Course Information

Master of Environmental Science

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code J48

The Master of Environmental Science provides students with skills and experience in environmental science, focusing on project management, OHS, sustainability, monitoring and reporting. The course includes study of environmental management systems, auditing and sustainability reporting, and places students within the industry to provide work experience in the management of environmental projects. It focuses on skills for the environmental, engineering, and sustainability professions. The course is also flexible in providing on-campus and off-campus study options.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Work Experience Requirement

Students will undertake a project with an organisation under supervision of ECU and industry organisation staff.

Duty of care

Each project will have an agreement for student placement. Each work place will be inspected and the appropriate forms completed indicating it is a safe work environment for students. Every student will be required to complete a risk assessment and management plan as part of the WIL.

Attendance requirements

Students will be expected to participate in a minimum of 456 hours working with an organisation on a project and produce a report on activities.

Implications of failing

Students will not be able to complete the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist knowledge and understanding of recent developments and methods applicable to the field of Environmental Science and related disciplines.
  2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills drawn from a broad discipline base to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in Environmental Science.
  3. Apply communication skills to design innovative contributions to professional practice in Environmental Science.
  4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial project in Environmental Science.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Special entry may be considered for students with a cognate first degree (or with appropriate experience) who can apply for a reduced course duration: 1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 180 credit points Admission is based on: Bachelor degree in a related discipline*, or Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus five years relevant work experience^, or Graduate Certificate of Environmental Science (or equivalent), or Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent. *Related discipline refers to any environmental science / biology related discipline ^Relevant work experience constitutes Senior/Managerial positions to be approved by the Course Coordinator.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 2 Years
  • Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
  • Online: Part Time, Full Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Anna Jenny HOPKINS

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT5212Biostatistics20
SCI5250Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures20
SCI6110Integrated Environmental Management20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAN6925Project Management20
Students are required to select 2 (two) units from the following core options.
SCI5110 ^Management of Waste20
OHS6132 ^Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems20
SCI5117 ^Biological Conservation20
SCI6105 ^Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing20
MAT6206 ^Data Analysis and Visualisation20
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
SCI5170Sustainability Assessment and Reporting20
SCI6100Environmental Monitoring and Investigation20
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI6108Postgraduate Science Project60

^ Core Option


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

J48|5

Course Information

Master of Environmental Science

Effective from 01-JUL-2023 : Code J48

The Master of Environmental Science provides students with skills and experience in environmental science, focusing on project management, OHS, sustainability, monitoring and reporting. The course includes study of environmental management systems, auditing and sustainability reporting, and places students within the industry to provide work experience in the management of environmental projects. It focuses on skills for the environmental, engineering, and sustainability professions. The course is also flexible in providing on-campus and off-campus study options.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Work Experience Option

Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) in place of SCI6108.

Duty of care

Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence. WIL host organisations may have additional clearance requirements of applicants, including evidence of police clearance, non-disclosure agreements or research ethics clearances. There may also be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to Professional Placements which form part of your course. Please consider this requirement before applying for Professional Placement and speak with the WIL and Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete the Professional Placement unit if you are unable to meet the placement requirements.

Attendance requirements

Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.

Application process

Students are required to apply in writing to the Work Integrated Learning Coordinator (the student's Course Coordinator can advise who is the responsible staff member) upon successful completion of 120 credit points of study. Students should seek the advice of their Course Coordinator and the WIL Coordinator as to the appropriateness of pursuing the work placement option within their course structure. Successful applicants will need to complete any directed pre-placement preparation activities.

Enrolment process

Students will need permission from the WIL Coordinator to enrol in SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics).

Implications of failing

Where students do not successfully complete SCI6700 they will be required to enrol in SCI6108 the following semester.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist knowledge and understanding of recent developments and methods applicable to the field of Environmental Science and related disciplines.
  2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills drawn from a broad discipline base to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in Environmental Science.
  3. Apply communication skills to design innovative contributions to professional practice in Environmental Science.
  4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial project in Environmental Science.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Special entry may be considered for students with a cognate first degree (or with appropriate experience) who can apply for a reduced course duration: 1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 180 credit points Admission is based on: Bachelor degree in a related discipline*, or Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus five years relevant work experience^, or Graduate Certificate of Environmental Science (or equivalent), or Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent. *Related discipline refers to any environmental science / biology related discipline ^Relevant work experience constitutes Senior/Managerial positions to be approved by the Course Coordinator.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 2 Years
  • Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
  • Online: Part Time, Full Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Anna HOPKINS

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT5212Biostatistics20
SCI5250Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures20
SCI6110Integrated Environmental Management20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAN6925Project Management20
Students are required to select 2 (two) units from the following core options.
SCI5110 ^Management of Waste20
OHS6132 ^Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems20
SCI5117 ^Biological Conservation20
SCI6105 ^Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing20
MAT6206 ^Data Analysis and Visualisation20
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
SCI5170Sustainability Assessment and Reporting20
SCI6100Environmental Monitoring and Investigation20
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI6108 ^Postgraduate Science Project60
OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement
SCI6700 ^Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics)60

^ Core Option


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

J48|6