Bachelor of Environmental Science (Climate Science)
UndergraduateUSQ-ECS-DEG2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Explore the drivers and changes of climate across the world
Study the environment and zoom in on climate. You’ll build skills in communication, statistics, and maths. Unpack the world's climate system and learn models to predict future changes. Explore tools like geographic information system (GIS) and risk assessment.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Climate Science)
About this degree
On completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Apply a broad and coherent body of theoretical and applied knowledge in the environmental sciences, with in-depth knowledge in one or more specialist disciplines.
- Apply a range of cognitive, technical and practical skills reflecting the underlying principles of one or more environmental science disciplines, to collect, analyse, interpret and present environmental science data using appropriate experimental, computational, statistical and technological approaches.
- Exhibit well-developed scientific literacy and oral, written and digital communication skills to explain environmental sciences issues and scientific results to a range of audiences.
- Work independently and collaboratively to critically and creatively analyse issues and develop appropriate understanding and solutions to complex environmental problems across a range of cultural, institutional, national and global contexts.
- Display ethical, professional and cultural awareness, including those of Indigenous knowledge systems and practices, in a wide diversity of professional applications.
- In this major you will explore climate policy and climate change, develop skills in maths, statistics, programming and climate modelling as well as resource management. Benefit from industry opportunities, such as the Graduate Meteorology Program with the Bureau of Meteorology equipping you with the qualifications and skills to become the next generation of Meteorologists at the Bureau. Learn from leading research taking place in the Centre for Applied Climate Sciences (CACS), focusing on fundamental climate science research, environmental/disaster risk reduction, economic systems and climate systems modelling in agriculture and water resources.
Recommended study pattern
Year 1
REN1201 Environmental Studies
CLI 1110 Weather and Climate
CMS1100 Communicating in the Sciences
MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics
CSC1401 Foundation Programming
SCI1001 Succeeding in Science
STA1003 Fundamental Statistics
GIS1402 Geographic Information Systems
Year 2
GIS3407 GIS Programming and Visualisation
CLI2201 Climate Change and Variability
STA2301 Distribution Theory
IDK2203 Indigenous Environmental Perspectives and Knowledge
4 x Electives
Year 3
CLI3301 Climate and Environment Risk Assessment
CLI3302 Adaptation to Climate Change
SCI3302 Work-Integrated-Learning
STA3301 Statistical Models
4 x Electives
Award requirements
Completion of 24 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.Exit points
Diploma of ScienceOpen Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$8,948
Indicative total fee $26,844
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.
As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.
Learn more about USQ.
Explore USQ courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 24
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 24
How to apply
University of Southern Queensland manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to University of Southern Queensland who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
- ATAR - 62.00 or equivalent Subject pre-requisite: General Mathematics (Units 3&4, C) or equivalent; proof of meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements is also required.
- Completed VET qualifications can be used to derive an ATAR score or Selection Rank which may be used to meet the Entry Requirements for the program. We encourage you to reach out to the UniSQ team to discuss your options further.
- Work and Life experience may be used to derive an ATAR score or Selection Rank which may be used to meet the Entry Requirements for the program. We encourage you to reach out to the UniSQ team to discuss your options further.
- Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the UniSQ Credit and Exemption Procedure. Claims for credit for previous study should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with UniSQ policy.
Study method requirements
Residential School/s + Work Integrated Learning
- Residential School requirements to complete practical components of some courses
Career opportunities
Career outlook
- Conservation Officers:
- $93K to $120K
- Environmental Consultants:
- $93K to $120K
- Environmental Managers:
- Over $120K
- Environmental Research Scientists:
- $93K to $120K
- Environmental Scientists:
- $93K to $120K
- Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals:
- $93K to $120K
- Park Rangers:
- $93K to $120K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K