3783 - Master of Environment and Sustainability

This course is designed to meet the needs of graduates from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds who wish to enhance their qualifications for careers in environmental policy and analysis, planning, consulting, education, advocacy and management. It is also designed for those who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding and experience to enable societal and individual change and responsible action to support sustainability. Its comprehensive set of core units provides knowledge and skills to critically analyse problems of environment and sustainability and to propose realistic solutions in both personal and professional settings. Research projects and internships give students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary real-world contexts and to combine theory and practice in responding to local and global issues at individual, community, corporate and government levels. Electives cater for a wide range of specialised needs and interests.

Students successfully completing this course will have:

• a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline
• an understanding of the world view of the field of study
• a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study
• a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
• advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
• advanced analytical skills
• a grasp of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program.

Students complete a maximum of 48 points of level four units and a minimum of 24 points of level five units, including core units and electives and for those who qualify, either an internship or a research project. All units are worth six points unless otherwise indicated.

Core units

Students complete the following core units at either level four or five (24-36 points):

• ENV4020 Perspectives on environment and sustainability
• ENV4040 Frontiers in sustainability and environment
• ENV4030/ENV5030 Environmental analysis*
• ENV4050/ENV5050 Environmental governance and citizenship*

* One or both of the latter two units should be taken at level five.

Internship and research project

One of:**

• ENV533E Environmental internship (12 points)
• GYM5480 Research project (12 points)

** In order to undertake an internship or project students must gain a distinction average or above in the core and elective units, and/or permission of the course coordinator. For students who have not attained a distinction average, an additional 12 points of coursework electives may be substituted.

Elective units

Students complete electives sufficient to bring the total number of points for the degree to 72 credit points. If a student's background does not provide knowledge in certain areas, electives would include one or more of the following, chosen in consultation with the course coordinator:

• ENV414F Ecological systems and management
• ENV415F Law and the environment
• ENV416F Introduction to economics
• GES4890 Earth systems: From biogeochemical cycles to global change

The School of Geography and Environmental Science can provide a list of other electives offered across the university. If required, electives may be chosen from level three offerings, but only to a maximum of 12 points.

Students who have completed studies in this course to the value of:

• 24 points may apply to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Arts
• 48 points may apply to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainability.

Students will also exit the masters with the appropriate award if they do not maintain the required academic level.

Master of Environment and Sustainability

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.