Manage complex environmental issues and create a better future
Gain the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills you need for a career as an environmental manager. You’ll learn to minimise human impacts on the environment, manage resources sustainably, and conserve and restore habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Gain the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills you need for a career as an environmental manager. You’ll learn to minimise human impacts on the environment, manage resources sustainably, and conserve and restore habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Our program has a strong focus on tropical and subtropical and subtropical environments and per-urban areas, making it highly relevant to our region as well as your job prospects. In addition, you will specialise through your choice from a range of minors which include Coastal and Marine Environments, Urban Design and Town Planning, Global Environmental Security and Policy, Geospatial Analysis and Sustainability.
You'll get plenty of authentic learning experiences with field work activities and interactions with industry partners.
You'll also have the opportunity in your final year, where you can undertake a work placement or advanced research project related to environmental management, giving you necessary practical experience to enter the job market or pursue further studies.
In this program you will:
- Learn the skills and strategies to manage environment issues at local, regional and global scales
- Develop the ability to communicate complex information to inform and engage stakeholders
- Participate in lab and field work and interact with industry partners
- Obtain specialist knowledge aligned to your interests in environmental management
- Complete a work placement or advanced research project to jump start your career
Career opportunities
Careers in the field of environmental management are diverse and include opportunities at local, state, national and international levels, in industry, government, conservation, and research organisations.
Careers in environmental management include environmental assessment and protection (air, water, land), natural resource management, sustainable procurement and corporate stewardship, communications and public awareness, environmental education, policy and legislation development, international negotiations relating to global issues, and research and development of environmental technologies.
Membership
Graduates can apply to become Associate Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) while they acquire relevant work experience. Graduates can apply for Full Membership in EIANZ after they have acquired two years of professional experience in one or more functional areas of environmental practice.
Program structure
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
ENS103 Earth's Surface Processes
ENS120 Introduction to Environmental Management
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 132 units
ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
ENS204 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS223 Environmental Impact Assessment
ENS253 Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS300 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENS351 Integrated Environmental Management
GEO310 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
SUS201 Measuring Sustainability
PUB262 Environmental Health Risk Management
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS330 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENS333 Special Field Studies Topic
SRP301 Special Research Project A
SUS310 Sustainability Project
WPL310 Workplace Learning I
Minor (4) 48 units
- Coastal and Marine Environments
- Urban Design and Town Planning
- Geospatial Analysis
- Global Environmental Security and Policy
- Sustainability
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 elective courses (48 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
- You must select and register your required major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.