Development

Development is offered as a major field of study in the Master of Environment degree.

There is a complex relationship between development processes and the natural environment, in developing economies and in both urban and rural areas.

The Development stream analyses and provides skills necessary for the sustainable development of economies and environments. Understanding 'environment and development' draws upon the inter-faculty expertise at the University of Melbourne.

Students will study rural and urban landscapes and look at issues including international development policy, carbon sequestration in the tropics, the political ecology of development, food security, biodiversity conservation, urban growth and planning, and sustainable livelihoods.

This stream is a platform for business and government professionals and those working or wishing to work in the non-governmental sector. Students will acquire skills for implementing sustainable development strategies in developing countries and in the western world.

Upon successful completion of the Development specialisation, students will be able to:

• Analyse the interactions between development and natural environments
• Propose strategies for sustainable development of society, environments and economies; and
• Be better equipped to take on professional roles meeting the challenges of complex cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral environment and development issues

Students who complete the Master of Environment will have -

Knowledge to undertake professional practice in environment or sustainability, including:

• Specialised knowledge in an environmental discipline or field of practice, including knowledge of recent developments in this field
• Knowledge of the cross-disciplinary nature of environmental issues and professional practice to promote sustainable futures
• Knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to specialist field of environmental inquiry

Skills for collaborative and creative problem solving in environmental practice, including:

• Ability to critically analyse and synthesise environmental knowledge
• Ability to envision environmental change and propose pathways to realise this change
• Ability to communicate complex environmental knowledge and research effectively to a range of audiences
• Ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams
• Technical skills for professional practice and research in field of specialisation

Demonstrated capacity to:

• Exercise well developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner in an environmental discipline or professional field
• Plan and execute a substantial project in an area of environmental research or practice

Students will be required to complete the two core subjects, plus choose three subjects from the compulsory specialisation subject list. Students in the 200 point pathway must also take at least 12.5 points of subjects from the compulsory capstone subjects – these subjects enable students to complete an independent project in an area related to environment and development. Students in the 100 point pathway will not normally be required to complete this component. Students must also undertake electives to make up the balance of the award. The selection of electives is made in consultation with the Development major coordinator. A list of subjects with special requirements within this specialisation can be found here:

http://environment.unimelb.edu.au/courses/streams/development

Core Subjects

Students must complete the following core subjects:

Compulsory Specialisation

Students must take three subjects from the compulsory specialisation subjects below:

Compulsory Capstone Experience

Students must complete at least 12.5 points from the following compulsory capstone subjects - please note that if you select either a 25 or 50 point subject that spreads across two semesters you must enrol into the subject in both semesters (your student centre will be able to assist with this). Students completing the 100 point pathway will normally be exempt from this requirement.

Elective Subjects

Students should make up the balance of the award with electives. Subjects in the list below are recommended. Other subjects may be taken with the approval of stream coordinator.