Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

This refers to the extent to which a person can use and understand verbal communication.

What do I need to be able to do?

Use, understand and respond to verbal communication during on- campus learning activities and during professional experience placement. Examples include:

• engaging with fellow students in classroom and field-based activities
• participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during practical classes.

In a laboratory setting, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you and key users of the laboratory and supervisors.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be provided within the academic setting. However, the circumstances of professional experience placement tasks often require timely communication, and this should be considered prior to commencement.

Social communication

This refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Use, recognise and respond appropriately to non-verbal cues from peers and staff, such as verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and equipment with fellow students.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Consideration is given to the use of nonverbal communication behaviours appropriate to your disability or condition. If you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may be more reliant upon either auditory or visual communication behaviours.

Reading

This refers to the extent to which a person demonstrates effective reading and comprehension that is appropriate to both on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings.

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as on-screen material, reference material and/or handwritten notes. Examples include reading and comprehending written documents, such as academic texts, policy documents, induction processes, supervisors' instructions, policies, occupational health and safety guidelines, laboratory records, reports and scientific literature.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed prior to commencing placement.

Writing (Written language)

This refers to the extent to which a person produces coherent written communication that is appropriate to both on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings. N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication content appropriate to both on-campus, laboratory and professional experience placement setting such as writing for academic and public audiences, recognising varied writing styles and modes for different media.

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include recording of laboratory results in a log book using scientific terms and abbreviation; and writing laboratory reports.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed prior to commencing placement.

Number skills (Numeracy)

This refers to the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner. Examples include:

• recording accurate measurements and numerical data when undertaking social surveys, field surveys and laboratory activities. 
• performing accurate calculations when preparing for experiment, e.g. in solution making
• performing accurate calculations to predict the behaviour of objects in an experiment
• conducting counts while assessing experiment outcomes and precisely recording these results in an accurate and time efficient way.

The ability to read, understand and interpret information is fundamental to working in this setting/environment in a safe manner. The ramifications of miscalculations are significant.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your numeracy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed prior to commencing placement.

This refers to the ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

In on-campus and a laboratory setting, fine motor abilities include: 

• conducting experimental techniques such as preparing cultures and applying small volume samples on to gels
• manipulating small dials on equipment such as microscopes
• using small measuring equipment such as pipettes.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the use of large muscle groups that coordinate body movements for tasks involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, gross motor abilities enable safe manual handling to minimise the risk of injury to yourself and others. Examples include:

• picking up, carrying and placing various components in design and build activities
• manual handling i.e. safely moving, positioning and setting up laboratory equipment
• safely manipulating and operating laboratory equipment.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a predetermined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

Physical and mental endurance may include:

• performing repetitive tasks with a level of sustained concentration and focus until the tasks are completed appropriately and accurately
• maintaining consistent physical performance and a high level of concentration while undertaking precise laboratory procedures.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning activities. The use of these strategies during industry placement should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual's ability to moderate their own behaviour. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully.

The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT:

• Equitable Learning Services
• Counselling and Psychological Services

What do I need to be able to do?

Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning, field work, laboratory and professional experience placement settings. These learning environments can be challenging and will require students to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on their work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. For example, participating in a laboratory component in a laboratory setting can present complex and unpredictable human situations which require the following:

• managing multiple, complex demands with focus and composure
• remaining alert, focused and engaged during laboratory activities
• managing personal emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with key users of the laboratory, peers and supervisors when responding to situations which may be challenging i.e., managing unexpected laboratory results.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. These arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator before commencement. You also may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability.

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your vision include:

• reading from scales or small print when using laboratory equipment and measuring devices
• observing changes during sample testing using a microscope
• using equipment such as balances, spectrophotometers, micropipettes
• accurately adjusting the setting on a small dial to the test and measure equipment
• accurately identifying non electronic written information i.e., chemical and sample labels.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team. Contact ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with ELS and your placement coordinator prior to commencing industry placement.

Glasses and other visual aids can be used in industry placement settings. If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with ELS.