Master of Environmental Management

Course Details

Environmental science and environmental management at Charles Darwin University are research-intensive, dynamic disciplines, situated within some of the most spectacular and fascinating natural and cultural environments in Australia. The Master of Environmental Management provides postgraduate education for existing and future professionals on the context, principles and practices for environmental management, particularly in the wet-dry and semi-arid tropical ecosystems and arid landscapes. The skills, concepts and applications covered in this course are also highly transferable to other ecosystems. The core units focus on the social context within which environmental management takes place. The flexibility of specialist electives means you can undertake the course fully online or on campus, or a by a combination of both, depending on unit selection. Small class sizes mean that all students have ready access to staff, via collegial online or face-to-face interactions. The course covers both the knowledge and technical skills for natural resource management within its social context and is responsive to the changing needs of employers and other stakeholders, incorporating the latest outcomes of regional research. Graduates of this course may seek employment in areas of research or environmental and natural resources management, within regional natural resource management agencies, environmental NGOs, Indigenous natural resources management organizations, consultancy firms and the resources sector.

Qualification: Master Degree (By Coursework)

Course structure: The course structure consists of core and specialist elective units, electives and a research project. The program offers an exciting range of opportunities to develop field, technical and practical skills, as well as master-level skills in scholarship and research application. Core units are Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas, Environmental Planning and Policy and Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management. These units set the framework for the course as a whole. All SENVM1 students are required to complete at last one statistics or research design unit (Specialist Elective A) that builds on your existing skills - this can be chosen from an advanced or introductory level. Specialist Electives B are chosen from among units listed under clusters headings in: Livelihoods, Natural Resources Management or Spatial Science. Specialist Elective units have been chosen to complement the content knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills developed in the Core units. Units including fieldwork may be taken (by students able to attend the relevant field location), through their choice of units. This ensures that students gain first-hand knowledge of biologically rich and diverse tropical ecosystems and meet senior professionals active in the field of environmental management as well as CDU academic staff. There is also the opportunity to undertake work integrated learning, where students include a workplace-based project in their choice of electives. Students can also choose to take intensive units with remote field locations, and there are often a range of international study opportunities available. The final research project involves supervision by Charles Darwin University research staff, and other professionals from outside the university as appropriate. After completing the coursework component of the program each student designs, develops and implements a one semester research project, under supervision. Projects are developed in collaboration with researchers at CDU or environmental agencies, exposing students to professional practices in research and management. You may also choose a research project in your workplace. Note: The standard course offering is 2 yrs (4 semesters of study). Applicants with a degree in a directly related discipline, studied in English, can apply to enter a 1. 5 yr study plan (3 semesters of study). While all candidates enrol into the Master program, alternative exit points are available after one semester of study (Graduate Certificate) or two semesters of study (Graduate Diploma), subject to the candidate completing the required units of study.