• Program summary
• Program overview
• Program structure
• Admission requirements
• Notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

Award abbreviation: MIntCoastZoneMgtRes
Degree type: higher degree by research program
Mode of study: internal or external
Duration: 1 year minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum part-time
Fee type 2009: domestic higher degree by research places, international fee-paying places
Commencement: students can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
USC program code: SC802
CRICOS code: 063010K (only a full-time study option is available to international students)

Program overview

The Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Research will equip practitioners to meet the professional challenges arising from the need to have a better understanding of a wide range of factors and in particular be better able to:

• appreciate international trends in environmental assessment and management as applied to integrated coastal zone management
• better understand international and national obligations, commitments to environmental assessment and management as it relates to integrated coastal zone management
• use integrated adaptive assessment and management tools and techniques to achieve continuous improvement in environmental outcomes in response to the effects of accelerated climate change and associated environmental impacts
• more effectively assess and manage complex agricultural, industrial, infrastructure and urban development proposals using statutory and best practice processes and procedures so as to meet the predicted effects of climate and related environmental changes in the coastal zone, and
• proactively address the implications of climatic and environmental change and the associated hazards and risks as they apply to environmental and natural resources management in the context of integrated coastal zone management

Another outcome of the program is to provide current and new practitioners working in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation with a qualification of a standard that will meet the requirement for professional accreditation as environmental practitioners by the EIANZ.

Integrated coastal zone management is a growing field that is giving rise to research in areas such as coastal zone assessment, coastal zone management and the pressures on coastal zones from changing settlement and land use patterns. Consultations with officers of the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments as well as their counterparts in the Pacific Region, indicate a growing demand for higher degree by research qualifications in this area.

Heightened awareness of the global dimensions of environmental change due to natural and human forcing factors such as global warming, increasing human population and rapid changes in the location and size of human settlements provide a major stimulus for research across these areas of concern. This gives rise to the need for professional development training and other education programs needed to build capacity to assess and manage the effects of natural and human induced change on the coastal zone. A higher degree by research would complement the other professional development initiatives offered by USC in the field of integrated coastal zone management.

Program structure

Participants will clearly articulate, in the research outline, the topic, background, rationale, research question, aim and objectives, methodology, research methods and techniques, and timeframe. The research outline is to include a literature review that relates to the research question and objectives. The results of the research activities should be presented succinctly and accurately and as necessary could be supported by more detailed annexures. The syntheses analysis and discussion must clearly focus on the research question and the objectives of the work. Conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from the analysis and discussion and reflect the attainment of the aim and the way in which the research question is addressed.

Collation of the research work by peer reviewed papers will mirror the structured approach outlined above. The research question will focus the theme to be pursued through the papers. The papers will be collated into a volume with an introductory chapter and a chapter containing conclusions and recommendations drawn from the published material.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the award of Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Research are normally required to hold a bachelors degree with at least second class Honours Division I or Division II from a recognised higher education institution.

Applicants who have completed a bachelors degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least second class honours Division 1 may also be considered. Entry by non-graduates who have relevant governmental or industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Science, Health and Education. In exceptional cases applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.

Notes 

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a MIntCoastZoneMgtRes will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Science, Health and Education.
2. For further information, refer to the Rules for the Degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Business by Research, Master of Climate Change Adaptation by Research, Master of Education, Master of Environmental Change Management by Research, Master of Information Technology, Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Research, Master of Science, Master of Social Work, Master of Sports Nutrition by Research and Master of Wetlands Management by Research.
3. Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Science, Health and Education.
4. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
5. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.

Enrolment and fees

1. In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL. **
2. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL. **
3. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
4. Candidates pay full tuition fees.
5. Australian students (including Australian citizens or permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) are currently exempt from paying tuition fees for Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Research (MIntCoastZoneMgtRes) studies. These students are offered graduate research places under the Commonwealth Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS).

** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL

Enquiries 

Teaching and Research Services
Research Training Officer
Tel: +61 7 5459 4526
Fax: +61 7 5430 1177
Email: lkroker@usc.edu.au

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