Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The course provides students with a solid foundation in traditional areas of science (chemistry, geosciences, biological sciences, physics, geography, mathematics) together with a range of units specifically targeting environmental issues including environmental policy and planning, environmental risk and impact assessment, sampling and monitoring methods for air, surface water, groundwater, soils, and biological communities.

The course can be taken as either a pass or honours degree.

Upon completion of this course, students will have skills and knowledge in a traditional area of science and an understanding of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of science in the environment. Graduates will be able to contribute effectively to designing scientific and technical environmental monitoring and sampling programs, to conduct environmental studies, and to contribute to environmental policy development.

Course progression requirements

To be admitted to the honours program students are required to have completed 144 points of study including all stage 1-3 requirements, and have achieved 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 at least 18 points of units in the area of study in which they wish to undertake honours. Students who have obtained an average of 65-69 per cent in their main third-year sequence may also be eligible for consideration if they have also obtained an average of at least 65 per cent in their remaining level three units and the relevant head of school supports their application.

Students must complete the studies as described below, including core units, and a major and minor sequence in different areas of science. The requirements to complete a major and/or minor sequence in an area of science are described in the 'Science areas of study and sequences - Clayton' section of this handbook available via http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/undergrad/sci.html.

Over the four stages of the course students must complete a total of 192 credit points of studies including:

At stages 1-3 of the course, all students must complete:

• six core environmental science units (36 points)
• a level-one mathematics or statistics unit (6 points)
• at least one level-one chemistry unit (6 points)
• at least one level-one biology unit (6 points)
• one level-one physics unit (6 points)
• a major and a minor sequence in different science areas of study

The major and minor sequences must be selected from two of the five following areas of study:

• atmospheric science
• biological sciences
• chemistry
• geosciences
• geography and environmental science.

Note: It is highly recommended that students discuss their choice of units and program at each stage with the environmental science course coordinator and core area advisers.

At stage four of the course the program of study will be determined by the course progression requirements and/or the student's interests and will comprise either:

• 48 points of level-four science units, in accordance with the requirements of course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 48 points of units as required to complete two major sequences, or a double major and minor sequence (in different areas of study from two of the five areas of study listed above) plus any additional elective units to take the total credit points to 192.

Note: Students must complete a minimum of four level-three science units, with no more than ten level-one units overall.

Recommended program of study

Stage one

• CHM1011 Chemistry or CHM1031 Chemistry in context I
• ENV1011 Planet earth and its environment: the cosmic connection
• ENV1022 Australian physical environments: evolution, status and management
• either SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning, or 6 points of mathematics (recommended STA1010 Statistical methods for science)*
• 6 points of biology (recommended BIO1042 Environmental biology)
• 6 points of physics (recommended PHS1042 Physics, energy and the environment)
• 12 points of units chosen from level one units offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties

Note: If necessary, students may use ENV1011 (Planet earth and its environment: The cosmic connection) and ENV1022 (Australian physical environments: Evolution, status and management) as a level one sequence for a major or minor sequence in geography and environmental science or geosciences.

Students are encouraged to select at least two, and preferably three, core areas in which they may develop their major and minor sequences and to undertake the level one requirements for each at stage one.

Students may complete up to 60 points of level one units and if necessary may delay completing the physics requirement to their second year of study.

* The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests. SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) requires the student to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or approved equivalent).

Stage two

• ENV2011 Environmental policy and management
• ENV2022 Environmental analysis 1: Sampling and at least 12 points of units offered in each of two of the following core study areas at level two (24 points):
• atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography plus up to 12 points of units chosen from level one or level two units offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties

Stage three

• ENV3011 Environmental analysis 2: decision making
• ENV3022 Environmental technology
• additional points as required to complete a major and a minor sequence (in different areas of study) from units offered in the following study areas at level three: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography and environmental science (at least 48 points)
• the remaining points can be taken from units offered by the Faculty of Science or other faculties (up to 12 points)

Stage four

Pass degree

Additional points as required to complete two major sequences, or a double major and a minor sequence (in different areas of study) from units offered in the following study areas: atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geosciences and geography and environmental science.

The remaining points from relevant units to complete an individual program developed between the student and the course coordinator. This program will involve units in the science areas relevant to environmental science, environmental engineering, law, and business, and will take into account the interests of the student.

Honours degree

Students complete 48 points of level four science units, in accordance with the requirements for the Honours degree of Bachelor of Science in one of the five study areas included in this degree.

Bachelor of Environmental Science

The honours degree of Bachelor of Environmental Science

Where more than one award is listed the actual award(s) conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved, or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.