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:
- 8-10 courses at Level 1 (48-60 uc)
- 14-16 courses from Advanced Level options (84-96 uc) with at least 10 courses (60 uc) from the list of Recommended Environmental Electives, including 6 courses (36 uc) at advanced level in a particular plan
- 8 core courses, 6 at Level 1 and 2 at advanced.
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 |
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):
Notes:
- (a) Recommended for Year 2 of study
- (b) Students enrolling in these Geography courses will need access to a computer with Internet and email capabilities including a CD Rom. These requirements will vary among the Geography courses. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PC's at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.
- (c) Recommended for Year 3 of study
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.