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

Flexible study options

Flexible learning provides choices about where, when, and how you learn. At CSU, you can:

  • study at your own pace. While we regard four subjects as a normal full-time load, you are able to balance their work-life-study commitments by varying the number of subjects you complete each session
  • study throughout the year. We offer a limited range of subjects in Session 3 (November to February) so you can speed your progress through the course
  • choose when to study. Almost all the subjects in the School of Environmental Sciences are offered on campus or by distance education, allowing you to combine study modes or vary your choice of subjects to meet commitments during the week
  • vary your pattern to suit your career aspirations. We understand you come to us because you want an interesting job. You can vary (with permission) from the recommended pattern to meet their career aspirations. With hundreds of subjects on offer you can gain in-depth understanding of a range of topics – everything from advanced GIS to zoo curatorship
  • take specialised subjects at other universities. Our international program, CSU Global, allows you to spend a session at a university overseas. You may also be able to complete subjects at other universities in areas of study outside our curriculum, such as marine studies
  • gain recognition for previous study. You can receive credit for recognised academic courses at other universities or TAFE. CSU may also offer credit based on work experience as long as you provide evidence you already have the skills and knowledge contained within a subject. More information about credit and pathways.
  • 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.

     

    Video | Environmental Science students in Nepal

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    Watch some highlights from the annual four week field experience program in Nepal.

    Career opportunities

    CSU's focus is on education programs that prepare graduates for work. Courses are designed with input from industry, professions and government to develop practical, hands-on qualifications to help you gain valuable skills for new employment opportunities. You will graduate with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, habits and professional networks needed for a successful career.

    Government agencies and departments are big employers of our graduates, ensuring development of resources on public land is sustainably managed. Private industry and consultants also require our graduates to ensure businesses are environmentally responsible and sustainable. Additionally, graduates find employment as environmental scientists and ecological researchers where their careers are focused on exploration of new knowledge to address environmental issues nationally and internationally.

    Graduates have found positions as:

    • field ecologists
    • biodiversity officers
    • ecological assessment officers
    • environmental consultants
    • national park rangers
    • sustainability officers
    • natural resource managers
    • catchment managers
    • fisheries officers
    • environmental scientists
    • water resource managers

    As the course involves training in international environmental issues, and includes international field experience, graduates are well placed to apply for graduate positions with Australian Government's AusAid program, and other international environment and development organisations.

    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.

    The course consists of a pass or honours stream. Students choose to undertake the pass or honours degree in the second session of year 3, please see admission criteria for eligibility.

    Pass Degree
    The pass degree consists of the following course subjects and one elective.

    Core subjects
    BIO112 Principles of Ecology
    BIO203 Animal Diversity
    BIO216 Conservation Biology
    BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
    BIO263 Methods of Ecosystem Analysis
    BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology
    BIO326 Veg Management (16 points)
    BIO327 Wildlife Management (16 points)
    BIO328 Restoration Ecology
    ENM101 People and the Environment
    ENM109 Intro to Professional Practice
    ENM163 Natural Resource Mgt
    ENM221 Conservation in Global Context
    ENM422 Env Impact Assess
    ENM424 Environmental Management Internship (24 points)
    ENM433 People in the Global Environment
    GEO164 Earth System Processes
    GEO204 Soils and Landscapes
    GEO360 Community Engag & Capacity building
    PKM266 Culture & Heritage
    PKM307 Environmental Planning
    REC305 The Challenge of Sustainable Dev
    SCI103 Communicating Environmental Data
    SCI302 International Practical Experience
    SPA215 Principles of GIS
    SPA217 Principles of Remote Sensing
    SPA406 GIS Applications

    and one elective

    Honours Stream
    The Honours stream consists of the following core subjects.

    Core subjects
    BIO112 Principles of Ecology
    BIO203 Animal Diversity
    BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
    BIO263 Methods of Ecosystem Analysis
    BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology
    BIO326 Veg Management (16 points)
    BIO327 Wildlife Management (16 points)
    ENM101 People and the Environment
    ENM109 Intro to Professional Practice
    ENM163 Natural Resource Mgt
    ENM221 Conservation in Global Context
    ENM422 Env Impact Assess
    GEO164 Earth System Processes
    GEO204 Soils and Landscapes
    GEO360 Community Engag & Capacity building
    PKM266 Culture & Heritage
    PKM307 Environmental Planning
    SCI103 Communicating Environmental Data
    SCI302 International Practical Experience
    SPA215 Principles of GIS
    SPA217 Principles of Remote Sensing
    SPA406 GIS Applications

    students will undertake the same enrolment pattern as those students enrolling in the Bachelor of Science (Honours), and should consult their School Honours Co-ordinator for advice on their enrolment pattern

    Enrolment pattern

    Normally four years by full-time study (32 Points per semester)

    Note: students may be able to decrease the length of time it takes to complete their degree by enrolling subjects that are available in Session 3 ( 90).

    Four Year Stream
    The pattern below assumes no session 90 subjects are taken. The pattern would need to be modified so the environmental internship occurs earlier should they wish to do session 90 subjects.

    Year 1- Session 1 (30)
    SCI103 Communicating Environmental Data
    ENM109 Intro to Professional Practice
    ENM101 People and the Environment
    BIO263 Methods of Ecosystem Analysis

    Year 1- Session 2 (60)
    BIO112 Principles of Ecology
    GEO164 Earth System Processes
    ENM163 Natural Resource Mgt
    ENM221 Conservation in Global Context

    Year 1-Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 2- Session 1 (30)
    SPA215 Principles of GIS
    SPA217 Principles of Remote Sensing
    GEO204 Soils and Landscapes
    BIO203 Animal Diversity

    Year 2-Session 2 (60)
    PKM266 Culture & Heritage
    BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
    BIO327 Wildlife Management (16 points)

    Year 2 Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 3 - Session 1 (30)
    PKM307 Environmental Planning
    BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology
    BIO326 Veg Management (16 points)
    BIO326 Veg Management (16 points)

    Year 3 - Session 2 (60)
    SCI302 International Practical Experience
    GEO360 Community Engag & Capacity building
    SPA406 GIS Applications
    ENM422 Env Impact Assess

    Year 3 - Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 4- Session 1 (30)
    ENM308 The Challenge of Sustainable Dev
    BIO216 Conservation Biology
    ENM433 People in the Global Environment
    Elective

    Session 2 (60)
    ENM424 Environmental Management Internship (24 points)
    BIO328 Restoration Ecology

    Honours Stream
    The pattern below assumes no session 90 subjects are taken. The pattern would need to be modified should a student become eligible for honours in less than three years

    Year 1- Session 1 (30)
    SCI103 Communicating Environmental Data
    ENM109 Intro to Professional Practice
    ENM101 People and the Environment
    BIO263 Methods of Ecosystem Analysis

    Year 1- Session 2 (60)
    BIO112 Principles of Ecology
    GEO164 Earth System Processes
    ENM163 Natural Resource Mgt
    ENM221 Conservation in Global Context

    Year 1-Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 2- Session 1 (30)
    SPA215 Principles of GIS
    SPA217 Principles of Remote Sensing
    GEO204 Soils and Landscapes
    BIO203 Animal Diversity

    Year 2-Session 2 (60)
    PKM266 Culture & Heritage
    BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
    BIO327 Wildlife Management (16 points)

    Year 2 Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 3 - Session 1 (30)
    PKM307 Environmental Planning
    BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology
    BIO326 Veg Management (16 points)

    Year 3 - Session 2 (60)
    SCI302 International Practical Experience
    GEO360 Community Engag & Capacity building
    SPA406 GIS Applications
    ENM422 Env Impact Assess

    Year 3 - Session 3 (90). It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester.

    Year 4
    Session 1 (30)
    . Faculty Honours stream (research methods, project and dissertation)

    Session 2 (60). Faculty Honours stream ( project and dissertation)

    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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    Apply now

    This course is available to commence study in

    Session 1; Session 2

    Australian and New Zealand students

    Apply through UAC

    Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2

    Admission code: 214341

    Apply through VTAC

    Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1

    Admission code: 1300113111

    Apply online

    Admission code: KSEM

    International Students

    Apply online

    Admission code: ISEM

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    Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

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