Our courses

The UNSW Introduction to the Sydney Environment (BEES6601) course outlines the physical, biological and social environments of Sydney. It looks at contemporary environmental issues and constraints facing Sydney.

The UNSW Animal Behaviour (BIOS3011) course provides one of the most fascinating and rewarding fields of zoological study. The course introduces the study of animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, ethology and more.

The UNSW Applied Geochemistry (GEOS3281) course examines the behaviour of elements in the surface environment, with applications ranging from mineral exploration and regional mapping to environmental assessment.

The UNSW Assembling the Tree of Life (BIOS3221) course is designed to train undergraduates in the principles and application of phylogenetic systematics. You’ll learn about the conceptual basis of comparative biology, using morphological and molecular data.

The UNSW Astrobiology: Life in the Universe (BEES6741) course is a fully online, third-stage science elective course. It explores the search for life elsewhere in the universe through the origin of life on Earth.

The UNSW Advanced Field Biology (BIOS3601) course offers advanced practical training in diversity, systematics and biology. It also looks at the identification of terrestrial animals and plants and aquatic invertebrates.

The UNSW Australian Climate & Vegetation (GEOS2711) course explores climatic patterns and their controls in Australia and the biogeography of the continent’s native vegetation. It considers contemporary climate and vegetation but also delves into the past.

The UNSW Australian Surface Environments & Landforms (GEOS2721) course studies the geomorphology, sedimentology and pedology of Australia's physical landscapes. The main emphasis in this course will be on the factors and processes acting in modern-day physical environments.

The UNSW Vertebrate Zoology (BIOS2061) course, examines the evolution, diversity and natural history of animals with a special emphasis on how they cope with Australia’s environment.

The UNSW Big Data in the Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES3041) course teaches you to analyse and interpret real and challenging data. This 10-week course combines theory with practice, allowing you to conduct a research project, supervised by our course lecturer.

The UNSW Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources (BIOS6671) course covers applications of community ecology, population biology and genetics. It also looks at the management of natural resources, environmental problems and the conservation of biodiversity.

The UNSW Biology of Invertebrates (BIOS2031) course examines the diversity of invertebrate organisms. Throughout the course, you'll focus on their evolution, morphology, behaviour and ecology.

The UNSW Climate Systems Science (CLIM3001) and (CLIM6001) course navigates the key systems that control our climate and how these systems interact. It explores the uncertainties associated with direct climate observation and future climate modelling.

The UNSW Coastal Processes and Hazards (GEOS3731) course is a Stage 3 course that’s accessible for all upper-level students. Throughout your study, you’ll study the physical processes that operate along our coastline.

The UNSW Coastal Resource Management (GEOS3921) course is a Stage 3 course that studies current and emerging issues in coastal management and planning.

The UNSW Coral Reefs and Climate Change (MSCI2060) course examines one of the world’s most diverse and important ecosystems: tropical coral reefs. You’ll explore how our changing climate affects corals and what measures we can take to conserve these coral reefs.

The UNSW BEES2041 Data Analysis for Life and Earth Science course and BEES5041 Data Analysis: Environmental Science & Management aims to develop your quantitative skills for solving problems in the fields of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science.

The UNSW Earth and Environmental Science (GEOS1211) course introduces theoretical concepts of earth surface processes, landforms, surface deposits and soils. You’ll explore and interpret the origins of the continents, oceans, atmosphere and more.

The UNSW Earth Materials (GEOS2181) course provides an introduction to the nature and analysis of minerals, clays, rocks, meteorites and gem materials. You’ll learn about the composition of the outermost layer of the Earth known as the crust.

The UNSW Earth Structures (GEOS3171) course seeks to unravel the history of the Earth’s continental crust and lithosphere and its distortion over millions of years, resulting in a complex three-dimensional form.

The Earth’s Systems and Sustainability (GEOS2291) course provides students with core background knowledge on how the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere (Earth’s Systems) are interconnected.

The UNSW Ecology, Sustainability and Environmental Science (BIOS1301) course provides you with a strong grounding in present biological, ecological and environmental problems and their effects on biodiversity.

The UNSW Ecosystem Conservation and Management (BIOS2123) course is an intensive field-based course offering hands-on training in ecosystem science and management in rivers and wetlands.

The UNSW Environmental Change (GEOS3761) course delves into some of the great scientific and archaeological questions about what happened on Earth and why. Past environmental changes provide valuable insights into how our planet works.

The UNSW Environmental Impact Assessment UG (GEOS3911) & Environmental Impact Assessment PG (GEOS9011) course develops your understanding of how the environment is factored into development decision-making in NSW.

The UNSW Environmental Systems, Processes and Issues (GEOS1701) course introduces you to the physical and biological systems and processes that create the Earth’s natural environments.

The UNSW Evolution (BIOS3171) course studies evolutionary ideas and research techniques to improve your scientific skills. You'll learn how to generate research questions, analyse and interpret data, and write a scientific paper.

The UNSW Evolution in the Modern World (BIOS2500) course introduces you to the power of evolutionary thinking and its application to understanding modern life. You’ll explore how evolution shapes the living world.

The UNSW Evolutionary and Functional Biology (BIOS1101) course examines the evolutionary history of life on earth. You’ll explore human origins and the relationship between environment, adaptation, form and function.

The UNSW Evolutionary and Physiological Ecology (BIOS2011) course introduces you to the functional relationships between living organisms and their environments with an emphasis on Charles Darwin’s Theory of evolution.

The UNSW Exploring the Natural World course (BEES1041) will introduce students to the science and scientific methods within the life, environmental and Earth sciences.

The UNSW Field Methods and Mapping (GEOS2131) course covers practical geological mapping techniques, general field skills, and the integration of stratigraphic, lithological, structural and paleontological concepts.

The UNSW Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science (CLIM2001) course explores the basic physical principles and processes that govern our atmosphere and its climate. It will give you the necessary knowledge to understand everyday weather phenomena and more.

The UNSW Geographic Data Analysis (GEOS3821) course explores a toolbox of conceptual approaches and methods to model and analyse complex, and often non-deterministic geographic problems.

The UNSW Introduction to Astrobiology (BEES2741) course is a fully online course on the search for life elsewhere in the universe, the origin of life on Earth and the future of life on our planet.

The UNSW Introduction to Climate Change (CLIM1001) course is an online-only course that introduces you to climate law, climate psychology, electricity generation and climate impacts.

The UNSW Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing (GEOS2821) course provides a theoretical understanding and practical introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing.

The UNSW Introduction to Science Communication (BEES2680) course is fully online and provides a solid foundation in science communication skills, including active listening and critical reading.

The UNSW Introductory Skills for Science course (SCIF1131) provides the opportunity for students to become aware of and develop their professional capabilities.

The UNSW Introductory Marine Science (MSCI1001) course will introduce you to a cross-section of the theory and application of marine science. This course was known as MSCI2001 in 2020 and in prior years.

The UNSW Investigating Earth and Its Evolution (GEOS1111) course provides a foundation of geology, exploring the properties of minerals and rocks, and the processes by which their form is described.

The UNSW Life in Arid Lands (BIOS3161) course provides you with a unique opportunity to learn about plant and animal life in arid lands.

The UNSW Marine and Aquatic Ecology (BIOS2091) course and (MSCI9001) examines the ecology of aquatic habitats with a major focus on marine coastal systems such as kelp forests, coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

The UNSW Mineral and Energy Resources (GEOS3141) course introduces the nature and formation of mineral energy and resources.

The UNSW Ocean to Estuarine Ecosystems (BIOS3081) and Topics in Marine Biology and Ecology (MSCI5005) course explores environmental marine science by the practical application of theory.

The UNSW Peak Carbon: Climate Change and Energy Policy (GEOS2241) course provides insight into one of the most important policy changes confronting Australia and the world today: climate change.

The UNSW Perspectives in Medical Science course (SCIF1111) introduces students to the skills required by a professional in medical research.

The UNSW Physical Oceanography (MSCI3001) course examines the fundamentals of oceanography. It explains how the ocean works and interacts with other parts of climate systems.

The UNSW Flowering Plants (BIOS2051) course introduces the basics of plant biology with a strong emphasis on Australian native flora. This course is intended for second-year students who are interested in learning about plants.

The UNSW Plant Ecology (BIOS3061) course involves student-led discussions where you'll debate a range of current controversies spanning areas that range from plant-animal interactions to seedling ecology.

The UNSW Principles of Geographic Information Systems and Science (GEOS9016) course introduces the basic structures, procedures and application of geographic information systems (GIS).

BIOS9231 Research Internship in Marine Terrestrial Conservation (12UoC) is a course taught over 2/two terms. The course provides training in the basic skills required for conservation research, through internship within a research group in the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences. Enrolment is by School Consent, students can not

The UNSW Risks and Impacts of a Changing Climate (CLIM2002) course teaches the essentials of understanding and managing climate risk. This course demonstrates how climate risk may manifest as a challenge in a wide range of sectors.

The UNSW River Basin Ecosystem Management (BIOS6723) course is an intensive, 10-day field course focused on the management of one of the world’s most spectacular ecosystems – the Okavango Delta World Heritage site in Botswana.

The Special Program in BEES - Undergraduate 6UoC (BEES0006) is a short theoretical or experimental research project, supervised by a member of academic staff.

The UNSW The Marine Environment (MSC10501) course explores aspects of both the physical and biological environments of the sea and their inter-relationships.

The UNSW The Science of Science Communication (BEES6800) course, teaches how to effectively communicate across a range of audiences about why science matters, how it works and its relevance in Australia and across the globe.

The UNSW Topics in Australian Marine Science (MSCI6681) course covers quantitative aspects of the physical and oceanographic environments of the sea. You'll explore the inter-relationships with plankton, fish and fisheries.

The Work Placement courses enables students to work at a partner organisation in an area of Biological, Earth or Environmental science.

The Work Placement courses enables students to work at a partner organisation in an area of Biological, Earth or Environmental science.