Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability)

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units	ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability 6 units	BISS elective course 6 units	Minor course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 1 48 units	Sustainability Science Major course 6 units	BISS elective course 6 units	Minor course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	ENVS2011 Human Ecology 6 units	BISS elective course 6 units	Minor course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	Sustainability Science Major course 6 units	BISS elective course 6 units	Minor course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	ENVS3021 Human Futures 6 units	Sustainability Science Major course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	Sustainability Science Major course 6 units	ENVS3040 Complex Environmental Problems in Action 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

ATAR:: 80
QLD Band:: 10
International Baccalaureate:: 29

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites, however science, engineering and information technology majors require prerequisite knowledge as listed above for CHEM1101, PHYS1101 and MATH.

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students: $33,168.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

The complex and interconnected challenges of creating sustainable societies demands an integrative, holistic appreciation of sustainability and requires us to step beyond disciplines to gain a broader understanding of the world.

This contemporary interdisciplinary degree prepares you to tackle this complexity, and address the challenges of sustainability. The degree draws from the complementary strengths of ANU Colleges in sustainability education and research.

Our flexible program is structured around the Sustainability Science major, which includes a core of compulsory courses focused on helping you develop an interdisciplinary perspective and research skills relevant to sustainability.

If you are passionate about a sustainable future, this program will prepare you to meet the challenges we face to get there.

Career Options

ANU provides you with more choice for your entrance score by offering the new Flexible Double Degree program.

The ANU Flexible Double Degree lets you build skills for your chosen career without forfeiting your passion. It's your choice to build a double degree partnership that suits your head and your heart.http://students.anu.edu.au/applications/

Employment Opportunities

Career opportunities are enormously diverse in the community, public and private sector. Organisations seek our graduates who have superior skills in addressing complex, real-world sustainability challenges.

These are ubiquitous in business and government, in large and small-scale organisations, and in natural, rural and urban environments.

Back to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) page

Please note that if you are commencing your studies in semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. We strongly recommend that you make an appointment with an academic advisor (science.enquiries@anu.edu.au or phoning 6125 2809) to discuss your options. There will also be advisory sessions offered during the week before semester commences.

BISS is a unique degree that allows you to study across a range of disciplines related to sustainability from around the university. With a core focus on sustainability science, you will be able to integrate learning from wide range of majors and minors on offer from Arts and Social Sciences, Asia-Pacific Studies, Business and Economics, Engineering, and of course, Science. You will have the opportunity to develop a distinctly interdisciplinary outlook on sustainability, following your own areas of interest – it is up to you!

Single degree

Degree structure

This degree requires 144 units
Completion of the Sustainability Science major (48 units)
One other minor, specialisation or a second major from a provided list (24units/48 units)
At least 24 units from outside the colleges of Science (which may be your minor or second major, or electives)
Other elective units from Science or other Colleges

Double degree

The BISS cannot be taken as part of a double degree, as it already allows you to work across the university.

About this degree

In a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree.

You'll need to take the Sustainability Science major (8 courses) and one other minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your electives to extend your second minor into a second major. The majors and minors available to BISS students are listed at [http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/BISSU#program-requirements]. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to explore other areas or to take another major or minor from anywhere around the university, such as a language.

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ENVS1234.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
You need to enrol in courses for at least the Sustainability Science major, including ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability and at least one of 5 other 1st year courses listed
You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential minor or a second potential major from the BISS list.
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your degree.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

A course can only ever be counted toward one major or minor.

Exception: A maximum of 12 units of 1000 level courses can count toward two majors that share common first year requirements.

There are over 23 majors, and 39 minors and specialisations available for you to study, from Anthropology to Environmental Policy. A list of these is available here.

Majors

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterByMajors=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

Minors

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterByMinors=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

Specialisations

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterBySpecialisations=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

If you aren’t sure what you want to study for your whole degree, that’s fine. You don’t need to commit to majors or minors until after your first year. Using electives can help to keep your options open.

When you choose a major, it's a good idea to check the prerequisites electives that interest you. You can use your electives to enrol in any prerequisite courses.

There are two main ways to choose courses for majors and minors:

Choose from the list of BISS majors and minors and see what courses you need to enrol in.
Choose from the list of first-year courses that interest you and see what majors and minors they count towards.

Because there are so many options available, you will need to take your time choosing what you want to study. Advice is always available.

Electives

While you only need to enrol in courses for the Sustainability Science major and one other minor, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for your Sustainability Science major, and a minor or second major, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.

To find 1000-level courses, use the catalogue finder. Remember you can choose from 5 different ANU colleges under the BISS degree.

Study Options