Bachelor of Engineering(Honours)(Environmental and Climate Solutions)

Engineering for the 21st Century

Want to design solutions to some of the planet’s most challenging problems?

As populations expand and humanity demands more of our natural resources, environmental engineers are at the forefront of developing solutions that increase the sustainability of human activities. They tackle climate change, enable the renewable energy transition, secure our water supplies, protect society from natural hazards, and redesign products to reduce waste.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Environmental and Climate Solutions) will challenge and nurture you in a team environment. You will:

  • develop skills to tackle climate change and other major environmental challenges around water, energy, food, pollution, waste, and natural hazards
  • learn about connections between infrastructure, environment, society, and economy in the developed and developing world
  • work with award-winning academics who are global experts in their field
  • apply your knowledge to real-world projects based on industry needs
  • complete an eight-week practical experience and participate in field trips.
Majors are available in:

Minors are available in:

Where could it take you?

As an accredited engineer, you could enable the renewable energy transition, design water reuse schemes for cities or agricultural districts, increase society’s resilience to natural hazards, or design recycling schemes. You might set up your own start-up company that manufactures sustainable products, or work to eliminate poverty in Southeast Asia. Perhaps you’ll work for the United Nations, or for a bank or insurance company to assess the climate risk on major infrastructure projects.

This program is accredited by Engineers Australia.

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Ranked in top 100 worldwide for energy science and engineering^
  • Graduates qualify for professional membership with Engineers Australia
  • Showcase your work and network with future employers at Ingenuity

^Australian Ranking of World Universities, 2022

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 334191
2023 CSP ATAR 88.35
2023 CSP IB 33.75
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 80
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 29.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July* *Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses.
Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods (if studied from 2017 onwards. If studied year 12 prior to 2017, the equivalent subject was called Mathematical Studies), Specialist Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics. IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and one of Biology (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3), Chemistry (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3) or Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3). MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. Unsure if you will meet prerequisites or ATAR? Check out our Engineering Pathway.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Applicants who have not achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) required for selection may be selected based on the grades in selected year 12 subjects. Applicants do not need to apply to be considered for subject-based entry, as this will automatically be done. For more information, please see: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/undergraduate/entry-pathways/recent-secondary-education/ Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer <5
Median ATAR to receive an offer <5
Highest ATAR to receive an offer <5
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer <5
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer <5
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer <5
Minimum eligibility score 80
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 <5 N/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 <5 N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 N/A N/A
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 7 100.0%

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,415

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More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

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Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


With global concern about water resources, energy, food, pollution, waste, natural hazards, and climate change on the rise —and the development of new industries focused on developing sustainable solutions—the employment outlook for environmental engineers is excellent.

Students work with industry experts, undertake real-life projects and internships, and develop skills and networks for a successful career.

This degree prepares graduates for careers across a range of fields—including water resources, energy, recycling, pollution, natural hazards, transport, natural resources, infrastructure, defence and information technology—with multinational companies, engineering consulting firms, government departments, water authorities, and research organisations.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Natural Resource Manager;  Natural Resource Planner;  Climate and Ecosystem Modeller;  Coastal Engineer;  Conservation Officer;  Consultant;  Consultant Engineer;  Power Distribution Engineer;  Power Generation Engineer;  Process Engineer ...

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental and Climate Solutions) provides students with the skills, knowledge and application of scientific and engineering principles that will enable them to take a holistic view of engineering problems and to solve them in a systematic and sustainable manner. The degree emphasises the connections between infrastructure, people, the environment and the economy in the context of water resources and supply, storm water management and reuse, water and wastewater treatment, soils and geology, resource and waste management, air and noise pollution and energy systems.

Majors are available in Climate Solutions, Renewable Energy, and Smart Technologies. Minors are available in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian engineering.

Students who do not choose a major or minor can tailor their degree to suit their needs, having the option to choose six elective courses in areas such as: environmental change, environmental policy, environmental science and environmental modelling.

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Program Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for this program were informed by the University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and the characteristics of the Adelaide Engineering graduate.

Graduates of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental and Climate Solutions) will be able to:

  1. Contribute to the design of creative, sustainable, economic and safe solutions, which satisfy the objectives of clients and stakeholders.
  2. Demonstrate a broad, theory-based understanding of the mathematical, natural and physical sciences underpinning engineering practice, and evaluate the differences between theoretical and applied system behaviour.
  3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the computer and information sciences that underpin engineering practice.
  4. Demonstrate a substantial and contemporary body-of-knowledge of engineering methods, tools and processes for a specific discipline, complemented by relevant knowledge from related disciplines.
  5. Professionally and ethically conduct themselves and their work, respecting the communities and cultural norms within which that work is carried out.
  6. Communicate objectively and effectively, in written and oral forms, to lay and expert audiences.
  7. Apply critical and independent thinking to make sound judgements, based on evidence, theory and logical reasoning.
  8. Maintain and develop knowledge of advancements in engineering practice and research in the specific discipline, and apply this knowledge innovatively when devising solutions
  9. Be an effective, emotionally and culturally intelligent team member, with leadership potential.
  10. Apply a systems approach to managing and developing solutions to complex problems.

Areas of Specialisation

Majors
Majors are available across the following areas:

  • Climate Solutions
    As our climate changes, developing solutions to ensure humanity's sustainability is critical. In this major, students will study courses related to sustainability, the circular economy, environmental and climate change and adaption, climate risk and resilience, renewable energy systems, urban water systems, and natural hazard risks.
  • Renewable Energy
    The field of renewable energy is rapidly changing as the industry works to secure the world’s energy future in a sustainable way. In this major, students are exposed to a broad range of topics and develop skills and knowledge to work with current and future energy infrastructure.
  • Smart Technologies
    Smart technologies used in the planning, design, management and monitoring of integrated social, environmental, and technological systems. The Smart Technologies major covers computer modelling of environmental and infrastructure systems, smart water systems, and integrated and strategic planning.
Minors
Minors are available in the following:

  • Entrepreneurship
    Take the technical knowledge from the degree and create ventures in areas from large corporations, to small businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and community organisations through an Entrepreneurship minor. All technology advances in the past decade were once an idea that is now a reality through entrepreneurs. Students learn the processes, risks, rewards, motivations and societal impacts of innovation and entrepreneurship within regional, national and global perspectives.
  • Humanitarian
    Learn how to work in emergency and humanitarian fields while having a positive global impact on developing populations through the Humanitarian Engineering minor. Students conduct design work with a focus on culture, economic background, and political climate, while developing a strong awareness of communities and the people who reside in them. Graduates are equipped to solve problems in complex environments, allowing them to make real-world change.
Students who do not choose a major or minor can tailor their degree to suit their needs, having the option to choose six elective courses in areas such as: environmental change, environmental policy, environmental science and environmental modelling.

Example Study Plan

Core Courses
Students must complete all of the following
Research Project
Students must complete all of the following
Major OR Minor
Students must choose one of the following		 Majors:

  • Renewable Energy or; 
  • Smart Technologies or;
  • No Major or;

Minors:

  • Humanitarian Engineering or;
  • Entrepreneurship

Assessment

Assessment can vary from course to course and can include a combination of class work, tutorials, assignments, laboratory work, quizzes, project work and exams.

Related Degrees

Testimonial

Working onsite you get to see what you have planned and designed in the office and how it works in the field.
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Ethan Ellis

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Petroleum)

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023