Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science (Professional), majoring in Environmental Science, combines environmental science with chemistry, biology, microbiology, sustainability and practical industry experience. Swinburne focuses on the relationship between local, global, social and ecological issues and their connection with environmental sustainability and ecological challenges.

Key benefits include:

• Study of contemporary environmental issues and sustainability.
• Scientific foundations in chemistry, biology and microbiology.
• Application of scientific knowledge to environmental sustainability.
• Study of ecological and social challenges at local and global levels.
• Practical scientific and industry-linked learning.
• Development of environmental data-gathering and communication skills.
• Research and information-gathering skills.
• Technical report-writing skills.
• Teamwork and professional communication.
• Three industry-linked projects through Work Integrated Learning.
• A 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• Opportunity to gain industry experience and academic credit through the Professional degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Professional degree requires 375 credit points comprising core science study, the Environmental Science major, electives and the 100-credit-point professional placement. Swinburne describes the published sequence as indicative and notes that sequencing may change depending on unit availability, advanced standing and exemptions.

Year 1 – 100 credit points:

Semester 1:

• Concepts of Biology – BIO10001 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Calculus and Applications – MTH10012 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Chemistry 1 – CHE10001 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Introduction to Chemistry – CHE10004 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Energy and Motion – PHY10001 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Introduction to Physics – PHY10002 – 12.5 credit points.

Semester 2:

• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003 – 12.5 credit points.
• Consumer Chemistry and Environmental Impact – CHE10005 – 12.5 credit points.
• Built and Sustainable Communities – PEH20004 – 12.5 credit points.
• One additional core/elective component as specified in the applicable course planner.

Year 2 – 100 credit points:

Semester 1:

• The Microbial World – BIO20002 – 12.5 credit points.
• Environmental Management – ENV30003 – 12.5 credit points.
• Food Science – PEH20002 – 12.5 credit points.
• One elective.

Semester 2:

• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011 – 12.5 credit points.
• Water Science – PEH20006 – 12.5 credit points.
• Two electives.

Professional work placement – 100 credit points:

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001 – 25 credit points.
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Science – NPS20003 – 25 credit points.
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002 – 25 credit points.
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Science – NPS20004 – 25 credit points.

Year 4 – 75 credit points:

Semester 1:

• Grand Challenges in Science – NPS30004 – 12.5 credit points.
• Environmental Biology – ENV30001 – 12.5 credit points.
• Two electives.

Semester 2:

• Microbes in the Environment – BIO30005 – 12.5 credit points.
• Three electives.

The eight Environmental Science major units are:

• Consumer Chemistry and Environmental Impact – CHE10005.
• Built and Sustainable Communities – PEH20004.
• The Microbial World – BIO20002.
• Environmental Management – ENV30003.
• Food Science – PEH20002.
• Water Science – PEH20006.
• Environmental Biology – ENV30001.
• Microbes in the Environment – BIO30005.

Disciplines/Specialisations

Selected major: Environmental Science.

The major focuses on:

• Environmental sustainability.
• Environmental biology.
• Environmental management.
• Water science and water quality.
• Microbiology and microbes in the environment.
• Chemistry and environmental impact.
• Sustainable communities.
• Ecological challenges.
• Contemporary environmental issues.
• Scientific data collection and communication.
• Local and global environmental issues.

The wider Bachelor of Science (Professional) currently offers these science majors:

• Applied Mathematics.
• Astronomy and Astrophysics.
• Biochemistry.
• Biotechnology.
• Chemistry.
• Environmental Science.
• Physics.
• Space Technology.

Programme Highlights

• Bachelor of Science (Professional).
• Environmental Science major.
• Course code: BA-SC2PROF.
• CRICOS: 095882G.
• Hawthorn campus.
• 4 years full-time.
• 375 credit points.
• 8 core units.
• 8 Environmental Science major units.
• 6 elective units.
• 4 professional-placement units.
• 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• Approximately 1,672–1,976 hours of professional placement.
• Three industry-linked projects.
• Practical science and laboratory learning.
• Chemistry, biology and microbiology foundations.
• Environmental management and water science.
• Environmental biology and microbiology.
• Technical report writing and scientific data communication.
• Teamwork and professional skills.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities for the Environmental Science major:

• Sustainability analyst.
• Environmental scientist.
• Environmental consultant.
• Water quality expert.
• Plant and animal breeder.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

CRICOS course code: 095882G.

Key requirements can include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Evidence of financial capacity where required.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Applicable health requirements.
• Applicable character requirements.
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.