Faculty of Arts Environmental Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Faculty of Arts requirements
2. Prerequisites
3. Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies)
4. Requirements for a major
5. Environmental studies subjects
    5.1. First year
    5.2. Second/third year
6. Recommended subjects
7. Honours entry
8. Honours requirements
    8.1. Pure honours only
9. Further study
10. Career opportunities
11. For more information
Subject Lists
    Fourth-year subjects

Convener: Dr Peter Christoff (School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies)

Environmental studies at the University of Melbourne is amongst the top-ranking programs of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. Talented academic staff enjoy international recognition for their scholarship and original research, often conducted in collaboration with international colleagues and directed to project-based outcomes. 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. It addresses the biogeography and sustainability of environments, particularly as these are impacted upon by forces of development. Ecological and hydrological issues are addressed in the context of risk assessment and management approaches within regulatory frameworks. This versatile program enables students to gain practical and relevant experience in laboratory classes, group project work and field trips, including fieldwork research in China.

These activities and the excellent facilities and resources provided by the School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies (SAGES) ensure that students will obtain maximal benefits from their study. The major in environmental studies can be used as a pathway to postgraduate study in landscape architecture or the articulated structure of higher degree study options at the University of Melbourne's Office for Environmental Programs. Graduates of environmental studies at the University of Melbourne gain the experience and qualifications required for professional careers with government agencies, regulatory bodies and in private industry with environmental consulting firms.

For information on the major in geography, see Geography.

1. Faculty of Arts requirements

Within the environmental studies program, only those subjects offered by the departments within the Faculty of Arts are arts-approved subjects. See Arts-approved subject requirement for more information.

2. Prerequisites

The environmental studies program commences in first year. There are no prerequisites for first-year environmental studies subjects.

Students who have completed 50 points of first-year arts subjects other than those recommended below may apply to the environmental studies coordinator for second-year entry.

3. Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of first-year subjects and 75 points of second/third-year subjects, including two compulsory and at least two core subjects, selected from the lists below.

4. Requirements for a major

A major in environmental studies usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

• two first-year subjects from the list below (25 points); and

• seven second/third-year subjects in environmental studies totalling 87.5 points. These must include:

  • the program's two compulsory units:

    121-021 Environmental Politics and Management

    121-028 Sustainable Development; and

  • at least two, and up to four, core subjects listed below; and

  • no more than two optional subjects listed below.

5. Environmental studies subjects

5.1. First year

Students must complete two of the following first-year subjects toward their environmental studies major:

5.2. Second/third year

Students must complete the two compulsory subjects, and between two and four core subjects, towards their environmental studies major.

Students complete no more than two optional subjects towards their environmental studies major, and may choose one optional subject other than those listed below. The subject may be offered by SAGES or another department. It must be relevant to the student's program of study within the environmental studies major and approved by the environmental studies convener.

6. Recommended subjects

The following subjects are recommended for students who seek vocational training in environmental studies. The subjects could be taken as part of a major in environmental studies taken alongside a major in geography specialising in physical geography.

7. Honours entry

The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in environmental studies are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA; and

• completion of a major in environmental studies; and

• an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

Entry to honours must be approved by the environmental studies convener and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.

8. Honours requirements

8.1. Pure honours only

Environmental studies offers pure honours study only. Students must complete:

• 121-519 Environmental Studies Thesis or 121-520 Environmental Studies Thesis (MYE) (50 points); and

• 121-430 Environmental Studies Coursework or 121-431 Environmental Studies Coursework (MYE) (50 points).

Part-time honours is only permitted in exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the Head of the School.

9. Further study

SAGES offers a range of postgraduate programs in environmental studies. These include:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts (Environmental Studies);

• Graduate Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies);

• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies);

• MA (Environmental Studies) by research thesis only.

SAGES also offers PhD supervision to students undertaking research in a wide range of areas in environmental studies.

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 Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

10. Career opportunities

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.

11. For more information

Dr Peter Christoff
SAGES
SEECS Building
207 Bouverie Street
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel. +61 3 8344 6337
Fax. +61 3 8344 4972
Email: peterac@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.geography.unimelb.edu.au/courses/enviroindex.html

Fourth-year subjects

121-519 Environmental Studies Thesis
121-520 Environmental Studies Thesis (MYE)
121-532 Environmental Impact Assessment
121-529 Social Impact Assessment
121-531 Hydrology & Fluvial Geomorphology
121-430 Environmental Studies Coursework
121-431 Environmental Studies Coursework (MYE)

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