Objectives
Deakin's Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management) will provide you with a broad-based knowledge of the functioning and management of the complex interactions between the biological, physical, social, economic and political worlds. Environmental managers work with natural, rural and urban systems, and their natural and human communities. They monitor environmental health – to guard against the degrading impacts of overuse and waste disposal – as well as planning activities and developing policy to achieve the best outcome for the environment and our society. The course focuses on providing you with practical and relevant skills that will be invaluable to your future careers. Fieldwork and industry-based learning are incorporated into all aspects of course delivery. You will experience a combination of hands-on and theoretical learning and have access to state-of-the-art facilities including sustainability assessment tools and a Global Information Systems (GIS) laboratory. Government and industry partners regularly contribute to the course to ensure graduates are job ready. You will have the opportunity to apply for the Department of Sustainability and Environment Cadetship Program, Industry Based Learning scholarships and Earthwatch projects during your degree, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment Graduate Recruitment program on completion of your degree. Once you have gained experience working in the environment industry, you will be eligible to become a Certified Environmental Practitioner through the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Course description
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management) degree you may choose to pursue opportunities in a wide variety of careers such as environmental planning, environmental policy, sustainability, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, industry-based environmental management, waste management, human dimensions of environmental management, environmental education, catchment management, water resource management, land rehabilitation, pollution control, environmental science, conservation, and coastal and park management.
Course rules
To be awarded a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management) degree, a student must complete 24 credit points. The course includes a total of 13 credit points of core units consisting of four environmental science common core units that provide an introduction to ecology and environmental issues, social considerations in resource management, and professional skills; and nine specialty core units.
Students can complete up to eight elective units from outside the Faculty, giving students the opportunity to undertake a major study from another area in the University. The remaining three elective units must be chosen from a list of options provided.
All students are required to complete at least one wholly online unit.
Course structure
Year 1
Semester 1
SQA101 Ecology and the Environment
SQE121 Environmental Sustainability
plus two elective units
Semester 2
SQA102 The Physical Environment
SQE131 Environmental Monitoring
plus two elective units
Year 2
Semester 1
SQA201 Society and Environment
SQE239 Terrain Evaluation
plus two elective units
Semester 2
SQE202 Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment
SQB226 Research Methods
plus two elective units
Year 3
Trimester 1
SQA301 Professional Practice
SQE301 Managing Environmental Projects
SQE331 Hydrology and Water Resources Management
plus one elective unit
Semester 2
SQE302 Policy Instruments for Sustainability
SQE305 Catchment and Coastal Management
plus two elective units.
Note: Environmental science core units: SQA101, SQA102, SQA201 and SQA301.
Students are required to select at least three of their elective units from the options listed below.
SQE114 Introduction to Parks and Wildlife Conservation
SQE212 Ecotourism and Interpretation
SQE328 Integrated Marine and Coastal Management
SQE342 Risks to Healthy Environments
SQB216 Bushfire Management
SQB315 Australian Vegetation and Its Management
SQB321 Landscape Ecology
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.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).
