Master of Urban Horticulture

The Master of Urban Horticulture (Coursework) was developed specifically for those seeking professional employment or developing research careers in urban horticulture. There is a focus on the design, implementation and management of urban landscapes. Employment opportunities can be found in a variety of settings including arboricultural services and tree management, urban parks and public open space, revegetation and restoration, residential landscape design, landscape and asset management, landscape construction and services and in nursery and greenhouse management. Upon completion of the course students can progress to PhD studies at the University of Melbourne. Whilst it is beneficial for students to have some experience in the horticultural industry it is not essential to have previous employment to gain entry to the course. There are different pathways for students depending on the previous studies completed. The course has excellent linkages and contacts to the urban horticulture industry, adding to the currency and relevancy of the study experience, but also building employment opportunities for the future.

The Master of Urban Horticulture is a graduate coursework program of 200 points completed over two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Offered primarily at the Burnley and Parkville campuses the course will begin in 2008. Some subjects may be offered online or using intensive, residential or mixed-mode delivery. Core studies are completed in the areas of ecology and environments, landscape management, plant production and establishment, horticultural science, urban flora, and either project management, social research or experimental design and statistics. Elective subjects include social and therapeutic horticulture, garden history and design, urban tree management, managing invasive species and many others across the university. A number of research project studies can also be completed as elective studies.

Note: Students can elect to exit after the first year of full time study (100 points) with a Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture. Graduates from relevant Honours programs or from the Graduate Diploma in Horticulture can apply for up to 100 points credit into the Masters program.

• Display skills, knowledge, understanding and competence in the area of urban horticulture;
• Analyse problems, advise, guide, develop and organise horticultural programs and operations;
• Develop a holistic approach to horticultural management through an understanding of the biological, socio-cultural and environmental factors within the system;
• Extend scholarly and critical attitudes in the discipline of urban horticulture;
• Develop an understanding of a range of problem solving methodologies suited to horticultural management;
• Apply such understanding to a contemporary issue or problem affecting urban horticulture

The 200 point Masters Course is normally completed over two years of full-time study. There are different course pathways available to students with either a horticulture study background or non-horticultural study background.

The programme also provides for individual project work to the value of 25, 50 or 75 points. The 75-point option would comprise a combination of Project A (25 points) and Project B (50 points).

Master of Urban Horticulture

Core Subjects

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria:

• a three-year undergraduate degree with a grade average of 65% or greater; or
• an honours degree or equivalent qualification; or
• successful completion of a postgraduate diploma or a graduate diploma;or
• successful completion of a postgraduate certificate or graduate certificate with a grade average of 65% or greater.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or may call for referee reports to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

It is the University policy to take all steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a students participation in the university's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to laboratory activities and field trips. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit.

The Melbourne Experience enables our Graduates to become:

Academically excellent
Our Graduates will be expected to:

• have strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities,
• problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self directed
• learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and
• communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines

Our graduates will be expected to:

• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experinces in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment.

Leaders in communities

Our graduates will be expected to:

• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including
• professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of
• personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity
Our graduates will be expected to :

• Value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contibute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• respect Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens
Our graduates will be expected to:

• accept social and civic responsiblities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broard global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equality and ethics.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication.
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaisonwith individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects