Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies)

The postgraduate diploma allows students to undertake a research project in a specialist field of study. Students will gain considerable knowledge in an area of environmental studies and engage in critical assessment of the major theoretical claims of the discipline. The course provides a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year BA (Honours) with a research component in environmental studies.
This course is designed to meet the needs of environmental policy-makers and managers in Australia and other countries of the Asia-Pacific region. People with a particular interest in technical skills and field situations are catered for, as are those more interested in policy formulation or who simply want to be more informed about how environments work in particular social circumstances. The course has two core themes: ecological processes in environmental systems under stress and techniques for measuring and treating environmental impacts; and relationships between development forces and environmental management in developing and industrial economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The course aims to provide a knowledge of the main theories and methods used in addressing environmental problems, and to develop policy ideas for people interested in environmental management in developing and industrial economies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Course coordinator:
Dr Peter Christoff
School of Social and Environmental Enquiry
Email: peterac@unimelb.edu.au

Students who complete the postgraduate diploma should:

• possess knowledge of environmental systems and processes and what happens to environmental systems under stress;
• develop skills in using techniques that (a) measure components of environmental systems and (b) assess the environmental impact of different environment users;
• have a knowledge of environmental valuation and the relationships between development and the environment;
• understand the broad social, economic and regulatory frameworks in which environmental problems are resolved;
• possess knowledge of the current processes of economic and social change in the Asia-Pacific region;
• develop skills in assessing the relation between these processes and environmental capacity.

• Thesis 15,000 words (50 points)
• Honours coursework (50 points)

The minimum entry requirement is:

• an undergraduate degree with a major in environmental studies or cognate discipline a grade average of H2B (70%) or equivalent in the major

• a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies) with a grade average of H2B (70%) or equivalent

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability