Description:
The long term survival of humanity relies on sustainable management of our natural environment, including its landscapes; and sustainable management is dependent upon our having a strong scientific understanding of the fundamental processes that interact to shape the complex environmental system.
The major in Environmental and Landscape Sciences develops that understanding by providing an integration of scientific knowledge and practice in environmental and landscape sciences. It focuses on how key areas of environmental science relate to and are underpinned by landscape processes. Only by understanding these key landscape processes can successful environmental outcomes be achieved. The major includes a focus on current understandings of the science of the environment and landscape processes, and a range of response strategies for their sustainable management. Students develop their ability to evaluate recent and current advances in environmental and landscape sciences, and in policy and management approaches; and to integrate a range of discipline-based knowledge relevant to specific regions or issues in sustainable environmental and landscape management.
Learning Goals:
On completing the major in Environmental and Landscape Sciences, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Think critically about environmental and landscape sciences issues, integrate information, and construct logical, consistent and synthesised arguments.
- Explain the scientific underpinning and environmental implications of critical issues in ecological and landscape processes, across a range of likely scenarios.
- Engage with a range of stakeholders, including environmental and landscape scientists, land managers, government extension officers and private consultants, on a range of environmental and landscape issues.
- Analyse and interpret complex processes and apply solutions across a range of environments and landscapes.
Other Information
Advice to Students
What 1st year courses should you enrol in? ENVS1004 plus either ENVS1003 or EMSC1006
Students pursuing this major must take at least 6 units from one of the starred research methods courses.
- ENVS1003: Introduction to Environmental and Social Research
- ENVS2015: GIS and Spatial Analysis
- ENVS3010: Independent Research Project
- ENVS3014: Ecological Assessment and Management
Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Environmental and Landscape Sciences major.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
Major Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
6 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS1004 | Australia's Environment | 6 |
A maximum of 6 units may come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EMSC1006 | The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science | 6 |
| ENVS1003 | Introduction to Environmental and Social Research | 6 |
A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EMSC2021 | Fundamentals of Climate System Science | 6 |
| ENVS2003 | Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology | 6 |
| ENVS2004 | Weather, Climate and Fire | 6 |
| ENVS2015 | GIS and Spatial Analysis | 6 |
| ENVS2020 | Hydrology and Landforms for Natural Resource Management | 6 |
| ENVS2021 | Vegetation and Soils | 6 |
A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS3002 | Sustainable Agricultural Practices | 6 |
| ENVS3008 | Fire in the Environment | 6 |
| ENVS3010 | Independent Research Project | 6-12 |
| ENVS3013 | Climatology | 6 |
| ENVS3014 | Ecological Assessment and Management | 6 |
| ENVS3020 | Climate Change Science & Policy | 6 |
| ENVS3026 | Geomorphology: Landscape Evolution under Changing Climate | 6 |
| ENVS3029 | Palaeo-Environmental Reconstruction | 6 |
| ENVS3039 | Biodiversity Conservation | 6 |