BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR ARTS
specialising in
GEOECOLOGY
Approximate full-time load of 24 credit points per year for three years
Programs of Study: GEC01 and GEC02
Interested in:
River health and catchment management?
Soil erosion following bushfires?
Biodiversity and soil resources?
Geoecologists are interested in understanding the interaction of physical and biological processes in the landscape. Employment is found in environmental consultancies, government agencies, education and research. Units in this field can be combined in several ways with other environmental studies, biology, atmospheric sciences and geology, depending upon your interests.
Recommended Units of Study
Recommended Units of Study
First Year
Highly Recommended Units - at least two units from: GEOS112 The Planet Earth,
GEOS117 Biophysical Environments, GEOS115 Earth Dynamics, Materials, Environment
Recommended Units - two units from: 100-level GEOS, BIOL, CBMS, COMP, ISYS, MATH, PHYS, STAT
Second Year
Core Unit: GEOS266 Earth Surface Processes
Recommended Units - at least two units from: GEOS216 The Atmospheric Environment
GEOS260 Marine Depositional Environments, GEOS264 Geographic Information Systems,
GEOS267 Resource and Environmental Management: Issues and Solutions (formerly GEOS265) or BIOL227 Ecology
Third Year
Recommended Units - at least three units from: GEOS328 Environmental Management,
GEOS334 Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management (new unit from 2008),
GEOS382 Environmental Analysis Using GIS, GEOS398 Applied Geomorphology,
GEOS317 Advanced Geoecology, and/or GEOS399 Soils.
BSc students must achieve a minimum of 34 credit points in designated science units above 100 level and a minimum of 18 credit points in designated science units above 200 level. Refer to the undergraduate handbook for details of designated science units.
All students in Environmental Science are recommended to take a diverse first year program to allow them to make their best choices in subsequent years. These notes are only intended as a guide, and potential students should read the Undergraduate Handbook and unit descriptions for details. Click here for the Undergraduate Handbook entry on Geoecology coherencies.
Honours and Postgraduate Study
You can pursue further study in Geoecology either by undertaking an Honours year at the end of your Bachelors degree or a postgraduate Masters degree. Both of these are valued by employers for the extra knowledge, practical skills and research skills they bring.
The Honours year involves a single, year-long research project in conjunction with one of the lecturers who agrees to act as your supervisor. The topic is agreed between you and the supervisor in advance. On completion, you qualify for the Bachelor of XXXX (any degree) with Honours. Entry to Honours is restricted to students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) higher than 2.5.
A Masters degree (typically Master of Science with Honours) is a 2 year (full-time) research degree on a topic determined by you and a lecturer who agrees to act as your supervisor. Entry is by application, with an initial 6 month qualification period.
Related areas of study
Resource and Environmental Management
Environmental Science
Climatology/Atmospheric Science
Physical Geography
GIS (Geographic Information Science)
Biology
Ecology
Geology, Geophysics and Exploration Geoscience
Environmental Geology
Human Geography
Natural History, Cultural and Museum Studies
Prior Knowledge
There is no essential prior knowledge for this area of study. A background, or interest in, geography, science (including Earth and Environmental Science) or environmental science may be helpful but these areas can be studied in first year.
How to apply
Application for all degrees for school leavers is through the UAC. Non-award and non-degree applications are made directly to the University. Mature-age students (21 years or over, without the necessary academic qualifications for UAC admission) may apply directly to the University through the Jubilee Scheme. Please contact the Centre for Open Education via e-mail at coe@mq.edu.au or by phone on +61 2 9850 7470 for further information on these schemes.
You can apply for one of several degrees:
2007 UAI cut-offs for relevant degrees (for guidance only):
BA 76
BSc 73
BEnvSc 76.65
BEnvMgt 74.55
BSc DipEd 74.40
BMarSc 75.55
Employment can be found in a variety of fields. Mostly these will relate to some aspect of environmental management or assessment but range from field-based to desk based; private sector to public sector and non-governmental organisations; data gathering to planning and policy development.
Many advertisements of interest to Geoecology graduates may simply stipulate 'a degree in Environmental Science', 'Environmental management', 'natural science' or 'earth science' but could refer to 'geomorphology' or 'soil science', 'river management' or similar terms.
Some options include:
- environmental impact assessment for private sector consultancies
- contaminated site assessment for private sector consultancies
- site assessment (e.g. river condition, soils, vegetation) for private sector consultancies
- local government (stormwater, reserves, monitoring adherence to environmental guidelines, approvals, bush regeneration, weed management)
- state government departments and agencies (environmental monitoring, mapping natural resources, development approvals and monitoring adherence to environmental guidelines, permits and approvals, policy development and program development)
- federal government bodies with responsibility for science policy or data gathering, such as Geoscience Australia, Environment Australia, Department of Science, Antarctic Division, CSIRO
- environmental monitoring for a range of resource industries, including mining. Ensuring environmental quality and adherence to regulations governing operations. Habitat protection, site rehabilitation
- teaching at primary or secondary level. Environmental studies, geography, general science, Earth and Environmental Science
- natural hazards (perils) assessment in the insurance industry
- research organisations such as CSIRO, co-operative research centres and universities.
Some major employers include:
All organisations with the above responsibilities are potential employers, for example:
- environmental and geotechnical consultancies
- local government
- state government departments: Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)
- state government agencies: National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Water, Sydney Catchment Authority, Land and Property Information (LPI)
- federal government bodies such as Geoscience Australia, CSIRO, Antarctic Division, Environment Australia, Department of Science
- mining companies and other natural resource companies and
- non-government organisations related to the environment.
Contacts
For further information on studying Geoecology, please contact:
The Administrative Officer, Physical Geography
Office: Building E7A, Room 617
Phone: (02) 9850 8426
Fax: (02) 9850 8420
E-mail: pg_admin@els.mq.edu.au