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Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science

Integrate environmental science with conservation and rehabilitation ecosystem management to provide solutions for human impacts threatening our ecology, wildlife, water and climate.
This course is offered at multiple locations, select your prefered campus to see when it is offered.
Ballarat - Mt Helen
Berwick
Gippsland - Churchill
On-line Learning
Location
Semester 1
Semester 2
Other intakes
Ballarat - Mt Helen
Semester 1
Semester 2
Other intakes
-
Berwick
Semester 1
Semester 2
Other intakes
-
Gippsland - Churchill
Semester 1
Semester 2
Other intakes
-
On-line Learning
Semester 1
Semester 2
Other intakes
-
View all semester start dates
Length
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
(360 credit points = 3.0 EFTSL)
ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR 60.00
Lowest Adjusted ATAR 50.00

Discover how environmental science integrates with the management of conserving and rehabilitating natural and degraded ecosystems.

With a strong focus on the Australian environment, you will explore subject areas such as ecology and wildlife, water and climate, mine site rehabilitation, landscape management and restoration. Learn through practical experiences including fieldwork in arid, coastal and forested areas and gain the knowledge, skills and experience required and encouraged by industry and government departments.

Hear from our students

This course offers many opportunities to visit and study in the field, deepening my understanding of subjects and allowing me to gain practical experience working in natural environments. On a trip to Phillip Island, we visited a large wildlife conservation area where you can watch birds hunting for food with their young chicks. I had the opportunity to see penguins up close as they returned to their nests and koalas sleeping. We also went on a boat to observe different species of birds in flight or feeding - there were whales and seals too! I really enjoyed the trip.

Rong
Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science
  • Soil scientist
  • Pest management officer
  • Resource analyst
  • Resource manager
  • Sustainability officer
  • Conservation and biodiversity manager
  • Cultural geographer
  • Cultural heritage manager
  • Cultural heritage officer
  • Ecologist
  • Environmental advisor
  • Environmental and conservation biologist
  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental policy developer
  • Environmental planner
  • Environmental protection officer
  • Environmental scientist
  • Ethical advisor
  • Fire management scientist
  • Forestry officer
  • Land management consultant
  • Landcare worker
  • Natural resource manager
  • Hydrologist

There is a wide range of career choices for environmental and conservation scientists including: conservation of native flora, fauna, and ecosystems, ecological restoration to repair or reinstate ecological function and ecological risk management – where you may work to address key threatening processes, such as environmental change, resource use and human population expansion.

Employment opportunities exist with environmental agencies, local, state and Commonwealth governments, energy suppliers, water companies, consultancies, engineering and construction firms, environmental lobbying organisations, forestry and agriculture to name just a few.

Sample structures are just one example of the many options available within your chosen course.  Please contact Federation University for further information on available options.

Please note this is a sample structure only and is not to be used for enrolment purposes.  To enrol, please refer to the information provided to you by Federation University for your individual course structure or view our enrolment information page.

To view current unit information and cost, click on the individual unit name below, or click here to view current unit information and cost for ALL units.

Year 1

Semester 1

PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
SCBIO1001, 15 credit points
CHEMISTRY 1
SCCHM1001, 15 credit points
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION
SCCOR1200, 15 credit points
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
SCENV1002, 15 credit points

Semester 2

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY (SCIENCE)
COOPC1026, 15 credit points
SCIENTIFIC PRACTICE
SCCOR1300, 15 credit points
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
SCENV1001, 15 credit points
SUSTAINABLE EARTH
SCSUS1500, 15 credit points

Year 2

Semester 1

AUSTRALIAN FAUNA
SCENV2100, 15 credit points
POPULATION AND COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
SCENV2200, 15 credit points
FIELD-BASED INVESTIGATION
SCENV2500, 15 credit points
BECS Elective (1)

Semester 2

AUSTRALIAN FLORA
SCENV2101, 15 credit points
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SCENV2600, 15 credit points
BECS Elective (1)

Year 3

Semester 1

ECOSYSTEMS CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
SCENV3800, 15 credit points
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
SCENV3912, 15 credit points
BECS Elective (1)

Bachelor of Enviro & Cons Sci Electives

Semester 2

Bachelor of Enviro & Cons Sci Electives

BECS Elective (2)

16 hours per week

Important for Yr 10 students

Entry requirements (year 12)

Admissions Criteria for current Year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years)

Prerequisites

  • Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English;
  • Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of any Mathematics or any Science

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR

This course has a guaranteed ATAR.
If you meet the course pre-requisites and any ‘Essential Requirements for Admission’, we will guarantee you a place in this course with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in subject adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.

Subject Adjustments

A study score of 35 in Biology, Chemistry or Physicsequals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.

SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)

Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application.

 

Entry requirements (non year 12)


Admission criteria for applicants with a Higher Education Study

This course uses the applicants’ entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Compulsory:  Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory program such as the FedUni Foundation Access Studies Program (FAST).

 

Admission criteria for applications with a Vocational Education and Training study

This course uses the applicants’ entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Compulsory: Successful completion of a relevant VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.

 

Admission criteria for applications with work and life experience

Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies will not be eligible for entry into this program. Applicants in this category should consider a pathway program such as Foundation Access Studies (FAST) Program.

English language requirement

Overall Academic IELTS band score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent

The application method varies depending on your circumstances, please visit our How to apply page for further information.

VTAC application: Yes

VTAC code: 3700510381 (Mt Helen), 3700710381 (Churchill), 3700810381 (On-line Learning), 3701810381 (Berwick)

Direct application: Yes

Federation University code: SE5

2024 Indicative Fees

Fee Type: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

$8,948 student contribution amount

A Commonwealth Supported Place is subsidised by the Australian Government.  Your fees (student contribution amount) are set on an annual basis by the government and are determined by the discipline area and band of your individual units, not the overall course.  Each unit falls into a band which determines the student contribution.

2024 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range between $4,445 Band 1 to $16,323 Band 4.  To find the Band, EFTSL and contribution amount for each unit, check the Sample Structure or refer to the 2024 unit listing.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and the indicative amount should be used as a guide only.  It is based on a typical enrolment for a student undertaking the first year of study in this course.  For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed.  Total cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.

Other fees

You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Other study costs

Cape Otway Field trip first semester 2nd year (estimate) - $100.

Nanya field trip second semester 2nd year (estimate) - $120.

Fee assistance

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.  You may also be eligible to defer payment of your SSAF through a SA-HELP loan.

Scholarships

Our scholarships and grants can help with your study costs.  Explore our scholarships to find an opportunity that's right for you.

Can your studies count towards a degree with us? Use our online Credit Search to get the details on completing your studies sooner.

Pathways to this course:

Candidates seeking alternate entry to this course can consider the below options:

Defined TAFE pathway
A defined TAFE pathway program exists for this degree.  Please note that additional essential requirements for admission may apply following completion of this pathway. * 120 credit points is the equivalent of one-year full time study.
 
Other TAFE studies
Apply for a relevant TAFE course, at any TAFE provider, and then apply to articulate into this program.  You may receive credit for TAFE studies undertaken, which will be individually assessed upon request, after you enrol in your bachelor level course. 
 
Bridging courses


A bridging program can provide an excellent foundation to build upon in your bachelor degree studies:

  • Our one semester Foundation Access Studies (FAST) program  provides you an alternate entry into tertiary study, with a focus on building the more generic academic skills required for success at university.  
     


Credit will be considered if you have successfully completed higher education or TAFE studies relevant to this degree. Advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer, prior experience and qualifications.

 

Pathways from this course:

Satisfactory completion of this course can lead to the Bachelor of Science (Honours), as a prelude to a higher degree in research or a professional qualification.
 

Staff maintain a close working relationship with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Victoria, and carry out a wide range of research and consultancy activities for other bodies such as Parks Victoria, VicRoads, Landcare groups, Catchment Management Authorities and private organisations.

 

This program is available via Online Learning, in combination with one to two weeks (depending on your program) of compulsory on-campus laboratory sessions. These lab sessions are held in semester one and semester two in each year of your program. You will also be required to complete examinations either on-campus, or at an approved remote exam location in your region, under supervision.

 

 

To help you get the most from your online learning experience, it's important that you own or have frequent access to a fast and reliable computer that's ideally not more than two years old.

You will also need frequent access to a reliable high-speed internet connection.  You should expect to use approximately 5GB of data each month, per unit, just for study use.

For further information, visit the Minimum IT requirements for studying online webpage.

A range of student services are available at most campuses. For further information on these services or for course information, please contact us on 1800 333 864.

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

All information contained in this course overview including the availability of courses and fees, is correct at the time of being published, however the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Students should check for any amendment prior to enrolment.

CRICOS Provider No.00103D
Please note: This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
National RTO Code: 4909

School department

Science

Course co-ordinator

Ballarat - Mt Helen - Nicholas Schultz
Berwick - Simone Louwhoff
Gippsland - Churchill - Simone Louwhoff
Online Delivery - Simone Louwhoff