Master of Environmental Science and Management

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Master of Environmental Science and Management at UNE?

The Master of Environmental Science and Management is a coursework and research-based program designed to equip environmental scientists with specialist or multi-disciplinary professional knowledge in conceptual, scientific and field and laboratory technical competencies related to environmental science and natural resources management.

The program involves advanced postgraduate training for graduates who have an appropriate first degree for a career in environmental science and management, environmental protection, consultancy, and industries such as mining and agriculture. The program is also particularly valuable for candidates who are currently employed as resources managers and wish to upgrade their qualifications for either professional or academic reasons.

Specialisation in a discipline is available through the completion of the capstone unit and 24 credit point research project, that once completed provides a pathway to higher degree research.

This is an approved Student Income Support course. Eligible students may apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy.

Career Opportunities

Well-qualified graduates can seek out opportunities in non-government and government programs in soil conservation, endangered species conservation, water resources management, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, environmental management, and natural resources management. Graduates are also qualified for employment in research organisations such as CSIRO, universities, environmental protection agencies and with environmental planning consultants.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2018 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus

Official Abbreviation

MEnvScMgt

Course Type

Postgraduate

CRICOS Code

000446C

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Online
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus

Course Duration

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

Fees

CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International

Total Credit Points

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline*; or

(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours qualification in a relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to:

Botany

Ecology

Environmental Science

Geology

Zoology

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Advanced Standing based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 36 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience.

No advanced standing shall be granted for research and/or reading units.

Academic Colours

Reseda (BCC 77)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Environmental Science and Management in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline*; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours qualification in a relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to:

Botany
Ecology
Environmental Science
Geology
Zoology

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

No advanced standing shall be granted for research and/or reading units.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) 1.5 years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) must pass unit to the value of 96 credit points, including not more than 18 credit points at 100-level, not more than 18 credit points at 200-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level.

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) or (c) must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including 36 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	12 cps
Listed Units	84 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	24 cps
Core Units	12 cps
Listed Units	60 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (c)

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	48 cps
Core Units	12 cps
Listed Units	36 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Environmental Science and Management.

Exit Pathways

Subject to Advanced Standing rules candidates admitted under Rule (a) who discontinue their studies in the Master of Environmental Science and Management may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science on completion of 48 credit points including not more than 12 credit points at 100-level, not more than 12 credit points at 200-level, at least 18 credit points at 400-level and not more than 6 credit points at 500-level.

Subject to Advanced Standing rules candidates admitted under Rule (b) who discontinue their studies in the Master of Environmental Science and Management may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science on completion of 24 credit points including at least 18 credit points at 400-level and not more than 6 credit points at 500-level.

Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies may apply for readmission and will be subjected to the current course requirements of the Master of Environmental Science and Management. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to the University requirments.

Submission of Thesis

Students enrolled in the Master of Environmental Science and Management are eligible to enrol in postgraduate thesis units (NR591A, NR591B, NR591C and NR591D) only with the approval of the course coordinator and must have achieved a grade of Credit or better in the units ERS501 and ERS502 (post-2015) or SCI500 (pre-2016).

The student shall submit to the School an electronic copy of the thesis, and two copies of the thesis bound in a form approved by the School. The student shall submit with the thesis a statement from his or her supervisor certifying that the thesis is in a form suitable for examination.

Examination of Thesis

On the recommendation of the supervisor or supervisors, the School Teaching and Learning Committee will appoint two examiners, at least one will be external to the University. Examiners will be sent the relevant degree information.

The examiners of the thesis will make make recommendations on a grade and mark in accordance with the University Assessment Policy. Students will not be required to make subsequent changes or corrections to the examined thesis but the examiners' reports will be provided to the students as feedback.

In the case of where the examiners' mark differ by greater than 10%, examiners may consult with each other to reach a closer agreement, prior to a third examiner being sought.

NR591D - Notes

Students will be assessed as completing NR591A, NR591B and NR591C to supervisor's satisfaction. NR591D will be graded by two examiners' (one external) of either: a 20 000 word research project report, or one or more papers of a publishable standard, and written in a peer reviewed journal style. Students shall submit two (2) soft bound copies and an electronic copy of their research report or paper/s to the School Academic Coordinator, which must contain the signed statement (located within the handbook) from their supervisor.

Students will not be required to make subsequent changes or corrections to the examined thesis but the examiners' reports will be provided to the students as feedback.

Course Aims	This is a coursework and research-based program designed to equip environmental scientists with specialist or multi-disciplinary professional knowledge in conceptual, scientific and field and laboratory technical competencies related to environmental science and natural resources management. Specialisation in a discipline is available through the completion of the capstone unit and research project.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate through their own practice and research a mastery of scientific knowledge that includes knowledge of recent developments in environmental science and natural resource management, established knowledge and practices and specialised skills in a chosen discipline; demonstrate through their own practice and research mastery of technical competencies in the field, laboratory and professional workplace related to environmental science and natural resources management; and knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to environmental science and natural resource management; demonstrate mastery of a body of scientific knowledge by planning and executing a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of research that integrates their own research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; and demonstrating a capacity to make original contributions to scientific knowledge; conduct a research investigation under academic supervision in a research environment by critically analysing a complex problem, identify research questions, and apply established theories to their research question; justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings; be effective communicators of environmental science by communicating scientific ideas and research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of written and oral communication modes; and be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by applying creativity and initiative to new situations; and operating with a high level of personal autonomy within a research environment; and planning and executing a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of research while complying with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to their disciplinary area.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline Students will be required to read literature on practical, conceptual and theoretical aspects of environmental science and natural resources management and are provided with the opportunity to obtain specialist knowledge in a selected discipline through an independent research project or capstone unit activity. Knowledge is built upon from information gathered from environmental systems throughout the world. Thus teaching will draw upon case studies and examples from ecosystems across the globe. Communication Skills Students will be required to express well-organised, logical and clearly written assessment tasks. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of environmental issues; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Students will be exposed to techniques for improved oral and written communication skills throughout the course, with research methods and capstone units providing a focus for these skills. Problem Solving Problem solving is taught in the scientific context of researching the issue, formulating hypotheses in environmental science, and drawing conclusions from the results. This will be evident in the research capstone unit or research thesis. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students decide the best approach to performing tasks. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving high level and complex real-world problems that arise in environmental science and management. Information Literacy Students will be taught how to access the literature, especially online resources, how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources, discrimination skills, and how to critique available information. Students will plan and execute a high level research capacity in written assignments, including a research methods and research capstone units and research thesis, and utilise a wide range of data resources in such a way that others can learn from them. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science. Students will be encouraged to act ethically and be socially responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of environmental science which reduce, minimise or prevent harm to the environment and its multiple inhabitants. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content. Lifelong Learning Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development. Students will continually develop the ability to be responsive to change, have a high-level of personal autonomy and conduct independent research that will be useful to them in a professional workplace. Independence and Collaboration Teamwork is used in classes at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively to define and achieve common goals, to take initiative and to assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to discuss, calmly and rationally, ideas and concepts, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view. This, in addition to the ability to use the language of the discipline in reasoned argument, is one of the aims of online discussions.