Postgraduate Certificate in Bushfire Management

This course no longer accepts new enrolments. Students wishing to apply for this course should view The Postgraduate Certificate of Bushfire Planning and Management (PC-BFIREPM).

The Postgraduate Certificate of Bushfire Management (PGCert Bushfire Management) will provide students with the opportunity to study specialized bushfire science, ecology and management subjects and one of two subjects on the topic of community engagement for natural resource management. It is a coursework award based on existing subjects offered at 400 and 500 level in the Master of Forest Ecosystem Science and at 500 year level in the Graduate Environment Program (GEP). The PGCert Bushfire Management will meet the urgent need to equip existing natural resource management professionals with world's best practice skills in managing and responding to fire risk in forest ecosystems. The course will cover aspects of bushfire planning and management including management of biodiversity, ecosystem processes and the implications of climate change for bushfire risk mitigation.

The PGCert Bushfire Management will qualify graduates for specialist fire management positions within the forest and natural resource management sectors and provide a pathway to further study, by:
• Developing knowledge, skills, understanding and competence in the area of bushfire science and management;
• Developing a thorough approach to bushfire management theory and practice through an understanding of the biological, environmental and social drivers of forest fire management in Australia and internationally;
• Increasing knowledge and analytical capabilities appropriate to bushfire management;
• Developing competence in the design, conduct and analysis of bushfire management practices;
• Extending scholarly and critical attitudes in bushfire management disciplines.

The Postgraduate Certificate of Bushfire Management (50 points) consists of the core subject Bushfire Planning and Management (FRST90017), plus any three 12.5 point subjects from the list below. Students can take the subjects in any order.

Core Subjects

Elective Subjects

Students to complete two of the following;

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria -
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any area including at least 25 points in one or more of Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Statistics, or equivalent, and with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year; or
• an undergraduate degree in any area and a Graduate Certificate in Environment with at least H3 (65%) average in the Certificate.
The requirement for at least H3 (65%) average in each case may be waived where the applicant can demonstrate significant professional development in natural resource management since graduation.

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

The Melbourne School of Land and Environment (MSLE) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and School policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the School’s programs. MSLE contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the School’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the School. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

The PGCert Bushfire Management entitles graduates 50 points credit towards the coursework PGDipBFM (100 points) and the Master of Forest Ecosystem Science (200 points), each of which enables progression to Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The PGCert Bushfire Management will be distinguished by a commitment to:
• learning and teaching based on the best available research in bushfire management and related disciplines;
• a respect for the intellectual maturity and diversity of experience in the student cohort;
• pedagogies that promote independent critical inquiry, analysis and reflection;
• a strong engagement with the forest science and natural resource management professional community in designing and delivering the program;
• the full utilization of human and material resources of the Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science.
Graduates of the PGCert Bushfire Management will meet the University of Melbourne graduate attributes at a high level, and, in particular will:
• be well-prepared for accomplished practice in bushfire management and natural resource management professions;
• demonstrate a respect for the evidence base of research underpinning best practice in bushfire management;
• have a strong commitment to principles of ethical practice and to furthering equity and diversity within the forest and natural resource management profession;
• be committed to ongoing development of their own professional knowledge and skills through continuing critical inquiry;
• demonstrate leadership by their capacity to plan and implement creative and productive change in their workplace and their profession;
• be able to communicate bushfire science professional knowledge both to their peers and to members of the general community.