Undergraduate Degrees in Civil Engineering

"We employ graduates not for what they know, but for what they do when they don't know" according to one company that employs many engineers from The University of Sydney.

Our engineering programs are designed to produce engineers who are well educated in the fundamentals but have acquired problem solving and design skills to allow them to work in a large range of industries. They will have sufficient technical knowledge and generic skills to solve those problems "that they don't know".

Our degrees offer

• technical knowledge in breadth and depth across a variety of civil engineering disciplines
• graduate attributes in the areas of Research & Inquiry, Information Literacy, Personal & Intellectual Autonomy, Ethical,Social & Professional Understanding, & Communication
• a committment to lifelong learning recognising that engineering is continually advancing and will change during our lifetimes.

Degree Choices

The School offers the traditional 4 year degree in Civil Engineering, and also specialised degrees in areas such as Construction Management or Structural Engineering. Combined degrees with Commerce, Science, Arts or Law are popular choices. For students who are unsure of their specialisation, the civil engineering degree structure is completely compatible with the Flexible First Year programme.

Details on our specific degree programmes are available here

Technical Knowledge

The syllabus of our programs are designed to develop technical skills in a variety of engineering disciplines.

In the first year, the foundation for all civil engineering studies is laid, with science, mathematics, computing and introductory civil engineering subjects.

Second year sees the introduction of concepts in structures, materials, soils and fluid mechanics, and construction and project management. These skills are further developed in third year with the opportunity for some electivity.

At the end of third year, students usually do practical industry experience.

In fourth year, students specialise further, with elective subjects specific to civil engineering. Strands of subjects concentrate on project engineering and management, structures, geomechanics or environmental engineering. In this year they may choose to do a thesis of a research nature on a topic such as structures or construction.

Graduate Attributes

Graduates of the Faculty of Engineering will:

• be able to create new knowledge and understanding through the process of research and inquiry
• be able to use information effectively in a range of contexts
• be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges
• hold personal values and beliefs consistent with their role as responsible members of local, national, international and professional communities
• recognise and value communication as a tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, interacting with others, and furthering their own learning

Assumed Knowledge

The assumed knowledge for entry into engineering is NSW HSC Maths Extension 1 (3 unit Maths), plus 4 Units from 2 Unit Physics and 2 Unit Chemistry or 4 Unit Science. Bridging courses are available.

Students who enjoy maths, science and computing; can visualise, draw, make and construct things; students who like to work with others and are prepared to develop communication skills generally perform well in engineering.