EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Earth and Environmental Science is the study of our planet – its history, structure, and how its many systems interact. Understanding the Earth is fundamental to protecting it, as well as securing the health and prosperity of future generations.
Environment
Environmental science is the study of the interaction of the living and non-living elements of the environment and how humans impact on these elements. Environmental scientists assess, research and manage resources, together with a wide range of environmental issues.
WHAT YOU STUDY
You will focus on Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Geosciences; these degrees are ideal if you wish to complete a science-based environment degree with a view to employment in an area of environmental monitoring and management.
You will be equipped to understand the ethical, social, economic and political aspects of environmental issues.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science (Environment)
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Environment)
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Environmental Science Advanced
CAREERS
You will have the knowledge to work alongside engineers, lawyers and other professionals. You will have the skills to work in Environmental Protection, the conservation and preservation of natural resources as well as Environmental Education, Communications and Research. Environmental Scientists are employed in a broad range of sectors including government, industry and environmental consultancy.
Land and Heritage Management
Land and Heritage Management examines how we use and interact with the Earth on both an urban and rural scale. It includes the practices of conservation, restoration, museology, archaeology, history and architecture. This area of science is also concerned with the intangible aspects of heritage and geography, such as traditional skills, cultures, movement patterns and languages.
WHAT YOU STUDY
The Bachelor of Science (Land and Heritage Management) provides a core grounding in both the Human and Physical Geography strands, and provides the skills to work on both cultural and natural heritage issues or in land management.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science (Land and Heritage Management)
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Land and Heritage & Management)
CAREERS
Land management scientists work with government bodies, industry engaged in environmental monitoring, and Indigenous groups. Career areas for land and heritage scientists include tourism, heritage assessment and management, sustainability projects and Indigenous land management.
Many work environments now involve the intersection of law, policy, business practice and environmental interests. Good decisions can often only be made with the support of thorough scientific study. This means that the job of managing and protecting land and heritage needs scientists who are trained across a number of interrelated fields – including land and climate change, biology, spatial science, statistics, history and culture, population studies, environmental law, and resource management.
Geology
Study the nature, composition and structure of the Earth and other planetary bodies to increase scientific knowledge; locate materials and minerals and advise on extraction, environmental protection and rehabilitation of land after mining. Areas of specialised study include economic geology (minerals, metals, coal, petroleum, uranium); geochemistry; geophysics; palaeontology; sedimentology; structural geology; stratigraphy; tectonics; and vulcanology.
WHAT YOU STUDY
You will study how plant Earth functions, its composition and origin. You will consider topics such as geological time, the Solar System, the interior of Earth, tectonics and structural geology, crystals, minerals, volcanoes and volcanic processes, and characteristics of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. You will study a variety of areas in the Sciences, gaining an understanding of the physical and chemical makeup of the Earth.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Geology)
International Bachelor of Science
CAREERS
Geologists gather and interpret data about the Earth for the purpose of maintaining our existence on the planet, increasing our understanding of the planet, and improving our quality of life. They investigate the materials, processes and history of the Earth to aid in discovery of materials of value, identify geologically stable sites for major structures, and provide foreknowledge of some dangers associated with the mobile forces of the dynamic Earth. Geologists find careers in mining, exploration and other industries, with government agencies and departments at all levels, and in research organisation such as Geoscience Australia.
Geosciences
A major in Geosciences enables students to integrate knowledge about the Earth's processes, materials and landforms with how people interact with them to address environment issues. The Bachelor of Science (Geosciences) is a broad and flexible Science-based program that provides students with a basic understanding of the major principles, concepts and technologies of the disciplines of Geology, Human Geography and Physical Geography.
WHAT YOU STUDY
Geosciences combine skills from a number of scientific fields. It combines Human Geography's focus on human behaviour, Geology's study of the Earth’s materials and processes, and Physical Geography’s view of the Earth changing over time. You'll study subjects across all these fields, incorporating relevant fieldwork.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science (Geosciences)
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Geosciences)
International Bachelor of Science
CAREERS
Geoscientists provide information for solving problems and establishing policy for resource management, natural hazard management, environmental protection, and planning for public health, safety and welfare.
Human Geography
Human Geography encompasses the study of both people and their environments. Geographers maintain that place matters in debates about population, economic development, environmental management, planning and citizenship. They study conflicts and tensions about access to resources and are able to make important contributions in resolving these conflicts.
WHAT YOU STUDY
You will study core subjects that focus on population analysis, geographic and geological science, resource management and climate change. You can then choose from additional electives if you wish to gain further knowledge in a particular area. You could take subjects in sociology and ethics to explore the social implications of land use and climate change. You could focus on physical geography subjects to predict how environmental changes affect population movements. You could even take politics subjects to investigate the relationship between policy, social change and the environment.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science (Human Geography)
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Human Geography)
International Bachelor of Science
CAREERS
Human geographers contribute to environmental management, urban planning and the management of social and economic change.
Human geography often incorporates questions of social and environmental justice. It uses scientific tools to analyse human, social and natural processes to identify imbalances – and propose sustainable solutions. Human Geographers are employed in a very broad range of sectors including all levels of governments as well as in research and consultancy organisations.
Physical Geography
Physical geography is the study of patterns and processes in the environment caused by the forces of nature, with particular emphasis on their spatial arrangement and evolution over time. It examines environmental and ecological problems facing the world and provides the skills and knowledge to help manage them.
WHAT YOU STUDY
You will focus on understanding physical landscapes and the dynamics of environmental processes acting on the surface of the Earth, which is essential for the identification, assessment and management of environmental issues. You will study the implications and environmental and geological aspects of resource utilisation on Earth.
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY
Bachelor of Science (Physical Geography)
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Physical Geography)
International Bachelor of Science
CAREERS
Physical Geography combines measurement of specific phenomena with analysis of systems – that is, how all these phenomena fit together and affect each other. They apply the latest technologies in spatial analysis and satellite imagery within an environmental management context, and coastal and fluvial geomorphology. They are employed across a broad range of sectors including government bodies, industry and consultancy companies.
Visit the Faculty of Science Undergraduate Booklet for additional information.