Civil Engineering

What is civil engineering?

Roads, bridges, airports, major buildings, dams and water catchments, harbours and wharves - it's called infrastructure and civil engineering is the science of designing, building and managing it. Without civil engineering, modern societies simply couldn't function.

Not surprisingly, civil engineers enjoy excellent career prospects as they are involved in many facets of everyday life and its associated infrastructure. Employment may be in consultancy practice, private industry, or government bodies and if you wish you can specialise in areas such as structural, geotechnical or water resources engineering.

Our program will provide you with a sound understanding of current engineering practice. You will develop skills through design projects (e.g. roads, bridges, airports, major buildings, harbours and wharves) and interaction with practising professional engineers. An essential part of all these engineering projects will be the study of their environmental impact, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Want more information on civil engineering? Visit the Engineers Australia website.

Career Options

Civil engineers find employment in consultancy practices, private industry, or government bodies in both the city and the country. They work in design offices, construction or field sites and in various areas of specialisation such as structural, geotechnical or water engineering. You might for example be involved in establishing whether or not a building design is safe, or you may inspect and analyse a dam wall to see if it is structurally sound. Alternatively, you may be involved in the design and placement of wildlife tunnels in new road works or work in earthquake reconstruction. Wide professional recognition ensures that graduates can gain employment in many overseas countries.

Civil engineers enjoy excellent career prospects as they are involved in so many facets of everyday life and its associated infrastructure.