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Bachelor of Environmental Science

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Distance education students attend compulsory residential workshops at Lismore campus.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BEnvSc

  • Course code

    3004100

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Environmental Science produces graduates who can manage the environment for future generations and focuses on building scientific knowledge and practical skills in land, water, and flora and fauna conservation.

As well as lectures and tutorials, students undertake classes in the School’s scientific laboratories equipped with advanced analytical equipment and supported by technical staff.

Field trips feature in many units offered in this course, with the University located near a variety of unique study environments, including significant wetlands and estuaries, forests, coastal and inland national parks, and urban and rural development. Students gain first-hand knowledge of a range of hands-on skills and environments through the field trips run throughout the course.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Demonstrate skills of critical analysis, and application of scientific methods in environmental science and management/Make decisions and exercise informed judgement in relation to environmental science and management.

Creativity

Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving/Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges.

Ethical practice

Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability/Demonstrate well developed judgement on principles of social justice and professional standards.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of environmental science and management/Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings/Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in one or more disciplines, or areas of practice.

Lifelong learning

Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning /Critically reflect on practice /Demonstrate information literacy skills.

Communication and social skills

Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas in environmental science and management contexts/Collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment.

Students can elect to complete an eight-week industry internship for practical experience, to supplement the theory and field work components of the course. Students gain industry experience in organisations across the environmental science spectrum including local, state or federal government agencies; private consultancies; or business enterprises in Australia or overseas.

Bachelor of Environmental Science students can choose from a relevant range of environmental science Majors, including:

  • Coastal Management provides insights into processes that affect our use of the coastal zone. Students explore the impact of climate change, land use planning, protected area management, economics, and people in the coastal environment.
  • Environmental Resource Management prepares graduates to work in areas such as protected area management, catchment management and environmental restoration. Students learn how to conduct wildlife surveys, conserve fauna and flora and rehabilitate degraded land for future generations.
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture Management integrates fisheries biology, stock management, habitat protection, and aquaculture studies with environmental management. Students focus on developing strategies to maintain a sustainable fishery/ aquaculture enterprise. Some third year subjects for this major will be taught as intensive residential courses at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 334100 054001
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Credit for prior learning

  1. Candidates who, within three months of:
    1. successfully completing all the requirements for the Associate Degree of Environmental Science elect to enrol for the Bachelor of Environmental Science may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units; or
    2. successfully completing the requirements for the Diploma of Environmental Science, elect to enrol for the Bachelor of Environmental Science may be granted advanced standing for eight (8) units.
  2. Candidates who have vocational, employment or other relevant work experience may be granted advanced standing for up to four (4) units provided that the work, units or experience so completed are considered to be equivalent to a unit or units in the Schedule attached to these Rules.
  3. Candidates who, within three months of completing all the requirements for the bachelor of Environmental Science, elect to enrol for the Bachelor of Environmental Science with a double major may be granted advanced standing for up to twenty-four (24) units.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Environmental Science a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules; and
    2. for candidates undertaking a major in either Coastal Management, Environmental Resource Management or Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, the relevant eight (8) unit major sequence from Part B and seven (7) elective units, which may include units from Parts B and C of the Schedule of Units, or other approved units.
  2. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Environmental Science with a double major a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-eight (28) units comprising:
    1. twenty-four (24) units as defined in Course Requirement Rule (a) above; and
    2. four (4) units from a major not already completed, listed in Part B of the Schedule of Units.
  3. A candidate who, while enrolled for a Bachelor of Environmental Science:
    1. has successfully completed eight (8) units from Part A of the Schedule of Units, with no more than four (4) units awarded as Advanced Standing may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor Degree; or
    2. has successfully completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Environmental Science may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor Degree.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Session 1, Year 1
Part-time students normally complete two units each study period. Please be aware that some units may have pre-requisites that must be studied.
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory
BIO10187 -  Global Environmental Issues Introductory
GLY00201 -  Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
ISY00241 -  Environmental Information Management Introductory
Session 2, Year 1
ENS00203 -  Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
MAT00211 -  Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory
BIO00202 -  Ecology Introductory
Exit Point: Diploma of Environmental Science
Session 1, Year 2
BIO00232 -  Coastal Marine Ecosystems Intermediate
SUR00201 -  Environmental Mapping Introductory
BIO00213 -  Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science & Engineering
Session 2, Year 2
BIO01230 -  Principles of Coastal Resource Management Advanced
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced
2 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science & Engineering
Exit Point: Associate Degree of Environmental Science
Session 1, Year 3
ENV00207 -  Environmental Planning Intermediate
3 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science & Engineering
Session 2 Year 3
BIO00244 -  Protected Area Management Advanced Note 2
SCI00211 -  Integrated Project Advanced Note 1
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science & Engineering

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Session 1, Year 1
Part-time students normally complete two units each study period. Please be aware that some units may have pre-requisites that must be studied.
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory
BIO10187 -  Global Environmental Issues Introductory
GLY00201 -  Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
ISY00241 -  Environmental Information Management Introductory
Session 2, Year 1
ENS00203 -  Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
MAT00211 -  Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory
BIO00202 -  Ecology Introductory
Exit Point: Diploma of Environmental Science
Session 1, Year 2
AGR00214 -  Soil Processes Intermediate
SUR00201 -  Environmental Mapping Introductory
BIO00213 -  Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Session 2, Year 2
AGR00215 -  Water and Catchment Management Advanced
BIO00212 -  Wildlife Conservation Intermediate
AGT00217 -  Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Advanced
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Exit Point: Associate Degree of Environmental Science
Session 1, Year 3
ENO10183 -  Ecotechnology for Water Management Intermediate
3 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Session 2, Year 3
SCI00211 -  Integrated Project Advanced Note 1
3 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Session 1, Year 1
Part-time students normally complete two units each study period. Please be aware that some units may have pre-requisites that must be studied.
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory
BIO10187 -  Global Environmental Issues Introductory
GLY00201 -  Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
ISY00241 -  Environmental Information Management Introductory
Session 2, Year 1
ENS00203 -  Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
MAT00211 -  Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory
BIO00202 -  Ecology Introductory
Exit Point: Diploma of Environmental Science
Session 1, Year 2
BIO01204 -  Wetland Ecosystems Intermediate
BIO00232 -  Coastal Marine Ecosystems Intermediate
SUR00201 -  Environmental Mapping Introductory Note 3
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Session 2, Year 2
BIO00105 -  Fisheries Biology Advanced
BIO01209 -  Aquaculture Management Intermediate
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced
1 elective unit offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Session 1, Year 3
BIO00233 -  Fisheries Management Advanced
3 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Session 2, Year 3
SCI00211 -  Integrated Project Advanced Note 1
2 elective units offered by the School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Note 2:

Intensive mode with field camp

Note 3:

External unit has a compulsory residential workshop

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
BIO00201 Biology Introductory
BIO00202 Ecology Introductory
BIO10187 Global Environmental Issues Introductory
CHE00201 Chemistry Introductory
GLY00201 Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
ENS00203 Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
ISY00241 Environmental Information Management Introductory
MAT00211 Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
SUR00201 Environmental Mapping Introductory

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
BIO00213 Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate
BIO00232 Coastal Marine Ecosystems Intermediate
BIO00244 Protected Area Management Advanced
BIO01230 Principles of Coastal Resource Management Advanced
ENV10656 Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced
SCI00211 Integrated Project Advanced Note 1
ENV00207 Environmental Planning Intermediate

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
AGR00214 Soil Processes Intermediate
AGR00215 Water and Catchment Management Advanced
AGT00217 Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Advanced
BIO00212 Wildlife Conservation Intermediate
BIO00213 Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate
ENO10183 Ecotechnology for Water Management Intermediate
SCI00211 Integrated Project Advanced Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
BIO00105 Fisheries Biology Advanced
BIO00232 Coastal Marine Ecosystems Intermediate
BIO00233 Fisheries Management Advanced
BIO01204 Wetland Ecosystems Intermediate
BIO01209 Aquaculture Management Intermediate
ENV10656 Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced
SCI00211 Integrated Project Advanced Note 1

Part C

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
BIO10185 Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation Advanced
CHE00073 Environmental Chemistry Intermediate
ECO00202 Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
ENS00218 Waste Technology Intermediate
FOR00100 Fire Ecology and Management Intermediate
FOR00101 Plant Physiology and Ecology Intermediate
FOR00109 Forest Modelling and Management Advanced
FOR00110 Natural Resources Policy Intermediate
GLY00223 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Intermediate
ENV10655 Coastlines - Diversity, Dynamics and Risks Intermediate
GLY00232 Coastal Biogeochemistry Intermediate
ISY01224 Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Intermediate
ENV00224 Internship Study Advanced Note 1
EDU01290 Outdoor Education I Introductory