Graduate Certificate in Garden Design

The course has been developed to provide a qualification in garden design for those employed in the horticultural and landscape industries and for those in different careers wishing to gain employment in this area. Students are provided with a solid basis in garden design theory and practice, an understanding of relevant horticultural principles, an understanding of plant use and selection in design and applications of sustainability thinking and practice in garden design and construction.

On completion of the Graduate Certificate in Garden Design students should be able to:
• display skills, knowledge, understanding and competence in the area of residential garden design;
• assess and analyse problems and determine appropriate solutions in the preparation of design solutions for gardens;
• develop a holistic approach to garden design through a thorough understanding of the horticultural, landscape and design requirements;
• display graphic interpretation skills in the preparation of landscape plans.

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Garden Design students must successfully complete four core subjects (each 12.5 credit points) a total of 50 points.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• either
– an undergraduate degree, or
– a relevant TAFE or higher education advanced diploma or equivalent and three years of documented relevant work experience, or
– a relevant TAFE diploma and four and a half years of documented relevant work experience, or
– six years of documented professional work experience which demonstrates the capacity to successfully undertake the course.
Meeting this requirement 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 Garden Design 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.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate should:
• have a clear understanding of the design process for gardens;
• develop design solutions for gardens based around the application of creative skills and technical knowledge;
• understand the importance of interdisciplinary knowledge and practice in design problem solving;
• demonstrate high levels of communication skills in the development and application of design solutions;
• consider issues of sustainability in decision making for garden design, including environmental, social and economic factors.

None.

• Sourcing, interpreting and applying information from written and electronic sources to individual tasks;
• Use scientific and technical literature to answer specific questions;
• Time management and the meeting of deadlines;
• Report on an experimental procedure using scientific conventions;
• Retrieval, from a range of paper-based and electronic sources, of information required to develop understanding of a topic, and the use of this information, with appropriate recognition, in report writing.