Climate Change

Climate Change is offered as a major field of study in the Master of Environment degree.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation are increasingly being integrated into business management, government policy and technology design, requiring expertise in a range of fields including international conventions, strategic government and business policy, climate science, energy technology, economic analysis and management. Effective solutions therefore require a new generation of policymakers, managers and scientists equipped with a multidisciplinary understanding of climate change issues.

The Climate Change major is ideal for students seeking an interdisciplinary perspective on climate change, for work in policy-making or business advisory roles. Graduates will be well-placed to offer leadership through a solid understanding of: theoretical and practical applications of policy and science; technological limits, potentials and risks; and the value of addressing a wide-ranging global environmental issue from a trans-disciplinary perspective. Additionally, this major presents an opportunity for students to establish extensive networks with fellow climate change professionals across a broad range of industries, sectors and fields of endeavour.

Graduates of this major can expect to find employment in State and Federal Government authorities, environmental consulting companies, business advisory and strategic policymaking positions worldwide.

Students who complete the Master of Environment will have:
• An advanced understanding of environmental issues
• Advanced skills and techniques applicable to changing and managing the environment
• An ability to evaluate and synthesise research and professional literature in the chosen stream or focus of study
• An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of environmental assessment

The graduate attributes for the Master of Environment are:
• Expertise in multidisciplinary understanding, analysis and research with an environmental focus
• Collaborative approaches to environmental problem solving
• Capacity to engage in critical social and sustainability questions

The Master of Environment generic skills are:
• Multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary knowledge and research of environmental relevance
• Collaborative environmental management skills
• Capacity for independent learning across discipline boundaries

The Climate Change major will provide a pathway to further study and prepare students for entry to middle and upper management positions by:
• Developing knowledge, skills, understanding and competence in the area of climate change science and policy tools;
• Developing a thorough approach to climate change through an understanding of the biological, economic, social and environmental factors surrounding climate change issues both within Australia and internationally;
• Increasing knowledge and analytical capabilities appropriate to climate change;
• Developing competence in the design, conduct and analysis of research questions and experimental work, particularly for those students interested in pursuing a research career; and
• Extending scholarly and critical attitudes in climate change studies.

Students will be required to complete the two core subjects, plus choose three subjects from the compulsory subject list and undertake electives to make up the balance of the award. The selection of electives is made in consultation with the Climate Change major coordinator.

For a current list of subjects offered in the Climate Change major, please refer to the course information page at: http://www.environment.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/specialist_paths_of_study/climatechange

Core Subjects

Students are required to complete the subjects:

Compulsory Subjects

and choose 3 subjects from the list of:

Elective Subjects

plus undertake electives to make up the balance of the award. The recommended list of electives includes:

Other subjects may be approved at the discretion of the coordinator.