Study Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) (Pathway to Master of Engineering (Water Resources Management)) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Year 12 (ATAR-based): 72.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
- Complete the Associate Degree in Engineering at the University of South Australia
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites

SACE Stage 2 Math Methods

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Physics
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Students can apply for this program using the Application to Change Program form after successfully completing one semester of study at UniSA.

Degree overview

Fast-track your career and complete a master degree in just one year instead of two.
Extend your technical and theoretical knowledge, communication and leadership skills to pursue a career in the specialised field of water and environmental engineering.
Graduate equipped to work creatively and sustainably in the design, construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
Benefit from a program of study that is informed by our well above world-class research in engineering^¹.
Study at SA’s No. 1 university for graduate careers 16 years running^².
Gain real-world experience through the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program involving 450+ hours of placements, internships, site visits and networking events.
Develop advanced skills in engineering research methods and project management.
Professionally accredited by Engineers Australia (EA)^³ graduates are eligible for membership with EA and comparable international institutions.

^¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

^²Graduate Destinations Survey 2007-2015 and Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016-2022 (Domestic Undergraduate Full-time Employment Indicator for SA public universities).

^³Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)

Snapshot

This fast-tracked program of study offers an accelerated pathway to a master level qualification that provides you with an advanced level of knowledge in the specialised field of water resource management within civil engineering.

Civil engineers give us the infrastructure to support our lives, designing, constructing and maintaining our bridges, airports, roads, railways and waste supply, as well as our water.

By combining your undergraduate studies in civil engineering, with a Master of Engineering (Water Resource Management) you will advance your skills in project management and research methods and extend your technical and theoretical knowledge in water and environmental engineering, graduating ready to pursue a career supporting our all-important waterways, resources and infrastructure.

You will learn in industry standard facilities, with UniSA No. 1 in SA for campus facilities in engineering^¹. Enjoy access to the largest strong floor in the southern hemisphere and a 1200m long hydraulic testing facility.

Our connections with industry will see you gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program, including placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits and networking events. Hear more about the benefits of the UniSA Industry experience from graduates William, Franke and Teresa here.

^¹ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Learning Resources Indicator (Postgraduate). Public SA-founded universities only.

What you'll learn

Your undergraduate degree will start by building a strong foundation in engineering before you move into your civil engineering major. You will gain practical experience and knowledge in areas such as:

road design and traffic management
surveying and spatial sciences
soil mechanics
hydraulics and hydrology
geotechnical engineering
reinforced concrete design
structural engineering.

A significant portion of your honours year will then involve a major project supported by industry clients, or based in a research centre such as the Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management concentration.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Civil Engineering Capstone Project where you will work on an industry project with an industrial representative as your client. You will work through the various stages of a project – from developing a tender, through to feasibility, concept development and detailed design.

Progressing through to your postgraduate studies you will extend your knowledge and skills in civil engineering, with a focus on advanced water and environmental engineering. You will develop the skills to:

apply and synthesise water and environmental engineering theories in solving practical cases
create and design models to be used in area such as water resources and water quality management
integrate modelling technology and consolidate GIS applications in forming comprehensive water resource management systems
advance your knowledge in climate change adaptation or green infrastructure
develop advanced skills to communicate with water and environmental professionals.

The development and application of research methods and skills are central to the degree and will be vital to the completion of your master thesis.

The UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program will allow you to apply the skills and knowledge attained throughout your studies in real-world settings.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Programming Concepts	COMP 1045	4.5
Engineering Materials	RENG 1005	4.5
Mathematical Methods for Engineers 1	MATH 1063	4.5
Sustainable Engineering Practice	ENGG 1003	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Mathematical Methods for Engineers 2	MATH 1064	4.5
Electrical and Electronic Systems	EEET 1027	4.5
Engineering Mechanics	MENG 1012	4.5
Engineering Design and Innovation	ENGG 1004	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Engineering Modelling	MATH 2009	4.5
Mechanics of Materials	CIVE 2005	4.5
Introduction to Surveying and Spatial Sciences	GEOE 1018	4.5
Engineering and Environmental Geology	EART 3012	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Introduction to Water Engineering	CIVE 2010	4.5
Project Management for Engineers	ENGG 2004	4.5
Road Design and Traffic Management	CIVE 2012	4.5
Civil Engineering Techniques	CIVE 2009	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Management for Engineers	ENGG 3006	4.5
Soil Mechanics	CIVE 3008	4.5
Steel and Timber Design	CIVE 3013	4.5
Hydraulics and Hydrology	CIVE 3009	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Water Resources Systems Design	CIVE 3010	4.5	Note(s): 5
Geotechnical Engineering	CIVE 3007	4.5	Note(s): 5
Reinforced Concrete Design	CIVE 3003	4.5	Note(s): 5
Civil Elective			Note(s): 1,6
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Engineering Industry Experience	ENGG 4017	0		Rule(s): 1,2
Engineering Capstone Experience A	ENGG 4007	4.5	Note(s): 3,5
Engineering Honours Project A	ENGG 4009	4.5	Note(s): 3,5
Traffic Engineering	CIVE 4039	4.5	Note(s): 5
Civil Honours Electives		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Engineering Capstone Experience B	ENGG 4008	4.5	Note(s): 3,5
Engineering Honours Project B	ENGG 4010	4.5	Note(s): 3,5
Advanced Soil Mechanics	CIVE 5083	4.5	Note(s): 2,5
Civil Honours Electives		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Civil Honours Electives
Principles of Project Management	BUSS 5142	4.5
Design of Flood and Drainage Systems	CIVE 5065	4.5
Water Quality Modelling	CIVE 5066	4.5
Advanced Concrete Structures	CIVE 5079	4.5
Advanced Steel Structures	CIVE 5080	4.5
Environmental Engineering and Modelling	CIVE 4038	4.5
Green Infrastructure	CIVE 5085	4.5
Advanced Construction Management	BUIL 4013	4.5
Civil Electives
Contract Administration	BUIL 3010	4.5
STEM Internship 15 Days	NASC 4022	4.5
Spatial Data Acquisition and Analysis	GEOE 2026	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Engineers Australia (EA) requires students to achieve at least 450 hours/60 days full-time equivalent (FTE) of discipline and/or industry related skills and competencies prior to graduation. At UniSA, students must complete the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program (PPP) to gain these hours through a range of professional engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking, and industry events. Please contact STEM.placements@unisa.edu.au for more information.

2. Upon completion of the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program (PPP) students will be invited to enrol in this course and complete the required assessment. Students will not be eligible to graduate until they have obtained a non-graded pass (NGP) for this course.

Notes

1. Not all electives will be offered every year. Other options not listed here may only be taken with the prior agreement of the Program Director.

2. To enrol in a course with a catalogue number starting with 5 (e.g. CIVE 5xxx), students need to apply for a career permission override via myEnrolment and gain approval first.

3. Students must undertake a final year project. This can be completed as an on-campus research project or with Program Director's approval as an industry project at a workplace. Contact the Program Director for more information..

4. Please refer to the LMCL Master of Engineering (Water Resources Management) program home page for information relating to the courses that will be studied in the Master program.

5. Students must complete at least 36 units with honours level outcomes. This course may contribute towards the final honours grade for the program.

6. NASC 4022 cannot be used towards honours calculation. This course is subject to availability and students may be required to obtain their own Internship opportunity.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

reports, project documentation, case studies and presentations
essays and assignments
examinations
industry-relevant, research-based projects
practicals and team-based projects
group projects and presentations.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Honours

This is a four-year, professional degree with honours. The honours component includes a minimum of one year of advanced studies in research and professional practice. You will receive First Class, Second Class or Third Class Honours, depending on your performance.

You will graduate with industry experience and connections, and a higher-level qualification than a bachelor degree. Your honours year is designed to prepare you for future leadership roles in civil engineering.

Why Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) (Pathway to Master of Engineering (Water Resources Management))

This fast-track to Masters program enables you to commence a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) and secure a place in the Master of Engineering (Water Resource Management) to be completed in five years of study instead of the typical six years, with the program granting you one year of advanced standing.

Professionally accredited by Engineers Australia, your undergraduate degree will equip you to work creatively and sustainably in the design, construction, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. You will have access to industry standard facilities and enjoy significant opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills through the 450+ hours of the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program.

Progression to the master degree will see your learning supported by world-class engineering research, with UniSA rated well above world-class for research in engineering^¹, and strong theoretical teaching integrated with experienced-based learning. You will learn current water and environmental engineering theories and develop the skills to synthesise and apply them in real-world settings, graduating ready to begin your career as a highly qualified civil engineer.

^¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

Real-world connections

UniSA collaborates with over 2,500 companies worldwide to ensure our degrees remain relevant and connected to industry. All undergraduate engineering students at UniSA participate in the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program, giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience and make industry connections.

Industry work placements and internships enhance the employability skills of our graduates, with many gaining employment through work placements or internships.

We also host regular University-wide career expos and employment forums through our Career Service, as well as alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Online study

Partial online study is available when you progress to the Master of Engineering (Water Resource Management).

Career outcomes

Your career

For civil engineers in Australia, employment growth of 13.5 percent is expected by 2023^¹. There are a wide range of career options for highly qualified engineers, with employment opportunities in engineering consulting firms, construction companies, and local, state and federal government. You could consider:

water resources engineer: designing pump systems, pipelines and treatment plans for handling wastewater; working on flood control projects and mapping out drainage systems for dealing with water flow; working on fresh water supply systems, such as for drinking water
engineering project manager: ensuring projects are completed according to project plans; managing project team resources; scheduling, preparation and resource forecasting for engineering and other technical activities; managing vendors and suppliers
engineering operations manager: supervising and leading teams of engineers, scientists and technicians who work on projects; overseeing production and quality control; directing operations, testing and maintenance; planning and scheduling, client consulting, budgetary responsibilities

You could also continue with a PhD through one of our dynamic research concentrations.

¹Australian Government, Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections 2018

Industry facts

There is strong predicted future growth for Civil Engineering Professionals

(Labour Market Insights 2022)

Employment for Civil Engineering Professionals is projected to increase by 13.4 per cent (or 8,700 jobs) by 2026

(Labour Market Insights 2022)

There is currently a skills shortage of experienced engineers in Australia

(Engineers Australia 2022)

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How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

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Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

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Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

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Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your program director

Dr Sithara Walpita Gamage is the Program Director for Civil Engineering at UniSA. She has contributed to UniSA engineering education for over 10 years, during which time she has undertaken roles as a lecturer, course coordinator, curriculum developer and student supervisor. Sithara has promoted innovation in student-centred learning and has conducted workshops promoting the use of digital technologies in teaching. She also has a background in Water Engineering with a focus on surface water hydrology. Teaching is her passion and she is committed to pass on her knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation.

Dr Sithara Walpita Gamage

Program Director

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Dr Sithara Walpita Gamage

Program Director

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Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.