Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

What is this course about?

CSU’s Bachelor of Environemental Science and Management provides you with the ability to address a range of complex environmental problems, including those associated with land degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change and poor water management.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management are employed by government departments, environmental consulting companies, and a range of other organisations as environmental scientists and managers, Landcare officers, catchment management officers, land and water officers or ecologists.

Graduates use their skills and knowledge to plan and manage environmental restoration and rehabilitation projects, undertake river and stream management programs, encourage sustainable agricultural enterprises, and conserve natural ecosystems. They use their expertise in the physical, biological and social sciences to make sound independent judgements on restoring damaged environments and creating healthy and resilient ecosystems.

This degree has a strong focus on ecological processes at the landscape scale to provide our graduates with the broadest possible skills to develop solutions to some of the world's most important environmental issues.

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What will I learn?

This course focuses strongly on preparing graduates for employment in the wide variety of disciplines within the area of environmental science. Studies in biological, physical and social sciences are complemented by units in climate change, environmental assessment and geographic information systems.

As environmental issues and their management are rapidly becoming an international rather than a national problem, the course incorporates studies in global conservation issues and an international study tour in the final year. This is one of the few degrees in Australia where students get to look at the big environmental issues first-hand. An international experience can be life-changing.

Employers place significant value on the professional experience students gain during this course. Students complete a practical experience (an internship) in the final year, offering the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real world environments. At the same time, they will develop skills that will help them perform better at their jobs and be more competitive in the job market.

Why study this degree?

CSU’s Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management is recognised by every environmental management agency in Australia. We work in close association with industry, professionals and government to ensure our courses meet and support their needs. 

CSU graduates are holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish. CSU gives students the ability to influence the world for the better. You will benefit from:

• being taught by dedicated professionals with many years of collective experience in the field
• undertaking a course specifically designed so that students graduate ‘ready-to-work’ and have undertaken studies in career development and professional practice through an internship
• the opportunity gain practical experience from the very beginning using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that emphasise sustainable design
• a library and world class learning platforms that provide a broad range of literature and learning materials.

CSU is well-known for its innovative approach to education, offering practical, hands-on courses, supported online to provide our students with accessible, world class education.

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Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 250 points. Students may choose to exit the course after successfully completing 24 subjects (three years of full-time study) with the Bachelor of Environmental Science.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.