C10227v1 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Forensics

Overview

This course provides graduates with skills for careers in the new and fast-developing discipline of environmental forensics that is integral to the processes of environmental protection. It focuses on studies of living and non-living components of the environment, and on the impacts of human use of environmental resources on the ecosystem function.

The course has an interdisciplinary approach that allows students to gain skills and knowledge through theoretical and practice-based field and laboratory studies of ecology and environmental chemistry, and to understand the importance of investigatory scientific evidence in the legal and regulatory framework that governs the environmental protection process.

This course also allows students to develop a science speciality.

This cross-disciplinary course gives students the opportunity to combine studies of environmental biology, chemistry and law with a choice of further specialisations, ecosystem studies, analytical chemistry or molecular biology. It is attractive to students who are interested in the broad application of science to other disciplines without necessarily undertaking a combined degree.

Course aims

The course aims to produce professional environmental scientists with a solid scientific background in environmental protection, thereby enabling them to contribute to environmental management, policy and planning processes. Graduates gain scientific training and an understanding of the legal framework underlying environmental protection.

Career options

Career options include positions in both government and private industry and in environment protection and natural resource management as environmental analysts and consultants, environmental scientists and managers, policy advisors and planners. Students can also develop careers in teaching (in the secondary or TAFE sector, or as education officers) or in research (as research officers for organisations, universities or CSIRO). Graduates can also choose to continue their training by undertaking an Honours year or postgraduate studies.

Additional assumed knowledge

Mathematics; any two units of English; and any two units of science.

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered over three years of full-time study, six years of part-time study, four years of full-time study with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice (not available to international students), or four years of full-time study with Honours.

Students can also undertake the Graduate Diploma in Education to prepare them for secondary science teaching. This involves one further year of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

Other patterns of attendance are also permitted.

Course structure

The course comprises a total of 144 credit points, made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points of electives.

It is strongly recommended that students obtain advice from the Course Director regarding their choice and sequence of elective subjects for this degree.

Course completion requirements

Course program

A typical program is shown below.

Honours

Honours is available as an additional year to meritorious students.

Other information

Further information is available from: