Environmental Systems Major

Total units 48 Units

Areas of interest Environmental Studies, Engineering, Sustainable Engineering
Major code ESYS-MAJ

Academic career Undergraduate
Academic Contact AsPr Lachlan Blackhall

The environment around us is rapidly changing. The effects of climate change, pollution and the pace of human development are becoming clear, and extreme weather events are becoming common place. The Environmental Systems Major will encompass the study of environmental systems and processes and how they impact and are impacted by engineered systems. Building upon foundational physical sciences including Chemistry, Biology and Ecology, students will investigate the relationships between environmental processes and ecosystems in the soil, water, air, and biosphere. From this foundational understanding, students will explore topics as diverse as water systems, environmental monitoring and modelling and environmental perspectives on the design of infrastructures systems. Students will not only acquire a deep technical understanding of this field but will be encouraged to explore the important social, regulatory, and ethical considerations that arise when engineering systems that impact, and are impacted by, the environment. Students will be able to draw on course materials that provide diverse gender, cultural, and geographical perspectives on these topics, and courses will provide an important focus on indigenous perspectives and contributions to this field of study.

Learning Outcomes

Apply systematic design-oriented engineering principles, including those aided by mathematical modelling and computer simulation, to analyse and design environmental systems, including interacting chemical, ecological, water, and infrastructure systems.
Evaluate solutions to engineering problems in environmental systems, by selecting and applying theoretical principles and methods from environmental science and engineering disciplines that describe the relationship between fundamental physical sciences and the behaviour of environmental systems and processes.
Demonstrate proficiency with advanced knowledge and tools in environmental systems, including how water systems and water bodies interact with environmental systems and processes, how to compare and contrast methods for measuring, monitoring and modelling environmental systems and processes, and how to assess and manage environmental impacts.
Identify and compare current developments and emerging trends in contemporary and prospective environmental systems, such as the social, ethical, legal and economic considerations when designing and building engineering systems that impact and are impacted by environmental systems and processes.
Use disciplinary knowledge and effective communication skills to critically appraise self and others' engineering designs and solutions.
Undertake critical reflection and independent research in environmental systems.
Work effectively within teams, demonstrating autonomy, ethical conduct, well developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility to achieve engineering outcomes at a high standard.