Master of Environmental Management

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Environmental Management seeks to develop an integrated approach to theory and practice, with an emphasis on landscape and land system rehabilitation and restoration.

There is significant evidence within Australia of land and stream degradation associated with broadacre and intensive agriculture, mining and a range of less than optimal land management practices. Both agricultural production and off-park ecosystems are being threatened by processes such as salination, rising water tables, etc. caused by overclearing of woodlands.

Significant national, state and regional resources are being directed towards initiatives to restore and repair degraded landscapes and address environmental management issues including degradation problems and the economic losses associated with degradation.

These environmental management courses seek to develop an integrated approach to theory and practice, with an emphasis on landscape/land system rehabilitation and restoration as well as localised site disturbances. Alternative subject choices enable students to specialise in practical aspects of conservation or management skills.

These courses aim to provide students with the following knowledge, attitudes and skills:

• a rationale for sustainable and efficient environmental practice based on an understanding of: important scientific and ecological principles; the social, economic and political framework; environmental policy, planning and assessment requirements; and the theory related to conservation, management and rehabilitation of habitats and threatened landscapes
• an integrated framework for assessing environmental issues and technology and their components
• a capacity to identify and respond to a range of critical environmental management and rehabilitation issues
• an understanding of the complex nature of most environmental issues, involving an interdisciplinary approach to environmental management and restoration issues
• an understanding that most environmental management and restoration issues involve a large number of stakeholders who are likely to have different values and needs
• to become custodians of sustainable use of Australia¿¿¿s resources by becoming community leaders in environmental management and restoration
• problem solving/thinking skills in specific environmental management/rehabilitation contexts
• management, rehabilitation and evaluation strategies for effective environmental practice
• effective use of field study techniques and methods
• appropriate use of data sources, data collection and storage and critical data analysis
• efficient use of computer technology and modelling
• appropriate methods of communication, particularly report writing
• cooperatively working as part of a small team

Exit points from the Master program are provided at the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels. This structure provides considerable flexibility allowing students to quickly gain the Environmental Management knowledge and qualification they need today, and to add to their credentials at a later date if necessary.

There may be a practical component associated with this course, depending on subjects selected.

Residential school

Some subjects in this course have a compulsory residential school requirement which requires attendance at Albury-Wodonga or Wagga Wagga campuses for between two and four days duration.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Admission requirements

Applicants of the Master degree would normally hold a three-year Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline or have extensive relevant industry experience to the satisfaction of the Course Coordinator. Students wishing to apply for admission based on relevant industry experience should discuss requirements with the Course Coordinator prior to applying.

Please phone info.csu on 1800 334 733 or enquire online for the contact details of the appropriate person.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

fee-paying
international-distance

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2