University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Environmental Science

 

Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Science


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course and stream title

GCENVSCI-01

Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science

GNENVSCI-02

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science

MAENVSCI-01

Master of Environmental Science

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)
The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a)
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science
(b)
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science
(c)
Master of Environmental Science
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1)
With approval from the Dean available places will be offered to qualified applicants, according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit to the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, applicants without the following qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.
(3)
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney in the discipline of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, ecology, climate and atmospheric sciences, marine science, geology, geography, environmental studies, environmental engineering, agriculture and/or natural resource management, or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
a Bachelors degree in any discipline, in addition to successfully completing 18 credit points of undergraduate science at the University of Sydney, including:
(i)
6 credit points in biology; and
(ii)
6 credit points in chemistry; and
(iii)
6 credit points in geography.
(4)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney in one or more of the disciplines listed under subsection (3)(a), or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
completion of the embedded graduate certificate in this discipline, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
a Bachelors degree in any discipline, in addition to successfully completing 18 credit points of undergraduate science at the University of Sydney, as listed under subsection (3)(b).
(5)
Admission to the Master of Environmental Science requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science, with a credit average, from the University of Sydney in one or more of the disciplines listed under subsection (3)(a), or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Sydney in one or more of the disciplines listed under subsection (3)(a), or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
completion of the embedded graduate diploma in this discipline, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(d)
a Bachelors degree in any discipline, in addition to successfully completing 18 credit points of undergraduate science at the University of Sydney with a credit average, as listed under subsection (3)(b).

6 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the table for Environmental Science postgraduate courses. With the approval of the Dean and the program coordinator, candidates for the graduate diploma or master's degree, who have special aims or interests, may be allowed to substitute up to 12 credit points with relevant postgraduate units from outside the table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science a candidate must complete 24 credit points, including:
(a)
18 credit points of core unit of study; and
(b)
6 credit points of elective units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(a)
24 credit points of core units of study, and
(b)
24 credit points of elective units of study.
(4)
To qualify for the Master of Environmental Science a candidate must complete 72 credit points, including:
(a)
30 credit points of core units of study;
(b)
42 credit points of elective units of study.

7 Recognition of prior learning

Candidates offered admission to the Master of Environmental Science may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of up to 24 credit points where the candidate has completed a qualification at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework in one or more of the disciplines listed under section 5(3)(a).

8 Transitional arrangements

(1)
These resolutions apply to persons who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2015 and persons who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2015 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2015 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2019, or later date as the faculty may, in special circumstances, approve.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science, Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Master of Environmental Science are articulated coursework programs that allow a large degree of flexibility in the depth at which studies are undertaken and the choice of subjects studied. Some of the major themes addressed include environmental chemistry, ecology, climate change, renewable energy production and environmental policy.

Course outcomes

The articulated award program in Environmental Science is designed for both recent graduates wishing to obtain employment in the environmental field and for graduates already working in an environmental sphere who are interested in gaining either a formal qualification in environmental science or additional information about related areas of environmental science.

Environmental managers and scientists are increasingly finding that they need to have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base and the ability to be flexible and innovative in their application of such knowledge. Thus the aim of this award program is to provide students with the ability to solve environmental problems that require the integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines. Emphasis is placed on studies which span several disciplines, adaptive problem solving, and the development of new skills and expertise.

Upon completion of the graduate certificate, graduates will possess a practical and theoretical background in some of the basic aspects of environmental science. This can be supplemented and extended upon completion of the graduate diploma, and extended further to include research and practical skills upon completion of the master's program. Students completing the full postgraduate program will have a solid grounding in all basic areas of environmental science, enabling them to understand the environmental problems that can arise and the disparate solutions that can be applied to solve such problems, and to comprehend all aspects of environmental assessment.