Why Study / Key Benefits

• Study the relationship between local, global, social and ecological issues, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and ecological challenges.
• Build scientific knowledge in chemistry, biology and microbiology and apply it to environmental problems and sustainable development.
• Gain laboratory access from first year and learn in small, hands-on classes.
• Swinburne states that Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of its bachelor degrees. For this degree, students undertake three professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Develop skills in understanding contemporary environmental issues, gathering and communicating data, research, technical report writing and teamwork.
• The programme provides a multidisciplinary science foundation that can support careers in environmental science, sustainability, water quality and related areas.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The published 2026 indicative study sequence is subject to change and should be treated as a planning guide rather than a guarantee of future unit availability.

Year 1 – Science foundations:

• Data Science Principles – COS10022
• Concepts of Biology – BIO10001
• Chemistry 1 – CHE10001
• Energy and Motion – PHY10001
• Calculus and Applications – MTH10012 or Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007
• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003
• Consumer Chemistry and Environmental Impact – CHE10005
• Built and Sustainable Communities – PEH20004
• Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10013 or Essential Mathematics – MTH10010.

Year 2 – Environmental Science:

• The Microbial World – BIO20002
• Environmental Management – ENV30003
• Food Science – PEH20002
• Water Science – PEH20006
• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011
• Elective units.

Year 3 – Advanced environmental studies:

• Environmental Biology – ENV30001
• Microbes in the Environment – BIO30005
• Grand Challenges in Science – NPS30004
• Elective units.

The Environmental Science major therefore covers topics including:

• Environmental sustainability
• Environmental management
• Environmental biology
• Water science
• Microbiology
• Environmental impacts of consumer chemistry
• Sustainable communities
• Food science
• Microbes and their environmental applications
• Contemporary environmental and societal challenges.

Professional placement:

• Professional placement is optional and subject to a competitive selection process.
• The published placement structure can include Work Experience in Industry A/B and Integrated Professional Placement A/B – Science.
• A 6-month or 12-month placement can be undertaken.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is Environmental Science.

The major combines environmental science with supporting disciplines such as:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Environmental management
• Water science
• Sustainability
• Environmental ecology
• Food science.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year Bachelor of Science.
• Environmental Science major.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus, Melbourne.
• CRICOS 088402K.
• Laboratory access from first year.
• Small, hands-on classes.
• Three professionally focused industry-linked projects through Work Integrated Learning.
• Multidisciplinary environmental training incorporating chemistry, biology and microbiology.
• Optional 6-month or 12-month professional placement, subject to competitive selection.
• Opportunity to select additional study through electives, minors, co-majors or a second major under the course rules. 

Career Outcomes

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

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

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current published 2027 start dates are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• The current published application deadlines are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• The course requires a mathematics prerequisite; students who do not satisfy it must successfully complete the relevant MathsLink bridging programme.
• The 2026 study sequence is explicitly described by Swinburne as indicative and may change.
• Professional placement is subject to competitive selection and is not automatically guaranteed.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus for this course.
• 2027 exact tuition fees have not yet been published on the course page: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Future unit availability and any future course-structure changes: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa is the Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key current requirements and conditions include:

• The student must study an eligible CRICOS-registered course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is required.
• OSHC is generally required unless an exemption applies.
• Applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement and provide the required supporting evidence.
• Health, character and applicable financial/documentary requirements must also be satisfied.
• The Student visa can allow study in Australia for up to 6 years, depending on the course and enrolment period.
• The current Student visa application charge starts from A$2,500, with limited concessions; the actual amount should be checked through the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

Work conditions:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Students can generally work unlimited hours when their course is not in session.
• Students cannot normally commence work before their course starts.
• The 48-hour limitation does not apply in the same way to students studying a master's by research or doctoral degree; this Environmental Science bachelor's degree does not fall into that exception.