Program Overview

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Environmental Science and Ecology Extended Major

About the Course

Environmental Science assesses the impact of human activity on the global environment and develops scientific, risk-based solutions to help secure a sustainable future. Environmental scientists deal with issues such as climate change, rehabilitation and renaturation, habitat destruction or environmental impact assessment.

As a student of the Environmental Science and Ecology extended major, you will be trained to apply a combination of scientific knowledge from environmental science, botany and animal science to solve real-world problems. The acquired skills and knowledge are highly relevant to the work force in this field. The extended major allows the shortest possible pathway into most specialisations in the Environmental Science master's program at UWA, excepting Management. It further allows for entry into honours in Botany as well as the MSc in Biological Sciences (for the latter one conversion unit will be necessary).

In this course you will engage in a range of experiential learning activities oriented for developing competencies for the workplace through: participating in fieldwork, working in laboratories, collaborating with peers, demonstrating critical thinking, producing reports and delivering presentations. You'll also acquire skills and knowledge applicable to employment in your chosen discipline.

Quick Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-ENVEM
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
• Honours Available: Yes
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Environmental Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Why Study This Course?

• By taking this extended major you’ll gain specialised advanced training in the field of environmental science to set you on the path to your dream career
• The specific skills and knowledge developed and demonstrated by graduates are exceedingly valued by employers and will make you highly competitive in the job market
• We’ll provide you the environment to build technical skills and valuable connections through hands-on learning, work integrated learning, in the lab and out in the field

You'll Learn To

• Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical knowledge and applied technical skills in the disciplines of Environmental Science and Ecology
• Apply scientific principles as well as creative and communication skills in diverse contexts relevant for Environmental Science and Ecology
• Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems around climate change impacts, environmental assessments as well as ecological and environmental rehabilitation with intellectual independence
• Demonstrate competency in laboratory practice, fieldwork study, report writing, oral presentation and team work skills suited to gain employment in the disciplines of Environmental Science and Ecology

Course Structure

Extended majors enable you to dive deeper into a particular area of study and normally require 13 to 18 units studied over the course of your degree.

Level 1

• Core
  • BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology (6)
  • ENVT1104 Environmental Science and Technology (6)
  • SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6)
  • SCOM1101 Communicating Science (6)
• Bridging
  • Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete SCIE1500. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and SCIE1500. Note:Students who have completed MATH1721, are not required to complete SCIE1500. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists (6)

Level 2

• Core - ENVT2220
  • Take all units (48 points):
    • ANIM2220 Animal Diversity (6)
    • ENVT2220 The Climate System (6)
    • ENVT2236 Soil Science (6)
    • ENVT2250 Ecology (6)
    • ENVT2251 Hydrology and Water Resource Management (6)
    • GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (6)
    • PLNT2201 Plants in Action (6)
    • PLNT2204 Plant Diversity and Evolution (6)

Level 3

• Core
  • Take all units (36 points):
    • ENVT3338 Land Capability Assessment (6)
    • ENVT3339 Land Rehabilitation (6)
    • ENVT3361 Environmental Assessment (6)
    • ENVT3362 Environmental Dynamics (6)
    • ENVT3363 Ecological Processes (6)
    • PLNT3306 Australian Vegetation (6)

Admission Requirements

• The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.
• For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Minimum Entry Requirements

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 11.5
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 70
• French Baccalaureate: 12
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 525
• GCE A-Levels: 9
• German Abitur: 3.3
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 15
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 60
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 79
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 26
• Malaysian STPM: 11
• Monash University Foundation Year: 270
• NCUK Foundation Program: 9
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.8
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 8
• South African National Senior Certificate: 4.6
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 330
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 15
• Trinity College Foundation: 300
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 12
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 66
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 8
• US College Board SAT: 1170
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 60
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 80

Prerequisites

• This major requires:
  • Mathematics Methods ATAR; OR
  • Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year; OR
  • Students without ATAR mathematics to take two mathematics units in their first year.
• Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

English Competency

• English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
• Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Fees and Scholarships

• Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

• Fee calculator

International Student Fees

• Annual course fee (2025): $49,200.00
• Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

• Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
• Search Scholarships

Cost of Living

• There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

How to Apply

• The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.