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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Environmental Studies
A major in Environmental Studies is offered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. For the major in Geography, see the entry in this Handbook under Geography. In addition, the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers pathways for students who wish to gain privileged entry into the Master of Landscape Architecture: see the entry in this Handbook under Planning and Design.
Environmental Studies combines a knowledge of natural environments with an understanding of how human societies work, in order to address a range of issues and problems concerned with environmental management. The major in Environmental Studies aims to provide a knowledge of the main theories and methods used in addressing environmental problems, and to develop policy ideas for people interested in environmental management in developing and industrial economies.
Students who complete the major should:
have a basic operating knowledge of environmental systems and processes and what happens to environmental systems under stress;
be able to use some techniques to (a) measure components of environmental systems under stress and (b) assess the environmental impact of different environment users;
understand how and why conflicts over the use of environments arise;
know the principles of environmental valuation and the relationships between development and the environment;
understand the broad social, economic and regulatory frameworks in which environmental problems are resolved.
Students who complete the honours BA in Environmental Studies, should also:
be able to design and execute a piece of research about environmental systems or environmental impacts or environmental conflicts, regulation and valuation.
Graduates with a Major in Environmental Studies can expect to find creative and useful employment in a wide variety of situations. Some of the most common opportunities are:
as scientific, planning or education officers in government departments and authorities (Conservation and Natural Resources, Housing, Transport, Melbourne Water, and their interstate counterparts);
in private environmental consultancy, planning or exploration firms;
as teachers and lecturers in educational institutions;
as planning and project officers for nature conservation bodies such as The Australian Conservation Foundation, The National Trust or Greenpeace;
as environmental officers for major development companies such as BHP, oil companies or any number of smaller organisations;
as environmental consultants to overseas nations either through aid programs or direct employment.
Applicants wishing to major in Environmental Studies as part of a Bachelor of Arts must meet the admissions requirements of the Faculty of Arts.
The normal prerequisite for a major in Environmental Studies is completion of the following first year subjects:
Recommended first year subjects
121-171 Environmental Change: an Introduction to Environmental Studies 121-172 Global Ecology and Biogeography The following subjects in other departments are also suitable prerequisites for entry into the major: 600-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms 600-142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life 625-101 Earth Sciences: the Global Environment
Students who have completed first year without these prerequisites and who wish to complete a major in Environmental Studies should consult the Head of Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.
To complete the major in Environmental Studies students must complete at least five second or third year subjects totalling 83.3 points.
Course structure
Examples of possible subject combinations within the major
For students who want a general introduction to Environmental Studies to accompany another major in the Faculty of Arts: 121-219 Environmental Politics and Management 121-213 Plants, People and Changing Environments 121-303 Sustainable Development 121-340 Principles of Ecological Biogeography or 121-349 Principles of Environmental Hydrology one elective from the list above. For students who seek a vocational training in Environmental Studies: 121-219 Environmental Politics and Management 121-303 Sustainable Development 733-213 Environmental Law 16.7 2nd year 121-221 Urban Environments One elective from the list above.
It is strongly recommended that students who wish to pursue a career in environmental studies complete a major in Environmental Studies and a major in Geography (specialising in physical geography).
Students must have completed the requirements of the pass degree and completed a major in Environmental Studies with a minimum average grade of H2B over the subjects that comprise the major in Environmental Studies. The subject 121-342 Research Design in Geography and Environmental Studies or a suitable approved equivalent, should be included in the major.
121-420 Environmental Impacts and Assessment 16.7 4th year 121-421 Social Impact Assessment 16.7 4th year 121-460 Environmental Studies Honours Thesis 50.0 4th year 121-408 Literature Review
Combined Honours Students are expected to complete either 121-460 Environmental Studies Honours Thesis and 121-408 Literature Review (totalling 66.6 points); or 121-420 Environmental Impacts and Assessment and 121-421 Social Impact Assessment (totalling 33.3 points), if completing the thesis in the combining department.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers a range of postgraduate programs in Environmental Studies. These include:
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies
Master of Environmental Studies - by Coursework and Minor Thesis
M. A. (Environmental Studies) - by research thesis only
The department also offers PhD supervision to students undertaking research in a wide range of areas in Environmental Studies.
A Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies is also available for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in another discipline.
In addition, a major in Environmental Studies offers a pathway for students who wish to gain privileged entry into the Master of Landscape Architecture: see the entry in this Handbook under Planning and Design.
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
The University of Melbourne
telephone: (03) 9344-6339
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Environmental Studies
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.