Bachelor of Environmental Science

If you have a passion for wildlife and conservation and are keen for a career outdoors, the Bachelor of Environmental Science will see you playing an active part in caring for the environment now and into the future.

The degree lets you explore a wide variety of areas including but not limited to:

applied ecology, ecological conservation, vegetation and wildlife management, reserve management, coastal marine science, sustainability, land care and land management.You’ll benefit from studying in our nation’s capital;

the central focus of environmental issues in Australia, and will have access to UC’s world-class laboratories for eco-chemistry, fresh water ecology, wildlife genetics and biodiversity.

The faculty has strong partnership links with government and natural resource management organisations, as well as UC’s Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), which has a reputation for providing high quality research with an applied focus to solve environmental problems.Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is a central component of this course and you’ll undertake a range of practical activities designed to prepare you for a sustainable career in environmental science, such as exposure to entrepreneurship in science and pitching ideas for funding and patenting, and guest lectures by esteemed industry professionals.Our Environmental Science program is closely integrated with the IAE – one of our many research centres.

Researchers within the IAE engage with on-ground managers and policymakers, giving you access to unique group research projects and training opportunities on campus in a leading research facility.

You’ll also undertake a range of exciting field trips to national parks in locations such as Willandra, the Snowy Mountains and the NSW South Coast.You’ll have the opportunity to complete a professional work placement and will be actively encouraged to volunteer in local, regional and international environmental programs.

Previous students have undertaken internships with companies including the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, CSIRO, ACT Parks and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Department of the Environment and Energy, Questacon, National Museum of Australia, environmental NGOs and the university sector.If you’d like to study overseas, summer or winter term internships to Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand can be applied for, as well as faculty-led Environmental Science programs in New Zealand, Peru and Costa Rica.

Each of these can count as credit towards your degree.High-achieving students may be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) course.Successful completion of this course, when linked with further postgraduate study such as a master’s degree or PhD, could see you qualify as a research scientist in your chosen field.

Bachelor of Environmental Science (72 credit points) Required - Must pass 24 credit points as follows

• 483 - Concepts in Biology - 3 cp, Level 1 577 - Mathematical Methods - 3 cp, Level 1 623 - Plants and Animals - 3 cp, Level 1 1516 - Chemistry 1a - 3 cp, Level 1 1809 - Data Analysis in Science - 3 cp, Level 1 4732 - Communication in Science - 3 cp, Level 1 8101 - Earth System Science - 3 cp, Level 1 10235 - Tackling Environmental Challenges - 3 cp, Level 3

Restricted Choice - 39 credit points as follows

• Part A - Must pass 3 credit points from the following 8783 - Professional Practice in Applied Science - 3 cp, Level 3 9632 - Research Project in Applied Science - 3 cp, Level 3
• Part B - Must select 2 of the following MJ0008 Major in Applied Ecology (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 18 credit points as follows 623 - Plants and Animals - 3 cp, Level 1 10224 - Integrated Catchment Science - 3 cp, Level 2 10225 - Landscape Processes - 3 cp, Level 2 10226 - Freshwater Biology - 3 cp, Level 2 10231 - Ecology - 3 cp, Level 2 10234 - Conservation Ecology - 3 cp, Level 3 MJ0060 Major in Integrated Environmental Management (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 18 credit points as follows 7907 - Environmental and Planning Law - 3 cp, Level 2 10224 - Integrated Catchment Science - 3 cp, Level 2 10228 - Understanding Environmental Complexity - 3 cp, Level 2 10230 - Spatial Analysis - 3 cp, Level 3 10232 - Environmental Conflict and Engagement - 3 cp, Level 3 10235 - Tackling Environmental Challenges - 3 cp, Level 3 MJ0124 Major in Water Science (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 18 credit points as follows 623 - Plants and Animals - 3 cp, Level 1 6915 - Ecochemistry - 3 cp, Level 2 10224 - Integrated Catchment Science - 3 cp, Level 2 10225 - Landscape Processes - 3 cp, Level 2 10226 - Freshwater Biology - 3 cp, Level 2 10230 - Spatial Analysis - 3 cp, Level 3 MJ0179 Major in Environmental Chemistry (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 18 credit points as follows 1516 - Chemistry 1a - 3 cp, Level 1 1517 - Chemistry 1b - 3 cp, Level 1 6915 - Ecochemistry - 3 cp, Level 2 8043 - Analytical Chemistry - 3 cp, Level 2 10002 - Environmental and Forensic Geochemistry - 3 cp, Level 3 10226 - Freshwater Biology - 3 cp, Level 2 MJ0194 Major in Environmental Genetics (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 15 credit points as follows 483 - Concepts in Biology - 3 cp, Level 1 1516 - Chemistry 1a - 3 cp, Level 1 8375 - Molecular and Cellular Biology - 3 cp, Level 2 10001 - Environmental and Forensic Genetics - 3 cp, Level 3 10223 - Genetics and Genomics - 3 cp, Level 2 Restricted Choice - Must pass 3 credit points from the following 6530 - Biochemistry - 3 cp, Level 2 10222 - Biostatistics - 3 cp, Level 2 MJ0300 Major in Sustainable Landscapes (18 credit points) Required - Must pass 15 credit points as follows 623 - Plants and Animals - 3 cp, Level 1 8101 - Earth System Science - 3 cp, Level 1 8273 - Landscape Systems - 3 cp, Level 3 10224 - Integrated Catchment Science - 3 cp, Level 2 10225 - Landscape Processes - 3 cp, Level 2 Restricted Choice - Must pass 3 credit points from the following 9634 - Indigenous Heritage and Landscapes - 3 cp, Level 3 10230 - Spatial Analysis - 3 cp, Level 3 MJ0301 Major in Earth Science (21cp) (21 credit points) Required - Must pass 21 credit points as follows 1517 - Chemistry 1b - 3 cp, Level 1 8043 - Analytical Chemistry - 3 cp, Level 2 8101 - Earth System Science - 3 cp, Level 1 10002 - Environmental and Forensic Geochemistry - 3 cp, Level 3 10224 - Integrated Catchment Science - 3 cp, Level 2 10225 - Landscape Processes - 3 cp, Level 2 10230 - Spatial Analysis - 3 cp, Level 3

Open Electives - 9 credit points as follows

• Must pass 9 credit points from any part of the University as a major, minor and/or as individual units.
• Note:In choosing electives students should note that no more than 30 credit points at Level 1 is permitted for the entire course.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this course is based on an entrance rank. A rank can be achieved by the following means:- Year 12 ATAR- other Australian Qualification- work experience- overseas qualificationWe also offer a number of entry initiatives that give you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes. More information is available on our Alternative Entry page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/applications/apply-now/alternative-entry

Assumed Knowledge

ACT: Biology and/or Chemistry major(s) plus Mathematical Methods Major. NSW: Biology and/or Chemistry plus Mathematics.

Periods Course is Open to New Admissions

Information on admission closing dates can be found here.

Credit Arrangements

Credit arrangements (if available) for this course can be found on the University's Credit Search website.