Faculty of Arts Environmental Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

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

Convener: Dr Peter Christoff (School of Social and Environmental Inquiry)

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 Social and Environmental Inquiry 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. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Faculty of Arts requirements

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

3. 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.

4. Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate 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.

5. Requirements for a major

A major in environmental studies usually consists of eight 12.5-point subjects, totalling 100 points. It comprises:

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

• second/third-year subjects in environmental studies totalling 75 points. These must include three compulsory subjects:

  • 121-017 Society and Environments

    121-021 Environmental Politics and Management

    121-028 Sustainable Development

• and up to three priority subjects listed below; and no more than two elective subjects listed below.

The listed subjects are grouped according to the stream to which they contribute.

Students who plan to complete two majors in the BA, in environmental studies and geography, should note that whilst they may complete 121-017 Society and Environments for the purpose of satisfying the compulsory subject requirements in both majors, 100 separate points must still be completed in each major. This means that 100 points for each major must be achieved by counting 12.5 points for 121-017 Society and Environments once only. An additional 12.5 points of study may be included from either environmental studies or geography.

6. Environmental studies subjects

6.1. First year

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

6.2. Second/third year

In addition to compulsory subjects, students are required to make their subject selection from two categories: priority and elective subjects.

Students are strongly recommended to take 121-028 after completing 121-021.

With approval of the course coordinator, students may take one elective subject other than those listed above.

7. 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.

8. 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 H2A (75%) or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

9. Honours requirements

It is not possible to complete honours in environmental studies on a part-time basis. Students must complete the honours year full-time over two consecutive semesters of study.

9.1. Pure honours only

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

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

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

10. Further study

The School of Social and Environmental Inquiry 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.

The School 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.

11. 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.

12. For more information

Dr Peter Christoff
School of Social and Environmental Inquiry
221 Bouverie Street
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel. +61 3 8344 9311
Fax. +61 3 9349 4218
Email: peterac@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.sages.unimelb.edu.au/environment

Fourth-year subjects

121-520 Environmental Studies Thesis
121-532 Environmental Impact Assessment
121-529 Social Impact Assessment and Evaluation
121-431 Environmental Studies Coursework

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