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 2025
Online	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
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 2024. 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, ready for a career that makes a positive impact on our world. 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 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?

Graduate with a world-class degree from a university ranked top 1% worldwide for ecology*

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.

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 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.

*2022 ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, 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: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 pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate.

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18 credit points of core units
one of:
- a minor (4 credit points) from the list below and 2 credit points of open electives
- 6 credit points of open elective
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 14 credit points over levels 2 and 3
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Minors

Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core

Level 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (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 #

SLE308

Policy Instruments for Sustainability

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

SLE303

Managing Environmental Projects

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. Explore the SEBE WIL program.

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

Data skills are now essential in every industry, not just in big tech companies. Businesses are looking for skilled professionals who can understand, analyse, and interpret data to help inform decisions. This minor sequence provides a solid introduction to data and information management, data science concepts, statistics, and data analysis. You will also explore geographic information systems and their application in the field of environmental science.

Units

SIT103

Database Fundamentals

SIT112

Introduction to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

SIT191

Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

SLE245

Marine Geographic Information Systems

Global Engagement

Campuses

Burwood

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.

Students selecting SLE301 Professional Practice as part of their global engagement minor, please note that the placement component of this unit must be completed in an international setting.

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

IND206

Indigeneity and the Media

Plus 1 unit from:

IND301

Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

IND302

Working Alongside Aboriginal Communities

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.