Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Environmental Science

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code J48

The Master of Environmental Science equips students with advanced skills and practical experience to address complex environmental challenges. This program emphasizes authentic, real-world learning through industry projects and work-integrated opportunities, including placements that build professional capability. Students develop expertise in environmental science, management, and sustainability, supported by flexible study options that allow for on-campus or off-campus enrollment. Graduates emerge prepared for diverse careers in environmental consulting, policy development, resource management, and sustainability leadership.

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. Applies technical knowledge to plan and critically evaluate environmental performance to seek net positive outcomes for the environment based on evidence-based conclusions and ethical decision-making.
2. Communicates complex environmental analyses and professional judgements to diverse audiences, integrating technical evidence, regulatory context and stakeholder considerations to support decision-making.
3. Works effectively independently and in collaborative settings as well as across discipline boundaries to deliver expected outcomes.
4. Integrates cultural safety and Indigenous Knowledge, values and rights into professional judgement and decision-making, and upholds Indigenous Data Sovereignty in environmental practice.
5. Demonstrates continuing development in relation to their professional practice, judgement and responsibility.

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 Duration

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

Course Delivery

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

Cross Campus Attendance

Some units, particularly those in the first semester are offered only at City Campus, with the remaining units available at Joondalup.

Course Coordinator

Dr Robyn PAICE

Course Structure

This is a Programmatic Learning course. This Course uses a mix of Learning Units and Assessment Units which all connect together.

• Learning Units are where students develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities through regular activities and feedback.
• Assessment Units are where students integrate, apply and demonstrate that learning.

Students will collect evidence of learning in a digital portfolio that charts their course journey, and can be used as a showcase to employers.

Year 2

Students are required to select ONE of the following two options:

^ Core Option
* Assessment Unit