The long term survival of humanity relies on sustainable management of our natural environment, including its landscapes; and sustainable management is dependent upon our having a strong scientific understanding of the fundamental processes that interact to shape the complex environmental system.

The major in Environmental Science develops that understanding by providing an integration of scientific knowledge and practice in environmental and landscape sciences. It focuses on how key areas of environmental science relate to and are underpinned by landscape processes. Only by understanding these key landscape processes can successful environmental outcomes be achieved. The major includes a focus on current understandings of the science of the environment, and a range of response strategies for their sustainable management. Students develop their ability to evaluate recent and current advances in environmental science, and in policy and management approaches; and to integrate a range of discipline-based knowledge relevant to specific regions or issues in sustainable environmental and landscape management.

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row

Learning Outcomes

1. Think critically about environmental science issues, integrate information, and construct logical, consistent and synthesised arguments.
2. Explain the scientific underpinning and environmental implications of critical issues in ecological and landscape processes, across a range of likely scenarios.
3. Engage with a range of stakeholders, including environmental scientists, land managers, government extension officers and private consultants, on a range of environmental and landscape issues.
4. Analyse and interpret complex processes and apply solutions across a range of environments and landscapes.