Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture

The Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture is a 4 subject (50 point) graduate award of the University of Melbourne, designed for professionals currently managing, or planning to learn how to manage, urban trees.

The course investigates a wide range of tree management issues and emphasizes the need to promote a strategic approach to tree management and the contribution trees can make to urban life. It aims to increase understanding of current issues in urban tree management through studies in growth and function, identification and selection, pests and diseases and environmental stresses including planning in a changing climate. Writing management plans for urban trees is a strong focus of the course.

At the completion of this course participants are expected to be able to conduct tree risk assessments and have the ability to be engaged as an expert witness for local government or consumer and trade tribunal proceedings.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate should be able to:

• discuss the biological functioning of trees and how they benefit the environment;
• develop urban tree management plans based around the application of technical knowledge;
• demonstrate high levels of communication and problem solving skills in their approach to tree management and planning;
• discuss issues of sustainability when managing trees in urban environments , including environmental, social and community and economic factors.
• analyse and discuss appropriate occupational health and safety policies for urban tree management

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture students must successfully complete four core subjects (each 12.5 credit points) a total of 50 credit points.
The core subjects include:
o Tree identification and selection
o Urban tree health
o Urban tree growth and function
o Managing urban trees

Core subjects

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 documented relevant work experience or equivalent, or
– a relevant TAFE Diploma and four and a half years relevant, documented work experience, or equivalent, or
– at least six years of documented relevant work experience, including at least three years in a demonstrated supervisory role.
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/or
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

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.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment 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 subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students who successfully complete the course may be eligible for credit into Masters courses offered by the Melbourne Graduate School of Science

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

N/A

Though participation in the course and completion of assessment students should acquire skills in:
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources;
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data;
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills to allow informed dialogue about issues with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Ability to investigate, analyse and solve problems in applied situations;
• Highly developed skills in time and organisational management through participation in all subjects;