Climate Change

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

Climate change mitigation and adaptation are increasingly being integrated into business management, government policy and technology design, requiring expertise in a range of fields including international conventions, strategic government and business policy, climate science, energy technology, economic analysis and management. Effective solutions therefore require a new generation of policymakers, managers and scientists equipped with a multidisciplinary understanding of climate change issues.

The Climate Change major is ideal for students seeking an interdisciplinary perspective on climate change, for work in policy-making or business advisory roles. Graduates will be well-placed to offer leadership through a solid understanding of: theoretical and practical applications of policy and science; technological limits, potentials and risks; and the value of addressing a wide-ranging global environmental issue from a trans-disciplinary perspective.

Additionally, this major presents an opportunity for students to establish extensive networks with fellow climate change professionals across a broad range of industries, sectors and fields of endeavour.

Graduates of this major can expect to find employment in State and Federal Government authorities, environmental consulting companies, business advisory and strategic policymaking positions worldwide

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

The Climate Change major will provide a pathway to further study and prepare students for entry to middle and upper management positions by:

• Developing knowledge, skills, understanding and competence in the area of climate change science and policy tools;
• Developing a thorough approach to climate change through an understanding of the biological, economic, social and environmental factors surrounding climate change issues both within Australia and internationally;
• Increasing knowledge and analytical capabilities appropriate to climate change;
• Developing competence in the design, conduct and analysis of research questions and experimental work, particularly for those students interested in pursuing a research career; and
• Extending scholarly and critical attitudes in climate change studies.

Students completing a Climate Change specialisation in the Master of Environment will complete two core subjects and at least three subjects from a list of compulsory specialisation subjects. Students in the 200 point pathway will complete at least 12.5 points of subjects selected from a list of compulsory ‘capstone’ subjects which will enable students to plan and execute a substantial project in an area related to climate change. Students in the 100 point pathway will not normally be required to complete this component. Students will choose the remainder of subjects from an approved subject list in consultation with the coordinator of the Climate Change stream. A full list of Climate Change stream subjects can be found here:

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

Core Subjects

Students must comple the following core subjects:

Compulsory Specialisation Subjects

Students must complete three subjects from the following list of compulsory specialisation subjects:

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.