BACHELOR DEGREES
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Environment and Society
Melbourne City
Break traditional disciplinary boundaries and address the most pressing issue of the new century: environmental changes and the ways in which people might respond and adapt to them.
This unique program combines science, policymaking and social change to give you the skills and knowledge to become a leader in sustainability and help protect our natural environment.
Through the combination of classroom work, laboratory work and fieldwork you will gain an understanding of both scientific and social theory. You will engage in a number of real-life projects that provide you with the practical experience to reconsider theoretical concepts.
Make a positive difference in a career that will strive to protect many of the world’s precious ecosystems, as well as shape the future of humanity.
Strong features of the environmental science stream are laboratory-based classes, fieldwork and formal examination.
The social science stream involves essay writing, tutorials and group work.
Many of the courses have a strong online presence to supplement class-based work.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Assessment in this program includes:
- examinations
- individual and group assignments and projects
- reflective journals
- assessed tutorials
- presentations
- self-assessment and peer-assessment
Students participate in a formal 20-day work placement in the final semester of the degree. RMIT assists students to find work placements, which are often paid, at a variety of environmental and related organisations, including:
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
- Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
- Agriculture Victoria
- CSIRO
- Landcare
- BORAL
- Parks Victoria
- water and catchment management authorities
- local wineries
- municipal councils and local government.
Past graduates have often used opportunities provided by formal work placements to gain employment after graduation.
Additional work-related experience occurs through consulting with industry organisations on real-world projects.
Academic staff are drawn from RMIT’s Applied Science and Sustainability and Urban Planning disciplines. Staff publish in their specialised areas of knowledge and some have profiles in the Victorian and national media. Many undertake collaborative research projects with industry and government and are knowledgeable about current environmental debates.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
With the emergence of the global ‘green economy’, graduates from this program are highly sought after by employers due to their rare combination of environmental science and environmental policy skills.
Graduates work in local and international:
- Commonwealth, state and local governments
- consulting firms
- community organisations
- private and public businesses in metropolitan and rural areas
Professional environmental careers may see you undertaking tasks relating to environmental management, identifying community needs, environmental planning and environmental reporting.
Careers
- scientist
- policymaker
- environmental advocate and activist
- environmental manager
- sustainability manager
- sustainability consultant
- environmental protection officer
- environmental policy officer
- community education officer
Professional recognition and accreditation
The program is accredited by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. All graduates will be eligible for membership.
You can elect to undertake 48 credit points in environmental chemistry or ecology as part of this program, and upon successful completion you will be eligible for associate membership of either the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (chemistry) or the Australian Institute of Biology (biology).
You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world projects in international contexts. Students are encouraged to take up semester-long study overseas with RMIT partner universities in China, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands or the Philippines.
Our students have been prominent participants in project teams working with partner organisations in countries such as Vietnam, Nepal and in Latin America. More international intensives will be implemented in 2016.
Since 2002, selected students in a small multidisciplinary group have undertaken a yearly research project in Vietnam, coordinated by an in-country environmental and sustainable development organisation. This project provides an authentic experience that replicates professional practice, allowing students to apply their core knowledge and skills to a pressing environmental issue.
RMIT’s Global Experience Office (GEO) supports students to undertake exchange or short-term mobility activities with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Info Corner
330 Swanston Street (cnr La Trobe Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel. +61 3 9925 2260
Make an enquiry
Program and course information
Key content
Embrace a sustainable future
Develop a career that can shape the future of humanity.