The Bachelor in Environmental Sciences addresses elements of Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030 by focusing on the overall goal that Vanuatu “needs to train competent local managers and science-conscious officials in the particularly vulnerable context of Vanuatu, ranked the most vulnerable country in 2016 by the World Risk report, because of the natural disaster risks of the area and the effects of climate change.” In particular, the course is identified as addressing elements 3 (Climate and Disaster Resilience), 4 (Natural Resource Management), and 5 (Ecosystems and Biodiversity) of the Environment Pillar of that Plan. Design of this degree support’s Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030.
Course Description
- The Bachelor in Environmental Sciences degree requires the completion of 24 subjects that are each worth 13 credit points in the VQA system, meaning the combined degree requires attainment of 312 credit points over 3 years.
- Most subjects to be taught as block mode intensives (one subject at a time for a month), but not always.
- Students who graduate will earn an internationally recognised degree from James Cook University/University of New Caledonia.
The jointly developed JCU & UNC Bachelor in Environmental Sciences degree for NUV was developed to create a spirality of learning between subjects & years.
- The first year subjects scaffold upon and expand the concepts and topics covered in the Year 13 Vanuatu science curriculum.
- The second year subjects build off the foundational knowledge provided in year 1, and are framed around establishing core skills in GIS, new knowledge in climate change science, surficial process, marine biogeography, environmental policy, and sustainability.
- The third year subjects scaffold on top of the second year subjects by presenting advanced environmental science topics and skills development in conservation, environmental geochemistry, climate change impact mitigation, coastal ecosystems (including Blue Economy/carbon concepts), environmental impact assessment, natural hazards, advanced GIS and technological applications.
- Each of the subjects will be taught with a focus on building the SIDS context into the courses and program.
Main subjects covered
| Course Delivery – First Year Subjects | |
| Semester One | Semester Two |
| Preparatory Mathematics (JCU) | Environmental Process & Global Change (JCU) |
| Introduction to Biological Process (UNC) | Evolution of the Earth (JCU) |
| Introduction to Chemistry (UNC) | Preparatory Physics (JCU) |
| Introduction to Ecology (UNC) | Modelling Natural Systems (JCU) |
| Course Delivery – Second year Subjects | |
| Semester One | Semester Two |
| Coral Reef Ecology (JCU) | Natural Resource Management (JCU) |
| From Icehouse to Greenhouse (JCU) | Introduction to Environmental Policy & Governance (UNC/JCU) |
| Quantitative Methods in Science (JCU) | Surficial Processes (UNC) |
| Introduction to Sustainability (JCU) | Introduction to GIS (UNC) |
| Course Delivery – Third year Subjects | |
| Semester One | Semester Two |
| Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment & Conservation (JCU) | Environmental & Societal Impact Assessment (JCU) |
| Environmental Geochemistry (UNC) | Natural Hazards (JCU) |
| Biodiversity & Climate Change: Impact Mitigation & Adaptation (JCU) | Advanced GIS (JCU) |
| Coastal, Estuarine & Mangrove Ecosystems (JCU-UNC) | Technological Applications in Ecology (JCU) |
Entry Requirement
Only baccalaureate or equivalent will be accepted at the National University of Vanuatu.
