Why Bachelor of Science (Honours)?
Disillusioned with slow action for the environment? Get to work at the grassroots level.
In this flexible, four-year degree, you’ll build the skills needed to tackle urgent global challenges – from climate change to the biodiversity crisis. Take part in fieldwork, lab work, policy analysis and placements. Experience virtual and augmented reality learning. Gain advanced research experience and connect with passionate environmental experts.
Your honours year will give you a competitive career advantage. You’ll graduate ready to pursue careers in environmental consulting, conservation, climate and energy policy, disaster preparedness, research and advocacy.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Science (Honours) is hands-on and future focused, advancing your scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills.
In the Environmental Science major, you’ll explore how the natural world works – and how human actions affect it. What causes climate shifts? Why are some species disappearing? How does the law shape environmental decisions?
You’ll learn how to collect, analyse and interpret environmental data. Network with environmental science experts. Apply your understanding in real settings, through fieldwork, lab work, policy analysis, research projects and professional placements.
You’ll master digital mapping techniques and technologies. Extend your learning through virtual and augmented reality experiences. Study biology, ecology, chemistry, conservation, earth and soil science, and human dimensions research.
In your fourth year, you’ll level up your research skills with an independent honours project. This will give you a competitive edge for lab-based roles – or set you on your path towards a career in research.
Key features
Explore Aboriginal approaches to environmental management.- Get practical experience through field trips, placements and real-world projects.
- Learn from active environmental science researchers.
- Use digital mapping tools and spatial technologies.
- Choose your subjects, including opportunities for an overseas study tour.
- Build real research experience so you can stand out when it counts.
What you'll learn
Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) gives you core science knowledge and advanced research experience.
Our Environmental Science major has a strong focus on practical work in the natural environment. You’ll learn how the earth’s systems work – air, water, soil, energy and life – and explore how human actions are affecting those systems.
You’ll study in specialist labs using industry standard equipment. Use cutting-edge technologies to test, monitor and manage environments. Design strategies to prevent, manage and fix environmental damage.
You’ll complete a research project or professional placement aligned with your studies. Connect with researchers and experts in the field. Explore human-environment interactions through social research. Develop skills in community engagement and science communication.
If you really want to travel, we can even support you to head overseas on a science study tour.
You’ll tailor your studies to suit your interests, choosing from courses like:
- Soils and landscapes
- Introduction to climate change
- Environmental pollution and monitoring
- Environmental management and impact assessment
- Park and ecotourism
- Climate and sustainability
- Ecology
- Geochemistry
- Environmental interpretation and community engagement
- Microbial ecology
- Environmental technologies
- Fire and culture
- Environmental chemistry
- Physical geography and human environmental impacts
- Conservation psychology
- Research methods in marine and wildlife conservation.
The advanced research experience you gain in your honours year will boost your job readiness, preparing you for roles in conservation, restoration and climate change mitigation.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Animal Behaviour
- Chemistry
- Geology and Palaeontology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology
- Genetics
- Marine and Wildlife Conservation
- Physics and Geophysics
- Plant Biology.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core courses, and
- 84 to 144 units for Majors, and
- At least 6 units from Work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 48 units for Electives
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 6 to 12 units for all Program core, and
- 12 to 18 units from Common Core, and
- 6 to 30 units from Core Selective
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Science of People, Society and the Future Planet
|
Course code
SCIE1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Skills for Scientists
|
Course code
STAT1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells
|
Course code
BIOL1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planet Earth
|
Course code
EART1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Earth, Climate and Life Systems
|
Course code
EART1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 1
|
Course code
MATH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 2
|
Course code
MATH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Physics
|
Course code
PHYS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1A
|
Course code
PHYS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1B
|
Course code
PHYS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program core - Students in the following Majors will not enrol in STAT1000 Data Skills for Scientists:
Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Physics and Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete exactly 66 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Soils and Landscapes
|
Course code
AGRI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Principles of Ecology 2
|
Course code
BIOL2051
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research Methods: Ecology, Marine and Wildlife 3
|
Course code
BIOL3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geochemistry 2
|
Course code
EART2011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Landscape Evolution 3
|
Course code
EART3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical Geography and Human Environmental Impacts
|
Course code
ENVI1010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Interpretation and Community Engagement
|
Course code
ENVI2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Park and Ecotourism Management
|
Course code
ENVI2008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbial Ecology
|
Course code
BIOLX200
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Climate and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVI2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management and Impact Assessment
|
Course code
ENVI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Pollution and Monitoring
|
Course code
ENVI3010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Technologies 3
|
Course code
ENVI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fire and Culture
|
Course code
EARTX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Behaviour and Conservation 3
|
Course code
SCIE3001
|
Units
6
|
Complete at least 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Optics and Photonics 3
|
Course code
PHYS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Project
|
Course code
SCIE3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
Notes
If studying ANACHSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBHSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying BIOCHSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYHSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ECOLHSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGHSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingENVSHSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology the complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEHSCIE - Experimental Physics then completePHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODHSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEHSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 or BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B or BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studyingGEOLHSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOEHSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOPHSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studyingGEOYHSCIE - Geophysics then complete EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMARWHSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMEDBHSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMICRHSCIE - Microbiology and Immunology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3 and BIOL3012 - Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
If studyingNUCCHSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRHSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingPHYGHSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studyingPLABHSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingPACHHSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSOILHSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSPACHSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingTHEOHSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Environmental and Geospatial Sciences
|
Course code
EART4001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Honours Environmental and Geospatial Sciences Project
|
Course code
EART4002
|
Units
36
|
Career outcomes
Environmental science is relevant worldwide. You can work in Australia or overseas, for government, NGOs or industry.
You could be a sustainability consultant for a major company, helping reduce environmental impact across global operations. You might support communities affected by climate change. Perhaps you’ll lead regeneration projects, working to restore habitats and protect native wildlife in Australia.
You could also be a:
- Environmental consultant
- Natural resource manager
- Waste and pollution analyst
- Environmental compliance officer
- Policy adviser
- Ecological risk assessor
- Science writer/editor
- Ranger.
Or, go on to complete your master’s or a PhD in environmental science.
Industry trends
Climate change, habitat destruction, water shortages, pollution, biodiversity loss – these aren’t abstract problems. They affect everything from public health to food systems to global stability.
On the positive side, green jobs are expanding and the need for science-based decisions is higher than ever. Strong job growth is expected (Jobs and Skill Australia, 2024), especially in areas tied to climate resilience, sustainability reporting, renewable energy and natural resource protection.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
