Environmental science


Environmental Science concerns itself with the interactions between humans and their bio-geological contexts with the aim of re-integrating the two with the insights offered by both the humanities and the sciences. While the sciences give us a certain capacity to control environments, environmental science is at pains to highlight the dependency of our actions on the way we interpret our world. This means working with the social frameworks that give us interpretations. In addition to being scientifically literate, environmental science provides its graduates with understandings of humans as nature and with intellectual tools to act in the knowledge that we always work in nature as insiders, never as 'objective' outside observers.
Core studies in systems thinking and interdisciplinary team research techniques are required in all programs.
Staff in other departments in the university as a whole may be called on for supervision. Individual research supervision offered by school staff (masters by research and coursework and PhD) covers ecological systems and Quaternary vegetation and climate history; conserver society theory and practice; environmental assessment; environmental education, psychology, politics and decision-making processes; ecotourism; energy and environment; environment and health; environment and planning processes especially with a community focus and general approaches to knowledge and action from the analytical viewpoint of social construction.
See also entry for 'Geography'.

Master of Environmental Science by coursework and research

General information

Course code: 0056 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Sharon Pfueller · At present, environmental science subjects vary between HECS band one and two; elective subjects range from HECS band one to three
The degree provides a primary insight into the nature of the environmental problematique through a suite of core coursework subjects, a small number of elective subjects complementary to candidates' prior studies and an extensive interdisciplinary research experience involving both team based and individual reporting. It has been designed for students seeking a HECS-funded program which broadens and deepens their existing knowledge through a one-year program in environmental science; provides intensive training in environmental - ie interdisciplinary as well as disciplinary - research; enables them to apply their disciplinary training in the enhanced setting of a substantial interdisciplinary research project and enables them to gain an understanding of the politics or social construction of environmental understanding and its generation through research. Research students must achieve a minimum of credit in both coursework and research components.

Entry requirements

Candidates must have either an honours degree in any discipline with a minimum H2A grade or equivalent, or a Masters Qualifying in Environmental Science with a research component, with an average grade of H2A or above from Monash University or the equivalent, with a grade of H2A in the research component.

Course structure
Core subjects
Electives

Electives at fifth-year level to the value of 12 points.

Integrated research folio

A research project weighted at 66 per cent. This includes multidisciplinary team research (to produce a team report), and individual research on a topic arising from the team project and resulting in the production of an integrated research folio.
Note that the minimum grade for the thesis and core subjects in the Master of Environmental Science is a credit (60) or above and a credit average for electives.

Prerequisites

Candidates who have not completed the MQual in Environmental Science (research) from Monash University may be required to complete ENV501C (Systems thinking and practice 1) and ENV503C (Interdisciplinary team research) in lieu of electives.

Length of course/workload

One year full-time and up to two years part-time. Candidates must complete the core subject and the team research component in the first year. The individual research and electives may be completed in the remaining time according to the candidate's requirements. Minimum time for submission of the integrated research folio is one year.

Credit provision

Normally no credit is allowed.

Masters Qualifying in Environmental Science with a research component

General information

Program code: 1988 · Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · At present, environmental science subjects vary between HECS band one and two; elective subjects range from HECS band one to three
The program has been designed as the preliminary qualification for entry into the MEnvSc by coursework and research. It provides for students seeking a HECS-funded program that offers a rigorous introduction to the thinking and methods required to undertake the MEnvSc by coursework and research and offers an intensive introductory training in team and individual research. The length of the program is one year full-time or two-years part-time.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a three-year bachelors degree or equivalent in any discipline with a credit average in the final year of their undergraduate degree. Preference will be given to applicants with at least two years suitable experience.

Course structure
Core subjects
Electives
Research project

Master of Environmental Science by coursework

General information

Course code: 0056 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · At present, environmental science subjects vary between HECS band one and two; elective subjects range from HECS band one to three
The degree allows candidates to build on theoretical studies of the environmental problematique through a suite of core and elective coursework units, and to extend their insights as they (in consultation) see fit. A team-based interdisciplinary research project is also offered for integration with coursework. The course is designed for students seeking a HECS-funded course that broadens and deepens their existing knowledge base; enables participation in a team-based, interdisciplinary research project; enables application of prior disciplinary training in a research project; and facilitates understanding of the politics or social construction of environmental understanding. The length of the course is one year full-time and normally two years part-time.

Entry requirements

Candidates should possess a three-year degree and either the MQual in Environmental Science by coursework with at least a credit average, the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science with at least a credit average or an honours degree in any discipline with a grade of H2B, or equivalent.

Course structure
Core subject
Electives

The minimum grade for core subjects in the Master of Environmental Science is a credit (60) and credit average is required for elective and foundation subjects.

Prerequisites

Candidates who have not completed the MQual in Environmental Science by coursework from Monash University may be required to complete ENV501C (Systems thinking and practice 1) and ENV503C (Interdisciplinary team research) as part of their electives.

Masters Qualifying in Environmental Science by coursework

General information

Program code: 1987 · Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Sharon Pfueller · At present, environmental science subjects vary between HECS band one and two; elective subjects range from HECS band one to three
The program has been designed essentially as the preliminary qualification for entry into the MEnvSc by coursework. It provides for students seeking a HECS-funded program that offers a rigorous introduction to the thinking and methods required to undertake the MEnvSc by coursework; offers extensive electives, drawn - with guidance - from all over the university and offers an intensive introduction to team-based interdisciplinary research. The length of the program is one year full-time or two years part-time.

Entry requirements

Candidates should have a three-year bachelors degree or equivalent in any discipline with a credit average in the final year. Preference will be given to applicants with at least two years suitable experience.

Course structure
Core subjects
Foundation subjects

A maximum of two foundation subjects if required:

Electives

The remainder of the course is to be made up of electives. Although electives offered by the Graduate School of Environmental Science are highly recommended, candidates may, in approved instances, choose electives from other departments and faculties.

Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science

General information

Course code: 0095 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Sharon Pfueller · At present, environmental science subjects vary between HECS band one and two; elective subjects range from HECS band one to three
The program has been designed for candidates seeking a coherent and comprehensive introduction to environmental science. It provides for students seeking a HECS-funded program that offers a rigorous introduction to the thinking and methods in environmental science developed by the Graduate School of Environmental Science over the past 25 years; offers extensive electives, drawn - with guidance - from all over the university, and offers an intensive introduction to team-based interdisciplinary research. The length of the course is one year full-time and normally two years part-time.

Entry requirements

Candidates should have a three-year degree plus suitable experience or a relevant faculty certificate with a credit average or above.

Course structure
Core subjects
Foundation subjects

A maximum of two foundation subjects if required:

Electives

Although electives offered by the Graduate School of Environmental Science are highly recommended, candidates may, in approved instances, choose electives from other departments and faculties.