- Program summary
- Program overview
- Admission requirements
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Enquiries
Program summary
Program title: Master of Climate Change Adaptation
Award abbreviation: MClimateChangeAdaptation
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 18 months minimum full-time, 6 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: 12
USC program code: SC702
CRICOS code: 063013G
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 Master of Climate Change Adaptation comprises courses equalling 144 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-semester 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 the impacts, vulnerabilities and implications of these 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 Master of 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
- utilise 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
- utilise 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 Masters 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.
6 required courses:
ENS310
ENS320
ENS314
ENS715
ENS708
ENS709
Plus select 6 courses (or 72 units) from:
ENS300
ENS702
ENS703
ENS704
ENS744
ENS746
ENS707 (24 units)
OR
Select 4 of the above 12-unit courses AND
ENS750 (24 units)
OR
Select 2 of the above 12-unit courses AND
ENS716 (48 units)
OR
Select 4 of the above 12-unit courses AND
2 x 12-unit courses having a focus in your chosen area of interest (ie the following areas) by approval of the Program Leader:
- Communication Studies
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Justice Studies
- Property and Asset Management
- Regional and Urban Planning
- Sustainability
- Sociology
Program requirements and notes
- Refer to the Academic Rules.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
- 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