Overview
Overview
Global environmental problems require innovative solutions from creative thinkers with a deep scientific understanding of the environment, including its underlying physical, chemical and biological processes. Environmental scientists focus on applying scientific techniques to study interactions between people and the rest of the world, including living and non-living environments.
This major is part of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours). It provides a flexible and personalised approach to studying environmental science. You'll be able to explore the field through immersive research experiences, industry placement and/or interdisciplinary team-based projects. You'll have opportunities to undertake internal and external internships and source immersive work experience, which can be used for course credit.
Your first years of study provide a foundation for studying the physical, chemical and biological conditions of various environments and their effects on organisms.
Later, you’ll cover topics such as conservation biology and sustainability, chemical structure and spectroscopy, ecotoxicology, analytical chemistry, environmental impact assessment, environmental restoration, ecology and environmental geoscience.
You'll complete your studies with a capstone experience.
How this course will make you industry ready
- You'll have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of industry experts.
- Through embedded research and industry engagement you'll have the opportunity to investigate multiple areas of specialisation and tailor you final year experience that prepares you for the industry of your choice.
What jobs can the Environmental Science (Advanced) course lead to?
Careers
- Conservation scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental scientist
- Mine restoration consultant
- Natural resource manager
- Remediated lands consultant
Industries
- Environmental
- Government policy and planning
- Research and development
- Urban and regional planning
Find out more in our advice article, Green Futures, Environmental Careers.
What you'll learn
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the nature of science, its methods and processes, and an advanced knowledge in environmental science area; contribute new knowledge to the field of Environmental Science.
- Critically analyse challenging and multi-faceted environmental problems, address them by applying practical and theoretical tools; critically evaluate findings within the current body of disciplinary knowledge.
- Access and make judgements on the value of available knowledge using a variety of tools, and incorporate them into the planning, conduct and communication of their own work.
- Communicate approaches and solutions, ideas and findings to informed professional scientific and industry audiences.
- Use established and emerging technologies related to Environmental Science and apply them within the context of the profession.
- Engage in self-driven continuous discipline and professional education and training in Environmental Science.
- Participate in the generation and application of science in addressing global problems; demonstrate compliance with international ethical and professional standards.
- Work collaboratively and respectfully with scientists from a range of cultural backgrounds and understand the cultural issues that impact research in Environmental Science or the broader profession.
- Be able to work as an independent environmental scientist and collaboratively within teams either as a professional leader or collaborator using effective problem solving and decision making skills within the professional context of their area of study.