Bachelor of Environmental Science CA42

Program at a glance

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years external
Mode & Location: internal - ROK, Yr 1 - BDG/MKY (The Bachelor of Environmental Science is available full-time at CQU Bundaberg but with a restricted choice of plans and advanced level electives), external
Courses/Units of Credit: 24 courses/144 units of credit
Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences
Entry: QTAC (more info)
Accreditation: not applicable
Residential School: Some courses have a residential component for external students.
Practicum/Work placement: not applicable
Exit awards: not applicable
Interim awards: not applicable
Contact: Program Advisor on 07 4930 9253 or email ahs-program1@cqu.edu.au
International students: International students studying in Australia must study full-time, on-campus.
CRICOS program codes: ROK - 029850G

Program aim

The Bachelor of Environmental Science is a multidisciplinary degree that provides graduates with theoretical and practical skills for employment in fields related to ecologically sustainable development (including both the human and natural environment).

The program develops practical skills to solve environmental problems and provides an appreciation of the roles of environmental planning, environmental law and advocacy and lays the foundations for graduates to effectively communicate with environmental stakeholders.

The program is designed to ensure students combine the insights of the chemical/biological sciences with those of the humanities/social sciences and other disciplines. Courses from degree-level disciplines including business, mathematics and engineering may be available as electives.

Level 1 provides a foundation in environmental studies as well as developing generic skills in the sciences and social sciences/humanities. Level 1 courses emphasise the multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies.

Level 2 and Level 3 courses provide progressive specialisation. Considerable scope is allowed in the choice of electives such that students can develop a particular emphasis in science, humanities/social science, occupational health and safety, or in other fields. Alternatively, students may opt for a broad-based degree with a range of advanced level courses.

Bridging courses are available for students who do not have a strong background in biology or chemistry, or who have been away from study for an extended period.

Entry to Honours and postgraduate courses are available in some discipline areas, subject to meeting entry requirements. Intending honours students should seek information from the staff in the relevant discipline area before they complete their final year enrolment.

Career options

Environmental scientist/consultant, environmental surveying, environmental rehabilitation, remote sensing, occupational health, policy development, environmental monitoring (compliance), geographic information systems, environmental modelling, environmental management, environmental research.

Program structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 courses or 144 units of credit as outlined below:

Course Code Course Title
Level 1 core courses:
GEOG11023 Physical Geography of Australia (b)
SOCL11055 Introduction to Sociology
ENVR11011 Environmental Science A
  Elective
GEOG11024 Conservation in Australia (b)
SOCL11058 Science Technology & Society
ENVR11012 Environmental Science B
  Elective
Advanced core courses
LAWS11046 Law & the Environment
ECON19031 Environmental Economics
First year full-time enrolment
Term 1 (T1)
GEOG11023 Physical Geography of Australia (b)
ENVR11011 Environmental Science A
SOCL11055 Introduction to Sociology
  Elective
Term 2 (T2)
GEOG11024 Conservation in Australia (b)
SOCL11058 Science Technology & Society
ENVR11012 Environmental Science B
  Elective
First year part-time enrolment
T1
ENVR11011 Environmental Science A
and one from:
GEOG11023 Physical Geography of Australia (b)
SOCL11055 Introduction to Sociology
  Elective
T2
ENVR11012 Environmental Science B
and one from:
GEOG11024 Conservation in Australia (b)
SOCL11058 Science Technology & Society
  Elective

Environmental electives

Plan 1

Course Code Course Title
Level 1 Experimental Sciences
ZOOL11055 Foundation Animal Biology
BOTN11004 Foundation Plant Biology
CHEM11007 Introductory Concepts of Chemical Sciences
CHEM11008 Essential Principles of Chemical Sciences
Advanced Level Experimental Sciences
PHYG12003 Geological Science
MBIO19003 Introductory Microbiology
ZOOL11001 Invertebrate Zoology
ZOOL19002 Chordate Zoology
BOTN12010 Botany of Aquatic Environments
BOTN19001 Terrestrial Botany
EVST12013 Water Quality Management
MBIO13007 Microbial Ecology
EVST13014 Aquatic Systems
MARN13007 Coastal Marine Resources
ZOOL19004 Insect Biology
BOTN13002 Plans & the Environment
BIOL13031 Ecology A
ZOOL13014 Aquatic Physiology
CHEM10016 Environmental Chemistry
CHEM13080 Analytical Science

Plan 2

Students will select their six advanced level courses from the GEOG and EVST courses shown below. Some students may be eligible to take the Humanities Research Topics (HUMT13006 and/or HUMT13007, which offer students the opportunity to engage in individual research topics in the field of environmental geography) as additional electives, but will need to consult with the Head of the School of Humanities before permission to enrol is granted.

Complete six of the following courses to comprise a Geography plan:

Course Code Course Title
Advanced Level Geography
GEOG19021 Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing refer notes (a) (b)
GEOG19022 Graphic & Cartographic Techniques refer notes (a) (b)
GEOG19029 Applied Demography
EVST19007 Environmental & Social Impact Assessment
EVST19008 Environmental Management
EVST19015 Environmental History
EVST19020 Environmental Management Systems refer notes (b) (c)

The two additional electives are (subject to the Head of School Humanities approval prior to enrolment):

Course Code Course Title
HUMT13006 Humanities Research Topic or
HUMT13007 Humanities Research Topic

Notes:

Plan 3

Course Code Course Title
Advanced Level Sociology
SOCL19057 Environmental Sociology
SOCL19060 Human Ecology
SOCL19062 Policy, Power & Politics
SOCL19065 Rural Sociology
SOCL19066 Community Analysis
SOCL19070 Health & Medical Sociology
SOCL19076 Social Sciences Research Topic

Plan 4

Course Code Course Title
Advanced Level Occupational Health & Safety
OCHS12001 Introductory Occupational Health & Safety
OCHS12005 Risk Management & Safety Technology
OCHS13011 Occupational Rehabilitation & Compensation
OCHS13008 Human Factors
OCHS13016 Occupational Health, Hygiene & Toxicology
OCHS13010 Applied Worksite Analysis

Other relevant electives

Course Code Course Title
Level 1
BIOL110008 Introduction to Field Biology
any Mathematics, Statistics or Computing courses
Advanced Level
ENEV20005 Environmental Planning & Economics #
EVST20012 Water Management #
EVST20002 Land Management & Rehabilitation #
PHYS13068 Acoustics & Vibrations
MBIO19004 Humans, Microbes and Disease
ZOOL13003 Comparative Physiology
BIOL12050 Industrial Placement

# Full-fee course which forms part of the GradCert/GradDip of Environmental Management. Inclusion requires approval of the Course Coordinator.

Other electives

Students may select up to 6 other relevant courses from other Faculty degree programs subject to approval.

For example, some students may wish to consider a sequence of courses such as:

Course Code Course Title
Level 1
MATH11163 Mathematics 1A
MATH11164 Mathematics 1B
STAT11048 Essential Statistics
Advanced Level
STAT13035 Applied Multivariate Statistics
COIT12120 System Simulation

Note: Students intending to undertake honours or postgraduate studies should include at least one statistics and/or methodology course in their program. For other students such courses are desirable but not essential. Courses should be selected in consultation with staff and include:

Course Code Course Title
Advanced Level
SOCL19066 Community Analysis
SOCL19069 Social Research Methods
NURS13102 Introduction to Health Research
BIOL12105 Biological Experimentation

Note: In their first year full-time students should select two electives in addition to the six compulsory Level 1 courses, while new, part-time students typically select Environmental Science A & B plus one additional course in Autumn and Winter term.