Environmental Studies
Study in the discipline of Environmental Studies is offered by the School of Geosciences in the Faculty of Science. Units of study in this major are available at standard and advanced level.
About the major
Environmental Studies is the examination of the social, economic and regulatory contexts that surround the management and monitoring of environmental and ecosystem health.
Environmental Studies incorporates the study of both social and bio-physical phenomena within their regulatory and policy frameworks, and is therefore inherently multi-disciplinary. It provides students with an understanding of the governance frames in which their professional careers in the environment sector will operate. It encapsulates the fundamental aspects of sustainability, environmental assessment, law, ethics, development, energy use, economics and politics. Consequently, the ENVI units are complementary to studies in the physical and natural science disciplines as well as social science disciplines.
Requirements for completion
A major in Environmental Studies requires 48 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level earth and life sciences units
(ii) 6 credit points of 1000-level selective units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(v) 12 credit points of 3000-level core units
(vi) 6 credit points of 3000-level selective units
(vii) 6 credit points of 3000-level urban and South-East Asian context units
A minor in Environmental Studies is available and articulates to this major.
First year
The Environmental Studies major and minor is designed to be of value to students working across a range of disciplines in the life and environmental sciences. The first year is built around foundational units in biology and geosciences, with selective options in biology, chemistry, geosciences and environmental economics. These units provide a solid foundation for specialisation in later years.
Second year
In the second year, students are required to take GEOS2X21 as the core unit. This provides an essential conceptual framework for understanding interactions between humans and the rest of the earth system that is of value in at 3000-level. Selective options in environmental politics, resource economics, and natural hazards provide a broad, multi-disciplinary platform for understanding and critically analysing complex environmental and development issues.
Third year
In the third year of the Environmental Studies major, students are exposed to common legislative, normative, and procedural aspects of professional practice in the environmental and life sciences (ENVI3X11 and ENVI3X12). Selective units in energy (ENVI3114), environmental management and sustainability (GEOS3X14 and GEOS3X20), resource economics (ECOS3013) and field skills (GEOS3X53) provide a range of options to complement core training, strengthen specialisations, or compliment other majors/minors.
In your third year you must take at least one designated project unit.
Fourth year
The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area at 4000 level, including a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points. Space is provided for 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed). 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Honours
Requirements for Honours in the area of Environmental Studies: completion of 36 credit points of project work and 12 credit points of coursework.
Honours units of study will be available in 2020.
Contact and further information
W http://www.geosci.usyd.edu.au/index.shtml
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T +61 2 9351 4796
Address:
School of Geosciences
Room 348, Madsen Building F09
University of Sydney NSW 2006
Dr Jeff Neilson
T +61 2 9351 4733
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Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Environmental Studies will be able to:
- Understand fundamental concepts and methods in natural and social sciences and their application to environmental issues;
- Understand contemporary Australian regulatory and policy frameworks with respect to the natural environment and natural resources
- Integrate and apply perspectives on complex environmental issues from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities
- Appreciate the ethical and broader contextual nature of environmental issues
- Demonstrate proficiency in analytical methods and critical thinking, written and oral communication skills needed to conduct high-level work as an interdisciplinary scholar and/or professional.