Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty

Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Environmental Science:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Environmental Science

This specialisation is based on the physical sciences and addresses environmental problems relating to air, water, land, and energy. The specialisation aims to develop a wide knowledge base, a multidisciplinary view of environmental problems, a critical assessment of scientific information, skills in the analysis of problems and an ability to report on environmental problems. The specialisation focuses on current environmental issues such as water pollution, waste disposal, soil degradation, salination, greenhouse, and teaches the science related to these issues. Seminar, workshop, and project components are included in second and third year and provide vehicles for application of the science in the course and a stimulus for wider investigation. They also encourage the development of skills required to work as an environmental scientist.

Structure:

The specialisation requires students to take 90 credit points at first year level, 70 credit points at second year level and 60 credit points at third year levels respectively, with the remaining credit points (to make up 120 credit points at each year level) selected from subjects offered by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, or by other faculties.

First year (90 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Processes that Shape the Earth GEO1PRO 15
TE-SEM-1 Physics for Life Sciences A PHY1LSA 15

Choose one first-semester chemistry subject. Students who have passed VCE Chemistry, Units 3 and 4 or equivalent, must choose CHE1GEN.

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Basic Chemistry CHE1BAS 15
or
TE-SEM-1 General Principles of Chemistry CHE1GEN 15
TE-SEM-2 Applications of Chemistry CHE1APL 15
TE-SEM-2 Physics for Life Sciences B PHY1LSB 15
TE-SEM-2 Earth Structure, Resources and History of Life GEO1ERS 15
Second year (70 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Environmental Enquiry A ENV2ESA 5
TE-SEM-1 Water Flow and Chemistry GEO2EGW 20
TE-SEM-1 Statistics for Life Sciences STA1LS 15
TE-SEM-2 Environmental Enquiry B ENV2ESB 5
TE-SEM-2 Chemistry of Water Qualify CHE2CWQ 15
TE-SEM-2 Imaging and Materials Characterisation PHY2IMC 10
Third year (60 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Environmental Analytical Chemistry A CHE3EAA 10
TE-SEM-1 Water Resource Management ENV3WRM 10
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Environmental Research ENV3ENV 10
TE-SEM-2 Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change PHY3GRE 10
TE-SEM-2 Landscape and Climate Change GEO3EGL 10
TE-SEM-2 Remote Sensing and GIS GEO3EGR 10

Honours

Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the three-year degree. To be eligible, students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across their third year subjects and obtain at least 65% in the third year environmental science subjects. Students enrol in ENV4HNA and ENV4HNB.