In this program, 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 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 constituting 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.