Head of School's Welcome

To all potential students, scholars and academics, as well as those interested in the University of Newcastle, welcome to our website for the School of Environmental and Life Sciences (SELS).

The SELS is a very large school within the Faculty of Science and Information Technology, comprising the disciplines of Applied Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences,Geography & Environmental Studies, and Environmental Science & Management. We have over 60 academic staff engaged in teaching and research spread across these five disciplines. The academics within the school are highly research active which leads to innovation and enthusiasm with state-of the art content in all fields of undergraduate teaching and research training.

It is our endeavour to provide training in critical thinking and problem solving strategies in all of our degree programs to prepare the students for professional employment and future leadership roles. Coupled with a solid platform of science, research and reporting skills, this approach produces highly competent and well respected graduates across a number of professions.

Undergraduate programs offered

Callaghan Campus majors: Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Geography
Ourimbah Campus majors: Marine Science; Sustainable Resource Management

Postgraduate Programs

On completion of the undergraduate training, students can elect to undertake a year of full time intensive research training in their chosen field of interest under the direct supervision of an academic researcher. University of Newcastle Scholarships are now available to support the top performing students and success at this level can lead directly into the PhD and M.Phil programs. Honours programs are available for all the above listed undergraduate programs.

SELS is highly research active with 100-120 research higher degree (RHD) students undertaking original research to gain either a PhD or M.Phil. degree. These students work in a dynamic and exciting environment of research scholarship and together with the academic staff, generate a vibrant research culture with many national and international visitors.

In addition, there are a number of postgraduate programs by coursework which include:

The school has been highly successful at attracting research funding and developing the capacity to train top quality graduates in all of the degree programs. I hope that you will be impressed by our array of professional staff, our research and teaching accomplishments and our future aspirations to deliver high quality professional training and research outcomes.

I invite you to browse through the rest of our website to find the programs, research staff or information that you need, and I hope you will send this URL link to your friends and colleagues.

Professor Hugh Dunstan
Head, School of Environmental and Life Sciences.