The BNatRes at UNE is by far the oldest of its type in Australia with more than 25 years experience of providing professional training in environmental protection and natural resources management. It has an enviable record of supplying well qualified graduates who readily find employment in both the public and private sectors.

The BNatRes is a program in management which is built on a firm knowledge of the basic and applied sciences. Because of this, graduates are in a position to make truly informed decisions and recommendations on matters of policy affecting the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and management of the nation's environment and its resources.

Practical Experience: A requirement of the degree is that students have to complete 12 weeks of work experience in a relevant area. Typically students have found casual employment in areas like those listed in the career opportunities section. Work experience often leads to an offer of full-time employment on completion of the degree.

There are no compulsory HSC prerequisites but it is assumed that students enrolling in the degree will have completed Chemistry and Mathematics at NSW HSC level, or equivalent. Knowledge of Physics or Biology would be an advantage. The Faculty offers Foundation Studies in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for students who do not have the recommended background knowledge.

Job opportunities that require training in resource management are in strong demand as society moves ever more positively towards ecologically sustainable management practices for all of our natural resources.

More than half of our graduates have found employment with government agencies, with sustainable land management and soil conservation, water resources and wetland management and National Parks providing the bulk of the positions. The majority of the remainder have moved into industry including private consulting companies or into research positions.

The degree also provides appropriate training for undertaking research projects which may be in either the public or private sector or, as happens quite often, at university in order to pursue studies to a higher degree such as the Master or PhD.

Students completing the double degree of Bachelor of Natural Resources/Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning will be accredited the Planning Institute of Australia.