- 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) | 2020
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.
At the completion of the degree, students who have met the required academic standard may enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Honours), subject to approval of the Head of School. See separate entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
| MLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC101 | Planet Earth | 6 | Autumn |
| SCII101 | Global Challenges in Science | 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 | |||
| EESC103 | Earth's Dynamic Surface | 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: When selecting 200 level subjects students should note the pre-requisites required for the 300-level subjects they wish to take. | |||
| Autumn Year 2 | |||
| BIOL251 | Principles of Ecology | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC207 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Spring |
| PHYS233 | Introduction to Environmental Physics | 6 | Autumn |
| *MATH151 MUST be completed by all students who have not completed NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent at Band 4 or higher | |||
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| Plus 6 Credit points of elective subjects from the General Elective Schedule, Science Schedule or from the list of suggested subjects below; | |||
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC203 | Biogeography and Environmental Change | 6 | Autumn |
| CRLP200 | Career Ready Learning & Practice | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| Spring Year 2 | |||
| 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 |
| Autumn Year 3 | |||
| 12 credit points from the list of suggested subjects below AND 12 credit points of elective subjects from the General Elective Schedule, Science Schedule or from the list of suggested subjects below; | |||
| Note: Students MUST complete a minimum of 24 Credit Points at 300 level or above | |||
| BIOL361 | Conservation Biology | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC323 | Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOS215 | 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 |
| GEOG338 | Planning Urban Futures | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring Year 3 | |||
| EESC331 | Changing Global Environments | 6 | Spring |
| Select ONE of the following two subjects; | |||
| SCII302 | Science Interdisciplinary Project | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
| EESC320 | Project Management in the Earth and Environmental Sciences | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| Plus 12 credit points from the list of subjects below | |||
| Note: Students MUST complete a minimum of 24 Credit points at 300 level or above | |||
| 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 |
| SCII302 | Science Interdisciplinary Project | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
| EESC320 | Project Management in the Earth and Environmental Sciences | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
Students are encouraged to consider taking a Minor study as part of the BSc program. Inclusion of a minor in support of your major area of study allows you to broaden your view, knowledge and expertise while specialising in areas of interest. Minors
Details on Minors can be found at 2020 Schedule of minors
Options include (but not limited too): Earth and Environmental Science, Geoscience, Physical Geography, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Biodiversity, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Geology, Marine Biology
A selection of research internships or project-based subjects may also be available to high achieving students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Entry into these subjects requires approval from the Head of School.
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