Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies - Catalyst Program

Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, online study may replace some or all of your on-campus classes.

We'll be sure to keep you informed of any changes..Are you a high-achiever with a passion for the environment and wilderness?The Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies Catalyst Program combines a Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies with extra experiences, activities and opportunities.

It was created for outstanding students, just like you.Understanding and protecting our environment is a global mission, with local impacts.

To get you globally connected, you can apply for the Overseas Exchange Program and spend a semester learning at one of our international partner institutions.

If you're accepted to the program, you'll be automatically supported by a $2,500 scholarship.You can also apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic of your choice.

Again, upon being accept for a project you'll be supported by an automatic $3,000 scholarship.You can even graduate with a custom built, multidisciplinary second degree, the high achiever academic extension Bachelor of Philosophy at no extra cost, with just a few additional units.There is a $7,500 relocation scholarship available for domestic interstate students moving to Tasmania, and a $3,000 bursary for Tasmanian students to support the start of University studies.If you want to get the most out of your University experience, set yourself apart in your chosen field, and give yourself an edge for future employment, the Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies Catalyst Program is for you.

The Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies component of the Catalyst Program normally takes three years to finish and requires the successful completion of 24 units.

Core units, combined with the Natural Environment and Wilderness major, give you a solid foundation in the relationships between people and the rest of nature and developing knowledge, experience and skills in natural environments and wilderness.

You can also customise your degree by selecting one minor from a range of environment related topics:

Earth Sciences

Learn how the rocks, sediments and soils that make up the surface of the earth have formed and how they can be conserved. The University of Tasmania is one of the few places that you can study geoheritage and learn to manage some of the non-living aspects of our natural environments. As well as an understanding of the earth and its processes, this is firmly situated in a management and conservation context (Hobart).

Ecology

Learn about the ways in which living things interact with their environment. You will study climate, soil, flora, fauna and geology, and have many opportunities to do fieldwork in a diversity of landscape. Our staff include Aboriginal Tasmanians who can give a deep perspective of place and value that is important for managing our environment. All these different skills and knowledge fit together to help make good decisions for maintaining landscape values, such as biodiversity (Hobart).

Emergency Management

Emergency Management is one of the essential activities of any organisation and especially those involved with managing the potential environmental consequences as a result of disasters impacting the wilderness. This involves the plans, structures and arrangements which are established to bring together the endeavours of those involved in a comprehensive and coordinated way to deal with the whole spectrum of environmental disasters.

Natural Resource Management

Learn about resource economics and the conservation of nature in productive landscapes. From wood to wool production, you will learn in the field and from people who have close connections with primary producers, regulators and other land managers. This minor will appeal to a range of people who want to work to balance conservation with production (Hobart).

Marine Environments

Conservation of marine ecosystems is becoming more important as the climate changes and resources and environments are under increasing pressure. Learn how these ecosystems work and the challenging problems in their ongoing management. We tackle these issues from an integrated perspective that includes physical, regulatory and social – all of which are important for getting good environments outcomes (Launceston, Hobart).

Society and Culture

Learn about the ways that politics, social systems and cultural beliefs affect the nature of our environment, and our ability to successfully manage it around the world). You will explore a range of complex problems, such as food security, energy futures, and climate warming, using a variety of tools including fieldwork and case studies. There is a growing understanding that professionals who are skilled at engaging with a range of stakeholders to manage and plan for wicked problems are key for meaningful change (Launceston, Hobart).

Spatial Sciences and Statistics

Develop critically important skills in using statistics, mapping techniques and remote sensing to improve policy, best practice, environmental protection, and ultimately, create better environmental outcomes. Many environmental management professions require a familiarity with managing and displaying data, particularly in Geographic Information Systems where maps can convey so much valuable and accessible information. A range of challenges like bushfire and other emergencies require quantitative and mapping skills but planning for medium and longer term change also requires a sound evidence-base (Hobart).

In addition, you can choose over a third of your units from the rich variety of offerings in the university as a whole, potentially even a six-month exchange overseas if you are interested. This provides you with both a solid foundation of learning, plus the ability to customise with multi-disciplinary perspectives towards your desired career.

Bachelor of Philosophy

The Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies and Summer Research Project all contribute to the requirements for the Bachelor of Philosophy. This means that by successfully completing the Catalyst Program, you can be a few units away from attaining a second degree for no additional cost

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

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

1. Gather, synthesise and critically evaluate information on natural environments and their relationships with people, by: demonstrating a capability to access information relevant to a problem; drawing out the major themes and connections; assessing the reliability and specificity of the information.