1998 Undergraduate Handbook

Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Science)

The course aims to provide vocationally oriented education in Environmental Science that will produce graduates with a solid disciplinary training in chemistry, biology, earth sciences and ecology and an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems, so that they are highly employable both nationally and internationally.

Students build upon foundation studies in the basic sciences and environmental sciences by undertaking studies in one of the three following specialist areas:

• Spatial Data Analysis - examines remote sensing and the manipulation of spatial data using Geographic Information Systems;
• Environmental Restoration - investigates the theoretical and practical aspects of the restoration of degraded natural environments;
• Ecosystem Analysis - analysis of the processes that control the transformation and transport of materials at different spatial and temporal scales in natural and altered ecosystems, with emphasis on the Riverine Plain of South East Australia.

Enrolment through

Wagga Wagga campus

Note: Some subjects in this program will be taught from the Bathurst campus only.

Study mode

On campus
Distance education

Normal course duration

Full-time 3 years (6 sessions)
Part-time 6 years (12 sessions)

Admission requirements

Subject to the availability of places, the University will admit any applicant it believes can undertake the proposed course with a reasonable prospect of success. In determining an applicant's prospect for success, the University will consider previous studies and/or other attainments and experience.

Previous studies considered to be indicative of success in an undergraduate course include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate, interstate or 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 at a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including the 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 Learning Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) or interstate equivalent, however applicants may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to the course for which admission is sought.

No secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to this course. Assumed knowledge is NSW HSC or equivalent 2 unit Mathematics and 2 unit Biology.

Applicants may also be admitted to the course on the basis of other attainments and experience since leaving school. These may include documentation of:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance 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).

Applicants who believe they do not have an appropriate high school chemistry background are strongly recommended to undertake the CSU Bridging Chemistry course (fee paying) which is available annually during December - January. Further details may be obtained by contacting the Open Learning Institute.

Credit for previous study

Refer to Academic Regulations for details of credit availability.

Professional recognition

The course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science. Accreditation by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AIMM) is pending.

Course requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 subjects (or 192 subject points).

Students are required to complete 15 compulsory core subjects, one option subject and 8 specialisation subjects.

The specialisation subjects are normally undertaken following the completion of the core subjects.

The specialisation available are:

• Spatial Data Analysis (GIS, Remote Sensing);
• Environmental Restoration;
• Ecosystem Analysis.

Course structure

Students may only vary the following structures with the Course Coordinator's permission

Full-time study

• BIO100 Concepts of Biology
• GEO164 Earth System Processes
• GEO225 Concepts of Geology
• MTH105 Introductory Mathematics
• or (choice of two maths subjects)
• MTH101 Computer Aided Mathematics with Applications 1

• SPA105 Remote Sensing
• BIO200 Principles of Ecology
• PHY110 General Physics 1
• STA201 Scientific Statistics

• GEO209 Introduction to GIS
• CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
• BIO203 Animal Systematics
• GEO226 Soil & Land Survey

• BIO214 Evolutionary Ecology
• HRT202 Plant Identification
• SPA211 GIS Applications or
• BIO121 Principles of Microbiology (Environmental Restoration specialisation only)
• CHM112 Introductory Environmental Chemistry

Spatial Data Analysis (GIS/Remote Sensing) Specialisation

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology
• SPA307 Image Analysis
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry

• GEO227 Environmental Geology
• GEO302 Quaternary Geomorphology
• SPA312 Integrated GIS/Remote Sensing
• BIO303 Environmental Analysis

Environmental Restoration Specialisation

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry
• PSC301 Soil Management or
• BIO318 Quantitative Ecology

• BIO317 Restoration Ecology
• BIO303 Environmental Analysis
• BIO320 Conservation Biology 1
• BIO321 Conservation Biology 2

Ecosystem Analysis Specialisation

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology
• PSC301 Soil Management or
• BIO318 Quantitative Ecology
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry

• BIO303 Environmental Analysis
• GEO302 Quaternary Geomorphology
• PSC302 Water Resource Management
• BIO121 Principles of Microbiology

Distance education

• BIO100 Concepts of Biology
• GEO164 Earth System Processes

• SPA205 Remote Sensing
• BIO200 Principles of Ecology

• MTH105 Introductory Mathematics
• or
• MTH101 Computer Aided Mathematics with Applications 1
• GEO225 Concepts of Geology

• PHY110 General Physics 1
• STA201 Scientific Statistics

• GEO209 Introduction to GIS
• CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals

• BIO214 Evolutionary Ecology
• CHM112 Introductory Environmental Chemistry

• BIO203 Animal Systematics
• GEO226 Soil & Land Survey

• HRT202 Plant Identification
• SPA211 GIS Applications
• or
• BIO121 Principles of Microbiology (Environmental Restoration strand only)

Spatial Data Analysis Specialisation

• SPA307 Image Analysis
• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology

• SPA312 Integrated GIS/Remote Sensing
• GEO227 Environmental Geology

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry

• BIO303 Environmental Analysis
• GEO302 Quaternary Geomorphology

Ecosystem Analysis Specialisation

• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology
• BIO318 Quantitative Ecology
• or
• PSC301 Soil Management

• BIO121 Principles of Microbiology
• PSC302 Water Resource Management

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry

• BIO303 Environmental Analysis
• GEO302 Quaternary Geomorphology

Environmental Restoration Specialisation

• GEO313 Fluvial Geomorphology
• BIO318 Quantitative Ecology

• PSC301 Soil Management

• BIO320 Conservation Biology 1
• BIO321 Conservation Biology 2

• BIO310 Aquatic Biology
• CHM209 Environmental Chemistry

• BIO303 Environmental Analysis
• BIO317 Restoration Ecology

Inquiries

Course Coordinator
School of Science and Technology
Dr David Legg
Telephone: (02) 6933 2403
Facsimile: (02) 6933 2737
Email: dlegg@csu.edu.au