Environmental engineering courses

Environmental engineering focuses on protecting both the environment and human health. Environmental engineers use science and technology to solve big environmental problems. These include issues like clean water supply, pollution, and waste management. Pursue this career, and you'll help industries and communities use finite resources sustainably. 

The exact content of your online environmental engineering course depends on your university and your level of study. Typically, you can expect to learn about the following:  

• Project management  
• Soil and liquid waste treatment  
• Soil science  
• Air quality monitoring and control 
• Water and wastewater treatment 
• Renewable energy like biomass and geothermal
• Hazardous waste management  

Demand for environmental engineers is increasing. Humanity is facing many challenges related to our use of finite resources. Environmental engineers help tackle the effects of climate change by: 

• Exploring waste management solutions 
• Developing strategies for sustainable resource use 
• Monitoring air and water quality  

Environmental engineering could be a great career choice if you enjoy science and technology and want to help the environment.  

Yes. You'll need to complete a practical component for some online environmental engineering degrees. This is often an internship, practical placement, or research project. The requirements vary by course, so it’s best to check what these are for the specific course you’re interested in.

If you need to complete an internship or practical placement, check for opportunities in your local area first. You can also ask your lecturers and tutors for advice.

Environmental engineers are in high demand in many industries. These include mining, oil and gas extraction, civil engineering, and the public sector.   

Graduates with an environmental engineering degree might work in: 

• Environmental consulting 
• Water treatment  
• Hazardous waste disposal 
• Environmental rehabilitation 
• Systems design 

Entry requirements for online environmental engineering courses vary. You usually need to have achieved a specific ATAR to enter an undergraduate degree, though proving relevant work or life experience is enough to enter some courses. To begin postgraduate study, you must have completed relevant undergraduate study. 

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements? Book a consultation call with our friendly team of student advisors. They can provide you with tailored advice about pathways into environmental engineering.   

You can also enrol in a single environmental engineering subject to see what a full course would be like.  

Consider these alternatives: 

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.