• Program summary
• Program overview
• Admission requirements
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

Program title: Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Award abbreviation: MIntegCoastZoneMgt
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 18 months minimum full-time, 6 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2 (subject to enrolment numbers)
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: SC701
CRICOS code: 063012G

Intensive delivery mode

This program is delivered in an intensive mode. Courses will require a student activity investment of 120 hours, approximately 60 hours of which will be undertaken over six or seven consecutive days on campus. In most cases, the courses are undertaken from 8.30am until 5.30pm for a week including weekends. The remaining 60 hours is undertaken as independent student learning activities, which may include readings, exercises and the preparation of assessment items.

Program overview

The Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management comprises courses equalling 144 units. The courses will be run in intensive mode and the actual scheduling of the individual courses will depend on student demand and numbers. While all courses are offered nominally in Semester 1 and 2 each year, courses could also be conducted during the summer and mid-year breaks, as demand requires.

The program will provide:

• An in-depth understanding of the natural and human-induced forcing factors that are responsible for the rapid rates of environmental and climate change, and the types of governance and community based responses required to address the impacts, vulnerabilities and implications of these changes on physical, biological, social, economic and cultural environmental conditions.
• Professional development in the field of integrated coastal zone management provides practitioners with practical skills in problem solving as related to adaptive environmental assessment and integrated management systems. Such skills will be acquired through a combination of face to face teaching and practical projects. Training sessions will utilise environmental simulation models to practice students in: problem defining; data and information manipulation, management and application. These tools will be used to support the preparation of coastal adaptive assessment documents and with environmental management system/plan preparation for the coastal zone.
• The theoretical understanding and practical tools to enable coastal managers to more effectively integrate best practice environmental impact assessment tools and techniques with nationally and internationally endorsed environmental management systems. Such tools, techniques and systems are designed to mitigate unwanted effects of environmental change and manage the outcomes of the implementation of project implantation in ways that ensure continuous improvement in the biophysical, socio-economic and cultural conditions of the coastal zone.

Skills will be acquired through a combination of lectures, readings, group discussions, practical projects and use of interactive modelling tools. Participants in the program will be assessed by a combination of individual and group project tasks.

Learning outcomes

On completion of courses under the Master of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, participants in the professional development education and training program will be well equipped to meet professional challenges and be able to:

• appreciate international trends in environmental assessment and management of coastal areas
• better understand international and national obligations, commitments to applying environmental assessment processes and integrated management systems to coastal areas in particular World Heritage Areas, RAMSAR wetlands and areas accorded protected area status
• proactively address the implications of environmental and climate change on coastal environments
• use the integrated adaptive assessment and integrated management tools and techniques designed to achieve continuous improvement in environmental outcomes in the coastal zone
• more effectively assess and manage complex agricultural, industrial, infrastructure, recreational and urban development proposals for projects in coastal areas using statutory and best practice processes and procedures
• use environmental simulation modelling and decision support tools and prepare assessment and management plan documentation that meets professional and statutory requirements, and
• contribute towards accreditation as an environmental and EA/EIA practitioner from the EIANZ or equivalent overseas accreditation body

Admission requirements

To be eligible for entry into this program, a student entering the masters program will normally be required to hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution. Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Science, Health and Education.

Advanced standing

Advanced standing up to a maximum of 50 percent (72 units) will be offered to students with approval from the Dean. Prior learning, relevant work experience and overseas qualifications are recognised.

Full credit will be given for courses undertaken in the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma in Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

Program structure

Please note these courses are often run outside the normal Semester dates as intensive courses in Sessions. Please refer to the Faculty of Science, Health and Education course schedule for further information

6 required courses:
ENS310 Climate Change Adaptation
ENS320 Climate Change Mitigation Theory and Practice
ENS724 Coastal Systems Dynamics
ENS725 Applied Coastal Systems Project
ENS701 Estuary and Wetland Systems Dynamics
ENS745 Applied Estuary and Wetland Systems Dynamics Project

Plus select 6 courses (or 72 units) from:
ENS300 Environmental and Resource Economics
ENS702 Economic Tools and Techniques
ENS747 Marine Resource Management
ENS748 Marine Resource Project
ENS744 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment and Planning
ENS746 Applied Socio-Economic Assessment Project
ENS708 Environmental and Sustainability Evaluation
ENS709 Environmental and Sustainability Evaluation Project
ENS707 Professional Research Project(24 units)

OR
Select 4 of the above 12-unit courses AND
ENS750 Masters Research Project(24 Units)

OR
Select 2 of the above 12-unit courses AND 
ENS716 Masters Research Thesis(48 Units)

OR
Select 4 of the above 12-unit courses AND
2 x 12-unit courses having a focus in your chosen area of interest (ie the following areas) by approval of the Program Leader:

• Communication Studies
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Justice Studies
• Property and Asset Management
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Sustainability
• Sociology

Program requirements and notes

1. Refer to the Academic Rules.
2. Refer to explanation of terms.
3. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
5. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Enquiries

How to apply

Dr Shireen Fahey
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 1141
Email: sfahey@usc.edu.au

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

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