Bachelor of Science (Natural Resources) B.Sc (NR)

2009

Program Outline

Are you interested in helping to save the planet? If yes, then consider this program, which provides an understanding of how science relates to the sustainable use of the environment in a uniquely Australian context. Students learn about the systems and processes associated with the ecological management of the natural resources of land, soil and water and will have the opportunity to develop skills in surveying resources, integrated resource planning and monitoring, re-vegetation and landscape restoration. The communication and social skills that students develop will allow them to work effectively in the interface between rural and environmental groups/agencies in roles such as change implementation, liaison and conflict resolution. The program provides students with the opportunity to specialise in a particular discipline area and at the same time gain a broad education in the natural resource sciences. Practicals and fieldwork are an important feature of the program.

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Domestic

Selection criteria:	Year 12 applicants 2008 Commonwealth-supported TER: 71.65 You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Higher Education applicants You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent university study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. VET applicants You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Special Entry applicants You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 40% and the quantitative component contributes 60% to your overall score. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
Assumed knowledge:	SACE Stage 2 Chemistry, Mathematical Studies
How to apply:	SATAC Code: 324471 Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Annual tuition fees:	Commonwealth-supported place: $7,412
General enquiries:	Student Centre

International

Selection criteria:	IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing 6 5.5 5.5 6 6 International TER 80
Assumed knowledge:	Chemistry and Mathematics desirable
How to apply:	Application information for international students Important application deadlines for international students
Mid-year entry?	No
Annual tuition fees:	International student place: $22,000
General enquiries:	Student Centre

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Please note that this program is under review and the courses listed at levels II and III are indicative only. Level I
The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree      Semester 1 (core courses) BIOLOGY 1101: Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells GEOLOGY 1103: Earth Systems I together with an additional 6 units of Level I courses chosen from the following electives: CHEM 1100: Chemistry IA OR CHEM 1101: Foundations of Chemistry 1A or Level I courses selected in consultation with the program coordinator and in accordance with the Academic Program Rules for the degree of Bachelor of Science. Semester 2 (core courses) BIOLOGY 1202: Biology I: Organisms ENV BIOL 1002: Ecological Issues I GEOLOGY 1100: Earth’s Interior I STATS 1004: Statistical Practice 1 (Life Sciences)* Note: Level I Chemistry is a necessary course if students intend to take any Level II Chemistry course. *STATS 1000 Statistical Practice I may be taken in semester 1 instead of STATS 1004 Statistical Practice I (Life Sciences) in semester 2.
Level II
Semester 1 (core courses) ENV BIOL 2500: Botany II GEOLOGY 2500: Sedimentary Geology II SOIL&WAT 2500: Soil & Water Resources II SOIL&WAT 2501: Spatial Information and Land Evaluation II  Semester 2 (core courses) ENV BIOL 2502: Ecology II Plus passes in additional Level II courses to the value of 9 units chosen from: GEOLOGY 2503: Landscape Processes & Environments II or from Level II courses selected in consultation with the Program Coordinator and in accordance with Academic Program Rules 5.2, 5.6.3 and 5.6.4 for the degree of Bachelor of Science. other Level II science electives
Level III
Passes in Level 3 courses as follows: AGRONOMY 3020: Principles and Practice of Communications ENV BIOL 3220: Issues in Sustainable Environments SOIL&WAT 3007WT: GIS For Environmental Management or SOIL&WAT 3014WT: GIS for Agricultural Sciences plus 12 units chosen from 2 of the following thematic groupings (6 units each): Land & Water Management: AGRONOMY 3000RW: Agroforestry AGRONOMY 3026RW: Ecology & Management of Rangelands ENV BIOL 3012WT: Integrated Catchment Management III SOIL&WAT 3010: Remote Sensing SOIL&WAT 3002WT: Soil Management & Conservation SOIL&WAT 3004WT: Environmental Toxicology & Remediation SOIL&WAT 3016WT: Soil Ecology & Nutrient Cycling Conservation & Wildlife Ecology APP ECOL 3022AEX/BEX: Integrated Weed Management ENV BIOL 3004: Freshwater Ecology III ENV BIOL 3006: Research Methods in Environmental Biology III ENV BIOL 3008: Conservation and Restoration ENV BIOL 3010: Marine Ecology III ENV BIOL 3121: Concepts in Ecology Environmental Geoscience: SOIL&WAT 3010: Remote Sensing GEOLOGY 3014: Environmental Geoscience Applications III GEOLOGY 3015: Environmental Geoscience Processes III SOIL&WAT 3002WT: Soil Management & Conservation plus 3 units, which may be taken from Plus Level III science electives

Career Opportunities

The program has been developed in line with changes to government initiatives and research funding in the increasingly important field of natural resource management.

A vast array of employment opportunities will exist, including such roles as a scientific officer, ecologist, pastoral land management planner, water planning officer, environmental consultant, rangelands research officer, landcare coordinator, or a policy officer in a government department or local council.

Potential careers

Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Technician, Land Resources and Land Care, Landscape Architect, Life Scientist, Marketing - Agriculture, Food & Wine, Ministerial Adviser, National Parks / Ranger, Natural Resource Manager, Natural Resource Planner, Catchment Management, Parks Management, Parliamentary Adviser, Parliamentary Member, Consultant, Policy Adviser, Political Advisor, Politician, Diplomatic corps, Ecologist, Project Officer, Ecotourism, Education Coordinator, Education Officer / Educator, Public Servant, Environmental Biologist, Remote Sensing and GIS, Environmental Chemist, Research Assistant, Environmental Consultant, Research Associates, Environmental Geology, Research Scientist, Environmental Management, Resource Management, Environmental Project Officer, Resource Manager, Revegetation, Science Communicators, Science Educators, Scientific Data Analyst, Scientific Officer, Foreign Affairs, Soil Conservation, Government officer, Government or Corporate Policy Adviser, Teacher, Team Leader, Technical Officer, Horticulturalist, Tourism, Tutor, Information Officer, Wildlife Officer, Journalist, Journalist (Science Communications)