Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability)
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) |
| Course Map | The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | 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
- Minor sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of minor sequences
- Other learning experiences
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 natural resources in local and global contexts.
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 environmental processes 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.
EIANZ membership is open to environmental practitioners at all stages of their career – from those still completing their studies to established experts. The EIANZ (Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand) is a leading professional body in Australia and New Zealand supporting environmental practitioners and promoting independent and interdisciplinary discussion on environmental issues. For full membership details, visit https://www.eianz.org/membership-information/about-membership
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. 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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and 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.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our 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:a) undertaking self-directed learning; b) 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, which must include the following:
- Eighteen (18) core units (18 credit points);
- One of:
- One Minor (4 credit points) and two electives; or
- six (6) credit points of 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
- Level 3 – minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 or above
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Minor sequences
Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (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) or one minor unit (one credit point)
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE102 | Physical Geography |
| SLE121 | Environmental Sustainability |
plus two elective units (two credit points) or two minor units (two credit points)
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE201 | Society and Environment |
| SLE231 | Hydrology and Water Resources Management |
| SLE218 | Indigenous Engagement: Natural Resource Management |
| SLE215 | Ecotourism and Environmental Interpretation |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE207 | Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment |
| SLE226 | Environmental Team Based Research |
| SLE202 | Landscapes and Their Management |
plus one elective unit (one credit point) or one minor 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) or one minor unit (one credit point)
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE308 | Policy Instruments for Sustainability |
| SLE342 | Risks to Healthy Environments |
| SLE332 | Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Scientists |
plus one elective unit (one credit point) or one minor unit (one credit point)
# 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. deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of minor sequences
Applied Data Analytics
Campuses
Burwood
Unit set code
MN-S000023
Overview
No longer found solely amongst the big tech giants, skilled professionals capable of understanding, analysing and interpreting data to provide meaningful insights that inform business decisions are highly sought after across every industry. This minor sequence provides you with a solid introduction to data and information management, data science concepts, statistics and data analysis. You will also gain insight into the use of geographic information systems and their application in the field of environmental science.
Units
| SIT103 | Database Fundamentals |
| SIT112 | Data Science Concepts |
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
SLE239 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems [No longer available for enrolment from 2024, alternate unit SLE245]
Global Engagement
Campuses
Burwood, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool
Unit set code
MN-S000022
Overview
The global engagement minor will produce highly effective environmental practitioners with a skill base relevant to working professionally in both international and domestic contexts. With a focus on developing strong intercultural competencies followed up by authentic international experiences this minor provides a scaffolded learning approach, whereby students learn about intercultural communication and indigenous concepts (critical to working in many global environmental systems) followed by authentic international experiences where they apply their course knowledge, intercultural communication skill set and their knowledge of indigenous communities.
Units
| AIS101 | Intercultural Communication |
| IND101 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
And 2 of:
| SLE225 | Global Environmental Placement |
| SLE266 | International Marine Study Tour |
| SLE353 | Asian Conservation and Environment Sustainability: International Study Tour |
| SLE301 | Professional Practice |
Indigenous Studies
Campuses
Online
Unit set code
MN-A000074
Overview
This minor sequence of Indigenous Studies units will build understanding, recognition and validity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's ways of Valuing, Being, Knowing and Doing. Completing this sequence of study will facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and Australia's multiple histories to foster productive and meaningful relationships in culturally diverse communities, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Units
1 unit from:
| IND101 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
| IND102 | Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines |
Plus 2 units from:
| IND203 | Caring for Country |
| IND204 | Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing |
| IND205 | Global Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies |
Plus 1 unit from:
| IND301 | Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia |
| IND302 | Working Alongside Aboriginal Communities |
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.