Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

Back to topDescription

The Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management is a science degree program with an emphasis on courses dealing with the environment and its management.

Back to topWhy study with us?

The core courses of the program incorporate specialisations in environmental planning and impact assessment, environmental sampling, data analysis, statistics, environmental values and ethics, and biological science. A major sequence of study is chosen from one of the following:

  • Living Systems (Biodiversity, Conservation and Restoration)
  • Physical Systems (Air, Land and Water)
  • Social Systems (Sustainability, Policy and Futures)

Our degree program provides the opportunity for students to undertake a placement in the workforce during their degree, gaining valuable 'on the job' experience in the environmental sector.

Back to topCareer Opportunities

Opportunities include Environmental Officer in Local Council or State Government departments; research in climate, soil science, water, flora and fauna in agencies such as the CSIRO. Environmental management in government regulatory units such as forestry, electricity, EPA, water resources, soil conservation and national parks and wildlife. Aerial and field surveying and computer-based data processing through national and state mapping authorities; tourism and recreation-based research and planning; international aid and development projects through international agencies; and preparing environmental impact statements for government and other bodies as a private consultant.

Back to topAdmission Requirements

Current Australian Year 12 Students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on:

  • Previous Year 12 studies and/or
  • Higher education, tertiary, post-secondary qualifications and/or
  • Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
  • Relevant vocational experience.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:

  • an Australian Year 12 in Australia
  • an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
  • an International Baccalaureat (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions. Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirement.

Back to topRecommended Studies

HSC level Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or equivalent. If you have no previous knowledge of biology, chemistry, or mathematics you are advised to enrol in the bridging courses offered by the English Language and Foundations Studies Centre in January-February and in June-July.

Back to topCredit Transfer

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University's website at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/credit/

Back to topHonours

An Honours year is available to students as a separate program in the form of an additional year to those who meet the entry requirements.

Back to topPractical Experience

Students will have the opportunity to undertake EMGT3130, Project Management and Placement, as part of their elective course choices in their final year. This course 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 projects and issues.

Back to topInternational Students

All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology and the University at the commencement of each semester. Additionally, the Deputy Head of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology has special responsibility for the progress of international students. All students can also access additional learning support mechanisms provided by the Centre Teaching and Leaning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/index.html

Back to topSpecial Needs

Some aspects of the program are practical hands on skills based and may be difficult for students with certain disabilities to undertake. The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty and School accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will draw on the assistance and support provided by the Wollotuka Indigenous Support Unit.

Back to topRequirements and Structure

The program is completed over 3 years of full-time study (or equivalent part-time) and requires students to pass courses totalling 240 units. Most courses have a value of 10 units.

The program is divided into:

  • Core (compulsory courses);
  • A major (a sequence of study in a related area); and
  • Electives.

The core courses account for half the program and incorporate study in environmental planning and impact assessment, environmental sampling, data analysis, statistics, environmental values and ethics, and biological science.

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

  • Living Systems (Biodiversity, Conservation & Restoration);
  • Physical Systems (Air, Land & Water) or
  • Social Systems (Sustainability, Policy & Futures).

A major requires the study of a discipline area for 3 years. It is not possible to do a double major in this program.

The elective courses are taken to make up the remaining courses required for the degree. The number of elective courses may vary depending on the major undertaken but will be at least 30 units.

In addition the program must also include:

  • No more than 100 units at 1000 level.
  • At least 60 units at 3000 level.

Back to topCourse Information

Back to topCore Courses
Complete the following core courses to fulfil the requirements of this program.
BIOL1002Organisms to Ecosystems
Not to count with BIOL1110
10 units
EMGT1020Social Development and the Environment10 units
ENVS1020Environmental Values and Ethics10 units
ENVS1060Environmental Chemical and Physical Processes10 units
GEOS1040Earth's Dynamic Systems
Not to count with GEOS1010 or GEOS1100
10 units
STAT1070Statistics for the Sciences
Not to count with STEC2020.
10 units
BIOL2070Ecology10 units
ENVS2010Environmental Legislation and Planning10 units
ENVS2040Energy and the Environment10 units
GEOS2161GIS and Remote Sensing10 units
EMGT3110Integrated Impact Assessment
Not to count with ENVS3010
10 units
ENVS3020Applied Environmental Science
Not to count with BIOL3340.
10 units
Back to topElectives
Choose 30 units outside core or compulsory courses for this program.30 units
Back to topLiving Systems Major
Compulsory Courses
Complete the following compulsory courses to fulfil the requirements of this major.
BIOL1003Professional Skills for Biological Sciences 110 units
BIOL2070Ecology10 units
Directed Courses
Choose 30 units from 2000 level Directed courses (minimum).
BIOL2001Molecular Laboratory Skills for Biological Sciences10 units
BIOL2002Laboratory Skills in Biological Systems10 units
BIOL2010Biochemistry10 units
BIOL2020Animal Physiology and Development10 units
BIOL2050Molecular Genetics10 units
BIOL2090Microbial Biology10 units
BIOL2220Plant Cell Development10 units
CHEM2110Analytical Chemistry10 units
CHEM2610Environmental Chemistry I10 units
EMGT2040Ecology and Management of Australian Flora10 units
EMGT2050Australian Fauna10 units
MARI2300Marine Biology
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
MARI2320Marine Ecology
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
MARI2330Marine and Coastal Floral Ecology
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
SRMT2040Sustainable Resource Management: Biodiversity
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
Choose 40 units from 3000 level Directed courses (minimum).
BIOL3020Reproductive Physiology and Development10 units
BIOL3100Microbiology10 units
BIOL3330Plant Development and Physiology10 units
BIOL3350Ecological Research
Not to count with BIOL3110
10 units
CHEM3110Instrumental Chemical Analysis10 units
CHEM3610Environmental Chemistry II10 units
EMGT3030Conservation Biology10 units
EMGT3100Environmental Remediation10 units
GEOS3250Geographic Information Systems10 units
MARI3300Estuarine Ecology
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
MARI3320Ecological Methodology
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
MARI3330Marine Fish & Fisheries
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
MARI3400Marine Science Project
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
Back to topPhysical Systems Major
Compulsory Courses
Complete the following compulsory courses to fulfil the requirements of this major.
GEOS1050Earth Processes and Products10 units
GEOS2080Earth Science Field Course10 units
GEOS2161GIS and Remote Sensing10 units
Directed Courses
Choose 20 units from 2000 level Directed courses (minimum).
CHEM2110Analytical Chemistry10 units
CHEM2610Environmental Chemistry I10 units
GEOS2050River Basin Processes10 units
GEOS2070Climatology and Soils10 units
GEOS2170Optical Mineralogy and Igneous Petrology10 units
GEOS2190Structural and Field Geology10 units
GEOS2200Earth's Sedimentary Rocks and Environments10 units
SRMT2020Sustainable Resource Management: Land Systems
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
SRMT2030Sustainable Resource Management: Water
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
Choose 40 units from 3000 level Directed courses (minimum).
CHEM3110Instrumental Chemical Analysis10 units
CHEM3610Environmental Chemistry II10 units
EMGT3100Environmental Remediation10 units
GEOS3150Basin Analysis10 units
GEOS3160Geology of Fuels10 units
GEOS3220Coastal Dynamics, Evolution and Protection10 units
GEOS3221Environmental Geology10 units
GEOS3250Geographic Information Systems10 units
GEOS3260Field Course in Carbonate Environments10 units
GEOS3280Global Change10 units
GEOS3320Advanced Field Course in Earth Sciences
Not to count with GEOS3010.
10 units
Back to topSocial Systems Major
Compulsory Courses
Complete the following compulsory courses to fulfil the requirements of this major.
GEOG1020Introduction to Human Geography10 units
BIOL2070Ecology10 units
Directed Courses
Choose 30 units from 2000 level Directed courses (minimum).
EMGT2020The Sustainable Society10 units
GEOG2080Cities and Regions10 units
GEOG2130Geographies of Development10 units
SOCS2400Applied Social Research10 units
Choose 40 units from 3000 level Directed courses (minimum).
ECON3320Environmental Economics10 units
EMGT3070Advanced Studies in Sustainability10 units
GEOG3090Society and Space10 units
GEOG3240Globalisation: Cities, Economies10 units
GEOG3300Rethinking Development10 units
PHIL3910Technology and Human Values10 units
SOCA3060Environment and Society10 units
SOCS3100Policy Development , Program Management and Evaluation10 units
SRMT3020Planning for Sustainability
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
SRMT3040Community Resource Management
Course available at the Ourimbah campus only
10 units
TOUR3000Leisure Tourism and Environmental Issues
Not to count with LEIS3130
10 units