• Program summary
• Program overview
• Admission requirements
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

Program title: Graduate Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation
Award abbreviation: GDClimateChangeAdaptation
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 1 year minimum full-time, 4 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2 (subject to enrolment numbers)
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: SC603
CRICOS code: 063003J

Intensive delivery mode

This program is delivered in an intensive mode. Courses will require a student activity investment of 120 hours, approximately 60 hours of which will be undertaken over six or seven consecutive days on campus. In most cases, the courses are undertaken from 8.30am until 5.30pm for a week including weekends. The remaining 60 hours is undertaken as independent student learning activities, which may include readings, exercises and the preparation of assessment items.

Program overview

The Graduate Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation comprises courses equalling 96 units. The courses will be run in intensive mode and the actual scheduling of the individual courses will depend on student demand and numbers. While all courses are offered nominally in Semester 1 and 2 each year, courses could also be conducted during the summer and mid-year breaks, as demand requires.

The program will continue to provide:

• An in-depth understanding of: the natural and human induced forcing factors that are responsible for the rapid rates of environmental and climate change; and the types of governance and community based responses required to address these impacts, vulnerabilities and implications of the changes on physical, biological, social, economic and cultural environmental conditions. 
• Professional development in the field of climate change for practitioners with practical skills in problem solving as related to adaptive environmental assessment and integrated management systems. Training sessions will utilise environmental simulation models to practice students in: problem definition; data and information manipulation, management and application. These tools will be used to support the preparation of vulnerability assessment documents and with environmental management system/plan preparation for environmental and natural resources management.
• The theoretical understanding and practical tools to enable practitioners to more effectively integrate best practice vulnerability assessment tools and techniques with nationally and internationally endorsed environmental management systems. Such tools, techniques and systems are designed to mitigate unwanted effects of climate change and manage the outcomes of the implementation of project implantation in ways that ensure continuous improvement in the environmental conditions and the sustainability of natural resources.

Skills will be acquired through a combination of lectures, readings, group discussions, practical projects and use of interactive modelling tools. Participants in the program will be assessed by a combination of individual and group project tasks.

Learning outcomes

On completion of courses under the Graduate Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation participants in the professional development education and training program will be well equipped to meet existing and emerging professional challenges and be able to:

• appreciate international understanding of global warming and the emerging trends in vulnerability assessment and management of climate change
• better understand international and national obligations, commitments to applying vulnerability assessment processes and integrated management systems as they relate to climate change 
• proactively address the implications of environmental and climate change for environmental and natural resources management
• use the integrated adaptive assessment and integrated management tools and techniques designed to achieve continuous improvement in environmental and natural resources outcomes
• more effectively assess and manage climatically induced change as related to complex agricultural, industrial, infrastructure, recreational and urban development proposals for projects using statutory and best practice processes and procedures
• use environmental simulation modelling and decision support tools and prepare assessment and management plan documentation that meets professional and statutory requirements, and
• gain accreditation as an environmental and EA/EIA practitioner from the EIANZ or equivalent overseas accreditation body

Admission requirements

To be eligible for entry into this program, a student entering the diploma program will normally be required to hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution. Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Science, Health and Education.

Advanced standing

Advanced standing up to a maximum of 50 percent (48 units) will be offered to students with approval from the Dean. Prior learning, relevant work experience and overseas qualifications are recognised.

Full credit will be given for courses undertaken in the Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation.

Program structure

Please note these courses are often run outside the normal Semester dates as intensive courses in Sessions. Please refer to the Faculty of Science, Health and Education course schedule for further information.

• Communication Studies
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Justice Studies
• Property and Asset Management
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Sustainability
• Sociology

Program requirements and notes

1. Refer to the Academic Rules.
2. Refer to explanation of terms.
3. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
5. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, namely, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Enquiries

How to apply

Dr Shireen Fahey
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 1141
Email: sfahey@usc.edu.au

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

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