Master of Development Studies(CWT)

Course 097-AB (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Contact

Graduate Enquiries, Arts & Music Student Centre Rm 104 (Ground Floor) Old Arts Building Tel: +61 3 8344 5321/+61 3 8344 6395 Fax: +61 3 9347 0424 Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au
Course Overview:

The coursework masters provides specialist training for professional qualification purposes, usually to graduates working in the fields of development and environment, development and gender, development and urbanisation, and health policy and development, but may also be taken for general interest. This course does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD. Students who discontinue the course after completing 50 points may be eligible for a graduate certificate. Students in the two year program who complete 100 points of the masters may be eligible for the award of either a graduate diploma or postgraduate diploma.

Course coordinator:
Dr Salim Lakha
School of Social and Environmental Enquiry
Email: salim@unimelb.edu.au

Objectives:

Students who complete the masters will:

  • understand current practice and thinking about development;
  • comprehend the relations between development and environmental conditions, gender and urbanisation and culture;
  • know and be able to use some of the techniques employed in development planning.
Course Structure & Available Subjects: 2 year/200 point program
Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 6 years part-time

• one compulsory subject (usually completed in the first year of enrolment)
• 3 core subjects at 400 level and 3 core subjects at 500 level
• elective subjects to complete the total 200 points required
• Students must complete at least 100 points at 500-level
• Students planning to enrol in a Minor Thesis must consult with the course coordinator prior to enrolment. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 50 points of subjects at the University of Melbourne and received an average of at least 75% for those subjects. Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the subject 121-503 Research Methods and Design.
• Written permission from the course and subject coordinators must be obtained prior to enrolling in: 166-423, 121-547, 121-901, 121-906, 166-551

1 and half year/ 150 point program
Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

• one compulsory subject (usually completed in the second semester of enrolment)
• at least three core subjects
• elective subjects to complete the total 150 points
• Students must complete at least 100 points of 500-level subjects
• Students planning to enrol in a Minor Thesis must consult with the course coordinator prior to enrolment. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 50 points of subjects at the University of Melbourne and received an average of at least 75% for those subjects. Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the subject 121-503 Research Methods and Design.
• Written permission from the course and subject coordinators must be obtained prior to enrolling in: 166-423, 121-547, 166-551

1 year/100 point program (500 level, coursework only)
Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

• one compulsory subject
• at least two core subjects
• elective subjects to total 100 points


Minor Thesis Option (available only in 200 or 150 point program:

Upon completion of a minimum of 50 points in the 200 or 150 point programs, students may enrol in the 121-547 Development Studies Minor Thesis (50 points). Course coordinator approval is required for entry to Minor Thesis. Students are strongly advised to consult the course coordinator for course and subject planing at an early stage of study.

Eligibility for application to the Minor Thesis is based on the following criteria:
• overall grade average of 75% or above in the first 100 points (400 level) of the 200 point program, or the first 50 points in the 150 point program;
• Completion of pre-requisite subject 121-409 Field Methods in Development;
• Submission of an application form which includes a thesis abstract, well structured research proposal, and an Ethics Checklist.

Additional Requirements for undertaking the Minor Thesis include the following two additional subjects to their electives:
• 121-439 Directed Study in Development (semester one, repeat two)
• 121-503 Research Methods & Design (summer intensive)
Note: Students are expected to complete 121-503 in the summer semester prior to their commencement of the thesis, and to complete 121-439 in first semester of their thesis which normally is taken over two semesters.

Subject Options:

200 point program

Compulsory subject:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
First year (400- Level) core subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
400-level elective subjects*
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Additional elective subjects may be selected from the second hundred points: see 100 point program structure below.

* Some cross-listed electives may require prerequisites and therefore students are advised to contact subject coordinators for approval

Second 100 points (500-Level)

500-level core subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer
12.50
500-level elective subjects
Development Studies Program
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer
25
Semester 1, Semester 2
50
Geography
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
School of Political Science
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Asian Studies
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Engineering
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Institute of Land & Food Resources
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
School of Population Health
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
* Students cannot enrol in more than two 25 point subjects
# Permission by a course/ subject coordinator is required in order to enrol in the thesis. A minor thesis can only be undertaken in the 150- and 200-point Masters programs.
Notes: up to 25 points may be taken from outside the approved list of subjects with the approval of the course coordinator and Associate Dean. In coursework masters programs where electives are available students may enrol in up to 25 points of language study as approved by course coordinator (usually taken in the first 100 points of a 200 point program.

150 point program

First 50 points: see first year of the 200 point program above for subjects available at 400-level.

Remaining 100 points: see 100 point program structure below for subjects available at 500-level.

100 point program (500 level, coursework only)

500-level core subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer
12.50
500-level elective subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer
25
Geography
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
School of Political Science
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Asian Studies
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Engineering
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Institute of Land & Food Resources
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
School of Population Health
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
* Students cannot enrol in more than two 25 point subjects
Note: up to 25 points may be taken from outside the approved list of subjects with the approval of the course coordinator and Associate Dean.
Entry Requirements: 1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria -

For the 200 point program
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and two years of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

For the 150 point program
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

For the 100 point program
• an honours degree in development studies/gender studies or a cognate discipline with a research component with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in development studies/gender studies or a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least two years of full time documented relevant professional work experience.

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

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:
Applicants seeking admission into 100 and 150 point programs must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:

• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees ;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.
Core Participation Requirements:

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
Graduate Attributes: None
Links to further information: www.social-environmental.unimelb.edu.au

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