Postgraduate Coursework
Master of Environmental Management
2021
The Master of Environmental Management complements existing science qualifications if you are a graduate starting out or an established professional looking to broaden or deepen your professional skill set.
You will focus on the principles and practices of environmental management, particularly in the context of wet-dry and semi-arid tropical ecosystems and arid landscapes. The topic areas covered by CDU's Master of Environmental Management include livelihoods, spatial science and analysis, and ecology and management of natural resources. Unit selection is flexible between and within these areas. Professional placements and remote Australia and international intensives are also available.
The broad skills, concepts and applications explored in this course are also relevant even if you are working in other ecosystems, and includes a focus on the social context within which environmental management takes place.
The course is flexible and caters to your individual needs. It balances required knowledge and technical skills, develops conceptual skills, and challenges you to apply them to natural resource management within its complex social context.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to a career 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 Rangeland Society, Ecological Society of Australia and Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Credit transfers & 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
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
English Language Requirements for International Students
For detail on English Language Entry Requirements please read the entry requirements provided for International students.
How to Apply
International applicants apply directly to CDU and should refer to the information provided for International future students Apply.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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 Pathway
Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.
Essential 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.
| IELTS Academic Module | A 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 Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Navitas Academic English (will not be accepted from 2021 onwards) | A minimum overall pass and 65% in Academic English 3 with a 65% pass in the research essay. (Note: this score will not be accepted from 2021 intakes onwards). |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A 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.
Course structure
The course structure consists of core units, specialist elective units, elective units and a one-semester research project.
The core units are Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas, Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis, Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management, Environmental Planning and Policy. These units capture the primary content focus and skills of the program.
Specialist electives are chosen from the themes: Livelihoods, Natural Resources Management, Spatial Science or General (Specialist Electives . Specialist Elective units complement the content knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills developed in the core units, and also allow you to focus on your area of interest. Units including fieldwork may be taken (if you are able to attend the relevant field location, through your choice of units. This ensures that you gain first-hand knowledge of biologically rich and diverse tropical ecosystems and meet senior professionals active in the field of environmental management.
Elective units will allow you to study complimentary subjects that match your interests. Students are encouraged to seek advice from the course coordinator on unit selection. There is also the opportunity to undertake work integrated learning, whereby students include a workplace-based project in their choice of electives.
The program offers an exciting range of opportunities to develop field, technical and practical skills, as well as master level scholarships skills.
In your final semester, you will design, develop and implement an applied research project with the support of a research supervisor who provides discipline expertise and academic monitoring. This may also be completed part time over two semesters. Many of the projects are developed in collaboration with research and environmental management agencies, exposing students to professional practices and applications in research and management. Depending on your circumstances, you may choose a project topic that integrates into your workplace.
Current students transferring to the reaccredited version of the Master of Environmental Management (course code SENVM1) should note that the new course now has four compulsory Core units. These are ENV509, ENV511, ENV521, and ENV513. These units were previously Specialist Electives. If you do not plan to complete these four units you should remain in the currently accredited Master of Environmental Management (course code MEM).
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 type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (4 units) |
40cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below.
ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas |
| Specialist Electives (4 units) |
40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points from the list of specialisation detailed below.
LIVELIHOODS NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPATIAL SCIENCE GENERAL 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) |
40cp | Units totalling 40 credit points from available postgraduate units on offer at the University. Students are encouraged to seek advice from the course coordinator on unit selection. |
| Research (4 units) |
40cp | Research 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) |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Masters Degree by Coursework AQF Level 9 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas | CO | ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management | CO |
| ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Elective | E | Elective | E |
| Year 2 | |||
| ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | ENV840 Research Project #40 (40cp) | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective | E | ||
| Elective | E | ||
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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective | E | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy | CO | Elective | E |
| ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
| Year 3 | |||
| ENV840 Research Project #40 (40cp) | CO | ||
Course 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) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: 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.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $31,632.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, 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.