Why study environmental science and management at UoN?

The Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management is a science degree with an emphasis on understanding environment processes, problems and management. The degree is divided into three parts: compulsory courses, a major sequence, and electives. You will have the opportunity to specialise in one of the following majors: earth systems, ecosystems and biodiversity, marine science, and sustainability.

Protecting our future

Australia is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world. It is home to more than one million species of plants and animals and has some of the oldest land surface on the planet. However, as the driest continent in the world with the least fertile soils, Australia also faces major challenges in supporting its human population while protecting its ecological resources. Australia also shares in large-scale global challenges such as climate change. It is vital that we act now to understand and manage these key environmental problems, or we face a bleak future.

Benefit from diverse and flexible areas of study

Studying environmental science and management means you will be exposed to a full range of environmental science topics, including ecology, environmental ethics, measurement and monitoring of earth and biological processes, environmental impact assessment and environmental legislation. Find out more

Gain real-world experience

Fieldwork is a focus of all our environmental science courses. We take full advantage of our location close to mining areas, national parks, urban developments, major waterways and other ‘environmental hot spots’. Find out more

A career that makes a difference

The Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management degree opens many doors for those who want to make a difference and protect our future. Find out more

Meet our Achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

Benefit from diverse and flexible areas of study

Studying environmental science and management means you will be exposed to a full range of environmental science topics, including ecology, environmental ethics, measurement and monitoring of earth and biological processes, environmental impact assessment and environmental legislation. An aspect unique to our degree is that management courses are carefully woven into the degree, meaning that you can study both science and management.

Core courses account for almost  a third of the degree and incorporate the study of environmental planning and impact assessment; environmental sampling and data analysis; environmental remote sensing and computer-based mapping; environmental values, sustainability and ethics; biological and earth processes; and social development and the environment.

A major sequence of study is chosen from one of the following;

• Earth Systems - allows you to study courses such as GIS and remote sensing, climatology and soils, climate change, river basin processes, protection and management of waterways and catchments and global change.
• Ecosystems & Biodiversity - focuses on ecology and conservation and management of flora and fauna.
• Marine Science - you will specialise in the biology, ecology, protection and management of estuaries, fisheries and coral reefs.
• Sustainability - you will learn about human geography, ecology, sustainability, social research, environmental economics, leisure, tourism and environmental issues, globalisation, program management, policy development and evaluation.

If you are a high-performing student, in your third year of study, you can take a course that places you with a professional from an outside organisation. Perform well in your degree and you could have the opportunity to undertake a further year of full-time study to obtain an Honours degree. Completing Honours enhances your career prospects and also provides a pathway to postgraduate research higher degrees.

Learning from leading academics

Our academic staff are all involved in nationally and internationally recognised research. The results of their research feed directly into their teaching so that you will be kept up to date with the latest developments and discoveries.

Gain real-world experience

Fieldwork is a focus of all our environmental science courses. We take full advantage of our location close to mining areas, national parks, urban developments, major waterways and other environmental hot spots.

One of the features of this degree is that an opportunity exists for work placement in the final year of the degree (semester two), through the completion of an elective course.

This involves professional placement with an outside organisation. Students enter into an association with a co-operating host organisation where they further develop their expertise in management of environmental and development issues and projects. The course involves project work and a report for University assessment.

Get involved

You can become a member of the Environmental Science and Management Students Association and get proactive! Learn how you can become more practically involved in real environmental issues, particularly through raising environmental awareness in the community.

Purpose-built facilities to replicate industry situations

Fully equipped specialist laboratories and state-of-the-art technical support, including analytical instrumentation, computing facilities, and field equipment, will give you the experience and skills required to meet the needs of future employers as well as addressing specific global environmental concerns.

Our partnerships with outside industry will give you the opportunity to take part in work placements and research opportunities, providing you with a competitive advantage when entering the career market.

A career that makes a difference

The Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management degree opens many doors for those who want to make a difference and protect our future. Our graduates find employment in government departments and within the private sector in all tiers of administration, including:

• local councils employ environmental officers and managers
• state government departments include NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change; NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW Department of Primary Industries and various river catchments authorities
• areas of employment in the federal government include the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and the Department of Defence
• mining industry
• forestry industry.

Research is a possible career option for graduates. Various centres of environmental research employing graduates include the CSIRO Division of Environment, the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and universities.

Many large companies associated with primary industries employ environmental officers and field scientists who play a significant role in ensuring companies abide by environmental legislation. There are also numerous environmental consulting practices both nationally and internationally, so you could end up making your valuable contribution in an overseas location.

What is happening?

Future career prospects for environmental science and management graduates are outstanding. Global warming, mine rehabilitation and increased social expectations of environmental protection are just some of the issues that are accelerating the demand for environmental practitioners. The amount and variety of work for environmental employment is vast. Significant growth in this area has been identified over the last three decades and this trend is predicted to continue. This will provide an increased number of opportunities for environmental practitioners in both the public and private sectors.

Achiever profiles