Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
Explore ecosystems using interdisciplinary understanding to address environmental challenges. Gain skills and knowledge to address biodiversity conservation, landscape rehabilitation and sustainability.
Course essentials
ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR Score 60
Entry requirements
Credit
Study mode
Online
Duration
Start dates
01 March 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Course overview
Discover how environmental science integrates with the management of conserving and rehabilitating natural and degraded ecosystems. With a strong focus on the Australian environment, you will explore subject areas such as ecology and wildlife, water and climate, mine site rehabilitation, landscape management and environmental restoration. Learn through practical experiences including fieldwork in arid coastal and forested areas and gain the knowledge, skills and experience in demand by industry and government departments.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Science
Course co-ordinator
Simone Louwhoff
Career paths
There is a wide range of career choices for environmental and conservation scientists including: conservation of native flora fauna and ecosystems, ecological restoration to repair or reinstate ecological function, and ecological risk management where you may work to address key threatening processes such as environmental change, resource use and human population expansion. Employment opportunities exist with environmental agencies, local state and Commonwealth governments, energy suppliers, water companies, consultancies, engineering and construction firms, environmental lobbying organisations, forestry and agriculture, to name just a few.
Please note: All online-enrolled students are required to attend a limited number of on-campus intensive labs and compulsory fieldtrips as part of their course.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
20 July 2026
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Semester 2, 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa.
Contact hours
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Work integrated learning
This course provides you with real experience in your chosen profession, through our Co-operative Industry Placement model.
You will undertake a minimum of 60 days (450 hours) paid placement relevant to your studies - contributing directly to course credits.
This can be completed full time over one semester, part time over an extended period or in blocks embedded into your subjects. Federation University Co-op offers flexibility to suit your existing work, personal and study commitments.
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Principles of Biology15 credit pointsSCBIO1001
- Chemistry 115 credit pointsSCCHM1001
- Scientific Communication15 credit pointsSCCOR1200
- Biodiversity Conservation15 credit pointsSCENV1002
- Scientific Practice15 credit pointsSCCOR1300
- Professional Identity (Science)15 credit pointsCOOPS1001
- Environmental Studies15 credit pointsSCENV1001
- Sustainable Earth15 credit pointsSCSUS1500
- Australian Fauna15 credit pointsSCENV2100
- Population and Community Ecology15 credit pointsSCENV2200
- Geographic Information Systems15 credit pointsSCENV2600
- Co-operative Placement 1 (Science)30 credit pointsCOOPS2011
- Australian Flora15 credit pointsSCENV2101
- Field-Based Investigation15 credit pointsSCENV2500
- Invasive Species: Ecology, Management and Challenges15 credit pointsSCENV2804
- Environmental Assessment15 credit pointsSCENV3912
- Co-operative Placement 2 (Science)30 credit pointsCOOPS2012
Elective
- Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation15 credit pointsSCENV3802
- Climate and Environmental Issues in a Changing World15 credit pointsSCENV3500
Elective
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English;
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of any Mathematics or any Science.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Admission criteria for applicants with a Higher Education Study
Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory course such as the Federation Access Studies Program (FAST).
Admission criteria for applications with a Vocational Education and Training study
Successful completion of a VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
Admission criteria for applications with work and life experience
Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies will not be eligible for entry into this course. Applicants in this category should consider a pathway course such as Federation Access Studies (FAST) Program
English language requirements
Overall Academic IELTS band score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3701812081 - Berwick (on campus)
3700712081 - Gippsland (on campus)
3700512081 - Mt Helen (on campus)
3700812081 - Online - Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- SI5