- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of Science (Environment)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
In this course you will study the interaction of living and non-living elements of planet Earth, along with past and present human impacts. You will combine fieldwork, practical experience and research in geosciences, chemistry and the biological sciences to investigate environmental issues and propose strategies and solutions to address these problems. You will use multidisciplinary techniques and approaches, including mapping, laboratory and field data collection and observations to develop an understanding of the environment, and the ethical, social, economic and political aspects that are needed for environmental decision making.
Subject to satisfactory performance, and the approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students, you may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) at the completion of your 100 level subjects.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the trends, processes and impacts that shape the Earth and its environment including local, national, global, cultural, Indigenous and spatial perspectives.
2. Critically evaluate information and data to assess scientific methods and frameworks in the environmental sciences.
3. Develop hypotheses and experiments to test against evidence-based scientific facts, laws, principles and evidence.
4. Identify and articulate real world problems derived from the environmental sciences.
5. Apply knowledge and appropriate techniques, including those associated with fieldwork, to evaluate possible solutions to real world problems and defend choice of solution against alternatives.
6. Locate, synthesise and evaluate data, information, results and literature pertaining to the environmental sciences using appropriate methods, measurements, tools and technologies.
7. Communicate environmental science perspectives and knowledge effectively to a range of audiences using appropriate technologies and communication skills.
8. Demonstrate ethical, professional, public and personal conduct and capacity to reflect on and direct own learning and practice and participate constructively in decision-making within the context of environmental sciences.
Course Structure
Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year. Students interested in transferring to the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (four year degree) should note that they will need to complete MATH151 as additional load.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC101 | Planet Earth | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC103 | Earth's Dynamic Surface | 6 | Autumn |
| Select ONE of the following subjects: | |||
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| EESC102 | Earth Environments and Resources | 6 | Spring |
| EESC105 | Introductory Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Spring |
| Select ONE of the following subjects: | |||
| CHEM102 | Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM105 | Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures | 6 | Spring |
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL251 | Principles of Ecology | 6 | Autumn |
| PHIL256 | Ethics and the Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| PHYS233 | Introduction to Environmental Physics | 6 | Autumn |
| Select ONE subject from the following list: | |||
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC203 | Biogeography and Environmental Change | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A (if required) | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| CHEM214 | Analytical and Environmental Chemistry | 6 | Spring |
| EESC202 | Shaping Earth's Surface | 6 | Spring |
| EESC207 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2017 |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Year 3 | |||
| Core | |||
| EESC320 | Capstone in Earth and Environmental Science | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| ENVI331 | Changing Global Environments | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| Options | |||
| Plus 36 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL361 | Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| EESC323 | Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| EESC332 | Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Paleoenvironments | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM324 | Instrumental Analysis | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM337 | Environmental Chemistry | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| EESC321 | Plate Tectonics, Macrotopography and Earth History | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| EESC209 | G-cubed: Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2017 |
| EESC322 | Coastal Environments: Process and Management | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| EESC326 | Resources and Environments | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| BIOL365 | Marine and Terrestrial Ecology | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| BIOL252 | Evolution and Behaviour | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM370 | Modern Inorganic & Bio-inorganic Chemistry | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| GEOG332 | Environmental and Heritage Management* | 8 | Spring |
| Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator. | |||
*Subject is expected to be replaced with a 6 credit point version from 2018
Honours
See separate entry for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours).
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au