Bachelor of Environmental Science and Sustainability
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Environmental Science and Sustainability |
| Deakin course code | S398 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. 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 | 116267J Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
New Course title from 2025, previously titled Bachelor of Environmental Science (Management and Sustainability) | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Minors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of minor sequences
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Throughout the Bachelor of Environmental Science 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 as well as 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 in the 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 the 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.
Throughout 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 acquire skills in leadership, critical thinking and communication – ensuring you graduate job ready.
*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 including:
- climate change adaptation and mitigation
- catchment management
- coastal and park management
- conservation
- environmental education
- environmental management
- environmental protection
- land rehabilitation
- planning and policy
- pollution control
- sustainability reporting
- waste management and resource efficiency
- water resource 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 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. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Environmental Science 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
- 6 credit points which may comprise of:
- 1 minor (4 credit points) and 2 credit points of open elective units
- 6 credit points of open elective units
- 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 open elective unit (one credit point) or one minor unit (one credit point)
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE102 | Physical Geography |
| SLE121 | Environmental Sustainability |
plus two open 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 open 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 open 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 open 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 open 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. This means 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 considering choosing 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 |
*Not offered in 2025
Indigenous Studies
Campuses
Online
Unit set code
MN-A000074
Overview
The indigenous studies minor will build understanding, recognition and validity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' ways of Valuing, Being, Knowing and Doing. Completing this minor 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 |
Other course information
This course was previously titled Bachelor of Environmental Science (Management and Sustainability).
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 may 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.