School Leavers and Non-School Leavers can apply direct for this degree.
For more information about studying the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management
Program handbook
Description
The University of Newcastle’s Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management is the degree for those with a passion for the environment and an interest in saving our planet. With the alarming rate of environmental impacts from climate change, land clearing and deforestation, human induced impacts to the biosphere, the polluting of our oceans and our urgent biodiversity crisis; now is the time to upskill and play your role in protecting our natural world into the future. The degree explores the science behind human induced impacts to our environment and fosters management-based skills and knowledge to manage our environment in a sustainable way into the future. Students will learn from world-leading scientists in the field. You will gain scientific skills in environmental science including essential laboratory and field-based skills in diverse environments from terrestrial forests to coastal and marine ecosystems. The degree’s management focus is unique in Australia, offering students essential knowledge and skills in managing environments including environment impact assessment, policy and legislation and environmental ethics. Further, students can specialise in one of four specialist areas to dovetail into a future career destination including sustainability, natural resources and hazards, ecosystems and biodiversity, or marine science and management. Finally, our program offers a comprehensive career-ready placement experience, allowing students to gain valuable workplace experience to be job-ready by graduation. If your career goal is to make a difference globally in the ongoing protection of our fragile environment, this degree program is for you!
Program learning outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will have:
- Knowledge: Broad and coherent knowledge of environmental processes and interdependencies between human societies and environments.
- Understanding: Understanding of their own and others' values, knowledge, ethical positions and interests.
- Understanding: Ability to acquire, synthesize and apply knowledge from the environmental sciences and more broadly to develop creative solutions to manage current and future environmental challenges at varied scales.
- Knowledge: Understanding of the role of scientific knowledge and other knowledges including Indigenous, expert and lay knowledges in environmental management and decision-making.
- Ethical practice: Capacity for ethical professional, public and personal conduct through (a) reflecting on their own learning and practice, and (b) promoting the transformation of human societies towards environmental sustainability.
- Skills: Essential professional skills including the ability to appropriately and effectively communicate ideas, scientific research results and environmental management options with diverse audiences through oral, written and visual means.
- Skills: Well-developed disciplinary, cognitive and technical skills through choosing and applying appropriate environmental science and management practices to address complex environmental challenges both independently and collaboratively.
Details
Information correct as at | May 8, 2024 2:51 pm | ||||||||
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Program code | 11587 | ||||||||
AQF level | Level 7 Bachelor Degree | ||||||||
Locations and UAC codes | |||||||||
Mode of delivery |
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Duration |
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Selection Rank |
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Assumed knowledge | Mathematics Advanced and at least one of: Earth and Environmental Science, Biology or Chemistry | ||||||||
Term type | Semesters | ||||||||
Fees |
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Relevant University rules and policies |
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CRICOS Code | 059877D |
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Admission information
Admission requirements
Eligibility for admission to this program is based on applicants meeting the minimum selection rank, or satisfying the requirements for an approved admission scheme.
The University of Newcastle accepts a range of qualifications to determine eligibility for admission. These include, but are not limited to, Australian or overseas senior secondary qualifications (such as the HSC), prior tertiary studies, prior TAFE/VET studies, and completed enabling programs.
For further information on the pathways that are available to you, please refer to:
Enrolling in mathematics - Maths placement test
Your degree includes either compulsory or optional courses in maths. To maximise your likelihood of academic success, it is recommended that you select the course which matches your existing knowledge and understanding of maths concepts.
Answer a few questions now to find out what mathematics you should enrol in.
English Language Requirements
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
- IELTS Overall Minimum: 6
- IELTS Sub Test Minimum: 6
Credit transfer
If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.
Credit may be granted for studies completed at another institution if they were completed within the previous 8 years. Credit will be granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology in accordance with the relevant policies approved by the University.
Academic requirements for program completion
Total units required
240 units
Program duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 8 years maximum.
International students studying this program on campus are required to enrol full time to comply with their student visa requirements and complete their study in the standard minimum program duration. International students requiring enrolment advice should review the program plan corresponding to the semester and year of commencement and can contact their Program Advisor at ProgramAdvice@newcastle.edu.au
Program requirements
Students are required to complete a total of, but no more than, 240 units, comprised of the following:
- 100 units of Core courses
- 10 unit from the Mathematics course list
- 10 unit from the Statistics course list
- One 80 unit major
- 40 units of Electives
Please note: Students must only complete courses that form part of the program. Electives include any unrestricted courses offered within the university. In addition to the list of suggested electives below, students are encouraged to consider completing courses from the other majors as their electives. In addition the program must include:
- No more than 100 units at 1000 level.
- At least 40 units at 2000 level.
- At least 60 units at 3000 level.
Program planner
Current students program planner
Current students can plan their program using Program Planner.
Prospective student degree planner
If you're a prospective student considering studying this degree take a look at My Degree Planner to see what your study journey will look like.
Additional documents
- 2020 Transition Arrangements 265.3 KB
- 2021 Transition Arrangements 158.7 KB
- 2023 Transition Arrangement 195.5 KB
- Course Changes from 2010 to 2011 26.9 KB If you are in the 2010 program structure and you are looking for the 2011 equivalent course that you need to take, please consult this document.
Transition arrangements
2023 Revision
From 2023 there are changes to the program structure. For students who commenced the program prior to 2023, please refer to the 2023 Transition Arrangements in the Additional Documents section for more information.
2021 Revision
From 2021 there are changes to the program structure and each major. For students who commenced the program prior to 2021, please refer to the 2021 Transition Arrangements in the Additional Documents section for more information. From 2021 the Coastal and Marine Science major has been renamed to Marine Science and Management.
2020 Revision
From 2020 there are changes to the program structure and each major. For students who commenced the program prior to 2020, please refer to the 2020 Transition Arrangements in the Additional Documents section for more information.
2019 Revision
The Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management program was revised in 2018, and changes to the program were implemented for 2019. BIOL1040 Introduction to Biology I (10 units) and BIOL1070 Introduction to Biology II (20 units) are discontinued and equivalent courses, BIOL1001 Molecules, Cells and Organisms (10 units), BIOL1002 Organisms to Ecosystems (10 units) and SCIE1002 Multidisciplinary Laboratories (10 units) will be offered at Ourimbah from Semester 1, 2019.
Pre-2019 students who have not successfully completed BIOL1070 must complete BIOL1002 and SCIE1002. Pre-2019 students who have already completed BIOL1003 are not required to complete SCIE1002.
Pre-2019 students undertaking a major in Marine Science who have not successfully completed BIOL1040 must complete BIOL1001.
2016 Revision
The Marine Science major was revised in 2015, and changes were implemented for 2016. Students taking the Marine Science major who commenced the program in 2015 and who have not taken MARI2300 and MARI2320 will be transitioned to the new program structure and will be required to take MARI1000 as a compulsory course in the Marine Science major. Students taking the Marine Science major who commenced prior to 2015 and who have taken MARI2300 and MARI2320 will remain in the pre-2016 program structure and are not required to enrol in MARI1000. Students who require further clarification should contact the Program Advisor for individual program advice.
Students who commenced the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management prior to 2015 and have not successfully completed BIOL1050 Introduction to Biology II (10 units) must take BIOL1070 Introduction to Biology II (20 units) from 2015 onwards.
For students who commenced the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management program prior to 2011, please consult with your Program Advisor or Program Convenor for advice about your program structure.
Students who have previously successfully completed MARI3400 or SCIT3000 or SCIT3500 may not enrol in ENVS3400 Advanced Research Project.
Program structure
Students can plan their program using Program Planner. It is recommended students review the program handbook in conjunction with using Program Planner.
Advanced course filters
Courses that are currently unavailable are hidden by default. You can show them by adjusting the advanced course filters above, or clicking the 'show all' links below each section.
Core
Complete the following core courses to fulfil the requirements of this program. | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
BIOL1002 | Organisms to Ecosystems |
| 10 units |
ENVS1001 | Environmental Science Concepts and Methods |
| 10 units |
ENVS1002 | Physical and Chemical Environmental Systems |
| 10 units |
ENVS1003 | Environmental Values and Ethics |
| 10 units |
SCIE1002 | Multidisciplinary Laboratories |
| 10 units |
ENVS2002 | Environmental Legislation and Planning |
| 10 units |
GEOS2161 | Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
ENVS3001 | Integrated Impact Assessment |
| 10 units |
ENVS3002 | Environmental Management Perspectives |
| 10 units |
ENVS3008 | Work Integrated Learning in the Environmental and Development Sectors |
| 10 units |
Mathematics Course List
Complete 10 units from the following course list. Which course you should complete will depend on your previous mathematical background, please refer to each course handbook for more information. | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
MATH1001 | Preparatory Studies in Mathematics |
| 10 units |
MATH1002 | Foundational Studies in Mathematics |
| 10 units |
MATH1110 | Mathematics for Engineering, Science and Technology 1 |
| 10 units |
Statistics Course List
Complete 10 units from the following course list. | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
STAT1020 | Statistical Reasoning and Literacy |
| 10 units |
STAT1070 | Statistics for the Sciences |
| 10 units |
Majors
Ecosystems and Biodiversity
1000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 10 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
BIOL1001 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms |
| 10 units |
CHEM1010 | Introductory Chemistry I |
| 10 units |
CHEM1020 | Introductory Chemistry II |
| 10 units |
GEOS1040 | Earth: Our Dynamic Planet |
| 10 units |
2000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 30 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
BIOL2090 | Microbial Biology |
| 10 units |
ENVS2004 | Ecology |
| 10 units |
ENVS2005 | Management of Australian Flora |
| 10 units |
ENVS2006 | Ecology and Management of Wildlife |
| 10 units |
ENVS2009 | Catchment and Water Resource Management |
| 10 units |
ENVS2320 | Experimental design and analysis in ecology |
| 10 units |
3000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3003 | Conservation Biology |
| 10 units |
ENVS3004 | Ecotoxicology |
| 10 units |
ENVS3005 | Animal Behaviour |
| 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
SCIE3500 | Research Integrated Learning |
| 10 units |
SRMT3060 | Restoration Ecology |
| 10 units |
Marine Science and Management
Compulsory | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
MARI1000 | Our Oceans |
| 10 units |
ENVS2004 | Ecology |
| 10 units |
ENVS2320 | Experimental design and analysis in ecology |
| 10 units |
MARI2300 | Marine Biology |
| 10 units |
GEOS3220 | Coastal Environments and Processes |
| 10 units |
MARI3300 | Integrated Coastal Ecosystems |
| 10 units |
MARI3500 | Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| 10 units |
Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 10 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3005 | Animal Behaviour |
| 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
MARI3410 | Coral Reef Biology, Ecology and Sustainability |
| 10 units |
SCIE3500 | Research Integrated Learning |
| 10 units |
Natural Resources and Hazards
Compulsory | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
GEOS1040 | Earth: Our Dynamic Planet |
| 10 units |
GEOS2050 | Catchments and Climate |
| 10 units |
GEOS2060 | Earth's Critical Zone |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
GEOS3340 | Climate Change and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
2000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 10 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ENVS2009 | Catchment and Water Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS2080 | Earth Sciences Fieldwork |
| 10 units |
3000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 20 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3007 | Environmental Remediation | Not currently offered | 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS3220 | Coastal Environments and Processes |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
GEOS3280 | Global Change and the Rise of Modern Environments | Not currently offered | 10 units |
SCIE3500 | Research Integrated Learning |
| 10 units |
Sustainability
1000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 10 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
BIOL1001 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms |
| 10 units |
ENVS1004 | Social Development and the Environment |
| 10 units |
GEOG1020 | Introduction to Human Geography |
| 10 units |
2000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 30 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ENVS2004 | Ecology |
| 10 units |
ENVS2005 | Management of Australian Flora |
| 10 units |
ENVS2006 | Ecology and Management of Wildlife |
| 10 units |
ENVS2008 | The Sustainable Society |
| 10 units |
ENVS2009 | Catchment and Water Resource Management |
| 10 units |
ENVS2320 | Experimental design and analysis in ecology |
| 10 units |
GEOG2080 | Cities and Regions |
| 10 units |
GEOG2130 | Geographies of Development |
| 10 units |
SOCS2400 | Surveying the Social: Applied Quantitative Research |
| 10 units |
3000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3003 | Conservation Biology |
| 10 units |
ENVS3006 | Surviving the Anthropocene: Sustainability in the 21st Century |
| 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOG3090 | Society and Space |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
GEOS3340 | Climate Change and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
MARI3500 | Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| 10 units |
SCIE3500 | Research Integrated Learning |
| 10 units |
SRMT3060 | Restoration Ecology |
| 10 units |
Discontinued major - Only available to stu
Earth Systems
1000 Level Option
Choose either CHEM1010 and CHEM1020; or GEOS1040 and GEOS1050.
CHEM1010 and CHEM1020 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
CHEM1010 | Introductory Chemistry I |
| 10 units |
CHEM1020 | Introductory Chemistry II |
| 10 units |
GEOS1040 and GEOS1050 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
GEOS1040 | Earth: Our Dynamic Planet |
| 10 units |
GEOS1050 | Earth: Natural Hazards |
| 10 units |
2000 Level Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Choose 30 units from the following course list | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
CHEM2110 | Applied Analytical Chemistry |
| 10 units |
ENVS2009 | Catchment and Water Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS2050 | Catchments and Climate |
| 10 units |
GEOS2060 | Earth's Critical Zone |
| 10 units |
GEOS2080 | Earth Sciences Fieldwork |
| 10 units |
3000 Level Course list | |||
---|---|---|---|
Choose 40 units from the following course list | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
CHEM3110 | Instrumental Chemical Analysis |
| 10 units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3004 | Ecotoxicology |
| 10 units |
ENVS3007 | Environmental Remediation | Not currently offered | 10 units |
ENVS3008 | Work Integrated Learning in the Environmental and Development Sectors |
| 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
GEOS3220 | Coastal Environments and Processes |
| 10 units |
GEOS3250 | Advanced Spatial Science |
| 10 units |
GEOS3280 | Global Change and the Rise of Modern Environments | Not currently offered | 10 units |
GEOS3340 | Climate Change and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
Discontinued major - Only available to stu
Coastal and Marine Science
Compulsory | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
MARI1000 | Our Oceans |
| 10 units |
ENVS2004 | Ecology |
| 10 units |
MARI2300 | Marine Biology |
| 10 units |
MARI2500 | Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Services | Not currently offered | 10 units |
MARI3300 | Integrated Coastal Ecosystems |
| 10 units |
MARI3320 | Experimental Design and Analysis in Ecology | Not currently offered | 10 units |
Course List | |||
---|---|---|---|
Choose 20 units from the following course list. | |||
Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
ECON3006 | Environmental Economics |
| 10 units |
ENVS3005 | Animal Behaviour |
| 10 units |
ENVS3009 | Advanced Water Science and Resource Management |
| 10 units |
MARI3410 | Coral Reef Biology, Ecology and Sustainability |
| 10 units |
Electives
Electives 40 unit requirement | |
---|---|
Complete 40 units of electives to fulfil the requirements of the program. Electives can be used to extend and complement your core studies with more courses in the same field of study, or from areas that might be of interest to you. Electives can be chosen from all courses available at the University that do not have any other conditions (such as a course requisite) applied to them. | 40 units |
Suggested electives
A full list of courses that are available to study as an elective can be found in the course handbook.
Honours
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. Please refer to the BESM(Hons) program handbook for information about admission requirements: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-environmental-science-and-management-honours
Additional information
Through the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre, students can access a free suite of NUPrep preparation courses as well as Academic Learning Support.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.
International students
All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit our International Students website to find out more about the support services available to international students.
Additional support
AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to Students with a medical or health condition or disability. If you require adjustments to undertake your program, contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester. They will work with the College or School to ensure that this happens in a timely manner.
Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. More information is available online.
Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management
UAC Code , Program Code 11587
CRICOS Code , Program Code 11587
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