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.

More about career opportunities

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.

More about workplace learning

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.

Workplace learning

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. We have an excellent reputation for providing quality education delivered by dedicated academics with relevant industry experience.

CSU works in close association with industry, professions and government to ensure courses meet and support industry needs. We contextualise learning in a way that empowers and motivates students, while assisting them to develop key skills and knowledge required for employment, further education and active participation in their communities. At CSU, you will:

• learn through practical and/or field experience. This gives relevance to what you are learning and enables you to construct your own understanding of the course material
• have opportunities to undertake a range of field experiences. There are many opportunities to participate in voluntary and paid field expeditions to areas such as the Australian alps, Mungo National Park and North Head, Sydney. There are also subjects that are solely centred around field ecology and/or special study topics
• be supported in doing professional practice. Students are supported in taking at least six weeks of full-time work placement in Australia or overseas. This ensures all students receive first-hand experience of what it is like to work in their profession. Placement opportunities in Australia range from the Tasmanian wilderness to Australia's far north
• travel to places around the world. Each year CSU runs a number of international field trips to locations such as Cambodia, East Timor and Nepal. These are part of your degree in your final year of study. International experience and exchange is also encouraged through CSU Global.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2