Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture

The course has been developed to provide a qualification in arboriculture for those employed in the urban tree management/arboriculture and urban forestry areas and those in different careers wanting to gain employment in this area. The course will investigate a wide range of tree management issues and emphasize the need to promote a strategic approach to tree management and the contribution trees can make to urban life.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate should be able to:

• discuss the biological functioning of trees and how they benefit the environment;
• develop urban tree management plans based around the application of technical knowledge;
• demonstrate high levels of communication and problem solving skills in their approach to tree management and planning;
• discuss issues of sustainability when managing trees in urban environments , including environmental, social and community and economic factors.
• analyse and discuss appropriate occupational health and safety policies for urban tree management

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture students must successfully complete four core subjects (each 12.5 credit points) a total of 50 credit points.
The core subjects include:
o Tree identification and selection
o Urban tree health
o Urban tree growth and function
o Managing urban trees

Core subjects

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

• An undergraduate degree; or
• a relevant TAFE or Higher Education Advanced Diploma or equivalent and 3 years full-time, relevant, documented relevant work experience or equivalent; or
• a relevant TAFE Diploma and 4.5 years full-time relevant, documented work experience, or equivalent; or
• 6 years full time relevant, documented work experience, including at least 3 years in a demonstrated supervisory role.

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

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

Upon completion, student can gain a full credit (50 credit points) on entry into the Master of Urban Horticulture

N/A

Though participation in the course and completion of assessment students should acquire skills in:
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• 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;
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills to allow informed dialogue about issues with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Ability to investigate, analyse and solve problems in applied situations;
• Highly developed skills in time and organisational management through participation in all subjects;