Graduate Certificate in Science (Environmental Science specialisation)

Course Structure

Environmental Economics Specialisation

Environmental Economics will provide students with a detailed understanding of how economic approaches to solving problems can be used to address the challenges associated with human impacts on the environment. The focus of the course is applications of the economic way of solving problems related to climate change, biodiversity loss, agricultural land degradation, marine pollution, water shortages, over-fishing, poverty due to natural resource loss, and air pollution. Environmental economics uses many of the standard tools of microeconomics and econometrics, and as such, the course will prepare students for a future career in both the field of environmental economics or microeconomics more generally.

Units

• ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
• ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
• ECON5003 Microeconomic Theory for Agricultural and Environmental Economics
• SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences

Environmental Management Specialisation

Focuses on devising effective policy options and strategies for natural resource use, and for the protection and conservation of the environment, natural and cultural heritage. Students learn about the complexity of social-environmental systems, climate policy and Sustainable Development Goals.

Units

• ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
• ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
• ECON5511 Climate, Energy and Water Economics
• PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning

Marine and Coastal Specialisation

The coastal margin is a focus area of development which must be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability of human communities and natural ecosystems. The Marine and Coastal specialisation provides students with knowledge and practical skills for the management of marine and coastal environments by covering interdisciplinary content spanning physical and biological sciences, through to policy and regulatory frameworks. Students learn the threats and hazards facing coastal systems, and the principles of conservation and management of nearshore resources, including marine protected areas. Focus is given to learning adaptation measures for coastal protection and sustainable aquaculture.

Units

• ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
• ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
• ENVT5576 Aquatic Ecology
• BIOL4407 Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management

Environmental Rehabilitation Specialisation

Environmental degradation poses a major challenge to the sustainability of life on Earth. Environmental rehabilitation addresses this by halting and reversing degradation. This specialisation will equip graduates with a fundamental understanding of abiotic and biotic processes operating in environmental systems, how these are disturbed by anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic causes, and how to develop effective interventions and management plans to improve and restore environmental quality and ecological function.

Units

• ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
• ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
• ENVT5503 Remediation of Soils and Groundwater
• Option or ENVT5515 Environmental Management in Mining

Sensing and Spatial Data Science

The emergence of big data is creating new challenges and opportunities for environmental professionals. New eyes on the world through advanced sensor technology, including drones and satellite remote sensing, increasingly requires advanced Geographic Information Science (GIS) and data analytics skills. Students experience the acquisition, visualisation and analysis of diverse geospatial and sensor network data to improve management of environments affected by socioeconomic activity

Units

• ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
• ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
• ENVT4408 GIS Programming
• ENVT5566 Advanced Spatial and Environmental Modelling