UTS course code: C10117
UAC code: 607023
Testamur title: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology
Abbreviation: BSc
Course Director: Dr Alex Pulkownik
Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 144

Overview
Course aims
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure (2004 intake)
Course program (2004 intake)
Course program (pre-2004 intake)
Assessment
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

This course provides a degree in biological and environmental science and the skills to tackle complex environmental problems, such as an ability to apply sampling and measurement methods for such purposes as pollution monitoring, the preparation of environmental assessments, and the preparation of environmental management strategies, etc. One of the strengths of this degree is the integration of relevant field studies into many of the subjects. After foundation studies in the basic sciences, students specialise in the ecology and physiology of plants and animals, and in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Student also have the opportunity to enhance their specialisation by selecting subjects from among the electives offered by the Department of Environmental Sciences or other available electives (see Course structure below).

During their studies, students have the opportunity to take part in elective field trips (listed separately below) to many parts of eastern Australia, for example, north and south coast areas, Snowy Mountains, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, the far west, Jervis Bay and Heron Island. Students should note, however, that these excursions and other local field trips may be held in the weeks prior to semester and in other non-teaching weeks of the year, including weekends. The timetable for field trips scheduled to run in 2004 will be available prior to enrolment in late 2003. There is a cost associated with many field trips of more than one day, which is listed with the subject descriptions (see also Field subjects in Environmental Science below).

Course aims

This course aims to produce professional environmental scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific and field skills accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory. Graduates can expect to find employment as scientific officers with government agencies such as Sydney Water, Environment Protection Authority, Departments of Urban Affairs and Planning, Land and Water Conservation, and Fisheries; National Parks and Wildlife Service; museums and herbaria. They may also find employment with local government authorities; as technical and research officers with universities and colleges; as environmental consultants, or environmental, toxicological or biological scientists in private enterprise. Many organisations provide opportunities for graduates to undertake research projects for a higher degree in the Faculty.

Admission requirements

Australian students are required to apply for admission through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC). For school leavers, admission is based on UAI scores. We recommend that HSC studies include the following subjects: Mathematics, English and at least one science subject. Non-current school leavers should apply through UAC in addition to submitting a Personal Statement to UTS. Applications are taken from September to December each year.

International students should contact the UTS International Office for application procedures. In addition to academic requirements, students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements. Further details are available from the International Office.

Advanced standing

UTS recognises prior tertiary level learning, including that from other universities and TAFE (Associate Diploma and Diploma only). Once a student's application to study has been accepted, he or she may apply to receive recognition of successful prior learning, and may therefore be able to complete the course in less than the standard time. Applications for credits and exemptions should be made to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Science.

Attendance

Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. This enables a full stage of the course to be completed in one semester. Part-time attendance involves approximately 12 hours each week at the University; this form of attendance allows students to complete a full stage in one year.

Course duration

This course is offered over:

• three years, full time
• six years, part time
• four years, full time with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice, or
• four years, full time with Honours.

Other patterns of attendance may also be permitted. Contact the Course Director for advice.

Course structure (2004 intake)

The course consists of six academic stages but may include a period of industrial training that extends the minimum completion time to four years leading to the additional award of Diploma in Scientific Practice. The Environmental Biology course can also be combined with degrees in Business, Engineering, Law and International Studies.

The Environmental Biology course is divided into a major area of study, consisting of core environmental biology subjects and core support subjects (together totalling 102 credit points) that must be completed for the award of the degree, and elective subjects (42 credit points) that can constitute a coherent specialisation.

Students should be aware that electives and second majors in other science degree programs (see Second majors), or any combination of subjects from within the University, can alternatively be studied to complete the 42 credit points outside the core area. Elective subjects can be chosen from any program elsewhere within the Department, Faculty or University, provided students can satisfy the prerequisites. Information on prerequisites and subject timetables, etc., can be found in the Subject Descriptions section.

Course program (2004 intake)

Only the full-time program is shown here. For part-time studies, two subjects (12 credit points) are taken every semester, the choice of subjects being determined by the prerequisite conditions and timetabling; consult the Course Director regarding your choice of subjects.

Spring semester/Summer session
91153 Catchment Ecosystems² 6cp

Footnotes:
1. Only seven electives are to be taken during the course. It is possible to do an elective subject in Stage 2, if desired, instead of one of the electives in Stages 3 to 6.
2. Subject includes field excursion of more than one day. The cost included in the subject description is an indicative cost based on the previous year.

Elective subjects

The table below summarises the electives taught by the Department of Environmental Sciences. While many of these electives are currently available, some will only be offered at the appropriate time for 2004 intake. Other subjects from within the Faculty or outside the Faculty can be chosen as electives provided timetable and prerequisite constraints are met. For subjects taught outside the Department, students need to consult with the Course Director and obtain permission from the area responsible for the subject.

Course program (pre-2004 intake)

This is the program for continuing students only; only the full-time program is shown here. For part-time studies, consult Course Director regarding your choice of subjects.

Footnotes:
1. Formerly 91102 Functional Biology.
2. Formerly 91270 Plant Physiology.
3. Formerly 91309 Australian Biota.
4. Formerly 91363 Animal Ecophysiology.

Note: Some of the subjects are listed with new names, but old numbers. This was necessary to make them consistent with those in the new program.

Elective subjects and sub-major options

The table below summarises the pattern of electives taught by the Department of Environmental Sciences that are suggested for sub-majors in Pollution Ecology (PE), Wildlife Ecology (WE), Coastal and Marine Sciences (CMS) and Freshwater Ecology (FW). Some of the electives listed will not be offered after 2006.

You do not need to follow these recommendations and can select any of the available electives, provided the prerequisites are satisfied. All electives are 6 credit points. Other subjects from within the Faculty or outside the Faculty can be chosen as electives provided timetable and prerequisite constraints are met. For subjects taught outside the Department, you will need to consult with the Course Director and obtain permission from the area responsible for the subject.

Environmental Science electives (2004 intake)

A = Autumn semester S = Spring semester

Footnotes:
1. Available in Spring 2004; available in Autumn from 2006.
2. Available in Spring 2004/5 only; available in Autumn from 2005.
3. Not available every year, check timetable.
4. Available only in 2006.
5. Semester offered will vary from year to year.
6. Long excursion subject offered during July vacation break.
7. Long excursion subject offered during December vacation break.

Environmental Science electives (pre-2004 intake)

A = Autumn semester S = Spring semester

Footnotes:
1. Available in Spring semester 2004.
2. Next available in Spring semester 2005.
3. Available in Autumn semester 2004.
4. Next available in Autumn semester 2005.
5. Available in Autumn semester 2004 only.

Field subjects in Environmental Science

A number of core and elective subjects in this degree include a compulsory overnight excursion. The subject description includes an indicative cost based on the previous year. The department organises transport, accommodation and meals for all participants on a cost recovery basis. This allows compliance with EHS guidelines and, through bulk purchasing, cost minimisation. Nevertheless, students are permitted, following written request, to organise their own meals, accommodation and transport. Be advised, however, that students are expected to comply fully with the educational requirements of the excursion, including on-site attendance. Allowance cannot be made for vehicle breakdowns, or other unexpected events in these circumstances.

The subjects listed below are the elective field subjects, which are longer in duration than some of the core subjects and are generally scheduled in non-teaching weeks between semesters.

91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems 6cp
91370 Semi-arid Ecology 6cp
91371 Forest and Mountain Ecology 6cp

Assessment

Depending on the subjects chosen, students can expect to undergo a variety of assessment types before completion of this course including formal and informal examinations, assignments and essays, seminar presentations and reports based on field and laboratory work. Assessment tasks may be based on individual or group work. For further details on individual subjects, see the Subject Descriptions section, or contact the subject's coordinator.

Honours

The Honours program is designed to introduce students to more advanced coursework and to research work in environmental sciences. It allows selected students to continue on with postgraduate studies if desired and enhances their employment prospects. For further information, contact the Course Director and refer to the section on Honours degree courses.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology is fully recognised for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology Inc. and fully qualifies graduates as biological scientists with specialisation in environmental science.

Other information

All academic inquiries, including requests for advice on subject selection, exemptions and variations in program, should be made to:

Course Director, Environmental Biology
Dr Alex Pulkownik
Department of Environmental Science
telephone (02) 9514 4035
fax (02) 9514 4003, (02) 9514 4079
email Alex.Pulkownik@uts.edu.au

All students are encouraged to consult the departmental website:

www.science.uts.edu.au/des/index.html