What is environmental science?Environmental science involves monitoring and evaluating areas of the environment including the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (oceans, rivers and lakes), biosphere (plants, animals and micro-organisms) and the lithosphere (soil).

Environmental science encompasses many areas of study including biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, meteorology and physics. The interface between these disciplines leads to some exciting and rewarding work.

An example is the problem of global warming. This requires chemistry, physics and meteorology to understand the behaviour of gases in the atmosphere, biology to understand and predict the effects on populations of animals and plants around the world, hydrology to monitor global ocean currents, and geology to help understand what has happened in the past and what might happen in the future.

What do environmental scientists do?Environmental scientists analyse the environment in different situations to identify problems and monitor conditions. They develop ways to promote environmental conservation, and control or minimise the harmful effects that human activity has on the natural environment.

The varied roles of an environmental scientist include: — monitoring environmental impacts caused by development activities — developing ways to minimise the impact of industrial, agricultural and urban processes — producing conservation plans — emergency responses to chemical spills and accidents — analysing pollutants to identify sources and assessing effects on the environment — conducting animal and plant surveys — monitoring the effects of land degradation and recommending ways of prevention, control and remediation

— rehabilitating land, water and air affected by mining, logging, construction, degradation and pollution

— advising industry, government and the public on environmental issues — diving on the Great Barrier Reef monitoring for pesticides — monitoring changes in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — measuring air pollutants in homes and identifying hazards including faulty gas heaters.

Your work as an environmental scientist may involve report writing, laboratory work, field work, research or any combination of these.

Where do they work? Who will employ me?Environmental science graduates are employed in many organisations including environmental consultancies; analytical services companies and laboratories for site assessment and remediation; manufacturing companies; recycling and treatment companies; forestry; mining; and service industries. As private companies become more responsible for their environmental processes, many organisations employ professionals to manage their performance.

You could also work for state and local government and regulatory authorities such as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial and Research Organisation (CSIRO), catchment management authorities, agricultural and research agencies.

www.rmit.edu.au/appliedsciences

If you are considering a career in environmental science, you may be interested in...

— Bachelor of Environmental Science — Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) — Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours) double degree

— Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Social Science (Environment) double degree

— Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Business (Management) double degree

Environmental Science

Applied Sciences

Environmental science at RMIT involves many field trips and hands-on experience.

CRICOS provider number: 00122A13135 0613

What does it take? What abilities and qualities do I need?Are you fascinated by the environment around you? Are you concerned about what is happening to the environment and do you want to be part of the solution by understanding the environment?

If you think solving important environmental problems in a collaborative environment is exciting and challenging then environmental science at RMIT is for you.

Environmental science at RMITEnvironmental science at RMIT involves many field trips, including annual trips to Lakes Entrance, Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef and Vietnam. There is hands-on experience with field equipment and laboratory instrumentation, multidisciplinary teamwork and engagement with industry partners (often future employers). There are also opportunities for study abroad.

Your studies will include basic mathematics, chemistry, biology and environmental science. You then have the choice of specialising in either environmental biology or environmental chemistry. It is possible to specialise in both areas. You can also add a stream in environmental engineering, environmental management, environmental analysis or geospatial science.

Environmental biology includes ecology, plant science, animal diversity, ecotoxicology, marine science and bioremediation.

Environmental chemistry focuses on chemical interactions occurring in the environment. This speciality provides the skills and knowledge to analyse chemical pollutants in air, soil, water and biota (living things) using a range of techniques and instrumentation. It includes aquatic chemistry, soil chemistry, biochemistry and atmospheric chemistry.

You can undertake a research project or a work placement in final year. If you wish to take more science courses, you may also consider taking an environmental science major within the Bachelor of Science.

‘Travelling to Lizard Island, 200km north of Cairns in the Great Barrier Reef,

for a field trip has been a highlight of my studies at RMIT.

‘It was a fantastic experience as it took us out of the lecture theatre and gave

us an opportunity to survey sections of the reef and put what we learnt into action.’

Ben CoughlanBachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)

Student Profile

What you will studySemester 1 Environmental

thought and actionEnvironmental chemistry 1A

Scientific skills and communication

Maths and statistics

Semester 2 The changing environment

Environmental chemistry 1B

Earth’s life support systems

First year environmental science elective (physics, geography or cell biology)

Semester 3 The natural environment 2A

Core discipline Core or complementary discipline

University student elective

Semester 4 The natural environment 2B

Core discipline Core or complementary discipline

University student elective

Semester 5 The degraded environment 3A

Core discipline Core or complementary discipline

Environmental analysis (Lake Entrance field trip)

Semester 6 The degraded environment 3B

Core discipline Core or complementary discipline

Science project

The core discipline is either environmental chemistry or environmental biology.

The complementary discipline can be environmental engineering, geospatial science, environmental analysis or environmental management.

Discover a science degree that has the answers