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To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years .
The Environmental Sciences Specialisation is offered as part of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) and requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The specialisation is offered by the School of the Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The name of the Specialisation will appear on the transcript and parchment.
Specialisations have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in the Bachelor of Science (Honours). In order to undertake a specialisation students must be admitted to the specialisation program.
There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science).
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
There are no formal prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Environmental Science), but a knowledge of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at Year 12 level is desirable.
Prerequisites and Assumed Knowledge for Specialisations
There are no formal prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, but a knowledge of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at Year 12 level is desirable.
Course aims
The course has been designed to produce graduates who, as environmental scientists, are specialists in a major area of applied science and possess well developed skills to liaise with other groups of scientific and environmental specialists to arrive at solutions to environmental problems. It aims:
- to promote a project and problem-oriented and trans-disciplinary approach to the application of science to environmental issues
- to produce environmental professionals who are specialists in a major area of environmental concern and who are experienced in working in teams which draw on and communicate a variety of expertise
- to develop the role of basic science in the identification, assessment, monitoring and treatment of environmental problems
- to promote an understanding of the public policy contexts and social organisations within which environmental issues arise and are dealt with.
Learning outcomes
On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in their science discipline and a range of transferable professional skills.
Subject knowledge
Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate specialist skills in a major area of environmental concern
- organise environmental projects using problem-based and trans-disciplinary approaches
- employ scientific method to identify, assess, monitor and treat environmental problems
- recognise the public policy contexts and social organisations within which environmental issues arise and are dealt with.
Transferable professional skills
Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:
- employ scientific methodologies such as experimental design, and the critical analysis of data
- communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms
- interact effectively as part of a team in order to work towards a common outcome
- work and learn independently
- reason critically and logically and make independent judgements
- engage effectively with information and communication technologies
- demonstrate research skills appropriate for further study and employment
- appreciate the need for continuing professional development.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Environmental Science) a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.
No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 144 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.
Elective topics to complete 144 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Students who have completed 72 units or more with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following rule, may exit with the Diploma in Applied Science:
- at least 27 units from the First Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering
- at least 18 units from Second or Third Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Except where there is an approved double specialisation (see Bachelor of Science (Honours) program of study) the same upper level (2xxx or above) topic cannot be counted twice. For example an upper level topic that is counted towards a specialisation may not also be counted towards a minor.
Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science).
Students choose from one of three streams in the Environmental Science Specialisation:
Stream - Coasts and Catchments
Core - Coasts and Catchments - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity# (4.5 units)
EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102 Marine Sciences (4.5 units)
ENVR1101 Environmental Science 1# (4.5 units)
ENVR1702 Fundamentals of Environmental Science# (4.5 units)
Plus one of
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding# (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry# (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete the specialisation.
Core - Coasts and Catchments - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
EASC2701 Coasts and Oceans (4.5 units)
EASC2702 Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
ENVR2701 Environmental Science 2 (4.5 units)
Plus one of
EASC2722 Sedimentary Processes^ (4.5 units)
EASC3732 Geological Processes^^ (4.5 units)
^Offered in even years only. ^^Offered in odd years only.
Plus 9 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
Core - Coasts and Catchments - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
ENVR3701 Environmental Science 3 (4.5 units)
Plus 22.5 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
*Stream - Coasts and Catchments - Recommended Electives
While students are able to select electives from any topics offered by the University, where topic prerequisites are met, these are the recommended first year electives for this specialisation. Note: students may only count up to 45 units of first year topics towards their degree.
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry (4.5 units) OR
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements
**Option - Coasts and Catchments - Year 2 & 3 topics
Select 9 units from:
BIOL2701 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL2711 Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL2712 Animal Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2721 Foundations of Animal Behaviour (4.5 units)
BIOL2742 Marine Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL3701 Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL3702 Marine and Freshwater Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL3703 Vertebrate Palaeontology (4.5 units)
BIOL3721 Research in Animal Behaviour (4.5 units)
BIOL3722 Conservation and Ecological Genetics (4.5 units)
BIOL3751 Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles (4.5 units)
BIOL3761 Foundations in Microbiology (4.5 units)
Select 18 units from:
EASC2711 Microclimate and Soil Processes (4.5 units)
EASC2712 Surface Water Hydrology (4.5 units)
EASC3741 Groundwater (4.5 units)
EASC3751 Hydrochemistry (4.5 units)
EASC3752 Science of Environmental Change (4.5 units)
EASC3762 Field Investigations (4.5 units)
Select 4.5 units from:
ENVS3711 Coastal Studies (4.5 units)
ENVS3732 Environmental Impact Assessment (4.5 units)
GEOG2701 Introduction to Remote Sensing (4.5 units)
GEOG2711 Australian Environmental Change (4.5 units)
GEOG3701 Spatial Information Management (4.5 units)
Stream - Environmental Forensics
Core - Environmental Forensics - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life# (4.5 units)
EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102 Marine Sciences (4.5 units)
ENVR1101 Environmental Science 1# (4.5 units)
ENVR1702 Fundamentals of Environmental Science# (4.5 units)
Plus either:
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding# (4.5 units) AND
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry# (4.5 units) AND
a 4.5 unit elective topic* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
or
CHEM1201 General Chemistry# (4.5 units) AND
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding# (4.5 units) AND
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry# (4.5 units)
#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete the specialisation.
Core - Environmental Forensics - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
EASC2702 Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
EASC2711 Microclimate and Soil Processes (4.5 units)
ENVR2701 Environmental Science 2 (4.5 units)
Plus one of
EASC2722 Sedimentary Processes^ (4.5 units)
EASC3732 Geological Processes^^ (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
^Offered in even years only. ^^Offered in odd years only.
Core - Environmental Forensics - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
ENVR3701 Environmental Science 3 (4.5 units)
BIOL3761 Foundations in Microbiology (4.5 units)
Plus 18 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
*Stream - Environmental Forensics - Recommended Electives
While students are able to select electives from any topics offered by the University, where topic prerequisites are met, these are the recommended first year electives for this specialisation. Note: students may only count up to 45 units of first year topics towards their degree.
BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements.
**Option - Environmental Forensics - Year 2 & 3 topics
Select 18 units from:
EASC2712 Surface Water Hydrology (4.5 units)
EASC3741 Groundwater (4.5 units)
EASC3742 Earth Fluid Modelling (4.5 units)
EASC3751 Hydrochemistry (4.5 units)
EASC3762 Field Investigations (4.5 units)
Select 9 units from:
ENVH2701 Health Issues in the Environment (4.5 units) ENVS3711 Coastal Studies (4.5 units)
ENVS3732 Environmental Impact Assessment (4.5 units)
GEOG2701 Introduction to Remote Sensing (4.5 units)
GEOG2711 Australian Environmental Change (4.5 units)
GEOG3701 Spatial Information Management (4.5 units)
LEGL3112 Regulating Technology^^ (4.5 units)
^^ Requires topic pre-requisites from elective topics.
Stream - Global Water Resources
Core - Global Water Resources - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity# (4.5 units)
EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102 Marine Sciences (4.5 units)
ENVR1101 Environmental Science 1# (4.5 units)
ENVR1702 Fundamentals of Environmental Science# (4.5 units)
Plus one of
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding# (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry# (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of electives*
#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete the specialisation.
Core - Global Water Resources - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
EASC2701 Coasts and Oceans (4.5 units)
EASC2702 Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
EASC2712 Surface Water Hydrology (4.5 units)
ENVR2701 Environmental Science 2 (4.5 units)
Plus one of
EASC2722 Sedimentary Processes^ (4.5 units)
EASC3732 Geological Processes^^ (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics*
^Offered in even years only. ^^Offered in odd years only.
Core - Global Water Resources - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
EASC3741 Groundwater (4.5 units)
ENVR3701 Environmental Science 3 (4.5 units)
GEOG2700 Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units of option topics**
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.
*Stream – Global Water Resources - Recommended Electives
While students are able to select electives from any topics offered by the University, where topic prerequisites are met, these are the recommended first year electives for this specialisation. Note: students may only count up to 45 units of first year topics towards their degree.
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements.
**Stream - Global Water Resources - Option Year 2 & 3 topics
Select 18 units from:
BIOL2711 Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL2712 Animal Diversity (4.5 units)
EASC2711 Microclimate and Soil Processes (4.5 units)
EASC3742 Earth Fluid Modelling (4.5 units)
EASC3751 Hydrochemistry (4.5 units)
EASC3752 Science of Environmental Change (4.5 units)
EASC3762 Field Investigations (4.5 units)
Honours
Core - Honours Year 4 topics
36 units comprising:
ENVS4700A Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4700B Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4700C Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4700D Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4700E Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4700F Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS4720 Research Project Design and Conduct (4.5 units)
Plus one of*:
EASC4723 Modelling and Data Analysis in Natural Systems (4.5 units)
EASC4733 Measurement Techniques in Natural Systems (4.5 units)
ENVH4711 Environmental Health Concepts (4.5 units)
ENVH4722 Food Safety (4.5 units)
ENVH4731 Sustainable Development - Health Issues (4.5 units)
ENVH4742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (4.5 units)
ENVS7701 Coastal Management GE (4.5 units)
ENVS7711 Environmental Management (4.5 units)
GEOG4700 Population Issues of Developed and Developing Countries (4.5 units)
GEOG7711 GIS for Environmental Modelling (4.5 units)
GEOG7750 Advanced Studies in Geography, Population and Environmental Management (4.5 units)
*or another topic approved by the Course Co-ordinator, appropriate to a student’s program.
Combined degrees
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Environmental Science) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with a: