1999 Science Handbook - Bachelor of Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Science

General
Course objectives
Course requirements

General

Clayton campus
Course coordinator: Dr D C 'Bear' McPhail
Course code: 2340

The objectives of the BSc are common to this degree; however, there are other objectives that pertain more specifically to the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree. On completion of this degree, students will be able to:

use scientific thinking well and tackle problems using scientific methods, ie understand the importance of, and difference between, observation, interpretation, measurement, testing of hypotheses and prediction, particularly in the environment;
function effectively in at least two major traditional science fields, including atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, earth sciences and geography;
understand the multidisciplinary nature of science in the environment and integrate theory and practice from several disciplines;
contribute effectively to designing scientific and technical environmental monitoring and sampling programs;
see how scientific data need to be incorporated into a broader environmental context that includes aspects of politics, culture, economics, law and sociology, eg in environmental impact studies and environmental policy development;
communicate effectively with non-scientists in government, industry and the general public on environmental issues;
contribute effectively to designing sound environmental and resource management strategies;
choose from several career paths, eg environmental science, at least two traditional major disciplines, ie biology, chemistry, earth sciences and geography, and other more recent and future major disciplines, eg atmospheric science, aquatic ecology.

Course requirements

The BEnvSci consists of four years of full-time study (forty-eight points per year for a total of 192 points), during which a student can qualify for either a pass or honours degree. There are five core areas defined within the degree and students must choose to major in at least two of these:

Core area	Host department
Atmospheric science	Mathematics and Statistics, and Geography and Environmental Science
Biology/Ecology	Biological Sciences
Chemistry	Chemistry
Earth Sciences	Earth Sciences
Geography	Geography and Environmental Science

Note that it is highly recommended that students discuss their choice of subjects and programs at all year levels with environmental science representatives.

Level 1

Six or twelve points of biology chosen from BIO1011, BIO1022 or BIO1042
CHM1011 or CHM1031
ENV1011 and ENV1022
Six points of mathematics (MTH1210 recommended)
PHS1042
Six or twelve points of subjects chosen from level-one subjects offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties.

Level 2

ENV2011 and ENV2022
At least twelve points chosen from each of the following level-two disciplines: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, earth sciences and geography (24 points)
up to twelve points of subjects chosen from level-two subjects offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties

Levels 3 and 4

At the beginning of third year, students with a credit average or better may choose to undertake an honours degree in environmental science. Those students will be required to maintain or better their credit average and complete an honours thesis in their fourth year of study.

Levels 3 and 4 (pass degree)

ENV3011 and ENV3022 (12 points)
At least twenty-four points in each of the following level-three disciplines: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, earth sciences and geography (48 points)
The remaining thirty-six points can be taken from approved level-three and level-four subjects.

Levels 3 and 4 (honours degree)

ENV3011 and ENV3022 (12 points)
ENV4000 (honours thesis) (24 points)
At least twenty-four points in each of two major disciplines, chosen from atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, earth sciences and geography (48 points)
The remaining twelve points can be taken from approved level-three and level-four subjects.