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Program

Environmental Management - 8623

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: hal@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of Environmental Management

View program information for previous years

Program Description
The Master of Environmental Management is a 1-2 year full-time program depending upon the grant of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). It is normally taken as a 96 unit of credit program, over a minimum of 4 full-time sessions, or 8 part-time sessions. However, it can be taken as a 72 UOC (1.5 years full-time equivalent) or 48 UOC program (1 year full-time equivalent), subject to RPL.

The program offers you an interdisciplinary and applied set of courses which outline some of the main decision-making frameworks and tools for environmental management. The program also provides discipline-specific knowledge relevant to work in environmental professions. The program can be taken by environmental specialists and non-specialists from a wide range of disciplines and interests.

This program is articulated with the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Environmental Management programs (see Articulation Rules, below).


Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
At the completion of the program you will -
  1. Have acquired advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills in environmental management and policy, and an ability to apply these in a range of contexts;
  2. Have developed an understanding of enquiry-based learning and be able to demonstrate analytical skills;
  3. Have developed advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills;
  4. Be able to communicate effectively to a range of audience, and be capable of independent and collaborative enquiry and working effectively with others.
  5. Have an awareness of international environmental issues.

Program Structure
Ordinarily, you must complete:
  1. Four compulsory 6 UOC Core Courses (totalling 24 UOC)
  2. Four 6 UOC Disciplinary Knowledge courses (totalling 24 UOC)
  3. Elective courses, to make up the total of 96 UOC overall. At least 18 UOC or more of IEST electives must be taken.
If you achieve a Distinction level (75%) average after your first four courses you may seek approval from the Program Convenor to replace some electives with an approved Internship Research Project (6 UOC), and / or a research project if you are interested: Research project (24 UOC).

Disciplinary Knowledge

You will bring very different knowledge bases to the program, and will need to fill different knowledge gaps to achieve the 'disciplinary knowledge' (DK) courses for which you cannot demonstrate sufficient background. For example, a student with a background in engineering will probably take DK courses in Ecology, Economics, Law and Social Science, while a student with a Social Science/Law background will probably take DK courses in Ecology, Economics, Engineering and Physical Science.

The courses to be taken will be determined following discussion of academic qualifications and experience with the Program Convenor. Ordinarily, you will take four out of the seven Disciplinary Knowledge courses.

Disciplinary Knowledge Courses

NB: Where you can demonstrate sufficient disciplinary background or experience you may, with the permission of the Program Convenor, take fewer than four DK courses, and replace them with electives. If you are completing the full 96 UOC program at UNSW, you may also opt to take more than four DK courses, if you lack sufficient disciplinary experience in the six areas.

The following two electives are also recommended introductory courses if you are from a non-cognate background.

Advanced Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Courses

Core Courses

You must take the four core courses.
NB: IEST5001 is normally to be taken at the start of the program, while IEST5003, a capstone course, should be taken later in the program, preferably the final semester.

Advanced Disciplinary Elective Courses

A minimum of 30 UOC of Advanced Disciplinary electives must be taken. You are eligible to take up to 48 UOC of elective courses (including research electives where eligible). 18 UOC or more must be chosen from the list of advanced disciplinary electives offered by the School of Humanities and Languages (with IEST code):
You may choose other electives offered outside the School of Humanities and Languages, from a pre-approved MEM elective list (some electives may need School approval) or as approved by the MEM Program Convenor. If you have not received credit transfer for your program and are completing the full 96 UOC at UNSW, electives may also include choosing from the following foundational recommended electives, depending upon your disciplinary background:

The list of approved MEM electives is as follows:-

ARTS5503 Academic Writing for the Humanities (6 UOC)

This course, ARTS5503, can be taken as an additional course but will not count towards your program.

Admission Requirements

The program entry requirement of the 8623 Master of Environmental Management is:
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
You are eligible to receive a total of 24 UOC credit transfer if you meet one of the following:
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%).
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%), plus one year relevant professional experience.
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%)
You are eligible to receive a total of 48 UOC credit transfer if you meet one of the following:
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%)
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%), plus one year relevant professional experience.
Relevant disciplines include:
Environmental management, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental humanities, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental economics, environmental engineering, environmental law, natural resources management, geography.

Relevant professional experience includes:
Environmental officer, planner, manager or similar in government or for catchment authorities; environmental consulting, reporting, assessment, monitoring and evaluation/auditing; environmental outreach or education, research assistant or associate on environmental themes; NGO or international organisation environmental campaign managers.

Articulation

If you have completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Environmental Management (programs 5499 and 7339) with a credit average you are eligible for admission to the Masters of Environmental Management with full credit for courses already completed.

If you wish to exit the Masters program early you may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma provided the requirements for the program have been met.

Pathways

MEM alumni are working in prominent environmental positions in government, NGOs, the private sector, and consultancies. Students completing 24 UOC of project work in the program may also consider applying for Masters by Research or PhD programs.

Award with Excellence

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.

Academic Rules
To qualify for the award of the degree, you must:
  1. Enrol in the Master of Environmental Management and complete 96 UOC
  2. Complete 4 Core courses (24 UOC)
  3. Complete 4 Disciplinary Knowledge courses (24 UOC)
  4. Complete 8 Electives (48 UOC)

Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

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