Master of Natural Resource Governance

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Master of Natural Resource Governance at UNE?

This course is no longer offered from 2019

The Masters program focuses on developing future leaders and managers of eco-service markets, such as carbon and water trading, and environmental sustainability issues, such as climate change.

Students have the opportunity to pursue interests in four aspects of natural resource governance: (a) the biophysical sciences; (b) relevant aspects of behavioural change including education and communication; (c) business including economics, accounting and strategy; and (d) law and institutional arrangements.

Completing this course will give natural resource managers increased interdisciplinary knowledge for meeting their legal and policy obligations. The coursework will enable existing natural resource managers to upgrade skills in this emerging and cross-disciplinary field, or facilitate a career change for those with discipline-based qualifications (e.g. teachers, lawyers, accountants).

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including roles as policy advisers, planning and research officers for state/federal government, government planning and environment departments, environmental protection agencies, cultural and natural heritage management, environmental conservation, land and water management, natural resource management, community development, commercial industry, environmental consultancies, mining, research careers with CSIRO, universities and industries.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1.5 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

MNatResGov

Course Type

Postgraduate

CRICOS Code

064591J

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

1.5 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 hold:

(a) an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or

(b) an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours qualification.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

(a) 24 credit points for units completed at UNE and not more than 12 credit points at undergraduate level; or

(b) 24 credit points for units completed from another institution and not counted towards an awarded qualification.

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 Natural Resource Governance in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

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

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing is not granted for units taken to meet course admission requirements. The maximum advanced standing shall be for units counting 24 credit points which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by UNE and approved for the course comprising:
(a) 24 credit points for units completed at UNE and not more than 12 credit points at undergraduate level; or
(b) 24 credit points for units completed from another institution and not counted towards an awarded qualification.

Period of Candidature

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.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 72 credit points with at least 42 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

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

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	36 cps
Listed Units	36 cps
Total	72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Natural Resource Governance.

Course Aims	The Master of Natural Resource Governance is designed to provide natural resource managers with the foundation skills required to meet the legal and policy obligations arising within the course of their duties. It provides natural resource managers with a sophisticated understanding of the legal, institutional and strategic aspects of natural resources policy and management, providing the skills needed for leading corporate, community and public sector sustainability initiatives. In addition to this, it facilitates specialisation in a range of sustainability related discipline areas, including policy, economics, agricultural and natural resource management, ethics and environmental advocacy through a range of elective units which complement the core unit offerings grounded in law and policy.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate knowledge and practical understanding of natural resource governance including corporate rules and issues of implementation; take a systems dynamic approach to unifying thinking on natural resources systems, transactions and legal and other institutions; deal with the legal, interpersonal and systems interactions between various participants in natural resource management; demonstrate a greater depth of knowledge in the areas of specialisation in discipline areas: policy, economics, natural resource management, agricultural sustainability, ethics and the science of climate change; demonstrate a body of advanced current knowledge of natural resource governance 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 demonstrate a capacity to make original contributions to knowledge; demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of natural resource governance by conducting a research investigation to critically analyse 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 analyse, interpret and critically evaluate research findings; and be accountable for their own learning and work by applying creativity and initiative to new situations; operating with a high level of personal autonomy within a scholarly/professional 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 the disciplinary area.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will demonstrate a command of a diverse and emerging multi-disciplinary field where a broad range of electives are available to allow specialised career development. Natural resource governance is an area of study which intertwines human and environment, arts and science. It brings together a range of disciplinary areas to enable a more holistic understanding and appreciation of sustainability. Graduates will therefore have acquired a strong multi-disciplinary based and holistic understanding of natural resource governance, in its environmental, social and personal forms, both in Australia and globally. Through undertaking the activities taught, practised and assessed throughout the course graduates will have developed a deep understanding of the relationships between humans and the environment, between humans and social institutions and between social institutions and the environment and how these relationships are negotiated. Whilst the dominant focus of the core units is on natural resource governance within the Australian legal system, students will be provided where apposite with information about relevant law in other parts of the world in order to encourage a critical perspective, including international instruments such as treaties and covenants, and other environmental standards. Students are provided with references to comparative material, which may include social, political and economic perspectives. Communication Skills Communication skills will be practised and assessed in all assessment tasks. In particular, students will develop skills in legal argument and multi-disciplinary writing. These skills will benefit students' ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders in legal and non-legal contexts in relation to issues of natural resource governance. Problem Solving This graduate attribute is taught, practised and assessed during the course, particularly in the core units where problem based learning and case study vignettes form the basis of several assessment tasks, as well as online discussion topics. Students will be assessed, particularly in the core units, on their ability to conceptualise problems and develop solutions appropriate to the contextual environment of the issue. Information Literacy Students will use complex multidisciplinary databases to obtain relevant information about legal cases, statutes and other secondary sources which will require a high level of information literacy. This information literacy will be assessed in assessment tasks, including the ability of students to find information effectively and efficiently, and critically evaluate information appropriate to their purpose. Students will also be required to organise and present information using technology. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on the role of the law in natural resource governance and will be equipped with multidisciplinary skills to understand and overcome complex social and environmental problems in order to achieve a sustainable future. Lifelong Learning The dynamic nature of law is such that students must be aware of current legislation and case law decisions. Law units teach this process by considering the development of legal doctrine through the case law and statutes that change that doctrine, as well as policy underpinning such changes. Gaining an appreciation of this process will enable students to keep abreast of changing legal and policy obligations over time. Insight into legal problems solving methodologies will also provide transferable skills to other work environments. Independence and Collaboration Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively and network with their peers, particularly in some assessment tasks in the core units LLM528 and LLM530 which encourage group discussion of ideas emerging from peer responses.