humanities-based subject perfect for students wanting to learn more about the connection between climate change and environmental issues with the human impact of globalisation and colonialism. Youâll learn about how the modern world developed alongside the growth of civilisation.  |
Sustainable Design: Theories and Practice | This class is all about the development of sustainability theories and their effect on design and innovation since the Industrial Revolution. This subject would be great for engineering students wanting to refine their sustainable and environmental approach to invention. |
The examples above were chosen with an Environmental Engineering brain in mind, but there are plenty of options that go beyond this area which you can check them all out for yourself here!Â
Discipline Electives
This is the final type of subjects that youâll undertake throughout your Environmental Engineering course. While these subjects are extremely flexible because there are so many options, they are dependent upon the discipline or major that you decide to take.
Since we are focusing on Environmental Engineering, some example of the electives you can take include:
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- Sustainability in ConstructionÂ
- Human Factors in Civil and Transport EngineeringÂ
- Air Quality and PollutionÂ
- Fundamentals of Humanitarian EngineeringÂ
- Hazardous Waste ManagementÂ
- Coastal EngineeringÂ
- Catchment and Water Resources ModellingÂ
- Rock and Slope EngineeringÂ
- Fundamentals of Traffic EngineeringÂ
- Groundwater Resource InvestigationÂ
- Satellite Remote Sensing and ApplicationsÂ
You can take a look for yourself if you scroll down to âDiscipline Electivesâ here!Â
Is practical experience included?
Yes! At UNSW the initiative is called the Industrial Experience Requirement which is a program that requires Engineering students to complete a minimum of 60 days industrial training to graduate.Â
Engineering is such a practical profession that UNSW is well aware that employers are looking for graduates who have had experience in the workforce. Itâs an initiative that enables students at UNSW to participate in an organisation as part of a recognised placement program. Â
Youâll have to work with a supervisor to get your placement approved and submit an application. Itâs a great way to enhance your network and gain some real life experience for the resume!Â
How to Get into Environmental Engineering at UNSW
To be eligible to apply for UNSWâs Bachelor of Environmental Engineering, youâre looking at a minimum ATAR of 91. However, donât even stress if you havenât quite gotten the required ATAR because UNSW offers an alternative pathway for students whoâve achieved a minimum ATAR of 81.Â
Alternate Pathway
UNSWâs Faculty of Engineering Admissions Scheme is a program designed to evaluate a studentâs maths, physics, problem solving and design skills rather than purely an ATAR. UNSW understands that your abilities and passions go far beyond an HSC mark so if youâve scored within 10 points of the Environmental Engineeringâs ATAR cut off, you should look into the scheme.Â
To apply, youâll need to submit your Year 12 marks, write a personal statement and upload a video to showcase your suitability to the course. This process is also required from students hoping to transfer into UNSW. So, if you want to study engineering at UNSW, thereâs a way to get there.Â
Assumed KnowledgeÂ
While there isnât technically any required knowledge to be eligible for the Environmental Engineering course at UNSW, there are a couple of subjects that youâre assumed to be confident in. These include HSC level Extension Maths and PhysicsÂ
If you didnât complete these subjects, there is still no need to stress. Youâve got a few electives to complete so you can always look into taking some particular classes that will help you hone in on these skills.Â
You can take a deeper look at your subjects here!Â
Although if you are currently choosing your Year 12 subjects, you may want to consider taking a high level maths, physics and any other science because your performance in these is what UNSW takes into account if you apply through the alternative admissions scheme. Â
ScholarshipsÂ
UNSW offers a range of scholarships for potential Engineering students. You just need to find the perfect one, register, complete an application and submit it! You can browse the scholarships on offer here!Â
Whatâs the Teaching Format?
A pretty well known characteristic of UNSW is its trimester system as opposed to the standard semester format. UNSW now operates through a 3 session system so youâll be getting about 10 weeks in 3 different sessions throughout a year.Â
Itâs often seen as a bit of a controversial decision and you can either love it or hate it. Sanmugi, whoâs a second year environmental engineering student, says it really isnât as much of a concern as she expected it to be â in fact, sheâs managed perfectly fine.Â
âHonestly I havenât had much of a problem with it. That was my number one concern before starting at UNSW because I was thinking âoh my gosh Iâll never meet up with my friends againâ but youâre not going to uni every day so you can meet up with friends whenever you want.
Iâm also starting work at an engineering firm, and they were looking at my availability and they really liked the trimester format because they thought it was more flexible than the two semesters.â â Sanmugi Sivakumar, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Environmental) II at UNSW
So, there you go. Of course itâll differ for everyone but itâs great to know that youâll still be able to socialise and employers may even prefer the flexibility!
How often will you need to be on campus?
While itâs usually dependent on the subject, most of your classes in Environmental Engineering at UNSW will involve a lecture, tutorial and a lab class.
Each of these are around 1 to 2 hours long so to account for these classes and some extra time that you might spend studying, youâre looking at being on campus for about 13 hours each week which may sound a little daunting but donât worry, time will fly by.
Because of the trimester format, youâll be taking a max of 3 classes each session which will probably make students from other unis a little jealous.Â
Class Structure
Lectures
The lectures at UNSW are typically 1 to 2 hours long (depending on the subject) and youâll be expected to attend 1 for each of your weekly classes. Youâll probably be in a lecture theatre with around 100 to 200 students at a time.Â
A lecture is a kind of passive class that introduces the topics and material that youâll be focusing on in that week. Itâs the perfect time for some good ol’ note taking and a great time to develop a good foundation to inform the upcoming tutorials and labs!
Tutorials
Similar to lectures, these classes are around 1 to 2 hours a week depending on the unit and youâll be sharing a class with around 20 to 30 students at a time.Â
Again, thereâll be a tutorial for each of your weekly subjects and these are a participative class that develops your weekly material and will give you a great chance to lead discussions, ask questions and get your head around things.Â
LabsÂ
Lab classes are there to give you a chance to actually apply the knowledge that you learned throughout the week in a practical, hands-on session. These classes will look pretty similar to tutorials with around 20 to 30 students in each lesson and youâll often be doing partner or group work.Â
A lab class will allow you to be engaged and involved in a class and youâll get a chance to turn theory into practice!
Assessments
âThe assessments are very dependent on the course. The more mathematical ones are often related to lab work. Youâll usually have a report to do after the lab related to the calculations you did.
You also have some which are sometimes just a bunch of workshop questions where you get to apply the things youâve learned. In terms of environment subjects, you do have to write a lot of reports. Reporting is pretty important. You do need writing skills.â â Catherine Trinh
You can expect your assessments to vary quite a lot throughout your degree. For your more science-focused classes, youâll be tested on your ability to work in a lab, your lab reports and your knowledge of equations.
Whereas, your environmental classes will generally use a lot more writing skills like researching environmental law and policy, writing up reports and understanding the requirements of sustainable development.Â
Skills That You Refine and Learn
As a student in the Environmental Engineering course at UNSW, you can expect to develop a wide scope of skills that will come in handy in a later environmental, engineering or scientific profession in the future!Â
A skill that is often overlooked by aspiring Engineering students is their writing ability. While it is easy to get distracted by engineeringâs emphasis on numbers, maths, physics and equations, in reality, writing skills are equally as important.
So, donât neglect them if youâre in high school! Youâll be needing them to write reports, gather information, research environmental issues and understand policies and compliance â itâs all very important.Â
As an Engineering student, you can also expect to be constantly developing your creativity, innovation and originality throughout your degree. Youâre often going to be graded on your ability to come up with and construct designs.Â
Learn about the pros and cons of UNSW Environmental Engineering here!
Whatâs the Faculty and Culture Like?Â
As an Environmental Engineering student, youâll be positioned in UNSWâs renowned School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Itâs the second largest school in UNSWâs Engineering Faculty which is the largest engineering faculty in Australia and spans across 8 schools!Â
UNSWâs School of Civil and Environmental Engineering serves over 2000 undergraduate students so you can be confident that youâll be in safe hands.Â
The Environmental Engineering cohort and faculty are a group of innovative, intelligent and caring individuals who youâll be supported by throughout your 4-year course. Youâll feel constantly supported by students and staff who are always willing to help out in any way that they can!
Societies and ClubsÂ
Arc @ UNSW is the program that offers all of the clubs and societies at UNSW. Itâs an initiative run by UNSW students for UNSW students to encourage social events, networking, conversations and ideas!Â
With over 300 clubs to choose from, youâre bound to find a group just for you, and if not, you always have the option to make your own! Maybe youâd like to join the Civil & Environmental Engineering Society, the Physics Society, Women in Engineering or even Yoga Club. The options are endless!Â
Resources
UNSW is always there to offer a helping hand if you need it. You can check out the resources for Engineering students here!
Whether you need some help academically, financially, emotionally or socially, the staff and students at UNSW are willing to support you.Â
You can check out UNSWâs Wellbeing Support Resources here!
Gemma Billington is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and an undergraduate student at the University of Technology Sydney. While studying Journalism and Social and Political Sciences, Gemma enjoys spending her time at the gym or reading about Britainâs medieval monarchy â ideally not at the same time. She currently creates and administers social media posts for Central News and writes for the student publication, The Comma. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to study a Masters of Medieval History and is very excited about the prospect!Â