Undergraduate study
The University of South Australia offers several undergraduate study programs related to the research themes of the Barbara Hardy Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments. The Bachelor of Sustainable Environments is outlined below with links to program websites which detail program structure. Click on a study program for more information. Further information on undergraduate and postgraduate study programs is available from the School of Natural and Built Environments. For general program enquiries please contact a Program Support Officer:
Program Support Officer:
Nadia Anfiteatro
Telephone: +61 8 8302 1142
Email:
nadia.anfiteatro@unisa.edu.au
Bachelor of Sustainable Environments
Environmental management and sustainability education at the University of South Australia reflects a broad approach to the concept of environmental sustainability. Within this approach, UniSA has designed four individual award programs specialising in different areas of environmental management and sustainability.
The Biodiversity and Park Management specialisation focuses on the interaction of human society with the living part of the natural environment, through land and biodiversity conservation as well as traditional park management. The other three specialisations focus upon sustainable development. Particular emphasis is placed on the need for industry to measure, predict and minimise risks to the natural environment as well as dealing with issues concerning natural disasters.
All specialisations emphasise a systems approach to environmental
management and the use of technologies such as geographical information
systems and remote sensing as core tools. The specialisations share a common
first year, and students have the opportunity to take elective courses from
other awards in subsequent years, or move between the awards as their career
aspirations develop.
The four streams of study are available within this study program are:
1. Biodiversity and Park Management
Biodiversity is the diversity of plants, animals and other living things in a particular area or region. It encompasses habitat diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. The Management of National Parks deals with both the natural environment and human use. Managing the potential for conflict between these two roles can become problematic, particularly as tourists often generate revenue for the parks which, in turn, are spent on conservation projects. Parks also serve as reserves for substantial natural resources, such as timber, minerals and other valuable commodities. The balance of the demand for extraction of these resources, against the damage this might cause, is often a very important challenge in national park management.
The Bachelor of Sustainable Environments (Biodiversity and Park
Management) provides students with the theoretical and practical skills to
gain employment as a manager in the natural resource management industry.
There is a strong emphasis on practical skills, reinforced by laboratory
work, field trips, camps and industry-based assignments. This practical and
field-based approach is supported by a balance of natural and social science
courses as well as management courses providing the knowledge for the
sustainable management of our natural resources.
Click here for more detailed program information
2. Environmental Protection and Management
In the last decade, boards of directors, large multi-national companies and Governments have been challenged with significant environmental issues such as:
- nuclear power
- global warming
- water quality and quantity
- mining waste and management
As a result, organisations and society now place the environment high on the
list of priorities to ensure legal and legislative compliance is undertaken
and to demonstrate social responsibility. The Bachelor of Sustainable
Environments (Environmental Protection and Management) has been designed to
provide a pathway into environmental management and protection industries.
The program provides a broad understanding of environmental issues, focusing
on the issues of environmental pollution, impact assessment and
environmental law. Graduate opportunities exist in the private and public
sectors, educating businesses and the community, and implementing
environmental laws. This program shares a common first year with the other
three specialisations in Sustainable Environments. The Bachelor of
Sustainable Environments (Environmental Protection and Management) also
features a strong practical and industry focus and students have the
opportunity to study overseas.
Click here for more detailed program information
3. Geographical and Earth Systems
In recent years there has been a growing interest in caring for the environment. The development of new government services both local and interstate, private businesses and community activities is indicative of this interest and of its future growth expectations. As a consequence, there is now a growth in career options for those wishing to work in the Geographical and Earth Systems field.
The Bachelor of Sustainable Environments (Geographical and Earth Systems) provides students with the broad knowledge in geography, geology and earth systems science needed to assist in natural hazard management and abatement planning. Graduates work locally and internationally to predict natural disasters, manage recovery projects, and educate the community, government and businesses. This program has been designed in response to the number and frequency of natural disasters and their impact on humans and the environment. The degree fulfils the requirements of industry for multi-skilled professionals across a broad range of disciplines.
This program is ideal for students intending to undertake further studies
in secondary school teaching as geography teachers. This program shares a
common first year with the other three specialisations in Sustainable
Environments. The program has a strong practical and industry focus and
students have the opportunity to study overseas.
Click here for more detailed program information
4. Geospatial Information Systems
Environmental sustainability is one of the biggest challenges we face in our global community. Organisations are conducting business within complex legal structures, while stakeholder demands are increasing and environmental performance expectations are becoming more time-consuming. Many local and interstate organisations are now required to demonstrate proactive management of the environmental impacts of their business activities. Effective environmental management involves incorporating environmentally responsible practices into everyday business processes.
The study of Geospatial Information Systems joins electronic files (databases containing environmental measurements taken at a specific location), to maps showing geographic features. This approach allows analysts to show large amounts of data from specific locations on a map showing landscape features such as wetlands and land use.
The Bachelor of Sustainable Environments (Geospatial Information Systems)
provides students with a sound understanding of environmental management and
protection practices as well as a thorough understanding of spatial analysis
and practice required to become a competent Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) professional. Students will gain a practical knowledge of the
appropriate tools and techniques used to develop geospatial science
applications and demonstrate an understanding of their benefits and
limitations in the pursuit of solutions to complex problems. Students will
also study the theoretical and cultural limitations of incorporating GIS
into the workplace.
Click here for more detailed program information