Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science at UNE?

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science is the first award level of an articulated program which gives qualified applicants the opportunity for study at progressive postgraduate levels in Environmental Science.

This program is designed as a professional development course in areas relevant to natural resources and environmental management. The flexibility of the program gives students the opportunity to gain a broad skill set in environmental science or to develop their professional knowledge and management skills in a chosen area of study.

Students entering the course without a background in a relevant discipline must undertake 24 credit points of 100 and 200-level foundation units.

Career Opportunities

The program is well suited to graduates wishing to change career pathway or for practising resource managers wishing to become involved in short-term retraining or staff development programs.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

0.5 or 1 Year Full-time
Up to 4 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

GradCertEnvSc

Course Type

Postgraduate

CRICOS Code

012208G

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

0.5 or 1 Year Full-time
Up to 4 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 in a non-relevant discipline; or

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

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to:

Botany

Ecology

Environmental Science

Geology

Zoology

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 12 credit points of Advanced Standing for units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based. This may include 6 credit points for demonstrated relevant professional experience.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) will be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted for units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and may include 6 credit point for demonstrated relevant professional experience.

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 Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a non-relevant discipline; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor 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 12 credit point of Advanced Standing for units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based. This may include 6 credit points for demonstrated relevant professional experience.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) will be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted for units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and may include 6 credit points for demonstrated relevant professional experience.

Period of Candidature

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

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) 0.5 year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) must pass units to the value 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 or above.

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) must pass units to the value of 48 credit points including at least 18 credit points at 400-level or above.

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
Listed Units	48 cps
Total	48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	24 cps
Listed Units	24 cps
Total	48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

A candidate who meets the course requirements shall be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science.

Course Aims	The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science will provide graduates with the opportunity to broaden their professional knowledge and management skills in multi-disciplinary competencies related to environmental science and natural resources management.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate through their own study and practice specialised scientific knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management, and specialised skills in a chosen discipline; demonstrate through their own practice specialist technical competencies in the field, laboratory and professional workplace related to environmental science and natural resources management; and knowledge of theoretical concepts applicable to environmental science and natural resource management; conduct investigations to critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas, and apply established theories to identify solutions to complex problems relating to environmental science and natural resources management; be effective communicators of environmental science by communicating scientific knowledge and concepts to a variety of audiences using a range of written and oral communication modes; and be responsible and accountable for their own learning and scientific work by demonstrating initiative and independent judgement in a range of functions and scientific disciplines in specialised contexts; operating with a high level of personal autonomy and responsibility for all aspects of the work or function of others; and planning and executing independent research while complying with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to the management of natural systems.
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. 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. 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. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. 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 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.