Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

Get the best of both worlds

We’re changing the game when it comes to learning that works for you. Year one, you can choose to study online or combine on-campus and online study. You’ll make all-important connections with your peers and academics, and build your professional network with employers. Plus, because we know you have a busy life, we’ll keep the timetable nice and compact so you can fit everything in. As you move into your second and third years, you’ll study more independently as you start to specialise and undertake industry placements. The course changes as you learn more.

Build a solid foundation – then specialise

Will you get a solid grounding in the fundamental theory and practice in your field? Of course. That’s what your first year is all about. You then build on those foundations by specialising in an area that aligns with your career goals. Choose from: Applied Earth Science; Aquatic Ecosystems; Climate and Sustainability; Ecology and Conservation; and Parks, Recreation and Heritage.

Work with employers from day one

Build your career from day one with work-based experiences that build to placements later in the degree, including opportunities for international study in places such as Bhutan, Cambodia and Nepal. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the ultimate portfolio of skills that industry needs. How do we know industry needs them? We got industry to help us develop the course.

A qualification at every step

As you complete each year of study, you gain a qualification. After the first year, you can receive a Diploma of Environmental Studies; after the second, an Associate Degree in Environmental Science. So, if you achieve a diploma and then want to work for a year, when you return, you’ll go straight into the associate degree year, with credit for your completed diploma.

Our natural landscapes face challenges like never before. We need innovative custodians of the land, its biodiversity and its heritage. Would you like to play a part in improving the health of ecosystems, human welfare and our planet? Make it happen with the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management from Charles Sturt University. Choose to study online or on campus at Albury or Port Macquarie.

Recommended study pattern

The course consists of 14 core subjects, 1 restricted elective and a 9 subject specialisation chosen from:

• Applied Earth Sciences
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Climate and Sustainability
• Ecology and Conservation
• Parks, Recreation and Heritage

Students can choose to exit the course with an Associate Degree or Diploma after the completion of requirements, see below.

Core

BIO112 Principles of Ecology

BIO203 Animal Diversity

BIO262 Vegetation Ecology

BIO263 Methods for Environmental Data Analysis

ENM101 People and the Environment

ENM109 Introduction to Environmental Practice

ENM111 Indigenous Environmental Studies

ENM163 Natural Resource Management

ENM309 Environmental Practice

ENM422 Environmental Impact Assessment and Auditing

GEO164 Earth Systems Processes

GEO360 Community and Stakeholder Engagement

SCI103 Introduction to Geospatial Science

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations

Elective

One from the following:

ENM310 The Principles and Practice of Field Ecology

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2

SCI401 Advanced Topics 1

Specialisations

Applied Earth Sciences

BIO312 Landscape Ecology

ENM308 Challenges of Global Sustainable Development

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

GEO303 Climatology

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

SPA308 GIS Applications

SPA442 Remote Sensing 2: Image Processing and Analysis

Two from the following:

CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals

ENM415 Environmental Management of Mine Sites and Contaminated Lands

GEO305 Groundwater Hydrology and Management

GEO314 River Hydrology and Geomorphology

SPA313 Advanced GIS Applications and Modelling

SPA451 Cartography

Aquatic Ecosystems

BIO216 Conservation Biology

BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology

BIO402 River Restoration and Protection

ENM308 Challenges of Global Sustainable Development

GEO305 Groundwater Hydrology and Management

GEO314 River Hydrology and Geomorphology

PSC420 Water Policy and Management

Two from the following:

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation

BIO403 Fish Ecology and Conservation

BIO312 Landscape Ecology

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

SPA308 GIS Applications

Climate and Sustainability

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation

ENM123 Past Environments: An Introduction to Historic Ecology

ENM308 Challenges of Global Sustainable Development

ENM443 Resilience Thinking and Ecologically Sustainable Development

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

GEO303 Climatology

PKM260 Planning Environmental Education and Interpretation

Two from the following:

AGR475 Sustainable Agriculture: Issues and Viewpoints

BIO312 Landscape Ecology

BIO328 Restoration Ecology

BIO331 Fire Ecology and Management

REC205 Open Space Planning

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

Ecology and Conservation

BIO216 Conservation Biology

BIO328 Restoration Ecology

BIO329 Wildlife Ecology

BIO330 Wildlife Management

BIO331 Fire Ecology and Management

BIO332 Vegetation Management

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

Two from the following:

BIO312 Landscape Ecology

BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology

BIO403 Fish Ecology and Conservation

BIO430 Avian Biology

BIO439 Behavioural Ecology

BIO461 Applied Ecological Conservation

PSC102 Botany

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

SPA308 GIS Applications

Parks, Recreation and Heritage

BIO216 Conservation Biology

BIO330 Wildlife Management

BIO331 Fire Ecology and Management

BIO332 Vegetation Management

ENM123 Past Environments: An Introduction to Historic Ecology

PKM260 Planning Environmental Education and Interpretation

PKM266 Culture and Heritage

REC205 Open Space Planning

One from the following:

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation

BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology

BIO328 Restoration Ecology

BIO329 Wildlife Ecology

PKM366 Site Survey Design

Associate Degree in Environmental Science [exit point only]

The course consists of 12 core subjects and 4 restricted electives from one of the following sequences:

• Applied Earth Sciences
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Climate and Sustainability
• Ecology and Conservation
• Parks, Recreation and Heritage

Core

BIO112 Principles of Ecology

BIO203 Animal Diversity

BIO262 Vegetation Ecology

BIO263 Methods for Environmental Data Analysis

ENM101 People and the Environment

ENM109 Introduction to Environmental Practice

ENM111 Indigenous Environmental Studies

ENM163 Natural Resource Management

GEO164 Earth Systems Processes

GEO360 Community and Stakeholder Engagement

SCI103 Introduction to Geospatial Science

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations

Applied Earth Sciences

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

GEO303 Climatology

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

SPA308 GIS Applications

Aquatic Ecosystems

BIO216 Conservation Biology

GEO305 Groundwater Hydrology and Management

GEO314 River Hydrology and Geomorphology

PSC420 Water Policy and Management

Climate and Sustainability 

ENM123 Past Environments: An Introduction to Historic Ecology

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

GEO303 Climatology

PKM260 Planning Environmental Education and Interpretation

Ecology and Conservation

BIO216 Conservation Biology

BIO329 Wildlife Ecology

GEO204 Ecological and Environmental Soil Science

One from the following:

BIO312 Landscape Ecology

PSC102 Botany

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment

Parks, Recreation and Heritage Specialisation

BIO216 Conservation Biology

ENM123 Past Environments: An Introduction to Historic Ecology

PKM260 Planning Environmental Education and Interpretation

REC205 Open Space Planning

Diploma of Environmental Studies [exit point only]

The course consists of 8 core subjects:

BIO112 Principles of Ecology

BIO263 Methods for Environmental Data Analysis

ENM101 People and the Environment

ENM109 Introduction to Environmental Practice

ENM111 Indigenous Environmental Studies

ENM163 Natural Resource Management

GEO164 Earth Systems Processes

SCI103 Introduction to Geospatial Science

Key Subjects

ENM109 Introduction to Environmental Practice

ENM111 Indigenous Environmental Studies

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Associate Degree in Environmental Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Diploma of Environmental Studies [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Exit points

Associate Degree in Environmental Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Diploma of Environmental Studies [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $27,936

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

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• A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies; OR
• Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

• A completed High School Certificate with an ATAR of 60 (including adjustment factors) or equivalent; OR
• A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR.

• A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification; OR
• 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.

Work experience, within the same industry as the course profile, of at least two years full time or equivalence, demonstrated by a detailed resume.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Refer to http://futurestudents.csu.edu.au/apply/english-language for the specific requirements.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

ENM109 - Introduction to Environmental Practice

GEO360 - Community and Stakeholder Engagement.   

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional intensive school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning. You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.