Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability)
2020 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2020 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) |
| Course Map | If you started your course before 2020, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 075361K Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | S398 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Combining the latest research with extensive fieldwork, the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) prepares you to adapt to global change and implement sustainability strategies both locally and globally.
Want to play a key role in tackling the world’s most pressing environmental problems?
Study environmental management and sustainability and help develop solutions to some of the biggest environmental issues we face on a national and international scale. This course arms you with the skills you need to use science and modern sustainability measures to protect natural resources and improve the health of our planet.
Throughout the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability), you’ll explore the roles science and society play in achieving global sustainability. You’ll consider sustainability from all angles, from resource efficiency and management to environmental policy, and workshop innovative ways to satisfy society’s needs for clean water, fresh air and healthy soil through sustainable use of natural resources.
With an emphasis on fieldwork and industry-based learning, everything you learn in the classroom will be tried, tested and challenged in real life. Our passionate, industry-connected teachers break down leading-edge research into easy-to-understand concepts, so you can carry the theory you learn in the class out into the field.
Fieldwork opportunities take you to a diverse range of sites and environments, from coastal and national parks, sustainability centres to businesses and industry. During these trips you’ll get the chance to practise advanced field skills, such as:
- animal and plant identification
- water quality analysis
- use of global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing
- environmental impact assessment.
You’ll also have the opportunity to steer your studies towards your interests and career aspirations by choosing elective units in areas such as coastal and marine management, pollution, waste, climate change, wildlife conservation, sustainable city planning, and environmental health.
Through the professional practice unit, you’ll be exposed to at least 80 hours of professional industry experience at a relevant host organisation. You'll develop skills in leadership, critical thinking and communication that enhance your employability.
This unique experience and skill set prepares you for work in a variety of areas, including:
- environmental management
- pollution control
- land rehabilitation
- wildlife management and conservation
- water resources management
- environmental education
- environmental and sustainability science.
Once you’ve gained five years’ experience working in the environmental industry, you may be eligible to become a Certified Environmental Practitioner through the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ). For full membership details, visit
https://www.eianz.org/membership-information/membership-categories.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Career opportunities
Your deep understanding of sustainability and extensive fieldwork experience will set you up for career success in a variety of areas:
- environmental planning and policy
- sustainability
- environmental protection
- climate change adaptation and mitigation
- industry-based environmental management
- waste management
- environmental education
- catchment management
- water resource management
- land rehabilitation
- pollution control
- environmental science
- conservation
- coastal and park management.
Participation requirements
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Course expenses
In addition to student contribution fees, students should be aware that they may be required to meet their own expenses in connection with food and accommodation while on fieldwork.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the environmental sciences (natural and social sciences) and a depth of knowledge in environmental management and sustainability. Integrate and apply knowledge and skills, safely, ethically and objectively, within a range of diverse contexts – professional, community, lab and field settings. |
| Communication | Communicate information, conclusions and arguments clearly and coherently to specialist and non-specialist audiences for a range of purposes and in a variety of modes. |
| Digital literacy | Identify and use appropriate digital technologies to locate and evaluate information and communicate with a range of stakeholders in environmental management and sustainability. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse and evaluate information from an interdisciplinary range of sources in order to define and provide solutions to real-world environmental problems integrating the principles of the triple-bottom line. |
| Problem solving | Apply traditional and emerging information, technologies and methods to collect, record, collate, investigate and solve real world and ill-defined problems in environmental management and sustainability. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate an ability to work and learn independently and take responsibility for personal actions by:undertaking self-directed learning;working responsibly, safely and ethically in evolving contexts within the field of environmental management and sustainability. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate responsibility and accountability when undertaking different roles to work effectively, ethically and safely in diverse team contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Articulate the diverse array of professional, academic and community contexts in which environmental management and sustainability graduates may work.Explain ethical practices and recognise the social, political, economic and environmental contexts relevant to professional conduct within which environmental management and sustainability are practiced globally. |
Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability), students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 15 core units
- 9 elective units
- Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- No more than 10 credit points at level 1
- At least 14 credit points over levels 2 and 3
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
| SLE101 | Techniques in Environmental Science |
plus two elective units
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE102 | Physical Geography |
| SLE121 | Environmental Sustainability |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
plus two elective units
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE201 | Society and Environment |
| SLE231 | Hydrology and Water Resources Management |
| SLE218 | Indigenous Engagement: Natural Resource Management |
plus one elective unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE207 | Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment |
| SLE226 | Environmental Team Based Research |
| SLE239 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
plus one elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SLE301 | Professional Practice # |
| SLE303 | Managing Environmental Projects |
| SLE305 | Integrating Marine, Coastal and Catchment Management |
plus one elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE308 | Policy Instruments for Sustainability |
plus
| SLE342 | Risks to Healthy Environments or |
| SLE320 | Resource Efficiency and Waste Management (Tri-3) |
plus two elective units
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
Course structure
Electives
Select from the range of elective units offered across many courses, including, in some cases, the option to choose elective units from a completely different field (subject to meeting unit requirements).
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Work experience
The course includes a compulsory professional practice unit that requires you to undertake at least 80 hours of work experience in a course-related host organisation. deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.