Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)

The problem-solving skills you’ll gain are highly sought after in strategic, managerial, commercial and government positions as policy officers, technical advisors, decision-makers and consultants.  

Environmental scientists and managers provide environmental impact assessment, help companies with pollution management, and inform government policy. There are also opportunities for careers in spatial sciences or geography education. 

Higher education via OUA

Successful completion of any 4 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.

Higher education

Applicants must have completed at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) within an Associate Degree level course or Higher; OR

Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University); OR

Completed DUS (Diploma of University Studies) any pathway or equivalent.

Secondary education

ATAR: 65 or higher

VET studies

Successful completion of certificate IV or higher.

Work and Life

Domestic Applicants with work and life experience: If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have extensive or sustained work experience.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.

https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning

Geography and Environment major helps you tackle some of the most pressing problems facing humanity: climate change, biodiversity extinction crisis, sustainable cities, and resource depletion, for example. Through our subjects, you will be able to explore these challenges in an integrated way, drawing on the knowledge and skills needed to better understand and address these intractable issues.  

Geography has become a much more high tech discipline over the past few decades, particularly with so much data and spatial information at our finger tips. You will learn how to combine the information from online maps and data layers with physical and social data to address environmental challenges locally and globally. 

You will gain insights into the complex social-ecological systems, including understanding regulatory frameworks, ethics in science, as well as gain field skills such as vegetation and fire assessment. 

You will develop skills for environmental and planning jobs that require flexibility, innovative thinking and lifelong learning. You will expand your knowledge of environments and peoples, and the ways they interact from the local to the global. 

Recommended Study Pattern

The Bachelor of Science requires the completion of 24 subjects comprising:

• 8 core subjects
• 8 Discipline Elective subjects
• 8 Elective UTAS Elective subjects

You may complete any subject from the Bachelor of Science available in the Discipline stream as a Discipline Elective so long as you meet any pre-requisites.

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended:

Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including: 

• 2 Introductory subjects
  • TAS-KGA171 Global Geographies of Change
  • TAS-KGA172 Nature, People, Place
• 4 Discipline subjects
• 2 UTAS Electives

Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including: 

• 2 Intermediate subjects
  • TAS-KGA204 Earth, Climate and Life
  • Choose 1 subject from
    • TAS-KGA223 Environmental Management
    • TAS-KGA213 Natural Environment Field Techniques
• 2 Discipline subjects
• 4 UTAS Electives

Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including: (Students outside Tasmania, please note, you will need to contact the subject coordinator if you wish to study KGA331.)

• Choose 4 Advanced subjects from:
  • TAS-KGA319 Science and Policy for Energy Futures
  • TAS-KGA320 Our Changing Climate
  • TAS-KGA326 Rivers and Coasts
  • TAS-KGA331 Fire, Weeds and Ferals: Conserving Nature in Protected Areas
  • TAS-KGA332 Conserving Nature in Landscapes
• 2 Discipline subjects
• 2 UTAS Electives

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 24 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 3-7 years from commencement.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from within or outside the College of Sciences and Engineering. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional subjects in the same discipline as your core subjects or related fields.

You can also use this space to complete an optional second major which may be a second major chosen from another program noting some exclusions apply. Not all majors can be taken by students in different programs.