A unique opportunity

The new degree in Sustainability at The Australian National University is designed to help you understand the challenges we face in sustaining our world, its peoples, and their cultures, and to empower you to think creatively about the future and how we shape it.

Meeting 21st Century challenges

The population growth, resource use and technological and economic development of the 20th Century have created enormous pressures on our natural and built environments, on both traditional and modern cultures, and on societies globally. Economic development and globalisation have made many people rich, but more remain poor. Climate change threatens lifestyles and property as well as agricultural production and biodiversity.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) is the latest in The Australian National University's unique undergraduate degree programs. It's designed for those who are going to shape the future of Australia, and our region, in the 21st Century.

Integrated disciplines

The BIS(Sustainability) program is structured around core knowledge, learning and research skills, and teamwork. It requires that you develop some knowledge of Asia-Pacific, natural and built environments, and the social sciences and humanities; it allows you to specialise in two majors relevant to sustainability, and you can progress to Honours on an agreed topic. Along the way, you'll work with many of Australia's leading researchers and connect with the nation's policy-makers.

Where will it take me?

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) is intended for graduates who want to make a difference in ways that matter. Expect career opportunities in community, public and private sector organisations seeking graduates with superior skills in addressing complex, real-world sustainability challenges. These are ubiquitous in business and government, in large- and small-scale organisations, and in natural, rural and urban environments.

Our former students are employed in a wide range of different occupations.

The BIS(Sustainability) program

As thie Program Outline chart shows, the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) program comprises four elements:

• a core of courses focusing on knowledge and skills, particularly in research and problem-solving
• a supporting envelope of courses to provide context and background in each of Asia-Pacific, natural and built environments, and the social sciences and humanities
• two majors offering complementary perspectives on the challenges of sustainability, and the possibility of internships and independent research
• the option of an Honours year to consolidate and capitalise on the knowledge and skills of the coursework program.

Majors

Majors for the BIS(Sustainability) are drawn from those offered by The Australian National University's Colleges. For 2006, these are Asian Politics, Asian Societies, Business, Development Studies, Ecology and Evolution, Geography, Global Change Science, Forest Science, Human Ecology, International Relations, and Sustainable Energy Systems. Others will be added as the degree develops.

What do I need to do now?

There are no secondary school prerequisites for the courses however the degree is best-suited to students with strong interests in social and natural sciences and an interest in integrating these two areas.

Admission

The BIS(Sustainability) is offered in two entry modes.

• Three year BIS(Sustainability) for students who meet the Australian National University's standard entry requirements (for 2005, a UAI of 85 or equivalent). Students who achieve Honours-level grades may apply for admission to fourth-year Honours;
• Four year BIS(Sustainability) Honours for students who meet the Australian National University's requirements for advanced degree entry (a UAI of 95 or equivalent). Students are guaranteed a place in Honours subject to maintaining Honours-level grades. They can also elect to graduate with a BIS(Sustainability) after three years full-time study.