UTS course code: C10221
UAC code: 607033
Testamur title: Bachelor of Science in Urban Ecology
Abbreviation: BSc
Course Director: Dr Jane Tarran
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
Course program
Assessment
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

The course provides graduates with the skills to address environmental issues in urban ecosystems through interdisciplinary studies involving both natural and built environments, offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. The course focuses on the plants, animals and micro-organisms of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in both natural and urban areas, and the interactions of these living organisms with the non-living components of ecosystems. After foundation studies in the basic sciences, students specialise in ecology, studying plants, animals and micro-organisms in a range of ecosystems. Students also undertake studies of the built environment, including the evolution, structure and environmental impact of cities, the design of buildings, and planning and design processes. Elective subjects within the course enable students to specialise further in areas of particular interest to them, such as plant and animal biology and ecology, or design in relation to sustainability, with regard to the ways people construct the built environment, live and work. Students gain a wide range of relevant skills and knowledge through studies involving theory, laboratory sessions, discussions and seminars, site visits, fieldwork and projects.

Course aims

The course aims to produce professional environmental scientists with an in-depth understanding of the urban environment as well as practical scientific and field skills to address urban environmental issues. Graduates are highly adaptable and able to work productively in interdisciplinary teams involving other professional colleagues. Graduates can expect to develop careers in a range of areas, including as a biological scientist, ecologist or environmental manager in private enterprise or with local, state and commonwealth agencies. Such agencies include those managing parks, reserves and bushland, national parks and wildlife, environment protection, water and catchments. Career opportunities are also available as an environmental and landscape consultant, in botanic gardens and museums, as a manager of commercial open space areas, or as an education officer. The course also provides the underpinning knowledge and practical skills for graduates to pursue a career in research by undertaking an Honours degree.

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.

Course duration

This course is offered on a three-year, full-time, or equivalent part-time, basis. An additional Honours year (fourth year, full-time) can be undertaken.

Course structure

The Urban Ecology degree consists of core subjects and elective subjects. All students enrolled in the degree must satisfactorily complete all core subjects for award of the degree and, in addition, must complete the required number of credit points of elective subjects. Students generally choose elective subjects to specialise in areas of particular interest to them. Electives may be selected from subjects offered by the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, or from other faculties at UTS. Recommended electives are shown in the tables below.

Course program

Full-time program

Spring semester/Summer session
91153 Catchment Ecosystems¹ 6cp

Footnotes:
1. This subject includes a field excursion of more than one day. The cost included in the subject description is an indicative cost based on the previous year.
2. Electives can be selected from the faculties of Science, or Design, Architecture and Building, or other faculties at UTS.

Elective subjects

Elective subjects offered may change from year to year. Consult the timetable for the availability of specific elective subjects.

Recommended electives offered by the Faculty of Science

A = Autumn semester S = Spring semester

Footnotes:
1. Long excursion subject offered during the July break.
2. Long excursion subject offered during the July break; not offered every year – check the timetable.
3. Long excursion subject offered during the December break; not offered every year – check the timetable.

Recommended electives offered by the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building¹

Sustainable Built Environment electives

Footnotes:
1. Refer to the Subject Descriptions section for details regarding semesters in which subjects are offered.

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 research work in environmental science. 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 see the section on Honours degree courses.

Professional recognition

With appropriate choice of electives, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Urban Ecology meet the requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology Inc. and are qualified 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, Urban Ecology
Dr Jane Tarran
Department of Environmental Sciences
telephone (02) 9514 4038
fax (02) 9514 4003
email Jane.Tarran@uts.edu.au