Environmental Science Major (BSc Science)

Human exploitation of the environment has taken a serious toll on the planet. Environmental Scientists are needed to solve issues such as land degradation; urban and regional development challenges; impacts of mining, oil and gas extraction and processing; biodiversity loss and pollution. The core units develop your expertise in zoology, botany, ecology, genetics, environmental management, sustainability, statistics, and undertaking environmental research. The core biology units in combination with streams targeted to specific disciplines help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to meet these challenges.

Students will study a common first year and then choose to specialise in one of the following four streams.

Wildlife Biology

Conservation and management of wildlife is increasingly important in the protection of global biodiversity. This stream provides the knowledge and skills needed to work with wildlife, with a focus on Australia’s unique fauna. It provides opportunities to work towards research programs with leading wildlife biologists.

Restoration

Restoration is a $2 trillion global enterprise encompassing marine, aquatic-to-terrestrial and desert ecosystems. This unique study stream places you at the forefront of this discipline and sets you on the path to advanced training through the Curtin Centre for Mine Site Restoration, the largest research facility of its kind in the world.

Genetics

This stream will help you develop the practical and theoretical skills required to contribute to the field of genetics and microbiology. You will interact with a number of research teams that use genetic/bioinformatic approaches in the environmental and agricultural disciplines. Genetics and genomics have expanded rapidly in recent years and offer a number of employment opportunities as well as pathways to higher degree programs.

Environmental Chemistry

There is an increasing need to understand and manage the adverse effects of contaminants on the environment and on the biota that live in it. This stream gives you the chemical and toxicological skills necessary to evaluate degraded environments and implement strategies to restore environmental health.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information. 

How to apply

This major sits within the Bachelor of Science degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Science. In step 3 of the application process, you will be asked to confirm the major you wish to study.

Applying as an undergraduate student is easy. For information tailored to your situation, visit our easy to follow instructions to get your application started.

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What you'll learn

• apply critical thinking, process skills, and the scientific method to generate innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental problems
• use a range of technologies to locate, extract and critically appraise existing scientific knowledge; use scientific knowledge to develop coherent and logical arguments
• communicate scientific information concisely and accurately using written, visual, and verbal means appropriate to the audience
• employ new and established technologies to collect and interpret scientific data; argue the merits and limitations of current and emerging technologies
• evaluate their own learning and development as a student, and develop strategies to take control of their own learning and development, and to continue to learn as a graduate
• consider environmental issues from a global perspective, recognising the importance of national and international standards for collecting and reporting data
• respect and recognise the responsibilities of professional scientists in society, both nationally and internationally; incorporate indigenous and other community perspectives in the development of solutions to environmental problems
• work independently and in teams to demonstrate employment-ready skills such as negotiation, leadership, professional behaviour and ethical practices
• apply principles of the biological and physical sciences to theoretical and practical sciences to theoretical and practical environmental situations