Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability)

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability)
Deakin course code	S398
Faculty	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Campus	For students who commenced prior to 2023
Online	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	075361K Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
The final intake to this course version was in 2022. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Throughout the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) you will explore ways to manage the interaction between people and the environment. Combining the latest research with extensive application of skills in professional, community, lab and field settings, you will devise and implement innovative solutions to protect global natural resources.

Develop the confidence to address some of the biggest environmental issues we face on a global scale by exploring the role science and society play in achieving global sustainability. Fieldwork is a rewarding part of this course and you will get plenty of opportunities to apply your skills in beautiful outdoor and community settings. Industry placements of 60 to 80 hours provide even more practical experience and the opportunity to work alongside experienced environmental scientists.

Want to play a key role in tackling the world’s most pressing environmental problems?

Throughout this degree, you will learn about environmental processes within a range of environments, how societies use and value these environments, and the tools available to prevent and manage environmental impacts. You will 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 work-integrated 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 into the field and into professional settings.

Fieldwork opportunities take you to a diverse range of sites and environments, from coastal and national parks, to sustainability centres, business and industry. During these trips you will 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 will 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, ecotourism and environmental health.

Through the professional practice unit, you will undertake 60 to 80 hours of professional work experience at a relevant host organisation. You will be able to apply your technical expertise to real-world problems, develop valuable professional networks and skills in leadership, critical thinking and communication – ensuring you graduate job ready.

This unique experience and skill set prepares you for careers in a variety of areas, including:

environmental management and protection
pollution control
land rehabilitation
water resources management
nature conservation
ecotourism
environmental education
environmental and sustainability science.

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.

Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) membership is open to environmental practitioners at all stages of their career – from those still completing their studies to established experts. EIANZ is a leading professional body in Australia and New Zealand supporting environmental practitioners and promoting independent and interdisciplinary discussion on environmental issues. Membership details are available on the EIANZ website.

Participation requirements

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

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. More information available at Disability support services.

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.

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 structure

Core

Level 1 - Trimester 1

STP050 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) [No longer available for enrolment from 2024, alternate unit DAI001]

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SLE010

Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

SLE101

Environmental Techniques and Monitoring

SLE103

Ecology and the Environment

SLE109

Foundation for Environmental Science

plus one elective unit (one credit point)

Level 1 - Trimester 2

SLE102

Physical Geography

SLE121

Environmental Sustainability

plus two elective units (two credit points)

Level 2 - Trimester 1

SLE201

Society and Environment

SLE231

Hydrology and Water Resources Management

SLE218

Indigenous Engagement: Natural Resource Management

plus

SLE215

Ecotourism and Environmental Interpretation or

SLE216

Bushfire Management (Tri-2)

Level 2 - Trimester 2

SLE207

Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment

SLE226

Environmental Team Based Research

SLE239 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit SLE245]

plus one elective unit (one credit point)

Level 3 - Trimester 1

SLE301

Professional Practice #

SLE303

Managing Environmental Projects

SLE305

Integrating Marine, Coastal and Catchment Management

plus one elective unit (one credit point)

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 (two credit points)

# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)

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 - 160 hours of work experience in a course-related host organisation. Explore the SEBE WIL program.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.