Master of Environment

The Master of Environment is a flexible, multidisciplinary course that enables students to develop knowledge and skills for professional practice in environment or sustainability. Depending on their academic background, interests and career aspirations students can choose from over 200 subjects taught by 10 different faculties. The Master of Environment provides both specialisation in a field of environmental practice and capacity to work across disciplines for environmental decision making. Students are provided with the opportunity to participate in research projects, internship placements, overseas study, and collaborative problem-solving projects

The Master of Environment is a postgraduate qualification of 200 points (typically 16 subjects), normally taken in two years of study fulltime or part-time equivalent. Admission is based on scores in a relevant undergraduate program. Qualified applicants with a relevant honours degree or at least two years of relevant work experience following a Bachelor degree may be eligible for entry to a 100 point pathway (typically 8 subjects), normally taken in one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The qualification structure requires completion of two core multidisciplinary subjects. Students complete a stream in a defined specialist field of environmental knowledge, or may complete a tailored specialisation in a relevant field.

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

Upon completion of the Master of Environment, it is possible for a student to be awarded Master of Environment with Distinction provided a student has achieved a high level of academic performance. Eligibility of the Distinction award is dependent on a calculated distinction score. The distinction score will only take into account level 9 subjects undertaken at the University of Melbourne. This means Study Abroad, Cross-institutional and Exchange subjects will not be considered. All level 9 subjects with credit points of more than 12.5 points will be included in the calculations. Only marks from the first attempt at a subject will be used. The average mark will be weighted by the credit points of the subjects. A Master of Environment with Distinction will be awarded if the score is 80 or above.

Students who undertake the Master of Environment may either pursue one of eleven major fields of study, or the tailored specialisation, subject to approval by an academic advisor.

Specialist Streams:

The major fields of study offered in the Master of Environment degree have been designed by experts in the field and approved by academic and external advisors affiliated with the Office for Environmental Programs.
The major discipline areas include:

• Development
• Conservation and Restoration
• Integrated Water Catchment Management
• Waste Management
• Environment and Public Health
• Education and Social Change
• Governance, Policy and Markets
• Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Regions
• Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation
• Climate Change
• Environmental Science
• Tailored Specialisation

Each stream offers a specific choice of subjects, in addition to two core subjects which all students must complete. Students in a 200 point pathway will complete at least 12.5 of subjects from a list of capstone experience subjects. Students in a 100 point pathway will normally be exempt from this requirement (This pathway is only available to eligible students - see notes on Advanced Standing in Entry Requirements).

Changing between streams: It is possible to change streams following course commencement. Change into the Tailored Specialisation (from any other stream in the Master of Environment) does not require special permission. Change into other streams may be possible with the permission of the stream coordinator, and will depend on student capacity to meet the requirements of the stream within their study program.

Early exit from the Master of Environment: It is possible to exit early from the Master of Environment, but this can only occur where a student clearly meets the course requirements for one of the following lower qualifications: Graduate Certificate in Environment; Graduate Diploma in Environment.

Majors - Areas of Specialisation

200 Point Program

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

200 Point Pathway

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H3 (65%) weighted average, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least an H3 (65%) weighted average, or equivalent; and two years of documented professional work experience since graduation related to the degree.

100 Point Pathway

• an Honours degree (typically one year of study following a Bachelors degree and including an independent research project equivalent to at least 25 points) in a cognate discipline with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year or equivalent; or.
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least H3 (65%) weighted average, and at least two years documented, relevant work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and, if relevant
• professional experience.

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.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum English language requirements.

Advanced standing in the Master of Environment:

Applicants to the 200 point pathway with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit (advanced standing):

• relevant honours or postgraduate level studies following a bachelor qualification; or
• at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.
• Graduate Diploma in Environment

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit (advanced standing) where they have:

• Graduate Certificate in Environment

Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

More information regarding advanced standing in the Master of Environment is available at: http://environment.unimelb.edu.au/courses/master_of_environment/200_points/advanced_standing

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 undertake research projects of 25 points or more may be eligible for research higher degree study.

The Master of Environment enables students to become:

• Academically excellent, with in-depth knowledge of a specialist environmental discipline, the capacity to solve environmental problems, and remain self-directed in their learning in this field.
• Knowledgeable across disciplines, with a critical appreciation of the variety of disciplines that contribute to environmental practices, and the ability to evaluate this knowledge in collaborative contexts.
• Leaders for sustainable futures, with excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, who are respectful of diversity in cultural experiences of environmental change and have a capacity to initiate positive change and advocate for sustainable societies.

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