Bachelor of Environmental Science
Macquarie University's Bachelor of Environmental Science (BEnvSc) is a 3 year degree, which provides education and training in vital aspects of Environmental Science, and also allows students the flexibility to tailor a program to suit individual needs and interests. The Bachelor of Environmental Science combines a strong scientific education with multidisciplinary studies in the economic, legal and social aspects of environmental science. Qualified students may undertake a fourth year of study, which includes a research project, to obtain the degree of Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours).
- Why Macquarie?
- Degree Structure
- Applications and Admissions
- Careers in Environmental Science
- Contacts and Further Information
Why Macquarie?
Macquarie University was established with a view to breaking down the traditional barriers that exist between disciplines. At Macquarie, we understand that some of the best ideas in science, and many of the most successful solutions to environmental problems come from multidisciplinary approaches - the Environmental Science program is designed to reflect this. The BEnvSc degree primarily trains you in natural science, giving you a solid grounding in one specialist area, and an introduction to others in terms of what they have to offer in environmental problem-solving and management. It also provides a very brief introduction to relevant aspects of social science to raise awareness of the need to take into account such things as economics, politics, the law, and people's perceptions and desires in tackling environmental issues in the real world.
Macquarie's excellent staff, many of whom have world-wide reputations, have made this University home to renowned centres of research and teaching excellence, which include:
- Centre for Lasers and Applications
- Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility
- Natural Hazards Research Centre/Risk Frontiers
- National Key Centre for Geochemical Evolution and Metallogeny of Continents
- Centre for Ecostratigraphy and Palaeobiology
- Centre for Analytical Biotechnology
- Graduate School of the Environment
Many other staff members not attached to these centres are also active researchers and writers in the field of Environmental Science. The Resource and Environmental Management program, for example, provides a particular focus for human and physical geographers active in the environmental field, and offers a comprehensive undergraduate program of studies, accessible to BEnvSc students.
The Macquarie University campus is located on a superb 129-hectare site, about 18 kilometres north-west of Sydney city, with ample parking and frequent bus services to the City, Epping Railway Station, and many other suburbs. The beautiful natural setting has been maintained, and the University owns open green areas, including a nature reserve and sporting facilities. Macquarie University also adjoins Lane Cove National Park.
Degree Structure
You can choose from four programs of study:
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Physical Geography
In keeping with Macquarie University's tradition of providing innovative undergraduate degree opportunities, the Bachelor of Environmental Science combines a strong scientific education with multidisciplinary studies in the economic, legal and social aspects of environmental studies. The units in the BEnvSc program introduce environmental issues, provide knowledge of the science and technology associated with environmental science and its applications, and explore relevant legal, political, ethical and economic aspects. The only unit common to all BEnvSc programs is ELS301 Environmental Management Project. This unit provides practical experience and is open only to students enrolled in the BEnvSc and BEnvMgmt degrees.
General requirements to gain a BEnvSc:
- Minimum number of credit points: 68
- Maximum number of credit points at 100 level: 30
- Minimum number of credit points points in units at 200 level or above designated in the Schedule of Undergraduate Units as science units: 34
- Minimum number of credit points in units at 300 level or above designated in the Schedule of Undergraduate Units as science units: 18
- and completion of other specific requirements as set out in the Schedule of Undergraduate Programs
Specific requirements for each program of study are outlined below.
Environmental Biology (code ENV01)
- ELS301 - Environmental Management Project, and
- Two units from:
CBMS208
GEOS260
GEOS216 or GEOS266 (only one of these units may be selected) - One of GEOS264 or PHYS220, and
- 9 credit points from:
BIOL313 - Environmental Plant Physiology (Plants in Action)
BIOL347 - Australian and World Vegetation
BIOL350 - Aboriginal Impact on Australian Ecosystems
BIOL368 - Ecology and Evolution
BIOL374 - Biodiversity and Conservation
Environmental Chemistry (code ENV06)
- ELS301 - Environmental Management Project, and
- CBMS325 - Chemical Analysis II, and
- One of GEOS264 or PHYS220, and
- Two units from:
BIOL227
GEOS260
GEOS216 or GEOS266 (only one of these units may be selected) - at least 8 cp from the following list:
CBMS329 - Topics in Physical Chemistry
CBMS332 - Protein Discovery and Analysis
CBMS340 - Organic and Biological Chemistry A
CBMS341 - Organic and Biological Chemistry B
Environmental Geology (code ENV03)
- GEOS226 - Introduction to Field Geology, and
- ELS301 - Environmental Management Project, and
- GEOS315 - Environmental and Groundwater Geophysics, and
- GEOS399 - Soils, and
- Two of BIOL227, CBMS208, GEOS216 or GEOS266, and
- One of GEOS264 or PHYS220, and
- at least 6 cp from the following list:
GEOS307 - Field Geology and Mapping
GEOS308 - Structural and Metamorphic Geology
GEOS314 - Magmas Fluids and Ore Deposits
GEOS377 - Environmental Geology
GEOS398 - Applied Geomorphology
GEOS437 - Geochemical Applications and Techniques
Environmental Physical Geography (code ENV04)
- ELS301 - Environmental Management Project, and
- 6 cp from BIOL227, CBMS208, or GEOS260, and
- One of GEOS264 or PHYS220, and
- at least 9 cp from the following list:
GEOS301 - Global Climates
GEOS313 - Advanced Atmospheric and Oceanographic Science
GEOS317 - Advanced Geoecology
GEOS325 - Applied Climatology
GEOS328 - Environmental Management
GEOS334 - Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management
GEOS382 - Environmental Analysis Using GIS
GEOS398 - Applied Geomorphology
GEOS399 - Soils
If you enrolled prior to 2003
Sometimes the University changes unit offerings, and we modify the strand requirements in response. This means that you might notice changes to the strand requirements, particularly over the period 2000-2003. If you enrolled prior to 2003, you may have enrolled under strands with subtly different requirements to those described above. The good news is that you can graduate under any strand requirements that existed while you were enrolled, because all variants are recognised as being valid pathways to graduation. This means that you have additional flexibility. If you have any questions, please contact the Director (see below).
Applications and Admissions
Entry to the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree program is normally determined according to academic merit as assessed in the NSW/ACT HSC. In 2008, the UAI was 76.65 for current school leavers (students who completed their HSC in 2007). For information regarding assumed knowledge, please consult the entry for the Bachelor of Environmental Science in the UAC Guide, or contact the Director of the BEnvSc program. For information regarding alternative admissions pathways to Macquarie University, or for information regarding credit for previous tertiary studies, please contact the Macquarie University Student Enquiry Service.
The Division of ELS Office can also provide you with further details about the degree programs, as well as sending you material discussing entry, accommodation, student services, and scholarships. Please call us on +61 2 9850 6000, send us an email, or contact us via post or fax us for a quick response.
Careers
Environmental Science deals with the interplay between physical and biological processes and human activities. Every day, the media reports new ways in which our environment is being affected by what we do. A blend of skills developed in both the field and laboratory is essential for an environmental scientist, as well as a general awareness and understanding of the economic, legal and social aspects of environmental management.
Graduates in Environmental Science are employed by private consultancies, local government, and a wide range of State and Federal government departments and agencies charged with monitoring the environmental impact of human activities, and implementing environmental protection and resource-use policies. Environmental Science graduates are also employed by national parks and wildlife services, in education, and by industries concerned with their environmental impacts. Environmental Science is part of the training needed by environmental lawyers and environmental economists/accountants, and environmental decisions are becoming increasingly more important in general management and decision-making processes in many companies, large and small.
The combination of the breadth of the degree program aims to meet the perceived needs of potential employers. This is particularly evident in the four compulsory units, the requirement to take at least some units from different science disciplines, and the chances you have to specialise and study a particular science in greater depth. The workplace-oriented research project (ELS301 - Environmental Mangement Project) is also included to better prepare you for employment.
Contacts and Further Information
Students are strongly advised to consult an academic adviser specific to the BEnvSc (see Departmental contacts below), to ensure that they are selecting appropriate units of study. Students enrolled prior to 2003 must seek advice from their academic advisor.
- Biology - Lesley Hughes 9850 8195 lesley.hughes@mq.edu.au
- Chemistry - Christopher McRae 9850 8288 christopher.mcrae@mq.edu.au
- Earth & Planetary Sciences - Kelsie Dadd 9850 7763 kelsie.dadd@mq.edu.au
- Physical Geography - Damian Gore 9850 8391 damian.gore@mq.edu.au
For further general information about the degree, please contact:
| Dr Damian Gore | The ELS Centre |
| Director, BEnvSc Degree Program Dept of Physical Geography Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia Phone: +61 2 9850 8391 Fax: +61 2 9850 8420 e-mail: damian.gore@mq.edu.au |
Level One, Building E7A Macquarie University NSW 2109 Phone: +61 2 9850 6000 Fax: +61 2 9850 6565 E-mail: enquiries@els.mq.edu.au |