Bachelor of Environmental Science and Master of Natural Resource Management

BENSC component: Students will develop a strong multi-disciplinary scientific understanding of regional, national and global environmental issues and principles, and a well-developed capacity for analysis. They will obtain knowledge from lectures, reading materials and by direct experience in practicals and field excursions. Students will be expected to know key terms and concepts to the extent that they can demonstrate and apply them in assessments. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations for some units, and in online tests, practical tasks, oral presentations, essays and reports.

MNRM component: Knowledge of the transdisciplinary aspects of natural resource management is built through lessons, tutorials, practicals and assessments in all units in this degree. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of key natural resource management theory and apply knowledge in various industry contexts to solve complex natural resource management problems. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of the range of global environments in which natural resource management is applied. Students will obtain knowledge through unit materials (experience in laboratories, field excursions and interactions with industry professionals), independent research, and interaction with teaching staff and fellow students. Students will be assessed via multiple modes to demonstrate theory and practice of natural resource management.

BENSC component: Students are taught and assessed on a range of different communication types appropriate to science graduates. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of environmental issues; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Within the core and prescribed units communication tasks address a range of different audiences and use oral, written and electronic presentation.

MNRM component: Communication skills are taught, practised and assessed throughout this course. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of natural resource management issues; technical reports and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Students will utilise cognitive and communication skills, tools and digital technologies to communicate appropriately and persuasively with a range of stakeholders. Students will develop oral, written and presentation skills relevant to natural resource management contexts through assessments.

BENSC component: Problem solving is taught in the scientific context of researching the background to a problem, formulating one or more hypotheses in environmental science to be tested, and drawing conclusions from the results of those tests. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students decide the best approach to performing tasks. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving real-world problems that arise in environmental science and management.

MNRM component: Problem solving is taught, practiced and assessed in the scientific context of researching the background to a problem, formulating research questions, designing studies, conducting investigations and drawing conclusions from their results. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students use cognitive and critical thinking skills to identify natural resource management issues, and to analyse and evaluate the relevant theories and concepts to construct solutions. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving real-world problems that arise in natural resource management.

BENSC component: Students will be taught how to access the literature (especially on-line resources), how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources (discrimination skills) and how to critique available information. Students will then practise these skills through the generation of reports and oral presentations in relation to environmental science.

MNRM component: Students will be taught how to access the literature (especially online resources), how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources (discrimination skills) and how to critique available information. Students will then practice these skills through the generation of reports and oral presentations in relation to natural resource management.

BENSC component: Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science. Students will be encouraged to act ethically and be socially responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of environmental science which reduce, minimise or prevent harm to the environment and its multiple inhabitants. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content.

MNRM component: Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science and stakeholder relationships. Students will be encouraged to act ethically, and be socially and culturally responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of natural resource management that support community aspirations at the same time as protecting the environment. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content.

BENSC component: Students gain confidence in their ability to search for and find sources of information relevant to the discipline. Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development.

MNRM component: Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development. Students will continually develop the ability to be responsive to change, have a high-level of personal autonomy, conduct independent research and develop interpersonal skills that will be useful to them in a professional workplace.

BENSC component: Teamwork is used in classes at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively, define and achieve common goals, take initiative and assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to discuss, calmly and rationally, ideas and concepts, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view. This, in addition to the ability to use the language of the discipline in reasoned argument, is one of the aims of online discussions.

MNRM component: Students are encouraged and taught to develop independence of thought and action. Teamwork is used at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively to define and achieve common goals, to take initiative and to assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to use the language, ideas and concepts of the discipline in reasoned argument, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view.