The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Environmental Science

Provides the research basis for solving environmental problems.

On this page

  1. Introduction
  2. Course description, features and facilities
  3. Student profile
  4. Structure
  5. Popular combinations
  6. You may also be interested in…
  7. Professional Recognition
  8. Career opportunities
  9. Further study opportunities
  10. Entrance requirements
  11. How to Apply
 

Introduction

Environmental Science assesses the impact of human activity and develops scientific, risk-based, solutions to help secure a sustainable global environment. It encompasses both the biological and the earth sciences.

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Course description, features and facilities

Environmental issues are many and varied, and an interdisciplinary approach is followed.

Environmental scientists concern themselves with issues such as:

  • climate change
  • carbon trading
  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • water resource management
  • salinity
  • land degradation and rehabilitation
  • flora and fauna
  • habitat destruction
  • deforestation
  • energy and mineral depletion
  • air and water pollution
  • soil erosion
  • groundwater contamination

Teaching methods consist of lectures from leading experts and industry representatives, weekly practical, computer and laboratory classes and tutorials.

This major also includes field work and three fieldtrips of two to three days.

UWA is well equipped for teaching and research in environmental science and our teaching is supported by the world class research of the Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, the Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Initiative, the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Biodiversity Conservation Centre and the Ecosystem Restoration Laboratory.

Visit the Science website for further information on careers in science, graduate profiles, scholarships and the benefits of choosing science at UWA.


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Student profile

Student profile – Taryn Green

I have always been interested in the environment, sustainability and the outdoors. Environmental Science offers a broad range of learning opportunities such as soil science, hydrology, ecology, science communication, computer-based mapping (GIS), and coastal management and planning. I liked this aspect of my degree as you are not limited to one field of study.

The best part of my studies was completing a summer vacation work placement in the g industry, and was given the opportunity to work in the Pilbara on Barrow Island. This helped set me up for my final year, where I’ve already secured a job in mining as an Environmental Advisor before I’ve even left Uni!

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Structure

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

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Professional Recognition

Graduates may apply for membership to the Institute of Australian Geographers. Students completing the earth stream may also be eligible for accreditation and membership with the Certified Professional Soil Scientists (CPSS).

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Career opportunities

Environmental Science graduates have ample employment opportunities with key employers including commonwealth and state departments and agencies responsible for the environment, water, conservation, climate change policy, agriculture and food, and primary industries.
 
Other employers are private sector firms working in the resources sector and non-government organisations such as Landcare.

I want to be a…

This course could lead to becoming a:

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Further study opportunities

Students with an Environmental Science major can pursue further studies at honours level and/or at masters level.

The Master of Science can be done either by coursework (for example, Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Soil Science and Land Rehabilitation, Water Management and Hydrology, Natural Resource Management) or by research (thesis and coursework in, for example, Environmental Economics).

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. Recommended subjects
  4. English competency
  5. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
80
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
29

Additional information

Prerequisites and recommended courses may not apply to students completing this major as a second major in a degree other than the Bachelor of Science.

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

Recommended subjects

Qualification and recommended subjects
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)		29
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus		66
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics.		8
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D		63
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		85
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		270
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year.		12
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics		525
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		15.70
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		3.17
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics.		8
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics		4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. How to apply
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

How to apply

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. How to apply
  4. Fees
  5. Information for…
  6. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

How to apply

This contains text about How to Apply - International

Fees

$30980, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
About UWA
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Foundation and preparatory courses
There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
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Environmental Science: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley, Albany
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BSc), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)
This major is available in:Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees
Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information
Faculty of Science
Science Student Office Agriculture Central building, Crawley campus
sso-science@uwa.edu.au
Ask UWA
(+61 8) 64887333
Additional information

Footnote links and information

University information

CRICOS Code: 00126G

This page:

Last updated
Monday, 8 April, 2013 3:18 PM
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