At the University of Newcastle we train environmental engineers capable of solving the biggest global challenges. As an environmental engineering graduate, you may help rehabilitate land damaged by mining or work on the clean-up of an oil spill that threatens local ecosystems. You could even help prevent inundations on one of the world’s fast growing cities or contribute to solving drought impacts on cities and ecosystems.

What is environmental engineering? Environmental engineering  apply their knowledge of chemistry, geomechanics, hydrology and land surface processes to find solutions for complex environmental problems, such as water pollution and soil erosion. By studying a range of courses in environmental engineering and related fields, they learn to develop sustainable engineering practices that have a profound impact on our health and quality of life. They learn to work with other specialists to optimise the use of resources and minimise long-term impacts on the environment.

What you will study

Develop critical technical and engineering skills in:

• environmental chemistry
• environmental legislation and planning
• fluid mechanics
• hydrobiological modelling
• land surface process and management
• water engineering

Connect with industry through guest lectures and interdisciplinary projects solving real world problems with environmental engineering solutions. Gain invaluable practical experience through your industry placement.

Become job-ready through our professional practice courses. You'll learn to tackle ‘wicked problems’ and develop essential workplace skills in finance, project management, sustainability, communication and entrepreneurism.

Diversify your skills and engineering degree with an elective pathway, a cluster of courses which can be used to:

• deepen your technical competence in your engineering field
• broaden your expertise in another area of engineering
• learn skills in areas outside engineering, such as business or maths
• study overseas at one of our many partner institutions.

Environmental engineers play an important role in industry and government. They may find work with consultancies, contracting firms, universities, research and development organisations, technology transfer companies or large manufacturers. Average starting salaries for engineers are great – more than $80,000 per annum.

Environmental engineering is flexible and diverse. You may prefer hands-on fieldwork, design and development, or a leadership role managing people and projects. Typical positions include:

• water reclamation project designer
• environmental remediation technician
• environmental impact consultant
• toxic materials control engineer
• sustainable fisheries consultant

Remarkably, engineering is the most commonly held degree among the highest performing Fortune 500 CEOs – the CEOs of companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Tesla Motors are all engineers.