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University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

  • 12% international / 88% domestic

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecology & Conservation)

  • Bachelor

Discover more about the relationship between people, the environment and other organisms, the impacts of humans on biodiversity and the environment, and how we can live more sustainably.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$8,296 per year
ATAR
65.6

About this course

Overview
  • Discover more about the relationship between people, the environment and other organisms, the impacts of humans on biodiversity and the environment, and how we can live more sustainably.
  • Learn about Indigenous relationships with country and how this knowledge and perspective can be incorporated into natural resource management.
  • Learn the scientific and ecological theory underpinning land management and biodiversity conservation.
  • Explore types of ecological and biophysical data, sampling organisms and the environment and the design of ecological experiments.
  • Develop skills and hands-on industry experience with extensive ecological field work across a range of ecosystems as well as site visits, residential schools and laboratory sessions, and over 100 hours of industry placements.
  • Learn from our expert lecturers coordinating research projects in topics such as soil biodiversity enhancing plant defences to pests; land management effects on soil microbial diversity; and impacts of bushfires and cultural burning on native grasslands and invasive plant control.
Further study

Graduates may choose to undertake further study in environmental science (e.g. Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science, or PhD) in collaboration with one of our closely aligned research centres: Centre for Applied Climate Sciences and Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems.

Thinking of studying in 2024? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education
Adjusted
Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances).
Unadjusted
Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university.
65.60
-
Pre-requisites

To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C)

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.

  • Subject pre-requisite: General Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.
  • Recommended prior study: Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C) and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent. If students do not have the recommended Mathematical Methods level for entry then they will be required to undertake MAT1000 Mathematics Fundamentals as an elective.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Study locations

Toowoomba

External

Distance

Online

Career pathways

Career outcomes
  • Graduates may find work as an environmental officer or scientist, landscape ecologist, conservation and biodiversity officer, conservation biologist, biosecurity officer, environmental consultant, researcher or educator.
  • Graduates may work for resources/mining industries, national parks, universities, defence organisations, CSIRO, State and Federal Government departments, and other organisations contributing to sustainable utilisation and management of our natural resources.

Course structure

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units. Most courses (similar to 'subjects') are valued at 1 unit. To study full-time you would usually complete 4 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units Core courses 8 1 x 8-unit major 8 8 x electives, or
1 x second 8-unit major, or
2 x 4-unit minors, or
1 x 4-unit minor and 4 x electives 8 Total 24
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.
Residential schools

If you are enrolled in the External study mode in this degree, you will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials, use the facilities and meet staff and other students.

Intensive residential schools and extensive field trips are integrated throughout the major in courses including in Applied Terrestrial Ecology, The Australian Biota, and Ecological Methods.

How to apply

How to apply
Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
External 907375
Toowoomba 906441

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check our application closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.

The closing dates for applying directly to UniSQ are:

  • Semester 1, 2023 - applications close on 20 February and the Semester 1 study period commences on Monday 20 February, 2023.
  • Semester 2, 2023 - applications close on 10 July and the Semester 2 study period commences on Monday 10 July, 2023.

Select to start your degree in one of the following intakes:

  • Trimester 1, 2024 - applications close 22 January 2024 and the Trimester 1 study period starts on 22 January 2024.
  • Trimester 2, 2024 - applications close 13 May 2024 and the Trimester 2 study period starts on 13 May 2024.
  • Trimester 3, 2024 - applications close 2 September 2024 and the Trimester 3 study period starts on 2 September 2024.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.