C10117v5 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology

Overview

This course provides students with the skills to tackle complex environmental problems. It aims to produce professional environmental scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific and field skills accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory. Students specialise in ecology and physiology of plants and animals in freshwater, marine, coastal and terrestrial ecosystems.

This course has a strong practical and management focus in the area of ecosystem protection. The structure allows for in-depth studies at a senior level in a number of areas such as conservation and management of freshwater (and groundwater), coastal/marine and terrestrial environments and pollution and other environmental impacts on native plants and wildlife. Students study current environmental problems with biologists, ecologists and ecotoxicologists.

Career options

Career options include research scientist or scientific officer in organisations concerned with environmental and biological research, environmental protection, national parks and wildlife, and water and coastal resources, in a museum or as an environmental consultant. Graduates may also choose to continue their training by undertaking an Honours year or postgraduate studies.

Additional assumed knowledge

Mathematics; English; and at least one science subject.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered over three years full time, six years part time or four years full time with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice (not available to international students), or four years full time with Honours. Other patterns of attendance may also be permitted.

Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. Part-time attendance involves approximately 12 hours each week at the University.

Course structure

The Environmental Biology course comprises 144 credit points of study and consists of six academic stages. The course is divided into two major areas of study, consisting of core environmental biology subjects and core support subjects (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 or a wider experience in a number of specialist areas.

Subjects offered as electives are reviewed on a regular basis and some are offered only in alternate years or in response to student demand. It is strongly recommended that students obtain advice from the Course Director regarding their choice and sequence of elective subjects for this degree.

Industrial training/professional practice

Course completion requirements

Course program

The course commences in Autumn semester and has 24 credit points of electives that may be taken as a sub-major. The 18-credit-point option in Year 3 Spring semester must consist of subjects from the Faculty of Science. The example program shown assumes full-time attendance.

Honours

Professional recognition

Australian Institute of Biology Inc.

Other information

Further information, including requests for advice on subject selection, exemptions and variations in program, is available from: