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

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:

• Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
• Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

Secondary education

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

VET studies

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.

Work and Life

Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

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.

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 units, 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

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 Space, Place and Nature
• 4 Discipline subjects
• 2 Electives

Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including: 

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

Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including: 

• 4 Advanced subjects
  • TAS-KGA319 Science and Policy for Energy Futures
  • TAS-KGA320 Our Changing Climate
  • TAS-KGA326 Rivers and Coasts
  • Choose 1 unit from:
  • TAS-KGA331 Fire, Weeds and Ferals: Conserving Nature in Protected Areas
  • TAS-KGA332 Conserving Nature in Landscapes
• 2 Discipline subjects
• 2 Electives