Undergraduate

Environmental Science

Studying Environmental Science will provide you with a strong research basis for solving environmental problems.
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

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Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Email

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Students graduating with a Major in Environmental Science are well placed for the job market or a pathway to postgraduate study. Their strong cognate background in Environmental Science as well as their comprehensive practical skills will open pathways to become environmental officers and consultants in a large variety of places such as consultancies, NGOs or government departments and agencies.

Careers include:

  • Environmental Consultants
  • Environmental Officers
  • Conservation Officers
  • Mine Rehabilitation Specialists
  • Soil Scientists

 


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Career Pathways

Students graduating with a Major in Environmental Science are well placed for the job market or a pathway to postgraduate study. Their strong cognate background in Environmental Science as well as their comprehensive practical skills will open pathways to become environmental officers and consultants in a large variety of places such as consultancies, NGOs or government departments and agencies.

Careers include:

  • Environmental Consultants
  • Environmental Officers
  • Conservation Officers
  • Mine Rehabilitation Specialists
  • Soil Scientists

 


Further Study

An Honours in Environmental Science will prepare you with advanced training in areas of land and water management, climate science, biogeochemical processes, ecology and soil science related to natural and disturbed environments, enabling you to successfully complete a research project. The project consists usually of field work and will often involve industry partners. You will learn how to manage your time, interact with scientists and stakeholders and be trained to communicate with confidence in both written and oral form. Employment opportunities include roles within companies overseeing environmental compliance, being part of investigative teams assessing environmental impacts, within consulting companies, and within government agencies and departments managing natural, agricultural and urban environments, and being involved in regulating users of land and water resources.
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Further Study

An Honours in Environmental Science will prepare you with advanced training in areas of land and water management, climate science, biogeochemical processes, ecology and soil science related to natural and disturbed environments, enabling you to successfully complete a research project. The project consists usually of field work and will often involve industry partners. You will learn how to manage your time, interact with scientists and stakeholders and be trained to communicate with confidence in both written and oral form. Employment opportunities include roles within companies overseeing environmental compliance, being part of investigative teams assessing environmental impacts, within consulting companies, and within government agencies and departments managing natural, agricultural and urban environments, and being involved in regulating users of land and water resources.
Postgraduate study at UWA

Master of Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Science

Experience an interdisciplinary approach to Environmental Science with a specialisation in Environmental Management, Marine and Coastal, Catchments and Water, Environmental Rehabilitation, Sensing and Environmental Data or Environmental Economics.

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 page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

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.

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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.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

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.

Cost of living

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. 

Admission requirements

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.

Admission requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

Apply through TISC

  1. Log in to the TISC website
    If you’re a Year 12 student studying a WACE course at a WA high school or a pathway program, you are already automatically registered with TISC.
  2. Select your preferences
    You can choose up to six preferences when you apply through TISC. You should list your preferences in order from your most desired course onwards; this way you’ll have plenty of options to get into UWA.
  3. Lodging your application
    You’re almost there! After answering a few questions, you’ll need to make a declaration about your application.
  4. Application processing fee
    Your TISC application is lodged once you’ve completed the payment. For more information on fees and payments, visit the TISC website.
     

Course details

Environmental Science assesses the impact of human activity on the global environment and develops scientific, risk-based solutions to help secure a sustainable future. By choosing to major in Environmental Science, you'll help to develop solutions to global environmental issues including climate change, carbon trading, greenhouse gas emissions, water resource management, salinity, deforestation, and others.

About the course

The Environmental Science major encompasses both the biological and the earth sciences. Environmental issues are many and varied so the use of an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving is essential. 
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About the course

The Environmental Science major encompasses both the biological and the earth sciences. Environmental issues are many and varied so the use of an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving is essential. You'll develop techniques in scientific modelling to achieve practical solutions to these problems. Environmental scientists deal with issues such as climate change, carbon trading, greenhouse gas emissions, water resource management, salinity, land degradation and rehabilitation, flora and fauna, habitat destruction, deforestation, energy and mineral depletion, air and water pollution, soil erosion, and groundwater contamination. It is envisaged there will be up to three overnight field trips (students cover expenses such as the cost of their food and accommodation on overnight field trips, across a maximum of four nights).
Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-ENVSC
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc)
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Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-ENVSC
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc)
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Science Integrated Professional

Thomas Gambuti

Thomas Gambuti
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Thomas Gambuti

Thomas Gambuti
Growing up in a country town surrounded by bush and farms, I’ve always wanted to be involved in Environmental Science in some capacity, for as long as I can remember. The combination of physical effort and technical skills within the units appeals to me. Going out into the field to collect data and samples and coming back to the lab to make sense of it all gives me a great sense of personal satisfaction in the whole process from start to finish. This combined with passionate teaching staff makes the experience all that much more enjoyable. 

I chose UWA for its campus, postgraduate opportunities and world-leading research facilities. One day I hope to end up working within the consultancy industry to re-mediate and restore disturbed environments, particularly within an agricultural context.

You may also be interested in these courses

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

Marine Biology Marine Biology Marine and Coastal Processes Marine and Coastal Processes Geology Geology

Popular Combinations

Marine Biology

Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, and their behaviours and interactions with the environment.

Marine and Coastal Processes

The Marine and Coastal Processes major will provide you with the understanding of how our coastal and marine environments operate.

Geology

Geology studies the evolution and characteristics of the Earth.

Agricultural Science

Agricultural Science provides the technology and research for sustainable, profitable and ethical food production worldwide.

Botany

Botany is the scientific study of plants.

Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies is one of the most exciting and rapidly-evolving areas of study in today's media-driven world.

Conservation Biology

Conservation biology is the science of protecting and managing biodiversity.

Geographical Sciences

Geographical Sciences is the study of the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments.

Applied Human Geography

Human Geography and Planning is about understanding and guiding the development of cities and regions.

Law and Society

The Law and Society major examines broad theoretical issues about the nature of law and society as well as how the relationship plays out in particular fields of legal and social policy at both domestic and international levels.

Management

Management is the backbone of any organisation, providing organisational, operational, staffing and resourcing expertise that can be applied anywhere, anytime.

Zoology

Zoology focuses on the diversity of animals and how they survive, thrive and persist.

Physics

Physics is the key to understanding the world around us.

Course structure details

Level 1

Core

Take all units (24 points):

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.
Level 2

Core

Take all units (24 points):
Level 3

Core

Take all units (24 points):
Course structure details Other combinations
student story

Jasmin Bentink

Jasmin Bentink
Find out more
student story

Jasmin Bentink

Jasmin Bentink

How Jasmin’s studies are helping her understand the world from the ground up

Growing up on a farm in WA sparked Jasmin Bentink’s love for the land. Now, she’s building the skills to turn her passion into impact. Discover how hands-on learning at UWA is helping her understand the world from the ground up.

Read the full article here.

Alumni Story

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz
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Alumni Story

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz

Executive Director and Founder, Plastic Free July Foundation

My journey since studying at UWA certainly didn’t evolve as I had planned. Due to a death in my immediate family, plans for overseas work and further study were put on hold. I’ve worked in government and as a consultant on projects ranging from catchment mapping to community consultation to underwater surveys of abalone populations.

An interest in sustainable living led to working as a waste educator in Perth’s western suburbs and starting Plastic Free July. I have since had the opportunity to explore the plastic pollution problem and participate in research expeditions in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Though I’ve never worked as a scientist, the ability to evaluate information and read research papers has been critical to developing my understanding of the plastic pollution issue and ability to develop big picture solutions.

Read more about Rebecca's story here.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

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Work Integrated Learning

Develop your employability skills through a science work placement. The following units are available to all science undergraduate students who are looking to gain practical hands-on industry relevant experience:

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Ranked 1st in western australia  for Environmental Science and Engineering (GRAS 2025)
Centre

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management

Albany coastline

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Centre

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management

The Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management (CENRM) is a leader in the provision of knowledge necessary to better manage natural resources in Australia. The Centre's vision is to solve natural resource management issues, not just study them.

Visit the CENRM webpage