The Program

Human Ecology is an explicitly transdisciplinary major that addresses a key issue of the 21st Century, the maintenance of the health and well-being of our planet's ecosystems in the face of the socio-cultural demands placed on them. The major is open to undergraduates with a wide range of first year backgrounds.

The foundation course, ENVS2011 (Human Ecology), provides an introduction to the fundamental linkages between social and ecological systems that all humans live within, and introduces dynamic system science as a means of understanding how these coupled systems behave. The next core course, ENVS2012 (Cities and Their Hinterlands), applies dynamic systems approaches to understanding the rise and dominance of cities as our major habitat and the consequences of this on human health and the environment. ENVS3023 (Agroecology and Sustainable Systems) focuses on the sustainability of human food production systems. The final course in the program, ENVS3021 (Human Futures) is designed to engage students in the practice of collaborative, integrative, multidisciplinary research needed for the exploration of any human social or ecological system and for creating viable human futures.

Most Human Ecology courses have a field component and all involve a combination of practical and theoretical exercises. ENVS3010 provides the opportunity for senior students to undertake focused research on a human ecological topic of their choice. This may include the chance to work with a range of government, NGO and private sector organisations.

Requirements

A minimum of 42 units of courses including:

(a) no more than 12 units of first year ANTH, ARCH, BIOL, SOCY or ENVS courses.

(b) ENVS2011 Human Ecology and at least two of ENVS2012 Cities and Their Hinterlands, ENVS2014 Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability, ENVS3023 Agroecology and Sustainable Systems or ENVS3021 Human Futures

(c) and up to 12 units chosen from:

BIOL2191 Ecology of Health and Disease

ENVS2016 Landform and Soils: Landscape Systems 2

ENVS2019 Vegetation Ecology: Landscape Systems 1

ENVS3010 Independent Research Project

ENVS3036 Integrative Research Methods

(d) and if needed one of:

ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Addressing Environmental Conflict

ENVS3018 Policy and Institutional Analysis in Environment and Sustainability

ENVS3028 Environmental Policy and Planning

ENVS3031 Murray-Darling Field School

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy

First Year course advice

Students should take ENVS1001, BIOL1003, ENVS1008 and BIOL1008.

This diversity of options enables you to tailor your Human Ecology major around your areas of personal and professional interest. It is recommended that you discuss your specific selections with course conveners and consult the ANU Undergraduate Handbook.

A Human Ecology major may be included as a major within a number of other degrees, notably the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability). Courses in Human Ecology can also count towards majors in Environmental Studies, Human Sciences or an Environmental Systems major within an Engineering degree. Please consult the ANU undergraduate handbook.

See also Factsheets and Handbooks and Fenner UG courses table

Note: Students who commenced in 2006 or before should consult the Colleges of Science Sub Deans on acceptable courses for their major.

Possible Specialisations

Our Human Ecology graduates have gone on to careers in many areas, including:

• Sustainability Consulting and Risk Management
• tertiary education and education for sustainability
• generally environmental management systems
• science journalism
• agricultural systems research and management
• urban planning and sustainability advisory services
• international aid and development
• green and ethical financial planning
• environmental policy development and compliance
• developing and implementing corporate green
• governance.

Honours in Human Ecology

ANU Human Ecology has a strong Honours program, which is open to suitably qualified students. Past students have tackled a wide range of projects, including in partnership with researchers elsewhere at ANU, or in other organisations both locally and internationally. Contact the Fenner School Honours convener (fennerschool-hepc@anu.edu.au) for more information.