2019 Undergraduate Courses
  • 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) | 2019

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 Coordinator 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

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science (Environment), a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points, as outlined below.

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.

Students Completing a Double Degree

For students completing the Environment major as part of a double degree, please go to the approved program of study for the Environment Major in a Double Degree.

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's Interconnected Spheres 6 Spring
EESC105 Introductory Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, 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
EESC207 Advanced Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
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 6 Autumn, Summer 2019/2020
Spring
CHEM214 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry 6 Spring
EESC202 Shaping Earth's Surface 6 Spring
PHIL256 Environmental Philosophy: Animals, Nature and Ethics 6 Spring
STAT252 Statistics For the Natural Sciences 6 Spring
Year 3
Core
EESC320 Capstone:Earth and Environmental Sciences 6 Spring
EESC331 Changing Global Environments 6 Spring
Plus 36 credit points of subjects from the following list:
BIOL361 Conservation Biology 6 Autumn
EESC323 Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology 6 Autumn
EESC332 Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments 6 Autumn
CHEM324 Chemical Analysis and Inference 6 Autumn
CHEM337 Environmental Chemistry 6 Autumn
EESC321 Plate Tectonics, Macrotopography and Earth History 6 Autumn
EESC209 G-cubed: Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics 6 Spring
EESC322 Coastal Environments: Process and Management 6 Spring
EESC326 Resources and Environments 6 Spring
BIOL365 Marine and Terrestrial Ecology 6 Spring
BIOL252 Evolution and Behaviour 6 Spring
CHEM370 Modern Inorganic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry 6 Spring
GEOG337 Policy for Environmental and Heritage Management 6 Spring
GEOG338 Planning Urban Futures 6 Autumn
Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.

Honours

Please click the subject codes in the above table for information on sessions of offer for each subject at different locations. For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.

See separate entry for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours).

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Other Information

For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 10 November, 2018