Master of Climate Change Adaptation | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Master of Climate Change Adaptation

  • Learn to assess and manage climatically induced change
  • Work towards accreditation as an environmental practitioner
  • Intensive course delivery allows you to qualify faster

Program summary

Program title: Master of Climate Change Adaptation
Award abbreviation:
MClimateChangeAdaptation
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: on campus (intensive)
Duration: 18 months minimum full-time, 6 years maximum part-time
Commence: Full time and international students can commence at the beginning of either Study Period 1 (January) or Study Period 2 (July). Part-time students can commence at any session.
Fee type 2013: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: SC708
CRICOS code: 063013G. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please be aware that some courses in this program require project work and/or independent study and therefore have limited on campus contact. Please refer to individual course descriptions.

Proactively address the implications of climate change.

In this suite, you gain an in-depth understanding of the natural and human-induced factors responsible for the rapid rates of environmental and climate change. You examine the types of governance and community-based responses required to address the impacts and vulnerabilities, and acquire practical problem-solving skills in adaptive environmental assessment and integrated management systems.

The theoretical understanding and practical tools enable you, as a practitioner, to integrate best-practice vulnerability assessment tools and techniques effectively with nationally and internationally endorsed environmental management systems. The purpose is to mitigate unwanted effects of climate change and manage project outcomes to ensure continuous improvement in the environmental conditions and the sustainability of natural resources.

You acquire skills through a combination of lectures, readings, group discussions, practical projects and the use of interactive modelling tools. Your assessment is based on a combination of individual and group project tasks. Some classes use environmental simulation models to develop skills in problem definition, data and information manipulation, management and application. These tools support the preparation of vulnerability assessment documents and environmental management plans for environmental and natural resources management.

If you choose to exit the masters program after completing eight courses, you may be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation. Students must have completed all the requirements of the Graduate Diploma to be awarded this program. Please note that there is no direct entry into the Graduate Diploma.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Master of Climate Change Adaptation can work towards accreditation as an environmental practitioner from the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), or equivalent overseas accreditation body.

Intensive delivery

The Climate Change Adaptation programs are run in an intensive mode. Students should refer to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering course schedule and the published timetables as sessions can vary from year to year.

Courses require a student activity investment of 120 hours. Approximately 60 hours will be undertaken over 6–7 consecutive days on campus for lecture-based courses. In most cases, courses run from for a week including weekends for lecture-based courses. The remaining 60 hours is required for independent student-learning activities, both before and after the on-campus component which may include readings, exercises and the preparation of assessment items.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for entry into this program, a student entering the Masters program will normally be required to hold a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent, that includes a major study in a science discipline (with the major typically consituting at least one-third of the degree), from a recognised higher education institution or have completed the Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation. 

The Graduate Diploma of Climate Change Adaptation will not be an entry point. Students who are unable to complete the Masters of Climate Change Adaptation may exit the program via the Graduate Diploma of Climate Change Adaptation. Students must have completed all requirements of the Graduate Diploma program.

Enquiries

Associate Professor Shireen Fahey
Tel: +61 7 5459 4858
Email: sfahey@usc.edu.au

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

Program structure

Program requirements and notes
  • Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses as listed below.
  • Students who are unable to complete the Masters of Climate Change Adaptation may exit the program via the Graduate Diploma of Climate Change Adaptation. Students must have completed all requirements of the Graduate Diploma program.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • Some courses in this program require project work and/or independent study and therefore have limited on campus contact. Please refer to individual course outlines.
  • Postgraduate students are expected to have a high level of English written and speaking skills. Refer to the English language proficiency requirements.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan
Advanced courses (12)

12 required courses:
ENS703 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
ENS708 Introductory Counselling Skills
ENS712 Foundations of Human Behaviour
ENS713 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
ENS717 Communication and Thought
ENS724 Group Processes and Practice
ENS726 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
ENS727 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENS728 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
ENS729 Human Services Placement 1
ENS744 Working With Children, Youth and Families
ENS747 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions

Study Plan

When enrolling please refer to the relevent study plan for students commencing:

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