updated 8:11 PM on Fri, 16 April
View course information for 2020
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
A knowledge of how to manage environments, whether they be our forests, river catchments or oceans is crucial to influencing the sustainability of our future.
This combined degree brings together the terrestrial aspects of environmental management with marine science and management, developing knowledge of the complex environments in which we live and the keys to environmental problems at a local and global level.
You will be able to focus your interest in species conservation and sustainability across terrestrial and marine environments. Build your practical skills by learning from leading experts in contemporary facilities and through field trips to World Heritage rainforests, reefs and coastal catchments.
Fourth (final year) units are taught in intensive mode at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.
A knowledge of how to manage environments, whether they be our forests, river catchments or oceans is crucial to influencing the sustainability of our future.
This combined degree brings together the terrestrial aspects of environmental management with marine science and management, developing knowledge of the complex environments in which we live and the keys to environmental problems at a local and global level.
You will be able to focus your interest in species conservation and sustainability across terrestrial and marine environments. Build your practical skills by learning from leading experts in contemporary facilities and through field trips to World Heritage rainforests, reefs and coastal catchments.
Fourth (final year) units are taught in intensive mode at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
Students also choose between completing an industry placement or a self-directed major project.
Domestic students
| Location | Session |
|---|---|
| Lismore | 1, 2 |
| Online | 1, 2 |
Lismore students complete the final-year units in intensive mode at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.
Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at Lismore campus and at the National Marine Science Centre.
International students
| Location | Session | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | 1, 2 | $30,400 ($3,800 per unit) | 086340B |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
Applications are not available for 2020. Please select a different year above or see Course Options for courses currently offered.
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Demonstrate skills of critical analysis, and application of scientific methods in environmental and marine science and management Make decisions and exercise informed judgement in relation to environmental and marine science and management |
Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges |
Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability Demonstrate well developed judgement on principles of social justice and professional standards |
Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of environmental and marine science and management Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in one or more disciplines, or areas of practice |
Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning Critically reflect on practice Demonstrate information literacy skills |
Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas in environmental and marine science and management contexts Collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms |
Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment |
Assessments vary for each unit and may comprise a mix of assessment types, including laboratory and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Please note:
Fourth (final year) units are taught in intensive mode at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.
Online students attend compulsory workshops.
Careers in environmental science include national parks and protected area management, environmental protection, waste management, environmental impact assessment and monitoring, environmental education and interpretation, sustainable forestry, fisheries management, aquaculture, ecotourism, land/river/coast care programs; and in environmental science research. Careers in marine science include as a consultant, marine park planner, marine biologist and ecologist, marine reserve officer, aqua-culturalists, fisheries manager, project officer, technical officer, state coordinator; and in marine research.
Students have the opportunity to undertake an eight-week industry internship during their studies for practical experience to supplement the theory components of the course. Interns can work with organisations across the environmental science spectrum including local, state or federal government agencies; private consultancies; or business enterprises in Australia or overseas.
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| MAT00211 - Environmental Information Analysis | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Please select Major before proceeding to Year 2 | |||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00232 - Coastal Marine Ecosystems | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| BIO00213 - Plant Identification and Conservation | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO01230 - Principles of Coastal Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| ENV10656 - Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| 4 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| BIO00244 - Protected Area Management | Advanced | Note 5 | |
| ENV00224 - Internship Study OR SCI00211 - Integrated Project | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| PLN10001 - Rural and Regional Planning | Introductory | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| BIO10123 - Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10120 - Marine Systems Science and Management | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10121 - Successful Sampling | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 4, session 2 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10125 - Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| MAT00211 - Environmental Information Analysis | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Please select Major before proceeding to Year 2 | |||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| AGR00214 - Soil Processes | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| BIO00213 - Plant Identification and Conservation | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| AGR00215 - Water and Catchment Management | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| BIO00212 - Wildlife Conservation | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| AGT00217 - Land Degradation and Rehabilitation | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| Choose 4 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| ENG30012 - Water and Wastewater Engineering | Advanced | ||
| SCI00211 - Integrated Project OR ENV00224 - Internship Study | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| BIO10123 - Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10120 - Marine Systems Science and Management | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10121 - Successful Sampling | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10125 - Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| MAT00211 - Environmental Information Analysis | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Please select Major before proceeding to Year 2 | |||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BIO01204 - Wetland Ecosystems | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| BIO00232 - Coastal Marine Ecosystems | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO00105 - Fisheries Biology | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| BIO01209 - Aquaculture Management | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| ENV10656 - Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00233 - Fisheries Management | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| Choose 3 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| SCI00211 - Integrated Project OR ENV00224 - Internship Study | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| Choose 2 units from Part C | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| BIO10123 - Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10120 - Marine Systems Science and Management | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10121 - Successful Sampling | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10125 - Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1, Year 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Session 2, Year 1 | |||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| MAT00211 - Environmental Information Analysis | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | Note 3 | |
| Exit Point: Diploma of Environmental Science | |||
| Session 1, Year 2 | |||
| CHE00073 - Environmental Chemistry | Intermediate | Note 3, Note 2 | |
| PLN20005 - Community Engagement | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Session 2, Year 2 | |||
| ENS00218 - Waste Technology | Intermediate | Note 3, Note 2 | |
| ENO72001 - Policy and Legislation for Waste Management | Intermediate | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | Note 1 | ||
| Session 1, Year 3 | |||
| CHE73005 - Hazardous Waste and Leachates | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| ENO73001 - Resource Recovery - Chemical and Engineering Solutions | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| Choose 2 units from: (Part C) | |||
| Session 2, Year 3 | |||
| ENO73005 - Social and Economic Perspectives in Resource Recovery | Advanced | ||
| ENG30012 - Water and Wastewater Engineering | Advanced | Note 3 | |
| ENV00224 - Internship Study OR SCI00211 - Integrated Project | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| BIO10123 - Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10120 - Marine Systems Science and Management | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10121 - Successful Sampling | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| BIO10125 - Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | Advanced | Note 4 | |
| Choose 1 unit from: (Part C) |
| Note 1: | ENV00224 and SCI00211 are both double-weighted units |
| Note 2: | This unit is a pre-requisite for an Advanced Core unit in the Waste Management and Resource Recovery major. |
| Note 3: | Compulsory Residential for Online Students |
| Note 4: | Offered at the National Marine Science Centre in a 3 week intensive mode, with a compulsory one week residential. |
| Note 5: | Intensive mode with field camp |
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO10127 - Coral Reefs on the Edge | Intermediate | ||
| BIO10185 - Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation | Advanced | ||
| ENV10655 - Coastlines - Diversity, Dynamics and Risks | Intermediate | ||
| EDU01290 - Outdoor Education I | Introductory | ||
| CHE00073 - Environmental Chemistry | Intermediate | Note 2 | |
| AGR00214 - Soil Processes | Intermediate | ||
| AGR00215 - Water and Catchment Management | Advanced | ||
| AGT00217 - Land Degradation and Rehabilitation | Advanced | ||
| BIO00105 - Fisheries Biology | Advanced | ||
| BIO00212 - Wildlife Conservation | Intermediate | ||
| BIO00213 - Plant Identification and Conservation | Intermediate | ||
| BIO00232 - Coastal Marine Ecosystems | Intermediate | ||
| BIO00233 - Fisheries Management | Advanced | ||
| BIO00244 - Protected Area Management | Advanced | ||
| BIO01204 - Wetland Ecosystems | Intermediate | ||
| BIO01209 - Aquaculture Management | Intermediate | ||
| BIO01230 - Principles of Coastal Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| ECO00202 - Ecological Economics for Sustainable Development | Intermediate | ||
| ENV10656 - Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| FOR00100 - Fire Ecology and Management | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00101 - Plant Physiology and Ecology | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00109 - Forest Modelling and Management | Advanced | ||
| FOR00110 - Natural Resources Policy | Intermediate | ||
| GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | Intermediate | ||
| GLY20001 - Environmental Analysis: Solids | Intermediate | ||
| GLY00232 - Coastal Biogeochemistry | Intermediate | ||
| ISY01224 - Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis | Intermediate | ||
| ENS00218 - Waste Technology | Intermediate | Note 2 | |
| PLN10001 - Rural and Regional Planning | Introductory | ||
| ENG30012 - Water and Wastewater Engineering | Advanced | ||
| BIO72020 - Genetics | Intermediate | ||
| ENV00224 - Internship Study | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| SCI00211 - Integrated Project | Advanced | Note 1 |