Master of Environmental Science (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Environmental scientists assess the impact of human activity and develop scientific, risk-based solutions to help secure a sustainable global environment. An interdisciplinary approach to problem solving is essential in this field, meaning that both the biological and earth sciences and studies in environmental planning and management are included. This course prepares students to deal with issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and water resource management.
Course overview
- Course title
- Master of Environmental Science (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MEnvSc
- Course code
- 72530 (Semester 1)
- Course type
- master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Semester 1 / 2019
- Administered by
- Science
- CRICOS code
- 074951G
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Articulation
- The Master of Environmental Science has the following exit awards: 72230 Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science (24 points) (24 points), 72330 Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science (48 points) (48 points)
- Credit points required
- 96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the Faculty
- Maximum course duration
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Schedule 2: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Matthew Hipsey
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Enquiries and course advice
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Specialisations
SP-ENVMM Environmental Management
SP-GISEM Geographic Information Science and Environmental Management
SP-LWMGT Land and Water Management
SP-MCMGT Marine and Coastal Management
Course structure
Note: This course is Semester 1 / 2019.
Key to availability of units: |
---|
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021; NS = non-standard teaching period |
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ENVT4402 | Analysis for Environmental Management |
| 10 half days. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
ENVT4404 | Environmental Planning and Management | |||
S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending a compulsory 1-hour seminar per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions. Additionally there is a compulsory 2-hour computer practical lab per week for which students will undertake applied use of GIS. Completion of these labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
For student in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | GEOG5011 | Dissertation (Geography, Planning, Environment and Development) Part 1 | Supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. | |
S1, S2 | GEOG5012 | Dissertation (Geography, Planning, Environment and Development) Part 2 |
| Supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
S1, S2 | GEOG5013 | Dissertation (Geography, Planning, Environment and Development) Part 3 |
| supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
S1, S2 | GEOG5014 | Master's Research Project in Geography, Environment and Planning Part 4 | supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
Environmental Management specialisation
Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ENVT3361 | Environmental Assessment |
| lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work) |
S1, S2 | GEOS4499 | Water in a Changing Climate |
| 1 x 4 hour workshop per week for 8 weeks |
SCIE3367 | Decision Tools for Natural Resource Management | |||
S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science | 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
Take 6 points:
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
S1 | PLNG5512 | Regional Planning | Three face-to-face (2-hour) lectures before, and one (2-hour) lecture after the four-day field trip to be held in February. (Charges: cost of food and accommodation is borne by the student). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| lectures: 2 hours; tutorials: 1 hour; labs: 1 hour (4 hours/week for 12 weeks) |
S2 | PLNG5411 | Urban and Regional Analysis |
| 40 (teaching blocks: 12 x 2 hours 45 minutes; field trip: 1 x 7 hours) |
S2 | PLNG5511 | Climate Change Policy and Planning | One day a week over six weeks. |
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 30 points, of which 3 units must be at Level 5.
For student in course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 6 points.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S2 | ECON5511 | Climate, Energy and Water Economics |
| lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week for 10 weeks |
S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
ENVT5003 | Sustainable Nature-based Tourism | |||
N/A | ENVT5502 | Marine and Coastal Planning and Management |
| 3 hours per week (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
ENVT5505 | Biodiversity and Landscapes | |||
ENVT5508 | Advanced Spatial Analytics | |||
S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
ENVT5511 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management | |||
S2 | GEOG4001 | Migration and Development | workshops: 5 hours per week for 8 weeks (block taught with a 2-hour teaching block, followed by a break of at least 1 hour, then a 3-hour teaching block—all on the same day) | |
S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
Geographic Information Science and Environmental Management specialisation
Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ENVT3361 | Environmental Assessment |
| lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work) |
S1, S2 | GEOS4499 | Water in a Changing Climate |
| 1 x 4 hour workshop per week for 8 weeks |
SCIE3367 | Decision Tools for Natural Resource Management | |||
S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science | 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S2 | ENVT4408 | GIS Programming |
| 42 hours |
S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
ENVT5508 | Advanced Spatial Analytics | |||
ENVT5511 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management |
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 30 points, of which 4 units must be at Level 5.
For student in course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 6 points.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| lectures: 2 hours; tutorials: 1 hour; labs: 1 hour (4 hours/week for 12 weeks) |
ENVT5003 | Sustainable Nature-based Tourism | |||
N/A | ENVT5502 | Marine and Coastal Planning and Management |
| 3 hours per week (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
ENVT5504 | GIS and the Built Environment | |||
S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
S2 | GEOG4001 | Migration and Development | workshops: 5 hours per week for 8 weeks (block taught with a 2-hour teaching block, followed by a break of at least 1 hour, then a 3-hour teaching block—all on the same day) | |
S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
SCIE5500 | Modelling Natural Systems |
Land and Water Management specialisation
Students may be required to take conversion units including GEOS4499 Land and Water Fundamentals, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S2 | ENVT3339 | Land Rehabilitation |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; field work/practicals/labs: 2 hours per week |
S1 | ENVT3361 | Environmental Assessment |
| lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work) |
S1, S2 | GEOS4499 | Water in a Changing Climate |
| 1 x 4 hour workshop per week for 8 weeks |
S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science | 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ENVT4401 | Advanced Land Use and Management |
| three 2-day blocks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
NS | ENVT4406 | Catchment and River Processes |
| lectures: 3 hours per week; field trip: one week in week 6 |
S2 | ENVT5503 | Remediation of Soils and Groundwater |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
ENVT5510 | Soil Dynamics |
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 30 points, of which 4 units must be at Level 5.
For student in course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 6 points.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
BIOL5503 | Assessing fauna biodiversity in managed landscapes | |||
S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| lectures: 2 hours; tutorials: 1 hour; labs: 1 hour (4 hours/week for 12 weeks) |
S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
S2 | ENVT5001 | Biotechnology in the Natural Environment |
| lectures/tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight; field trips/case study work: 2 hours per fortnight |
ENVT5002 | Advanced Studies in Environmental Biotechnology | |||
ENVT5003 | Sustainable Nature-based Tourism | |||
ENVT5505 | Biodiversity and Landscapes | |||
ENVT5508 | Advanced Spatial Analytics | |||
S1 | ENVT5512 | Ecosystem Biogeochemistry |
| one full day per week for six consecutive weeks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
SCIE5500 | Modelling Natural Systems |
Marine and Coastal Management specialisation
Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S2 | EART2204 | Coastal Processes | lectures: 2 hours per week; practicals/labs: 1 x 3 hours per week | |
S1 | ENVT3306 | Coastal Conservation and Management |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 2 hours per week (for 10 weeks from week 2) |
S2 | ENVT3307 | Oceanography |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; laboratories: 2 hours per week from week 2 |
S1 | SCIE2204 | Marine Systems |
| lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week; labs/field trips: equivalent of 2 hours per week |
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENVT4403 | Coastal and Estuarine Processes | |||
N/A | ENVT5502 | Marine and Coastal Planning and Management |
| 3 hours per week (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
S2 | PLNG5511 | Climate Change Policy and Planning | One day a week over six weeks. | |
S1 | SCIE5505 | Global Change and the Marine Environment |
| 7 hours per week for 6 weeks |
For students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of 30 points, of which 3 units must be at Level 5.
For student in course by coursework and dissertation, take units to the value of 6 points.
Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S2 | BIOL4407 | Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management |
| 150 hours in total |
NS | BIOL4408 | Marine Ecology | This unit is block-taught during the summer semester and involves a field trip of five days plus travel time at a cost of up to 0 to the student, plus up to four days of lectures and planning (including occupational health and safety) and up to four days of analysis and presentation of results. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours, up to 100 of which are contact hours. | |
S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| lectures: 2 hours; tutorials: 1 hour; labs: 1 hour (4 hours/week for 12 weeks) |
S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
ENVT5003 | Sustainable Nature-based Tourism | |||
ENVT5508 | Advanced Spatial Analytics | |||
S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
S2 | PLNG5411 | Urban and Regional Analysis |
| 40 (teaching blocks: 12 x 2 hours 45 minutes; field trip: 1 x 7 hours) |
S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials module
2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module).
(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module is not required to repeat the module.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or equivalent as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Environmental Management and the Geographic Information Science and Environmental Management specialisations an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either science, engineering, urban and regional planning, or policy studies; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Land and Water Management specialisation an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either earth, environmental, or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Marine and Coastal Management specialisation an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either marine, environmental, or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:
- 72230 Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science (24 points)
- 72330 Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Environmental Science course before completing it, but after completing 24 points at Level 4 or Level 5, which includes the course core units, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science.
(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Environmental Science course before completing it, but after completing 48 points at Level 4 or Level 5, which includes the course core units, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 24 points, course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations:
- SP-ENVMM Environmental Management
- SP-GISEM Geographic Information Science and Environmental Management
- SP-LWMGT Land and Water Management
- SP-MCMGT Marine and Coastal Management
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. A student who does not pass units to a value of at least half the total points value of units for which they are enrolled, or who fails the same unit twice, will not have made satisfactory progress.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded' unless the Faculty decides otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent, which is calculated based on —
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Additional rules
Research project
13. Students who request approval to undertake a research project as an optional unit in this course must—
(i) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the Masters Specialisation; or
(ii) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or
(iii) equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; and a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project.