Graduate Certificate in Catchment and Waterway Management

The objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practicing in the Victorian river health management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for river health.

The course is one-year part-time, delivered by a combination of distance learning and intensive periods of face-to-face teaching. Field trips are an integral component of all subjects.

The objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practising in the Victorian waterway management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for catchment management.

Graduates of this course should:

Understand the technical content of the disciplines involved in river health and catchment management and its relationship to the broader objective of river health and total catchment management. Amongst other things, this involves an understanding of;

• river health policy and practice,
• the roles and responsibilities of catchment management agencies;
• appreciate how to create and acquire knowledge within their discipline, particularly by using and critically reviewing professional advice;
• be familiar with methods of applying their knowledge in practical settings; this includes -
• thinking and planning strategically,
• identifying both strategic directions and specific initiatives,
• making judgments about and challenging total catchment management policy and practice;
• realise how the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge about catchment management are intimately related;
• be able to articulate their knowledge in an appropriate form; in particular, to be able to:
• interact with a range of stakeholders to achieve community outcomes,
• manage human resources, and assist with development of leadership and succession planning;
• be capable of independent critical thought, that will enable them to:
• adapt and respond to evolving policy and operational circumstances,
• adapt and respond to unexpected outcomes of management actions,
• challenge current practices and facilitate positive changes; and exhibit analytic and problem-solving skills, in particular applying specific techniques for managing waterways and catchments.

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in River Health Management, students must complete all 4 core subjects, a total of 50 points.

Core Subjects

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree, or equivalent.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking and/or assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic qualification and performance

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

NOTE: Applicants must be currently employed in the Victorian waterway management industry.

If applicants are applying for admission solely on the basis of their professional experience, then they must demonstrate that:

• they have at least five years professional experience;
• they have advanced in their career to the point where they hold a position that normally requires the kinds of skills a graduate possesses;
• their experience is in the field of waterway management or one of its specializations;
• they can produce complex analytical reports, papers or other documents; and
• they can demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement by undertaking relevant professional development courses.

Graduate Certificate in River Health Management welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree 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 degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students who successfully complete the course may be eligible for credit into Masters courses offered by the Melbourne School of Land and Environment.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

• Academically excellent:
  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
  • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
  • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• Knowledgeable across disciplines:
  • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
  • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
  • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
• Leaders in communities:
  • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
  • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
  • mentor future generations of learners
  • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
• Attuned to cultural diversity:
  • value different cultures
  • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
  • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
• Active global citizens:
  • accept social and civic responsibilities
  • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
  • have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics