Civil Engineering offers opportunities to become involved in projects that enhance the overall quality of life. Civil engineers design, construct, manage, operate and maintain the infrastructure that supports modern society including buildings, bridges, roads and highways, tunnels, airfields, dams, ports and harbours, railways, new mines, water supply and sewerage schemes, irrigation systems and flood mitigation works.

Most civil engineers work in an office environment where they investigate, plan, design and manage projects; others manage and supervise construction projects on site. Career opportunities include employment with specialist consulting firms, construction and contracting companies, large public companies (such as BHP, Esso and CRA), government organisations, airport and harbour authorities, project developers and financial and management consultants.

Environmental engineers are concerned with the environmental impact of engineering activities. They apply their broad knowledge of engineering and environmental processes in identifying environmental problems and in developing effective solutions to them. They also coordinate the activities of specialist groups such as biologists, ecologists and geologists within major projects. The discipline of environmental engineering embraces parts of civil engineering, with emphasis on management, systems design, water, geotechnical and transport engineering, together with aspects of chemical engineering, applied and biological sciences and environmental studies.

Studying Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW

The study of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW is primarily through the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The School offers the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering program and a range of combined degree programs. It also offers a Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering program. Relevant postgraduate and research studies are also available.