Civil and Environmental Engineering

Introduction

On this page you will find information about engineering at UNE. UNE provides an excellent environment to study engineering. Students studying Bachelors of Engineering Technology (Civil and Environmental), Natural Resources, Environmental Science and Rural Science study units in engineering. Environmental Engineering is concerned with achieving maximum benefit from our natural resources of soil, water, plants, animals and minerals in a responsible and empathetic way for the long-term benefit of society. Environmental Engineering focuses on practices to gain and maintain the advantages of soil, water, minerals and vegetation in ways that are practically sustainable. We pride ourselves in our use of modern teaching technology and the quality of our research. This site has been designed to provide information about engineering and its teaching and research activities.

Why Study Engineering at UNE?

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is a completely new and different degree course that UNE is offering. It is relatively unique in that it has been developed with specific industry input to address the national skills shortage of engineering graduates in two major areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Industry also provides traineeships and the opportunity for on-the-job training. This can be achieved through the flexible modes of delivery that UNE offers. The course has also been structured to provide for later articulation to a four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree at USQ and/or further post-graduate study.

What does UNE have to offer?

flexible delivery modes
low student/staff ratios and offer a more personal experience
higher rank for student satisfaction
relaxed and friendly environment in a rural setting
our staff are highly qualified and respected and a number remain active practitioners in their specialisation

Courses

Bachelor of Engineering Technology
Bachelor of Environmental Science

Units in Environmental Engineering

ENGT110 Structural Mechanics
ENGT210 Building Technology 1
ENGT360 Planning and Design in Engineering Practice
ENGT237 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
ENGT352 Principles of Hydrology
NR331/531 Remote Sensing and Spatial Data
RSNR110 Sustaining our Rural Environments I
RSNR120 Sustaining our Rural Environments II
RSNR301/501 Pollution Management
RSNR402 Water Resources Management
RSNR403 Sustainable Land Management
RSNR404/504 Project Management

Careers

UNE and an industry advisory panel undertook a survey of regional employers in 2006-07 and found that most regional employers were understaffed with engineering graduates by at least 20%. Some local government authorities in south-east Queensland have anecdotally reported much higher vacancy rates. It is expected that this number will grow significantly with major infrastructure projects and the mining boom competing for a scarce pool of engineering graduates.

The skills shortage of professional engineers across rural and regional areas is clear and evident. Industry and local communities are endeavouring to do what they can to address it. Some communities are encouraging young people to study and return and work in their own area. This assists in strengthening local communities.

The following organisations in the region have generously offered to provide traineeships for students in 2008:

Armidale Dumaresq Council
Bathurst Regional Council
Bega Valley Shire Council
Clarence Valley Council
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Gwydir Shire Council, Warialda
Inverell Shire Council, Inverell
Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Quirindi
Mitchel Hanlon Consulting, Tamworth
Moree Plains Shire Council, Moree
Nambucca Shire Council, Nambucca Heads
Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC)

These organisations can be contacted via the web links. Some of these organisations are providing more than one traineeship, so check to see individual details as to what is being offered.

Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links

An Industry Advisory Panel comprising local government, consulting engineers and academics has worked collaboratively to develop the course so that it satisfies industry needs, is relevant and yet has adequate academic rigour and standing to be widely respected. The Industry Panel will work actively during the delivery of the programme to ensure on-going relevance of the course.

As well, an institutional partnership has been developed with the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba (USQ). Some teaching in specialised areas offered by USQ will be undertaken by their staff. USQ has similar external delivery skills to UNE so this will facilitate a seamless delivery format. This will provide students with a greater choice of units and afford greater opportunity for specialisation in a number of areas.

Professional bodies

The two major peak bodies representing professionals in this area are Engineers Australia (EA) and the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australia (IPWEA). Links to their respective sites are below.

Engineers Australia

Institute of Public Works Engineers Australia (IPWEA):
National body
NSW Chapter
Queensland Chapter

Other peak industry bodies in allied professional areas include:
Australian Water Association (AWA)
Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia (ACEA)
Australian Institute of Building (AIB)
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS)
Irrigation Australia
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA)
Water Industry Operators Association, Australia

Industry firms and organisations associated with UNE’s BEngTech at a local and regional level include:

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology has professional accreditation with Engineers Australia at Engineering Technologist level.

Articulation to USQ’s four-year professional Bachelor of Engineering (BE) will be possible after successfully completing the BEngTech at UNE. The BE at USQ is a fully accredited degree programme with Engineers Australia at Professional Engineer level.

Contacts

For general and administrative enquiries:

Help for Students

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

Future Students can also visit the Future Student site

Enquiries about studying Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNE can be made to:

Mr Rex Glencross-Grant
rglencro@une.edu.au
phone: +(61 2) 6773 2668

Global UNE Links: