Ever wondered how you could make our planet a better place and create a more sustainable future for us all?
Sounds like a big task, right?
Firstly, the right education is fundamental.
UWA offers a wide range of courses depending on your passions and concerns for the environment, putting you on a path to solving UWA's Grand Challenges, which are underpinned by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Our Grand Challenges are complex and difficult issues, with no clear solutions, that require new ways of working across disciplines and sectors to effectively address. Our efforts are focused on solutions to Climate Change and A More Just and Equitable World (see below).
Knowledge in these areas can be applied across a range of industries, including government agencies, community groups, mining companies, Indigenous corporations, consultancy firms and small businesses, the list goes on. Within these industries, career opportunities are diverse, and range from environmental consultants to environmental engineers, soil scientists, marine scientists, conservationists, environmental policy analysists, researchers and many more.
Here are just some of UWA’s courses that seek to educate those with the desire to create a greener future for us all.
1. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on society and our environment simultaneously:
Our new Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability provides a unique blend of social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, and policy. You’ll delve into the latest research and best practices in sustainability, hear from community and industry leaders and gain hands on experience in tackling complex social and environmental challenges.
During your studies, you’ll undertake the Social and Environmental Sustainability (Extended Major). This extended major will provide you with crucial conceptual knowledge and real-world experiences to meet the demand for professionals who can help organisations and communities adopt sustainable practices to address social and environmental challenges.
You’ll be well prepared for career opportunities across a range of industries, including working as a communication officer, sustainability officer, policy officer, consultant, researcher, planner and more.
You can also expand your knowledge in a field of interest by choosing one of ten interdisciplinary science minors, such as Mineral Resource Development, Environmental Biology, and Ocean Innovation.
Find out more about this unique course below.
2. If you have the desire to make a positive impact on our world as an environmental engineer:
Our four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) specialising in Environmental Engineering will give you the engineering skills to solve the environmental challenges facing our world, in both human and natural environments. You’ll develop strong analytical and research skills, guided by world-leading academics who specialise in fluid mechanics and oceanography, water resources and hydrology, water and wastewater treatment, sustainability, and environmental monitoring.
UWA’s strong links with industry will give your environmental engineering career a head start. You’ll have the opportunity to make connections with Government organisations like the Water Corporation, the Resources Industry, Engineering Consultancies, and Environmental Non-Profits.
Graduates from Environmental Engineering at UWA work as engineering consultants, planning the use and development of coastal, urban and natural environments, and helping industry reduce its environmental impacts, including through decarbonization and managing the renewables transition.
Wanting to advance your skills? You can look at pursuing the Master of Professional Engineering.
3. If you're interested in seeking solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments:
The Bachelor of Marine Science will provide you with knowledge about the complex interactions that occur in marine ecosystems and how to manage these systems in a changing world. Western Australia’s coastline is a biodiversity hotspot with up to 80 per cent of marine life found nowhere else in the world, making it the ideal living laboratory for your studies.
A degree in marine science can lead to career opportunities as a marine scientist, marine environmental consultant, oceanographer, and many more.
During your studies, you’ll major in the Marine Science (Extended Major), exposing you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline.
The Bachelor of Marine Science is also available as a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree. With three master’s degrees to choose from, you’ll gain specialised knowledge in another area of interest.
4. If you’re passionate about the science side of our environment:
The Bachelor of Environmental Science teaches students understanding, rational analysis and improvement of human impacts on the natural world. By studying this course, you’ll be well equipped to solve diverse environmental problems and communicate unbiased information to the wider community.
Upon graduation, career opportunities are diverse across local and international employers, and may include working as an environmental consultant, conservation officer, soil scientist, and more.
During your studies, you can choose to major in Environmental Science and Ecology (Extended Major), or Environmental Science and Management (Extended Major), depending on your interests.
The Bachelor of Environmental science is also available as a combined bachelor's and master's degree. In the master’s component, you’ll assess the impact of human activity and develop scientific, risk-based solutions to help secure a sustainable global environment.
5. If you’re passionate about science and want a broader range of majors to choose from:
The Bachelor of Science will enable you with the knowledge and skills to make a real contribution to the global challenges facing humanity.
A UWA science degree opens the door to a huge range of careers. Acquiring the communication and research skills embedded throughout each major, you’ll be well prepared for many diverse and exciting careers in an ever-changing workforce environment.
With 28 majors to choose from, the Bachelor of Science allows you to tailor your degree to your interests. Explore the range of majors available.
Some of these courses may be available via Experience-based entry, so if you don’t have the grades, there’s still a pathway for you. Find out more about how Experience-based entry works, courses available, check your eligibility and see our FAQs.
Want to know about more environmental courses offered at UWA? Find out about UWA course's, and work towards creating a more sustainable future for us all.
