Overview

Launch a sustainable career in environmental science

If you have a passion for wildlife and conservation and are keen for a career outdoors, the Bachelor of Environmental Science will see you playing an active part in caring for the environment now and into the future. The degree lets you explore a wide variety of areas including but not limited to: applied ecology, ecological conservation, vegetation and wildlife management, reserve management, coastal marine science, sustainability, land care and land management.

You’ll benefit from studying in our nation’s capital; the central focus of environmental issues in Australia, and will have access to UC’s world-class laboratories for eco-chemistry, fresh water ecology, wildlife genetics and biodiversity. The faculty has strong partnership links with government and natural resource management organisations, as well as UC’s Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), which has a reputation for providing high quality research with an applied focus to solve environmental problems.

Study a Bachelor of Environmental Science at UC and you will:

• join one of the most well-respected programs in the country
• explore both international and Australian environmental issues
• gain knowledge in applied research and teaching to become work-ready for a professional setting.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is a central component of this course and you’ll undertake a range of practical activities designed to prepare you for a sustainable career in environmental science, such as exposure to entrepreneurship in science and pitching ideas for funding and patenting, and guest lectures by esteemed industry professionals.

Our Environmental Science program is closely integrated with the IAE – one of our many research centres. Researchers within the IAE engage with on-ground managers and policymakers, giving you access to unique group research projects and training opportunities on campus in a leading research facility. You’ll also undertake a range of exciting field trips to national parks in locations such as Willandra, the Snowy Mountains and the NSW South Coast.

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a professional work placement and will be actively encouraged to volunteer in local, regional and international environmental programs. Previous students have undertaken internships with companies including the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, CSIRO, ACT Parks and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Department of the Environment and Energy, Questacon, National Museum of Australia, environmental NGOs and the university sector.

If you’d like to study overseas, summer or winter term internships to Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand can be applied for, as well as faculty-led Environmental Science programs in New Zealand, Peru and Costa Rica. Each of these can count as credit towards your degree.

Career opportunities

• Environmental scientist
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental chemist
• Environmental manager
• Environmental protection officer
• Educator
• Geologist
• Geochemist
• Geographic information system officer
• Invasive species officer
• Natural resource manager
• Park ranger
• Research scientist
• Sustainability officer
• Water scientist
• Waterways planner

Course-specific information

High-achieving students may be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) course.

Successful completion of this course, when linked with further postgraduate study such as a master’s degree or PhD, could see you qualify as a research scientist in your chosen field.

Learning outcomes

1. Design and evaluate strategies, technologies, and methods for sustainable management of environmental systems;
2. Understand the natural environment in both a local and global context and its relationships with human activities;
3. Acquire practical skills for scientific problem-solving, including familiarity with laboratory and field instrumentation, computer applications, statistical and modelling techniques;
4. Understand professional and environmental ethics;
5. Understand interactions among plant, animal, and abiotic features of ecosystems;
6. Understand the expected consequences of implementing a research, design, or management plan and be able to explain them;
7. Development of skills suitable for a wide range of careers in industry, government, private consulting firms, non-profit organisations, and educational institutions;
8. Become effective communicators of environmental science as scientific results, information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, with particular focus on the decisions and values of indigenous people;
9. Become independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practising ethical conduct.