Course

Bachelor of Natural Science

Approved Abbreviation: BNatSc

Western Sydney University Course Code: 3637.1

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 063561A

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course was 2009 or 2010.

The Bachelor of Natural Science is a broadly based, multi-disciplinary undergraduate degree offering flexibility and choice through a range of complementary key programs, each of which embodies a particular discipline. The degree seeks to equip all students with a good understanding of fundamental academic skills complemented by a high level of discipline specific knowledge. Each specific discipline has a capstone unit in engaged learning, to ensure that graduates will be ‘business ready’ in terms of dealing with real world issues and problems and generating real world supply chain solutions. In addition to the key programs, students will be able to complete (and will be encouraged to do so) either a major or a sub-major related to another key program. For example, the Agriculture key program has the related Managing Enterprises major which is available to all Bachelor of Natural Science students. In addition to these majors and sub-majors, most students (except for key programs that have professional accreditation requirements) will be able to select six elective units from across Western Sydney University, subject to availability and Western Sydney University rules. Finally, there is the option of completing a separate business honours course for high achieving students who meet the associated entry requirements.

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Natural Science (Environment and Health) key program includes a major in Environmental Health Management which if completed in addition to the key program is accredited by Environmental Health Australia (EHA), formerly the Australian Institute of Environmental Health (AIEH).

Admission

For UAC entry the following sets of Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies apply:

Agriculture - Recommended studies: One or more of agriculture, business studies, geography, society and culture, and any two units of mathematics and any two units of science.

Agricultural Business - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English. Recommended studies: One or more of agriculture, business studies, geography, society and culture, and any two units of mathematics and any two units of science.

Animal Science - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of mathematics. Recommended studies: One or more of biology, chemistry, geography or agriculture.

Environment and Health - NSW HSC mathematics or equivalent and NSW HSC science or equivalent.

Environmental Management - Any two units of science (biology or chemistry recommended) and any two units of English.

Food Systems - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of mathematics. Recommended studies: One or more of biology, chemistry or agriculture.

Horticulture - Recommended studies: Any two units of mathematics and any two units of science (biology or chemistry recommended).

Nature Conservation - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of mathematics. Recommended studies: One or more of biology, chemistry, geography or agriculture.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International Office

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points which includes compulsory units plus units associated with a particular Natural Science discipline (together making up the Key Program) and free elective units as outlined in the key program structures.

Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit points within their Key Program at Level 3; for some Key Programs this may include a combination of core units and elective units.

Key Programs

All students must complete a Key Program.

KT3010

Agriculture

Agriculture is an exciting, inter disciplinary area that is essential to feeding the growing world population.

KT3011

Agricultural Business

The agribusiness sector is one of Australia’s largest and most vibrant industry sectors, and provides a broad range of exciting career opportunities. The Sydney basin is the focus for Australia’s agricultural business.

KT3013

Animal Science

Interactions between people and animals are increasing as we become more dependent on animals for companionship and food production, and strive to understand the greater pressures being placed on our unique native wildlife.

KT3008

Environment and Health

The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the places we live, work and play all have major impacts on our health and well being. The Environment and Health key program is available on campus or by distance mode (UAC code 706385). Students undertaking the Environment and Health key program may complement their studies by completing the Environmental Health Management major.

KT3007

Environmental Management

Environmental managers are concerned with ensuring the ecological sustainability of human development. History has shown that if we don’t effectively manage our environment, we will degrade it – possibly to the point where it can no longer sustain us.

KT3012

Food Systems

The food industry is vital to Australia in terms of profitability, exports and jobs growth, with lots of employment opportunities. The Food Systems program covers the value chain management of the food industry, from farm to fork.

KT3009

Horticulture

Horticulture is an exciting and diverse field encompassing science, technology, business, tourism and sociology. It impacts our lives through parks and gardens, organic farming, recreational landscape development, rural tourism and the use of plants in alternative therapies, and its practitioners play a key role in our country’s economic future.

KT3014

Nature Conservation

Nature conservation is shaped by the interplay of diverse political, cultural, economic, scientific and technological forces across Australia and internationally. With the increasing exploitation of the world’s non-renewable resources and the rapidly unfolding degradation of the planet’s natural systems there is an urgent need to conserve those wild places we have left and begin to restore the damage man has done.

Majors and Sub-Majors

A range of majors and sub-majors have been constructed which it is believed will offer complementary studies for many of the key programs within the Bachelor of Natural Science. They will also be available to and attractive to other students enrolled across Western Sydney University.

Majors

M3006

Environmental Health Management

M3008

Food Safety

M3009

Food Production

M3010

Food and Water

Sub-Majors

SM3012

Water Management