Bachelor of Environmental Science

Bringing about real change in the way society interacts with the environment requires not only knowledge, but the ability to encourage community participation and coordinate community activities.

Your studies will involve in-depth examinations in biological, earth and social sciences. You will master the fundamental skills of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and develop your problem-solving skills on the many field trips offered throughout the degree. We actively encourage our students to do work experience during their studies. You will have opportunities to develop professional connections, and participate in field studies interstate and internationally.

Through Project LIVE, a learning approach that combines virtual and augmented reality, you will experience field trips in an entirely new way. In this unique environment, you'll access 3D drone photogrammetry, gigapixel photography, 360-degree panoramic photos and videos, and virtual reality headsets to analyse imagery and data relevant to your studies in environmental and/or geospatial sciences.

This degree has a highly supportive learning environment, with dedicated, internationally experienced staff. Our world-class facilities at Mawson Lakes - such as the multi-million dollar Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub - offer an inspiring environment for collaborative learning, innovation, sustainability and excellence.

With two more years of full time study (or 1.5 years with accelerated mode), you could use this degree to become a secondary school science teacher.

Your learning will cover ecology, geography, earth science, soil science, environmental quality, ecotourism and social sciences. To develop strong skills in an area that interests you, you will study a major in Ecology and Conservation or Environmental Quality and Earth Sciences. All students will also obtain minors in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Community Engagement.

Through Project LIVE, we'll provide you with access to cutting-edge digital imagery from your own local environments and further afield, along with tools to process and evaluate this data to critically assess its meaning. From aerial imagery of erosion patterns along the South Australian coastline and ancient landforms in central Australia, to infra-red surveys of vegetation health in Barossa Valley vineyards and satellite monitoring of ice sheet stability in Antarctica, this imagery will give you hands on experience in data creation and manipulation and help you become familiar with the latest digital imaging, mapping and spatial analysis techniques.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Employment prospects for environmental scientists is expected to increase by 11.3 percent by May 2023.1

Careers to consider:

• ranger: managing natural values (making sure the natural environment and cultural sites are protected); managing visitor services (helping visitors to enjoy and understand parks and reserves); extensive planning, researching, strategic thinking and people management to effectively balance conservation and recreational values of parks and reserves
• environmental adviser (construction): offering environmental support to construction sites; ensuring compliance with environmental regulations; helping to achieve environmental targets (e.g. sending zero waste to landfill); liaising with site teams, the client, stakeholders and other environmental teams
• land management officer: engaging with land managers to continuously improve management of their land and water through a whole of landscape approach to natural resources management; contributing to the operational management of parks and reserves; delivering on-ground works, community events, activities and minor projects
• sustainability officer: setting sustainability policies, goals and objectives; reducing a company's carbon footprint in compliance with government environmental regulations; developing partnerships (e.g. with government agencies and the community) to deliver environmental sustainability projects

1 Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections 2018