Geography
The diverse research interests of the teaching staff and the variety of facilities available offer a wide range of research possibilities to MSc and PhD students in physical geography and environmental science. Many of the graduate theses already completed have been concerned with research problems in Australia but, depending on available research funds, research outside Australia may also be possible. Strong research interests include geomorphic process studies, basic and applied climatology, palynology, palaeoecology, landscape evolution, environmental conflicts and the interpretation of changing attitudes to the environment.
Candidates for the PhD degree normally should have a masters degree in geography or allied environmental discipline for which the major requirement is substantial research accomplishment. All graduate students without a masters degree are enrolled in the first instance for the MSc. If the research topic appears to have PhD potential and if the candidate's progress warrants promotion, a recommendation may be made to the PhD and Scholarships Committee to change the candidature to that of PhD. Graduate students enrolled for MSc and PhD degrees participate in regular research-in-progress seminars attended by staff and graduate students. Special interest seminars for small groups of staff and students are also run.
Further information can be gained from the Arts handbook and the Department of Geography and Environmental Science graduate studies handbook. Inquiries should be referred to the head of the department.
Graduate School of Environmental Science
The school's purpose is to educate students about the broad physical and social patterns of environmental change, emphasising the value of understanding the environment through practical projects undertaken within a framework of social and philosophical theory, thereby encouraging an understanding of how environmental action can be achieved.
Coursework and research involve multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, and there is an emphasis on collaborative and applied team projects.
Applications are sought from people of all backgrounds and disciplines. People enrolling for the Master of Environmental Science degree or the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science should possess a four year bachelors degree or its equivalent, plus two years suitable experience.
The masters degree course may be taken on a full-time basis over two years or up to five years part-time. Students are required to complete fifty-six points of coursework from a wide range of subjects presented by all faculties throughout the university and a research project with a weighting of forty points.
The Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science may be taken over one year full-time or not more than three years of part-time study. Students are required to complete a total of forty-eight points of coursework which is designed to provide advanced academic expertise, a sensitivity to the context of the expertise, and an environmental perspective.
Further information on the environmental science programs can be gained from the Arts handbook. The Details of courses handbook is available from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Inquiries should be referred to the head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science.