The broad objectives of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences
are to:
From the wide range of activities possible within the Faculty's objectives, the following areas of interest have been defined as foci for the activities of a number of interrelated disciplines:
Ecology and Ecosystem Management
During comparatively recent times, human populations have made increasing demands on the environment and on the biological resources of ecosystems. Divergent opinions as to the intrinsic value, sustainability, conservation and management of ecosystems are common ingredients in the debate of environmental issues. The ecology area examines the basic processes and the unifying concepts which govern the structure of biological populations and communities and the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It is also concerned with human and other impacts on ecological systems and the problems of managing biological resources for specific purposes.
Social Sciences
Humans exploit their environment to survive. The extent of this exploitation depends on the technology and the system of social organisation, and these in turn are affected by such factors as the population size and the available natural resources. In modern industrial societies, political and economic - especially managerial - decisions often have direct environmental effects. Examination of the political and social organisation that leads to these decisions, as well as the problems involved in reaching them, is therefore a concern of the Faculty.
Land Use and Management
The limited capacity of humans to manage and plan land use is a major factor in many environmental problems. This area of interest is concerned with the physical, economic and social factors which affect land use, and the ways in which planning procedures can contribute to environmental management.
Environmental Engineering
This area is concerned with minimising society's impact on the environment by the control of pollution in all its forms - water, air and soil. It includes the safe management of society's wastes (liquid, solid and gaseous) in the urban, industrial and agricultural settings by engineering solutions which control the impact of these potentially polluting substances on the ambient environment.
Applicable Mathematics
This area is concerned with the use of mathematics and computing to develop models of environmental processes which can be used for predicting future events and applied in the management of the environment. It is also concerned with the use of statistics in the design and analysis of field experiments, and as an aid in the interpretation of large volumes of data.
Environmental Pollution and Health
Societies, and in particular technological societies, generate by products of solid, liquid and gaseous wastes and noise, which can have deleterious effects on natural ecosystems, land and water use, and On people. This area of interest is concerned with the measurement Of pollutants and the understanding, modelling and prediction of their impacts On, and interactions with, natural ecosystems and human health.
Environmental Education
The promotion of ecologically sustainable and socially just ways of managing people-environment relationships requires wide community support and commitment. The task of environmental education is to develop an environmental literate society which is characterised by a wide awareness of environmental issues, a basic understanding of and concern for the environment, and the motivation and skills to act to protect and improve the environment.
The Faculty has five schools:
The Australian School of Environmental Studies offers the following undergraduate degree courses:
Information on these undergraduate degrees can be found in the University's Undergraduate Studies Handbook.
The School of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Offers the following undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses:
Information on these degree courses can be found in the University's Undergraduate Studies and Research and Postgraduate Studies Handbook.
The School of Environmental Engineering offers the following undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses:
Information on these degree courses can be found in the University's Undergraduate Studies and Research and Postgraduate Studies Handbook.
The Graduate School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering offers the following postgraduate degrees:
Information on these postgraduate degrees can be found in the University's Research and Postgraduate Studies Handbook.
Dean: Professor William Hogarth is responsible for the Faculty's academic and administrative functions and participates in teaching and research (telephone (07) 3875 7431 or fax (07) 3875 5282).
Deputy Deans:
A/Prof Rod Simpson DD Research & Consulting (telephone (07) 3875 7221 or fax (07) 3875 6717)
A/Prof Janet Chaseling DD Teaching, Learning & Staffing (telephone (07) 3875 7515 or fax (07) 3875 6717)
Faculty Manager: Mr John Urquhart is responsible to the Dean for the administrative operations and technical support services of the Faculty and is readily available for advice on admissions, subjects, careers and general advice (telephone (07) 3875 7427 or fax (07) 3875 5282).
Administration Officers: students may contact one of the Administration Officers regarding admissions, enrolments, timetabling, assessment matters and general information. The administration officers are:
Academic Advisor Students needing academic counselling should consult the relevant school Academic Advisors:
The Academic Advisor is available for advice regarding student
progress, examination results, study techniques, or any problems
of an academic nature. If the Academic Advisor is unable to assist,
students are referred to other officers of the Faculty or the
University's Counselling Services. Members of the various School
Boards are responsible for approval and giving guidance on subject
selection and academic courses.
Computer Facilities
Computer facilities are available to students and are used during
the subject of the Faculty's bachelors degree courses. A computer-aided
learning-teaching laboratory is situated in Room 2.04 of the AES
building.
Noticeboards
Matters of an administrative nature which need to be communicated
to students are displayed on the Faculty's student noticeboards
on levels 0 and -1. The student-link noticeboard in the ENS Common
Room contains feedback from the Student representatives on the
Faculty Standing Committee and School Boards.
Timetables
Timetables for all students are available prior to enrolment.
After enrolment, students select suitable times for tutorial classes,
laboratory groups and problem workshops.
Faculty Committees
The major committee concerned with the government of the Faculty
is the Faculty Standing Committee. The Faculty also has a number
of Committees with more specialised functions, such as planning
health and safety and School courses. Some Committees have provision
for students members.
Enquiries
Enquiries should be directed to the Faculty office, level 2 of
the Environmental Sciences building (telephone (07) 3875 7519
or fax (07) 3875 7459).
Office Hours
The Faculty office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.