Bachelor of Environmental Science

Rank thresholdATAR: 66 SR: 66
Duration3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Location
Online and Rockhampton
Next start termTerm 2, 2024
Study modeOn Campus, Online
Course codeCA42
First-year fee
$9,866 (Indicative) (CSP)
Three people in snorkelling gear

Overview

The Bachelor of Environmental Science will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required for employment in areas related to the environment, environmental monitoring, management and ecologically sustainable development. You will benefit from a combination of theoretical and practical work, including field work.

Do you want to play a key role in environmental monitoring, management and ecologically sustainable development?

The Bachelor of Environmental Science will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to turn your passion into a career in the environment.

At CQUniversity you will develop a wide range of skills through a combination of theoretical and practical work, including both laboratory and field work. You will learn to think systemically and systematically about the environment, natural resource management and social and economic development.

The course will provide you with a broad foundation of knowledge in environmental studies and develop generic skills in the sciences and social sciences and humanities. You will also benefit from the opportunity to undertake a major in Environmental Geography or Integrated Land and Water Management, plus tailor your studies by completing two elective minors.

You will gain broad knowledge from our multidisciplinary approach to environmental science, combining units from biology, chemistry, geography and sociology. This ensures our course is better aligned to what is required in your workplace and environment, as well as making you more employable on completion.

Study experience

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Bachelor of Environmental Science will prepare you to peruse employment opportunities in roles such as:

  • environmental officer
  • environmental consultant
  • environmental scientist
  • vegetation management officer
  • air quality control officer
  • water management officer.

Employment opportunities exist within public and private sectors for example local catchment authorities, regional resource management organisations, State and Federal Government natural resource management departments, environmental consulting firms, local councils and mining companies.

Structure & Availability

Course structure

You are required to complete 8 core units, 8 major units, plus a further 8 elective units from a choice of four-unit elective minors.

Unit information

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

On-Campus Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Rockhampton
Term 2, 2023Rockhampton
Term 1, 2024Rockhampton
Term 2, 2024Rockhampton

Online Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Available Online
Term 2, 2023Available Online
Term 1, 2024Available Online
Term 2, 2024Available Online


Only the first year of the course is available to study on-campus at CQUniversity Bundaberg.

Environmental Geography major
You'll be introduced to the complex relationship between humans and their environment from a contemporary and historic perspective. Plus, you'll develop systems analysis skills to be applied to climate change issues. Your understanding of environmental policy will ensure you graduate ready to prepare Environmental Impact Assessments, analyse demographic data and manage environmental systems.

Integrated Land and Water Management major
Developed to understand water management and terrestrial systems, this major supports you to understand the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in both freshwater and marine systems. Fieldwork in local waterways and offshore islands will complement along with laboratory work. This major will be suitable for you if you are interested in a career in land and water management and rehabilitation or vegetation management.

Biology in Depth minor
An in-depth study of microbiology, flora and fauna with statistical analysis of data. This minor is only available if your chosen major is Environmental Geography.
Entrepreneurship This minor supports the combination of environmental science and your startup aspirations.

Environmental Geography minor
You'll study the widely-used remote sensing method to monitor environments, plus extend your insight into sustainability and climate change risks. This minor is only available if your chosen major is Integrated Land and Water Management.

Liberal Studies minor
This minor has been designed to support credit, articulation agreements and transition arrangements. Please contact Course Advice for further information.

Plant and Crop Systems minor
This minor allows you to complement your environmental studies with foundational plant and crop agricultural knowledge.

Students studying via distance and mixed-mode will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units.
Professional Placement or Project - BIOL12050

This unit provides students with an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and practical skills attained in their degree course to the professional work environment. Students will undertake either a) an industry placement, or b) a short research project for 120 hours. They will report on their experience in an appropriate format, identifying the nature of the work and activities undertaken. They will also reflect on how the knowledge gained and the skills developed during placement relate to their course of study and their future career.

Requirements

Rank Threshold

 A rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank that applications will be considered for entry to this course.

The rank threshold for this course is: SR 66 | ATAR 66.0

 

Student profile

If you would like to know more about entry scores for applicants with recent secondary education and the student profile for this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1, 2023.

 

 

Institute profile

To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 view our Institute Profile.

 

Recommended study

Social Science and Biology or Chemistry

Prerequisites

English (Units 3 and 4, C)

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an international student, visit our international student information for more details.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee$9,866
Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee$26,029.50

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

How to apply

StateAdmission Code
New South WalesOnline: 160431
QueenslandOnline: 850685; Rockhampton: 850681
Western AustraliaOnline: 150431
South AustraliaOnline: 150431
TasmaniaOnline: 150431
VictoriaOnline: 150431
Northern TerritoryOnline: 150431

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way.

Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?
View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.


What’s the best way to apply?

  • Option 1: Ideal for most situations, whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago.
  • Option 2: Ideal if you are studying with one of our partner study hubs.
  • Option 3: Ideal if you have previously studied with CQU.

Option 1: Ideal for most situations, apply via a tertiary admission centre

View the table below for the best application option based on where you live.

If you live in Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)*
Queensland Apply via QTAC
New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Apply via UAC
Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia Apply via ApplyCQUNI

*Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via a TAC.


Option 2: Want to study with one of our partner study hubs? Apply via ApplyCQUni

Benefit from local support, space, technology and facilities offered by one of our delivery partners.

If you are studying with: Study Support
Murray River Study Hub Access to local study facilities.

ApplyCQUNI


Option 3: If you have previously studied with CQU, apply direct.

As a past CQU student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQU for this course. To apply directly, your prior study with CQU must be a completed or partially completed CQU course or unit, including:

  • CQU’s Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies (STEPS), Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP), or Start Uni Now (SUN) units.
  • A CQU certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or research higher degree, or a unit within these courses.