To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Environmental Studies by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Environmental Studies  by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus and additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

A student may complete an extended major sequence in Environmental Studies by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed below.

An extended major in Environmental Studies is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Course aims

The major in Environmental Studies aims to develop an understanding of the complexity with which humans impact and view the environment; the extent to which environmental changes have taken place, particularly in Australia; and the roles of social institutions, governance, scientific knowledge and community values in environmental management.  

The major also aims to produce graduates with the skills to observe and record information, which is often spatially and socially explicit, and analyse the state or condition of aspects of the atmosphere, inland waters, land, sea and coasts to improve understanding and better manage the environment.

Learning outcomes

Graduates with a major in Environmental Studies will be expected to be able to:

  • describe the human impacts being exerted on the environment
  • identify a number of current environmental issues, collect and analyse the state or condition of these systems as a result of the human pressure
  • communicate environmental issues using a variety of media
  • describe the changing role and value of government, science and community in environmental management
  • recognise and assess environmental change
  • describe the characteristics of environmental change research
  • communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • appreciate the importance of ethical behaviour in scholarship and professional activity. 

Program of study

The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Environmental Studies and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled.

Major - Environmental Studies

Year 1 topics

 ENVS1001  Introduction to Environmental Investigations  (4.5 units)
 GEOG1001  Water Resources and Society  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

GEOG2711  Australian Environmental Change  (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units from the year 2 topics listed below subject to meeting prerequisites

 ARCH2202  Australian Indigenous Archaeology  (4.5 units)
 ARCH2206  Archaeological Science  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2711  Ecology  (4.5 units)
 DVST2701  Sustainable Development  (4.5 units)
 EASC2702  Global Climate Change  (4.5 units)
 ENVS2742  Environment, Economy and Culture  (4.5 units)
 GEOG2700  Geographical Information Systems  (4.5 units)
 GEOG2701  Introduction to Remote Sensing  (4.5 units)
 GEOG2702  Image Analysis in Remote Sensing  (4.5 units)
 GEOG2712  Asian Regional Development  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2604  Environmental Philosophy  (4.5 units)
 POLI2012  Environmental Politics  (4.5 units)

Year 3 topics

 ENVS3742  Emerging Issues in Australian Environmental Management  (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units from the year 3 topics listed below

 ASST3011  Environment and Development in Asia  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)
 ENVS3711  Coastal Management  (4.5 units)
 ENVS3732  Environmental Impact Assessment  (4.5 units)
 GEOG3701  Spatial Information Management  (4.5 units)
 GEOG3711  Advanced Digital Image Analysis  (4.5 units)
 GEOG3731  GIS Modelling  (4.5 units)
 GEOG3751  Advanced Spatial Statistics  (4.5 units)
 GEOG3761  Caring as Country (4.5 units)

plus an additional 9 units from the year 2 or 3 topics listed above.

Note:

Bachelor of Applied Geographical Information Systems students cannot undertake GEOG2700, GEOG2701, GEOG2702, GEOG3701, GEOG3711, GEOG3731 or GEOG3751 as part of their Arts major in Environmental Studies.

Honours

Refer to the Honours - Environmental Studies