Civil and structural engineers are responsible for the infrastructure and resources that keep our cities, towns and rural areas functioning. They focus on the design and construction of buildings, bridges and other structural components of an infrastructure.

In this degree you’ll develop sophisticated skills in engineering research methods and project management which you will use on a major civil engineering design project, with industry representatives as your clients. You will also complete a master thesis.

Graduate career-ready by completing the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program and gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking and events.

If you already have qualifications in civil engineering, you could be eligible for and complete this degree in less than two years. If you decide to exit this degree having successfully completed the first year, you will receive a graduate diploma qualification.

What you'll learn

You will learn advanced structural and geotechnical civil engineering, developing the skills to:

• apply and synthesise civil engineering theories in solving practical infrastructure problems 
• create and design models to be used in infrastructure design and analysis 
• adapt data analysis methods at an advanced level
• utilise advanced modelling techniques to solve a range of practical problems in civil engineering
• develop advanced skills to communicate with civil engineering and related professionals

Through the electives available, you can choose to focus extensively on project management and leadership as part of this degree. Also key to the degree is the development and application of research methods and skills. These will be invaluable when you begin work on your master thesis.

Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.

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:

• 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
• civil engineer: responsible for the design, construction and testing of physical infrastructure; assesses the impact of large scale projects on the environment
• structural engineer: works with architects, builders, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers to make sure all parts of a structure are safe and fit for purpose; makes sure materials are used efficiently and appropriately