| AQF Level |
Level 7 Bachelor Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
067859F |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This double degree facilitates formal qualifications in both law, and environmental science or management. The Bachelor of Environment explores relationships between humans and their environments, and patterns of distribution and consumption of resources that influence sustainable futures. With special knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns in the human and natural environment, environmental managers can play a major role in resource and environmental management.
No environmental issue exists outside a social or political framework or without turning on scientific evidence of impact or process. For these reasons, the Bachelor of Environment requires students to develop breadth in both areas. The dictates of the workplace also require graduates to be expert in their area while also presenting a very great range of possible career pathways. Therefore, students are required to gain depth in one area (a major) from a range of majors.
In addition, students must complete the full requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Laws, which allows for professional accreditation. Within the range of electives, students may choose units in Environmental Law and related areas.
Students must complete a number of specified units in Law and environmental management. Students must also complete one of six qualifying majors (Environmental Management, Biology, Climate Science, Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Geology or Spatial Information Science) and a minor from another of these qualifying majors. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
Refer to separate statements for the Bachelor of Environment and the Bachelor of Laws. |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The degree of Bachelor of Environment with the Bachelor of Laws develops students’ abilities and skills, in addition to building knowledge, in the broad range of disciplines comprising environmental practice and enquiry. Graduates are able to contribute their knowledge, research skills and real-world experience to a broad range of career paths. Graduates are equipped to gather and analyse data, critically analyse information and report their findings in a professional manner. Also see the separate entries for each of the eligible majors and the Bachelor of Laws.
Required units in the Bachelor of Environment link background concepts and knowledge with practical experience acquired in the classroom, the laboratory or in the field. Most units use a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes, fieldwork and online activities. Practical components involve laboratory-based sessions, deriving, analyzing and modeling data, and problem-solving in tutorial sessions. Key units also develop student’s skills in presenting information in written and oral formats appropriate to the field. A feature of many units is working in small or large groups, where students can develop the capacity to work with others in a team to achieve a goal. Many of our units take advantage of a diversity of media for their delivery (e.g. videos, lectures, readings, activities). Our philosophy is that students learn by doing and we endeavour to make our units as hands-on as possible.
Several units are offered in external as well as internal mode. This means that, instead of attending weekly lectures and practical classes, students can opt to cover these in blocks over several weekends. Note that the external offering is designed to maximize flexibility, but does not eliminate the face-to-face component.
A key final year unit within the Bachelor of Environment is designated a Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) unit where students can apply their skills in the real world in projects with partners outside the University. |
| Assessment |
Assessment within the Bachelor of Environment is designed not only to test students’ discipline-specific knowledge and skills but also their ability to integrate and analyse information to solve real-world problems. Assessments are spread throughout semester to enable students to gain feedback as they learn. Assessment tasks are also scaffolded from first year to final year to build skills and confidence. See also the entries for each of the eligible majors and the Bachelor of Laws.
The program incorporates both formative and summative feedback. Formative feedback is that which is received whilst students are working on a task, often during "hands on" practical sessions or fieldwork. Summative feedback is that received once students have completed a task. Both forms of feedback are extremely important and provide students with information and guidance on their development and progress. Feedback may be provided in written form or simply in discussion with peers and teachers.
In recognition that students learn and communicate in different ways, assessment methods are diverse, with at least three different types of assessment in every unit. Assessment methods include, but are not limited to, exams and quizzes, written assessments (such as scientific reports, professional portfolios, field research project reports, critiques of the scientific and popular literature), and oral presentations. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic Students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International Students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Refer to separate statements for the Bachelor of Environment and the Bachelor of Laws. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification. |
