Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries

This course develops understanding and skills required by professionals with connections to food production, agribusiness, and forest and resource management to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. It explores the many factors underpinning climate change risk for agricultural production and methods for sustainable food and fibre production and their markets, in the face of changing climate.

At the same time as developing individual capability, application of the knowledge gained during study to participants' work and projects provides immediate and relevant application of course learning and invaluable insights into the impacts of climate change to the future of primary industries.

The Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries aims to develop understanding and skills required by professionals with connections to food production, agribusiness, forestry and resource management to respond to the challenges posed by climate change.

The course will develop a deep understanding of the many factors underpinning food and fibre security and an awareness of methods for sustainable food and fibre production and their markets, in the face of changing climate.

The objectives of this course are to:
• Enable students to explore the interdisciplinary and international nature of primary industries and climate change at an advanced level
• Provide students with a sound foundation in the scientific and economic principles and analytical skills behind responding to climate change,
• Develop competence in the analysis of complex systems in devising strategies for responding to climate change for food and fibre security,
• Develop a critical understanding of environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to climate change and food and fibre security in Australia and globally

To achieve the Graduate Certificate in Climate Changes for Primary Industries, you are required to successfully complete all four 12.5 credit point subjects. A total of 50 points for the completion of the course.

Core Subjects

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• either
– an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with a weighted average mark of H3 (65%) in the final year of study, or equivalent, or
– an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and at least two years of documented relevant work and/or professional experience, or equivalent, or
– an undergraduate degree in any discipline and at least five years of documented relevant work and/or professional experience, or equivalent.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking and/or assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic qualification and performance; and, if relevant
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Student Application and Selection Procedure.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries 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 the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Vetterinary & Agricultural Sciences.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

Academically excellent:
o have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
o have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
o reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
o be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
o be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines:
o examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
o expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
o have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
o have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

Leaders in communities:
o initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
o have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
o mentor future generations of learners
o engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity:
o value different cultures
o be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
o have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
o respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens:
o accept social and civic responsibilities
o be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
o have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics