Bachelor of Environmental Science

• General information
• Course requirements
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stages 3 and 4
    • Stages 3 and 4 (pass degree)
    • Stages 3 and 4 (honours degree)

General information

Course code 2340 + Clayton campus
The Bachelor of Environmental Science is a course of four years full-time duration, during which a student can qualify for either a pass or honours degree. It is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in traditional areas of science (chemistry, earth sciences, biological sciences, physics, geography, mathematics) together with a range of subjects specifically targeting environmental issues (environmental policy and planning issues, environmental risk and impact assessment, sampling and monitoring methods for air, surface water, groundwater, soils, biological communities etc).

Course requirements

Students must complete a major sequence in at least two of the following core areas:

Note that it is highly recommended that students discuss their choice of units and programs at each stage with the environmental science core area advisors, as listed on the BEnvSc website at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/courses.BEnvSc/

Stage 1

• ENV1011 and ENV1022.
• Six points of biology (BIO1042 recommended).
• CHM1011 or CHM1031.
• Six points of mathematics (STA1010 recommended).
• Six points of physics (PHS1042 recommended).
• 12 points of units chosen from level-one units offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties.

Students are encouraged to select the two core areas in which they will develop their major sequences and to undertake the level-one requirements for each at stage 1. Note that units selected at stages 2, 3 and 4 need to satisfy requirements for a major sequence in two of the core areas.

Stage 2

• ENV2011 and ENV2022.
• At least 12 points must be chosen from each of two of the following core areas at level two: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography (24 points).
• Up to 12 points of units chosen from level-two units offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties.

Students should note that if they complete only 12 points towards one or both major sequences at stage 2, this will require a further 24 points of studies in that area at level three. If 18 points are taken toward the major sequence at level two, only 18 points of studies need be taken at level three to complete that major sequence.

Stages 3 and 4

At the end of stage 3, qualified students may choose to undertake an honours degree in environmental science and complete an honours thesis at stage 4 of the course. Those students will be required to achieve a distinction grade average (70 per cent) in 24 points of studies in relevant level-three units. These 24 points of studies will normally include either at least 18 points of units from the core areas related to the intended honours research project or at least 12 points from those areas in combination with at least one of the level-three ENV units. Any remaining points toward the 24-point entry requirement may be achieved from either another level-three ENV unit or from a unit in one of the other core areas. Students who have obtained an average of 65 to 69 per cent in that group of units may also be eligible for consideration if their other grades average at least 65 per cent. Such students should consult with the coordinator of the BEnvSci course.
Students who need to complete more than 24 points towards their two major sequences at stage 4 will be ineligible to enrol for the BEnvSci(Hons) degree, since this would preclude the completion of a 24 point thesis.

Stages 3 and 4 (pass degree)

• ENV3011 and ENV3022 (12 points)
• Additional points as required to complete a major sequence in each of two of the following fields of study at level three: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography (at least 48 points)
• The remaining points can be taken from approved level-three and level-four units (up to 36 points)

Stages 3 and 4 (honours degree)

• ENV3011 and ENV3022 (12 points)
• ENV4000 (honours thesis) (24 points)
• Additional points as required to complete a major sequence in each of two of the following fields of study: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography (at least 48 points)
• The remaining points can be taken from approved level-three and level-four units (up to 12 points)

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