You'll learn about the management, conservation and rehabilitation of our natural ecosystems and you can specialise in your favourite area. Subject areas to explore include ecology and wildlife, water and climate, landscape management and restoration with a strong focus on the Australian environment. Your electives are just as practical and stimulating, with subjects available like mine site rehabilitation, landscape restoration, fire ecology and land and water contamination. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on developing professional skills encouraged and required by industry and government departments, in particular, those relating to the complex issues of natural resource management. The program considers new and emerging issues and demands in the environmental management field. The program aims to produce graduates who have: a sound understanding of the structure and functioning of Australian ecosystems and ecological processes; a practical knowledge of the major groups of plants and animals occurring in Australia; well-developed skills in resource inventory and field survey; good written and verbal communication skills; the ability to carry out basic biological, chemical and physical analysis of terrestrial and aquatic environments; the ability to plan and manage natural resources from a basis of a sound understanding of the range of uses to which these may be put and the consequences of such use.

Career Opportunities The role of an environmental scientist will vary greatly dependant on the area of specialisation undertaken, but some of the most important and interesting areas include: Conservation - where you will work to protect our vulnerable native flora and fauna, landscapes and ecosystems from damaging effects, human behaviours and introduced "pest" species Ecological restoration - where you will apply strategies to rehabilitate disturbed land and aquatic systems, or entire landscapes, to repair or reinstate ecological function Ecological risk management - where you may work with government and industry to assess potential risks and develop innovative solutions to address key threatening process, such as climate 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, agriculture to name just a few. Some graduates go on to teach at various levels. There are also opportunities to undertake further study (Honours and Postgraduate degrees).