Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering(Chemical and Environmental Engineering)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Queensland

Program Overview

The University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering (Chemical and Environmental Engineering) is an integrated five-year program that combines advanced engineering expertise with environmental sustainability, resource management, and industrial process innovation. The program is ideal for students who are passionate about clean technologies, renewable energy, environmental protection, sustainable manufacturing, and chemical process engineering while also wanting a professionally accredited master’s qualification with strong global career value.

Students develop strong engineering foundations before progressing into specialised studies in chemical processing, environmental systems, sustainability engineering, water treatment, renewable technologies, and industrial optimisation. The program is delivered primarily at UQ’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane, Australia, home to world-class engineering laboratories, sustainability research facilities, and advanced environmental engineering institutes.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year builds core engineering and scientific knowledge through mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering design fundamentals. Students commonly study units such as Engineering Modelling and Problem Solving, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and Calculus & Linear Algebra, while also developing teamwork and technical communication skills through collaborative engineering projects. This foundation prepares students for advanced chemical and environmental engineering studies in later years.

Year 2

In second year, students begin developing core chemical and environmental engineering capabilities involving industrial systems, material flows, and engineering analysis. Subjects such as Fluid and Particle Mechanics, Material and Energy Balances, and Engineering Chemistry introduce students to process systems, energy transfer, and industrial operations. Laboratory work strengthens practical analytical, experimental, and technical problem-solving skills.

Year 3

Third year focuses on advanced chemical processing and environmental engineering applications. Students study units including Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Environmental Engineering Principles, learning how engineering systems are designed to improve sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental performance. Students also engage in collaborative engineering design projects and systems modelling activities.

Year 4

Students progress into honours-level engineering and advanced environmental engineering studies during fourth year. Units such as Process Control and Dynamics, Water and Wastewater Engineering, and Sustainable Energy Engineering develop expertise in environmental systems management, industrial sustainability, renewable technologies, and process optimisation. Research-focused coursework and technical projects help students apply engineering solutions to complex environmental challenges.

Year 5 – Master of Engineering

The final year delivers advanced postgraduate engineering specialisation and research training. Students complete advanced electives, industry-oriented engineering design projects, and a substantial research thesis in areas such as renewable energy, environmental systems, sustainable manufacturing, water treatment, or industrial process engineering. By graduation, students are equipped for specialist engineering, leadership, and sustainability-focused careers across global industries.

Focus Areas

Chemical engineering, environmental engineering, sustainable manufacturing, renewable energy systems, water treatment, environmental sustainability, industrial process engineering, waste management, resource recovery, process optimisation, energy systems, environmental technologies

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced knowledge of chemical and environmental engineering systems; apply thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and environmental engineering principles; design sustainable industrial and environmental systems; optimise process performance and resource efficiency; evaluate environmental impacts and engineering sustainability; conduct advanced engineering research; analyse complex engineering systems; communicate technical findings professionally.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised internationally under the Washington Accord, supporting global engineering career mobility and professional recognition. The integrated master’s qualification also strengthens preparation for advanced engineering practice, sustainability leadership, and research-intensive careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Queensland is internationally recognised for excellence in engineering, environmental sustainability research, renewable energy innovation, and graduate employability. UQ consistently performs strongly in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and is highly regarded by employers for producing graduates with strong technical expertise, sustainability knowledge, and industry-ready engineering capability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering (Chemical and Environmental Engineering) at the University of Queensland provides students with extensive practical experience through advanced engineering laboratories, environmental research facilities, pilot-scale processing systems, and sustainability-focused engineering projects. Students develop hands-on expertise in chemical processing, environmental systems, renewable energy technologies, water treatment, and industrial sustainability while working in research-intensive and industry-connected learning environments.

The integrated honours and master’s structure allows students to progressively strengthen their technical, analytical, and professional engineering skills through laboratory experimentation, computational modelling, environmental analysis, and advanced research training. Through access to specialised facilities, collaborative projects, and sustainability-focused institutes, students graduate with strong industry-ready and innovation-focused capabilities:

Advanced Chemical and Environmental Engineering Laboratories : Students work in specialised laboratories involving thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, water treatment, and environmental systems analysis.
Pilot-Scale Processing Facilities : The program provides hands-on experience with pilot-scale industrial systems used for chemical processing, separation technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and process optimisation activities.
Environmental Engineering Research Facilities : Students gain exposure to research environments focused on water and wastewater treatment, renewable energy systems, waste management, environmental monitoring, and sustainability engineering.
Engineering Design and Sustainability Projects : Collaborative engineering projects allow students to solve real-world environmental and industrial challenges involving energy efficiency, pollution reduction, resource recovery, and sustainable process design.
Master’s Research Thesis : Final-year students complete a substantial engineering research thesis, gaining advanced experience in technical investigation, sustainability analysis, engineering experimentation, and professional research methodologies.
Process Simulation and Environmental Modelling Software : Students use industry-relevant engineering simulation and modelling tools for process optimisation, systems evaluation, environmental analysis, and engineering design applications.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability Research Exposure : Students engage with engineering initiatives focused on renewable technologies, sustainable industrial systems, decarbonisation strategies, and environmental innovation.
Collaborative Group Projects : Team-based learning activities help students develop leadership, communication, project coordination, and multidisciplinary engineering problem-solving skills.
Engineering Workshops and Innovation Spaces : Students have access to engineering workshops, collaborative maker spaces, and innovation hubs that support prototype development, experimentation, and technical engineering activities.
Laboratory-Based Technical Training : Practical laboratory sessions strengthen expertise in process monitoring, environmental testing, engineering calculations, data analysis, industrial measurements, and technical reporting.
Libraries and Digital Engineering Resources : Students benefit from access to UQ’s engineering databases, sustainability research publications, scientific journals, collaborative learning spaces, and digital research platforms.
Research Institutes and Sustainability Initiatives : Students benefit from proximity to UQ’s sustainability and environmental engineering research initiatives, supporting innovation in water systems, energy transition technologies, and environmental protection.
Industry-Relevant Learning Environment : UQ maintains strong industry engagement across environmental engineering, mining, renewable energy, manufacturing, water management, and industrial processing sectors, helping students connect practical learning with professional engineering practice.
Field and Applied Environmental Learning : Students may participate in practical environmental investigations, systems analysis activities, and applied sustainability projects linked to real engineering and environmental challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering (Chemical and Environmental Engineering) from the University of Queensland are highly prepared for careers that combine advanced engineering expertise with environmental sustainability and industrial innovation. The integrated honours and master’s qualification equips graduates with strong technical, analytical, and research capabilities valued across industries such as renewable energy, water management, environmental consulting, mining, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial processing. Typical graduate career outcomes include Chemical Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Sustainability Engineer, Process Engineer, Water Treatment Engineer, Renewable Energy Engineer, and Environmental Systems Consultant.

The combination of professional accreditation, sustainability-focused engineering expertise, advanced laboratory training, and postgraduate-level research experience provides graduates with strong employability outcomes and long-term professional value:

Career Development and Employability Services : Students receive support through UQ’s Student Employability Centre, which offers career coaching, internship guidance, employer networking events, graduate recruitment support, resume development workshops, and interview preparation services.
Industry and Sustainability Engagement : Students participate in engineering projects and research activities connected to renewable energy, water management, sustainable manufacturing, environmental protection, mining, and industrial process industries.
Environmental and Renewable Energy Research Exposure : Students engage with sustainability-focused engineering initiatives involving decarbonisation technologies, renewable energy systems, resource recovery, environmental systems management, and sustainable industrial innovation.
Industry Partnerships : UQ maintains strong industry relationships across environmental engineering, mining, renewable energy, manufacturing, water treatment, infrastructure, and industrial processing sectors.
Advanced Research and Technical Capability : The integrated master’s and engineering thesis components prepare graduates for specialist engineering, technical consulting, sustainability leadership, environmental management, and research-intensive career pathways.
Graduate Employability Reputation : The University of Queensland is internationally recognised for engineering excellence, sustainability innovation, environmental research, and strong graduate employability outcomes across engineering and technology disciplines.
Median Salary : Graduates from advanced chemical and environmental engineering disciplines at UQ commonly achieve median full-time graduate salaries ranging from AUD $80,000–$110,000+, depending on technical specialisation, industry sector, sustainability expertise, and operational responsibilities.
Global Accreditation Value : The program is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, supporting international engineering recognition and global professional mobility.
Industry-Ready Graduation Outcomes : Through advanced laboratories, environmental systems projects, process simulation activities, sustainability-focused engineering design, and postgraduate research training, graduates develop highly practical and industry-relevant engineering capabilities.
Leadership and Sustainability Preparation : Graduates leave with strong multidisciplinary problem-solving, technical communication, sustainability analysis, and engineering leadership skills suited to both specialist and management-track engineering roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this integrated program, graduates may continue into higher research pathways such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy Systems, Water Engineering, Sustainable Manufacturing, Environmental Management, or Industrial Sustainability. Graduates may also pursue advanced professional certifications, research fellowships, or interdisciplinary study connected to climate technologies, clean energy systems, environmental policy, sustainable infrastructure, and global sustainability innovation.