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Tropical wetlands
Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Environmental Management

Key details

Duration

2 year/s full-time
4 year/s part-time
2 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

160

Course code

SENVM1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

Environmental science and environmental management at Charles Darwin University are research-intensive, dynamic disciplines, situated within some of the most spectacular and fascinating natural and cultural environments in Australia.

The Master of Environmental Management provides postgraduate education for existing and future professionals on the context, principles and practices for environmental management, particularly in the wet-dry and semi-arid tropical ecosystems and arid landscapes. The skills, concepts and applications covered in this course are also highly transferable to other ecosystems.

The core units focus on the social context within which environmental management takes place. The flexibility of specialist electives means you can undertake the course fully online or on campus, or a by a combination of both, depending on unit selection. Small class sizes mean that all students have ready access to staff, via collegial online or face-to-face interactions.

The course covers both the knowledge and technical skills for natural resource management within its social context and is responsive to the changing needs of employers and other stakeholders, incorporating the latest outcomes of regional research. Graduates of this course may seek employment in areas of research or environmental and natural resources management, within regional natural resource management agencies, environmental NGOs, Indigenous natural resources management organisations, consultancy firms and the resources sector.



Professional recognition

Graduates may seek professional membership to associations such as the Australian Rangelands Society, Ecological Society of Australia and Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Both Commonwealth supported (CS) and full fee (FF) places are available for this course. If you would like to apply for a CS place use the SATAC code 1CM089 or the UAC code 823220. If you would like to apply for a FF place you will need to use the SATAC code 1CM589 or UAC code 873220.

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $33,840.00. This equates to $ $4,230.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems. 

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems. 

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)

What will I study?

The course structure consists of core and specialist elective units, electives and a research project. The program offers an exciting range of opportunities to develop field, technical and practical skills, as well as master-level skills in scholarship and research application.

Course structure

Core units are Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas, Environmental Planning and Policy and Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management. These units set the framework for the course as a whole. All MEM students are required to complete at last one statistics or research design unit (Specialist Elective A) that builds on your existing skills - this can be chosen from an advanced or introductory level. Specialist Electives B are chosen from among units listed under clusters headings in: Livelihoods, Natural Resources Management or Spatial Science. Specialist Elective units have been chosen to complement the content knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills developed in the Core units.

Units including fieldwork may be taken (by students able to attend the relevant field location), through their choice of units. This ensures that students gain first-hand knowledge of biologically rich and diverse tropical ecosystems and meet senior professionals active in the field of environmental management as well as CDU academic staff. There is also the opportunity to undertake work integrated learning, where students include a workplace-based project in their choice of electives. Students can also choose to take intensive units with remote field locations, and there are often a range of international study opportunities available.

The final research project involves supervision by Charles Darwin University research staff, and other professionals from outside the university as appropriate. After completing the coursework component of the program each student designs, develops and implements a one semester research project, under supervision. Projects are developed in collaboration with researchers at CDU or environmental agencies, exposing students to professional practices in research and management. You may also choose a research project in your workplace. 

Note: The standard course offering is 2 yrs (4 semesters of study). Applicants with a degree in a directly related discipline, studied in English, can apply to enter a 1.5 yr study plan (3 semesters of study).

While all candidates enrol into the Master program, alternative exit points are available after one semester of study (Graduate Certificate) or two semesters of study (Graduate Diploma), subject to the candidate completing the required units of study.



A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units
(3 units)
30cpCompulsory Core units totalling 30 credit points as detailed below.

ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
 
Specialist Electives A
(1 unit)
10cpSpecialist Elective unit totalling 10 credit points selected from the list of units detailed below:

SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
ENV311 Practical Statistics and Data Reasoning
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education
PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation
 
Specialist Electives B 
(4 units)
40cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points from the list of unit clusters detailed below: (these unit clusters are a guide only and do not represent formal course specialisations; any of these units can be chosen)

LIVELIHOODS
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management in Northern Australia
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (compulsory intensive) (not available 2024)
ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management (compulsory intensive) 
ENV523 Ecological Economics (new from 2024)
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive)

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity
ENV503 Ecological Restoration and Conservation
ENV515 Desert Field Ecology (compulsory intensive)
ENV516  Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (compulsory intensive)
ENV520 Wildlife Management
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive)

SPATIAL SCIENCE
ENV502 Remote Sensing
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (optional intensive)
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive)

Note: Students who have graduated from CDU and completed undergraduate units with the same titles as those listed in Specialist Electives above will not be able to take those units and must make an alternative unit selection.

Electives
(4 units)
40cpUnits totalling 40 credit points from available postgraduate units on offer at the University including: Specialist A and B units not already completed, or units from other Masters courses at CDU or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to seek advice from the course coordinator on unit selection.
 
Research
(1-2 units)
40cpResearch units totalling 40 credit points.
Students may enrol in the full-time or part-time option as detailed below:
ENV840 Research Project #40 (for students undertaking the project FT over one semester) (40cp)
ENV820 Research Project #20 (a repeatable unit for students undertaking the project PT over two semesters) (20cp, repeatable)
 
 160cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)


COURSE CHANGES for 2024

ENV523 added as a Specialist Elective choice in the Livelihoods cluster.


COURSE CHANGES for 2023

Core units have been reduced from 40cp to 30cp
Specialist Elective A unit totalling 10cp has been added.

ENV511 has been removed as a required core unit and move to one of the Specialist Elective A choices.
ENV511, ENV311, SBI209, EMG505, PRT564 are included as Specialist Elective A unit choices.
 

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist ElectiveE = Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and SavannasCOENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource ManagementCO
ENV513 Environmental Planning and PolicyCOSpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective BSE
Specialist Elective BSEElectiveE
Year 2
Specialist Elective BSEENV840 Research Project #40 (40cp)CO
ElectiveE  
ElectiveE  
ElectiveE  

SPECIALIST ELECTIVE availability

Semester 1Intensive 4Semester 2Summer Semester
Specialist Elective A (total of 10 credit points)
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning 
ENV311 Practical Statistics and Data Reasoning 
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education 
PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation 
 
 EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education 
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies 



 
 
Specialist Elective B (total of 40 credit points)

ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity 
ENV502 Remote Sensing 
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking 
ENV520 Wildlife Management 
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)

 

 

 



 

ENV515 Desert Field Ecology (compulsory intensive) 
ENV516  Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (compulsory intensive)  
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive) 
 

 


 

 

 

 

ENV503 Ecological Restoration and Conservation 
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (optional intensive) 
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management in Northern Australia 
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (compulsory intensive) 
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023) 
ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management (compulsory intensive)  
ENV523 Ecological Economics  
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive) 















 
Electives (total of 40 credit points required)
Additional Specialist Electives may be completed as Elective units or other 500 level units offered at the University or as approved by the course coordinator.


Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist ElectiveE = Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource ManagementCO
  Specialist Elective A or BSE
  Specialist Elective BSE
  ElectiveE
Year 2
ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and SavannasCOSpecialist Elective BSE
ENV513 Environmental Planning and PolicyCOElectiveE
Specialist Elective A or BCOElectiveE
Specialist Elective B SEElectiveE
Year 3
ENV840 Research Project #40 (40cp)CO  

SPECIALIST ELECTIVE availability

Semester 1Intensive 4Semester 2Summer Semester
Specialist Elective A (total of 10 credit points)
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning 
ENV311 Practical Statistics and Data Reasoning 
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education 
PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation 
 
 EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education 
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies 



 
 
Specialist Elective B (total of 40 credit points)

ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity 
ENV502 Remote Sensing 
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking 
ENV520 Wildlife Management 
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)

 

 

 



 

ENV515 Desert Field Ecology (compulsory intensive) 
ENV516  Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (compulsory intensive)  
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive) 
 

 


 

 

 

 

ENV503 Ecological Restoration and Conservation 
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (optional intensive) 
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management in Northern Australia 
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (compulsory intensive) 
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023) 
ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management (compulsory intensive)  
ENV523 Ecological Economics  
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (WIL placement)
SID505 Environmental Field Intensives (compulsory intensive) 















 
Electives (total of 40 credit points required)
Additional Specialist Electives may be completed as Elective units or other 500 level units offered at the University or as approved by the course coordinator.

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of one of the following:

  • a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification in a related field; or
  • a recognised bachelor degree in an unrelated field plus completion of a graduate diploma in a related field or equivalent international qualification.

Related fields include: biological science, earth science, environmental engineering, environmental science, geography, geographic information or sustainability studies.

International entry pathway

International Pathway Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Preparation Program (ZMPP01) are eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.

* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.

 

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.

Cassian

CDU student

Cassian Lushinge

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.

Cassian

CDU student

Cassian Lushinge

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Environmental Management
Faculty/College
Faculty of Science and Technology
Sector
HE
Area of study
Science, Environmental Science and Management

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about environmental management

Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about environmental management

Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1CM089
823220
Casuarina campus (FF)
1CM589
873220
Online (CSP)
1CM089
823220
Online (FF)
1CM589
873220
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
075071J

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