Bachelor of Environmental Systems
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
The Bachelor of Environmental Systems comprehensively examines both natural and agricultural systems. How we manage our environment and natural resources will arguably determine Australia’s economic future, and ensuring ecologically-sustainable production is one of the greatest challenges facing our society. You will explore the ways that we might respond to these challenges, and as a graduate you will meet the national and international demand for well-trained environmental scientists with strong quantitative skills and a thorough understanding of the physical, chemical and biological interactions in the environment. The Bachelor of Environmental Systems focuses on the application of systems-thinking to the issues of the day such as climate change, water, food security and carbon emissions.
Units of study
For full information on Units of Study available in this course, please visit the Sydney Courses website
Course Structure and Units of Study
Full units of study list
- AFNR3001 - Agro-ecosystems in Developing Countries
- AGCH3033 - Environmental Chemistry
- AGEC1102 - Agricultural and Resource Economics
- AGEC2101 - Market and Price Analysis
- AGEC2103 - Production Economics
- AGEN1001 - Shaping our Landscapes
- AGEN1002 - Sustaining our Landscapes
- AGEN1004 - Applied Biology for Ag and Environment
- AGRO3004 - Managing Agro-Ecosystems
- AGRO4003 - Crop and Pasture Agronomy
- AGRO4004 - Sustainable Farming Systems
- BIOL1001 - Concepts in Biology
- BIOL1002 - Living Systems
- BIOL1902 - Living Systems (Advanced)
- BIOL1911 - Concepts in Biology (Advanced)
- BIOL3006 - Ecological Methods
- BIOL3007 - Ecology
- CHEM1001 - Fundamentals of Chemistry 1A
- CHEM1002 - Fundamentals of Chemistry 1B
- CHEM1101 - Chemistry 1A
- CHEM1102 - Chemistry 1B
- CHEM1901 - Chemistry 1A (Advanced)
- CHEM1902 - Chemistry 1B (Advanced)
- ENSY2001 - Systems Complexity and Dynamics
- ENSY3001 - Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions
- ENSY3002 - Fire in Australian Ecosystems
- ENSY3003 - Trees and the Environment
- ENTO2001 - Introductory Entomology
- ENTO4003 - Integrated Pest Management
- ENVI3111 - Environmental Law and Ethics
- ENVI3112 - Environmental Assessment
- ENVX1001 - Introductory Statistical Methods
- ENVX2001 - Applied Statistical Methods
- ENVX3001 - Environmental GIS
- ENVX3002 - Statistics in the Natural Sciences
- ENVX4001 - GIS,Remote Sensing and Land Management
- GENE2001 - Agricultural Genetics 2
- LWSC2002 - Introductory Hydrology
- LWSC3005 - Environmental Water Quality
- LWSC3007 - Advanced Hydrology and Modelling
- MICR2024 - Microbes in the Environment
- PLNT2003 - Plant Form and Function
- PLNT3001 - Plant,Cell and Environment
- PLNT3002 - Plant Growth and Development
- PLNT3003 - Systematics and Evolution of Plants
- PPAT4005 - Soil Biology
- RSEC2031 - Resource Economics
- RSEC4131 - Benefit-Cost Analysis
- RSEC4134 - Economics of Water & Bio-resources
- SOIL2003 - Soil Properties and Processes
- SOIL2004 - The Soil Resource
- SOIL3009 - Contemporary Field and Lab Soil Science
- SOIL3010 - The Soil at Work
Further course information
Study plan
The Bachelor of Environmental Systems is offered in two streams: Agricultural Systems and Natural Terrestrial Systems. Completion of one stream is a requirement of the course. You will complete a first year of core units of study spanning plant sciences, hydrology, geomorphology, soil science and atmospheric-biospheric interactions. Prior to selecting second year units of study, all candidates should seek advice from the degree coordinator on which stream to pursue.
What is an elective?
An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject. Electives are selected from the pool offered in a given year and may include units of study from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment or from other faculties within the university (subject to permission from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment).
Course opportunities
Course opportunities not available for Bachelor of Environmental Systems.
Course outcomes and further study
Graduate opportunities
There is an enormous demand for graduates in the environmental science sector. Bachelor of Environmental Systems graduates may pursue careers in environmental consultancy, catchment management, climate change research, plant breeding, ecology, environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, production in natural and managed environments, soil science, land and water conservation, forestry and bushfires, and hydrology.
Further study
The faculty invites outstanding and suitably qualified graduates to express their interest in joining our postgraduate coursework program [http://sydney.edu.au/agriculture/future_postgraduates/coursework_degrees/] in the Master of Agriculture and our current research projects in the degrees of Master of Agricultural Economics, Master of Science in Agriculture, and Doctor of Philosophy [http://sydney.edu.au/agriculture/future_postgraduates/research_degrees/].
About honours
An honours year in the Bachelor of Environmental Systems will be introduced in 2013.
Admission
Admission requirements
Admission requirements not available for Bachelor of Environmental Systems.
Assumed knowledge
Mathematics and Chemistry
How to apply
Domestic students
How to apply
Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September.
International students
How to apply
Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount
This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.
For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.
Annual review
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.
International students
Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students
This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.
For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.
Annual review
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.
In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.