About offering
Human exploitation of the environment has taken a serious toll on the planet. Environmental scientists are needed to solve issues related to land degradation, urban and regional development, impacts of mining, oil and gas extraction and processing, biodiversity loss and pollution.
In this major, you will undertake environmental research and develop your expertise in zoology, botany, ecology, genetics, environmental management, sustainability and statistics to help you meet these challenges.
You will study a common first year and then specialise in one of the following 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 you with opportunities to work towards research programs with leading wildlife biologists.
Restoration
Restoration is an AUD$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.
Genetics
Genetics and genomics have expanded rapidly in recent years and offer a number of career opportunities.
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 or bioinformatic approaches in the environmental and agricultural disciplines.
Environmental Chemistry
There is an increasing need to understand and manage the adverse effects of contaminants on the environment.
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.
Ready to apply?
What you'll learn
- apply principles of the biological and physical sciences to theoretical and practical sciences to theoretical and practical environmental situations
- 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
Why study Environmental Science Major (BSc Science)
- Our science departments are highly regarded in the international environmental community and renowned for their excellent research reputation.
- Students in their final year conduct a significant research project in conjunction with academics involved in research.
How this course will make you industry ready
As the human population grows, it takes work to keep the natural environment safe. Businesses and governments hire scientists to make sure they effectively manage natural environments, follow strict environmental laws, and restore and remediate degraded environments.
Student profile
View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
Professional recognition
Depending on the major area of specialisation, graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, the Australian Mathematics Society or the Australian Institute of Physics.
Career information
Careers
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Scientist
- Mine Restoration Consultant
- Natural Resource Manager
- Remediated Lands Consultant
Industries
- Environmental
- Government policy and planning
- Research and development
- Urban and regional planning
Admission criteria for Australian and New Zealand students
Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are as outlined in the IELTS table below. Additional information on how you can meet the English requirement can be found on the English proficiency page.
| IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) | |
|---|---|
| Writing | 6.0 |
| Speaking | 6.0 |
| Reading | 6.0 |
| Listening | 6.0 |
| Overall band score | 6.0 |
What kind of applicant are you?
Applicants with recent secondary education
Completed your secondary education in Australia within the past two years? Learn how you can apply to Curtin.
Applicants with work and life experience
See how to apply if you’ve completed a pathway program, finished secondary education more than two years ago or spent time in the workforce.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Learn how you can gain entry with a TAFE or other vocational education training (VET) qualification.
Applicants with higher education study
Find out how to apply and what credit you may be eligible for if you have previous higher education study.
Applicants with recent secondary education
Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.
-
Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR
-
STAT entry: Not accepted
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Other admission options
Recipients of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship will receive an early offer to study this course.
Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.
Lowest selection rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors)
View the lowest selection rank (incorporating ATAR plus any adjustments) of an applicant to which an offer of a place was made in the most relevant recent intake period, this includes any ATAR adjustments.
Selection rank adjustments (previously referred to as ATAR related adjustments)
Details of the types of adjustment factors (bonus points) commonly available to applicants can be found on our StepUp to Curtin webpage.
ATAR and selection rank profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most recent intake period
View data on the ATAR and selection rank profile of offers made from the most relevant recent intake period.
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants with work and life experience are those who left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.
-
Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR
-
STAT entry: Not accepted
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.
-
OR
Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - TAFE:
All streams EXCEPT Chemistry Stream:
- AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of Higher English language proficiency is required; or
- AQF Diploma; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma
AND
- satisfied the prerequisite.
The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:
- Maths Applications ATAR; or
- MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
- MATH1005 Pre-Calculus.
- Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR
-
STAT entry: Not accepted
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Applicants with higher education study
Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This includes applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It also includes applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.
- Curtin offers a variety of bridging courses to help you meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about our bridging courses.
- Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Curtin course switcher criteria
To switch into this course, you need to have met:
- the admission criteria for minimum entry and the prerequisites.
The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:
- Maths Applications ATAR; or
- MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
- MATH1005 Pre-Calculus.
Higher education course switcher criteria
To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have met:
- the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
- Maths Applications ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Applications ATAR.
Cut-off scores
| Qualification | Score |
|---|---|
| GCE/STPM/HKALE (A-levels - best of three) | 5 |
| HKDSE | 15 |
| IB | 24 |
| Ontario Gr 12 (best of 6) | 60 |
| ATAR (including WACE/SACE/HCE/VCE) | 70 |
| WAUFP (CPS) | 53 |
| India (CBSE) | 60% |
| India (HSC) | 65% |
| Sri Lanka | 5 |
Minimum academic entry requirements
Advanced standing / credit transfer / recognition of prior learning
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
If this applies to you, you can apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL), which means your previous study is recognised and matched against a similar unit in your intended Curtin course.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Email: crl@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course at another educational institution, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Email: ci-enquiries@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888
Next steps
This major/stream is part of a larger course. Please view the for more information, including how to apply.
Where to get further information
- More about studying at Curtin
- Visit the WA Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) website
- Visit the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website
- Visit the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) website
- Our admission appeals and grievance process
Applicants applying for an undergraduate degree with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Find information on how you can apply to study at Curtin with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma if you are applying for an undergraduate degree.
Applicants with other international qualifications
Find information on what qualifications you can use to apply for a Curtin course.
The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information. View courses information disclaimer.
- Curtin course code: MJRU-ENSCI
- This offering was last updated on: 01/11/2019