Program summary
Program overview
Career opportunities
Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
Enquiries
Recommended enrolment patterns

Program summary

QTAC code: to be advised
OP/Rank for 2007 entry: OP-3 / Rank-96
Award abbreviation: BCoastStud(Hons)
Duration: 4 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 384 units
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places
Recommended prior study: English, Maths and at least one of the Sciences
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
CRICOS code: to be advised

Program overview

The degree is structured in two parts:

a) the pass degree, Bachelor of Coastal Studies, in which the student must complete as a requirement either the Workplace Learning course or a special research project and allied courses, determined in consultation with the student’s supervisor and the Associate Dean Faculty of Science Health and Education, and

b) the Honours component subject to the same academic rules as those governing all Honours degrees.

Coastal studies aims to combine elements of science (ecology, land systems, landscapes), economics, the social sciences and management. By linking the social and natural sciences three key themes emerge:

• coastal processes, ecology and conservation,
• developing natural resource management (government, community) and strategic and statutory land-use planning capacity, and
• sustainable coastal environments, societies and economies.

The degree examines key coastal processes; interactions between environmental and human processes, the impacts of human activities, and strategies and tools for their management. In addition, this degree will examine the types of impacts that human activities may have on coastal ecosystems, and the different key elements of how these impacts may need to be managed in order to ensure sustainable resource use and ecosystem function. Effective management of coastal resources requires an understanding of the ecological processes that influence coastal ecosystems as well as an understanding of the policy framework and political pressures that influence development and human activity in coastal environments. The dimensions of management encompass the coastal environmental systems and the institutional systems aimed at delivering effective integrated coastal zone management (ICZM).

Professional membership

Graduates may become members/associate members of the following professional bodies depending on their study specialisations:

• Environmental Institute of Australia

Career  opportunities

If you choose to enter the workforce rather than proceed to graduate studies opportunities may include biodiversity officer, coastal reserve wardens, coastcare coordinator, environmental officer (planning), land and water management plan officer, monitoring coordinator, pest plant and animal community support officer, policy officer (water quality), project officer (stormwater), project officer (coastal, environmental), scientific and community development officer, technical officer, watershed protection officer, waterwatch regional coordinator, and waterways project officer.

Program structure

Introductory courses

Elective courses

Plus the equivalent of 96 units which fall under the proposed academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Coastal Studies (Honours). Students will be required to undertake advanced Honours studies, an Honours industry placement, an Honours research project and the writing of an Honours thesis that embodies the Honours project

Program requirements and notes

1. Refer to the Academic Rules.
2. Refer to explanation of terms.
3. Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

** Not offered in 2007