Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours)

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Indicative student workload
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Fees and charges
• Course rules
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Become a highly skilled graduate ready to tackle global environmental issues such as climate change, sustainability and pollution when you study the Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) at Deakin. Gain knowledge across environmental engineering industry areas including waste management, water engineering, catchment management and soil and water remediation. Develop solutions-led technical and professional skills to put you in high demand in this future-focused field.

Environmental engineers address global issues such as climate change, sustainability, waste disposal, water security, utility distribution, pollution and more. Graduates are highly sought after in government and private sectors to provide innovative solutions to these environmental challenges. You will be equipped to assess project impacts on air, water and soil, and to design strategies that minimise adverse effects.

Want to design groundbreaking engineering solutions for a sustainable future?

This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to develop sustainable engineering solutions through project-oriented design-based learning and lab-based practical classes.

You will gain in-depth knowledge across a range of environmental engineering disciplines related to environmental health, water, air and soil quality, water resource management and waste management. This is underpinned by the fundamentals of environmental engineering and the natural and physical sciences, including geography, chemistry, mathematics, environmental science, ecology and hydrology.

By undertaking authentic engineering projects using project-oriented design-based learning (PODBL) in collaboration with industry, you will have the chance to apply scientific and engineering principles to develop innovative, ethical solutions to real-world environmental problems. This type of project-based learning ensures you will gain the practical expertise – as well as the communication, teamwork and project management skills – to graduate job ready for future roles across industry, government or the humanitarian sector.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.  

In total, expect to dedicate about 10 hours per week to each single credit point unit, and 20 hours per week to each double credit point unit.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) has been designed in accordance with Engineers Australia professional accreditation requirements. Deakin has been awarded provisional accreditation for the Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) by Engineers Australia (EA).

Career opportunities

Graduates will be in high demand in this rapidly evolving discipline, addressing global issues like climate change, sustainability and water security across a range of industries:

• air pollution and emissions control
• natural resource management
• environmental protection
• engineering consultancy
• government departments - local, state, and federal
• resources - mining, oil and gas
• waste management and recycling
• water and wastewater treatment.

Participation requirements

In order to satisfy course accreditation requirements, as specified and administered by Engineers Australia, all Cloud Campus enrolled students, or students enrolled online in specific units are required to participate in campus-based learning activities at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) during intensive week each trimester in order to ensure that graduates possess and have demonstrated the minimum necessary knowledge and skill base, engineering application abilities, and professional skills, values and attitudes at successful completion of the course to be sufficiently prepared to enter professional engineering practice.

Attendance and participation in learning activities during intensive week is linked to assessment requirements within the Engineering programmes, and failure to attend may result in students not meeting the hurdle requirement of the respective assessment.  This may result in a fail grade being awarded for the respective affected unit(s) for that particular trimester.

International students: Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin’s Cloud Campus. To participate in the mandatory campus based scheduled sessions during the trimester intensive week, it is suggested that you apply for a tourist visa to enter Australia. Please be advised that Deakin University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a tourist visa by the Australian Government.

International students studying through the Cloud Campus may not be granted a visitor visa to complete mandatory onsite components of the course.

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Articulation and credit transfer

Flexible entry into the course allows students to upgrade their qualifications and to obtain credit for previous studies/experience. Applicants with appropriate TAFE qualifications or other approved post-secondary studies may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. Credit may be considered for skills obtained in the workforce or by informal means.

Equipment requirements

Students must have access to a suitable computer and a network connection.  The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course may also require that students have access to a range of software. Access to high-cost specialist equipment is provided but students may be required to purchase minor equipment for particular unit(s) as detailed in unit site.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours), students must attain 32 credit points, which must include the following:

• Twenty-five (25) core units - (31 credit points) including minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 60 days Professional Engineering Practice in SEP499*
• One (1) credit point elective unit^
• Completion of SEJ010 Introduction to Safety and Project Oriented Learning (0-credit point compulsory unit)
• Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
• Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
• Completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)

*^ Assumed knowledge for SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).

Students without the required assumed knowledge are strongly encouraged to replace an elective option with SLE133 Chemistry in our World.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Work experience

Through SEP499 Professional Engineering Practice, you’ll gain industry experience by completing at least 30 to 60 days of practical work experience in an engineering workplace, developing and enhancing your understanding of the environmental engineering profession, possible career outcomes, and the opportunity to establish valuable professional networks.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

You may apply to undertake a study tour to explore and engage in a structured program of study overseas to gain discipline expertise as well as be challenged to develop your personal qualities and global understanding.

Research and research-related study

The key assessment of research and research skills in the programme is through the two linked 2 credit point units in the final year of the course. The first of these units is for students to develop a detailed research proposal and undertake preliminary proof-of-concept or testing of their experimental methods. The second unit is designed to undertake the proposed research and critically evaluate the outcomes of the project. The project is predominantly student-led with direction from an academic supervisor that has expertise in the research field.