Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Environment and Society

This program will prepare you to work in the contested areas of environmental science, policy and politics.

The program is informed by both the applied science and social science disciplines and is designed to prepare you to respond effectively to emerging global environmental problems and issues.

The program bridges traditional disciplinary boundaries to address the most pressing issues of the new century:

ways of managing and adapting to a changing environment.This program emphasises the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to work effectively in the fields of environmental science, environmental management, and environmental education, and provides opportunities for graduates to work in government agencies, the corporate sector or environmental consultancies or non-government organisations.

As a graduate, you will be able to work in a number of roles including environmental advocacy, environmental consultancy, environmental education and training and environmental sustainability research and development.Through your study of environmental sciences, you will develop your knowledge of scientific methods and the skills required to apply this knowledge to the changing physical world.Through your study of the social sciences, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to critically engage in the development, implementation and communication of strategies aimed at achieving environmental sustainability for particular organisations or communities, in Australia or overseas.Environmental Science courses in this program are designed to produce graduates with a broad and coherent body of knowledge in Earth System processes, particularly the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere.

You will have the opportunity to develop in-depth understanding of underlying principles and concepts in one of two areas:

Environmental Chemistry, or Environmental Biology, You will learn how to interpret scientific inquiry and effectively distil and communicate the implications of scientific research to a wide range of audiences.The Social Science courses are designed to develop your knowledge of the social, cultural and political processes that influence the ways in which people and communities respond to the non-human world.

You will develop new understandings of the relationships between local and global environmental and social challenges and learn how to identify, research and advocate for more effective responses to the challenges we face, both in Australia and at a global level.The program is offered on campus in face to face mode of delivery.

Program design emphasises fieldwork, collaborative work, and applied research and development.

In the final year of the program you have the opportunity to work with outside organisations or communities to develop project management and other applied work ready skills.You will work independently and collaboratively, including in multidisciplinary teams , as you develop the professional communication skills required to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.

You will apply your knowledge of relevant legislative and policy frameworks, working within an enhanced ethical framework..A capstone experience is provided through ENVI1213 Strategies for Sustainability course in which you will integrate and synthesise your knowledge, connect theory to practice and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes.Successful completion of this program provides a pathway into a Masters.

Upon successful completion of this program you may also be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University.

Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses:

AND

Year Two of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses:

Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from the following discipline options: Environmental Chemistry Core Discipline:

Environmental Biology Core Discipline:

AND

Year Three of Program

Complete the following Five (5) Courses:

Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from the following discipline options - Environmental Chemistry Core Discipline:

Environmental Biology Core Discipline:

Select and Complete One (1) Course from any:

AND

Year Four of Program

Complete the following Seven (7) Courses:

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.

For equivalents to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country Equivalency web page on the RMIT website.

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL; and a study score of at least 20 in any Mathematics.

International English language requirement

A minimum of IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English requirements web page.

Progarm Learning Outcomes for Environment and Society

Upon successful completion of this component of the program you will be able to:

1. Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge of principles and practice of natural resoronurce policy, sustainability, globalisation and environmental management to professional practice or further study.

2. Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on knowledge related to the social implications ofBacg environmental concerns and challenges both in Australia and globally.

3. Apply logical, ciritical and creative thinking to effectively solve a range of problems associated with environmental management and associated policies and programs

4. Work effectively and productively with others in a range of roles in a variety of professional and social contexts

5. Communicate effectively using appropriate formats, media and styles to a range of audiences including other professionals, the public and government agencies and collaborate partnerships with others.

6. Assist in the identification of needs, and the design, planning, resourcing and implementation of research and development projects in environmental and social sustainability.

7. Reflect on the experience of personal and professional practice in international and cross-cultural settings and to act in professional settings responsibly, ethically and with integrity

In addition, the Environmental Science component of this double degree is designed to ensure you have a command of scientific research methods, an ability to critically analyse and interpret the results of scientific investigations and the skils to interpret and communicate these results to diverse environment stakeholders.

Program Learning Outcomes for Environmental Science

Upon successful completion of this component of the program you will be able to

Understanding science

1.1 articulate the methods of science and explain why current environmental knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry, and;

1.2 explain the role and relevance of environmental science in society.

Scientific knowledge

2.1 demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere; and depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology;

2.2 describe how environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.

Inquiry and problem solving

3.1 gather, synthesize and critically evaluate environmental information from a range of sources;

3.2 design and plan an investigation, including develop a testable hypothesis;

3.3 select and apply practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in field, laboratory-based or virtual experiments and;

3.4 collect, accurately record, interpret and draw conclusions from scientific data.

Communication

4.1 communicate environmental science results, information, or arguments effectively using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) to different audiences.

Personal and professional responsibility

5.1 be an independent and self-directed learner;

5.2 work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically in an individual or team context, and;

5.3 demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to environmental science.