Knowledge theme clusters
The clusters in this group bring together subjects that help you develop systematic knowledge around a particular environmental topic or concern. You can draw on these clusters to help you select four or more subjects that might provide a major or minor specialisation within your program of study. Introductory subjects are suggested for each cluster - if this is a new area of study for you, consider these as starting points for exploring the field.
Food systems cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about food systems.
Starting points
- FOOD90041 provides an introduction to the political aspects of food systems;
- FOOD90039 provides an introduction to technical and scientific aspects of food systems.
Additional information
- A specialisation in sustainable food may complement studies in planning or social change.
- Subjects
Climate change cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about climate change and strategies to address this.
Starting points
ATOC90002 provides an overview of climate science as well as policy considerations.
Additional information
These subjects are all available on the existing stream in climate change, which has a broad range of electives.
- Subjects
Renewable energy cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about renewable energy systems.
Starting points
ENEN90027 provides an introduction to energy systems across a range of contexts.
Additional information
Some subjects require background knowledge in engineering or law/regulation. Check these carefully and talk to the subject coordinator if you are uncertain about your eligibility.
- Subjects
Sustainable forests cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about forests, their use and conservation.
Starting points
FRST90015 provides an introduction to major ecosystem processes in forests.
Additional information
- Many of these subjects are taught in intensive mode (often 10 day teaching blocks);
- Many of these subjects are taught at Creswick campus.
- Subjects
Urban greening cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about the use of plants to improve sustainability and liveability of urban environments.
Starting points
HORT90003 provides an introduction to the role of plants in urban environments.
Additional information
- Many of these subjects are taught at Burnley campus.
- Subjects
- HORT90033 Plants in the Landscape
- HORT90004 Plant Production and Establishment
- ABPL90337 Managing Urban Landscapes
- HORT90039 Green Infrastructure for Liveable Cities
- HORT90046 Designing Green Roofs and Walls
- ERTH90028 Urban Soils, Substrates and Water
- HORT90038 Food Production for Urban Landscapes
- EVSC90025 Water Sensitive Urban Design
Indigenous peoples and the environment cluster
Learning outcomes
Indigenous and cross-cultural approaches to environmental and sustainability challenges.
Starting points
- GEOG90019 Indigenous Land Management provides a field-based introduction to indigenous land management practices in Australia;
- GEOG90021 Conservation and Cultural Environments provides an overview of cross-cultural issues in natural and cultural resource management.
Additional information
- Some subjects have a focus on Australian indigenous peoples, and others have a more international focus;
- Some of these subjects (GEOG90019, GEOG90025) recommend background knowledge;
- GEOG90019 and GEOG90025 have enrolment quotas;
- Other subjects that include some related content include ABPL90075 Urban and Landscape Heritage, MULT50002 Indigenous Peoples in Global Context, MULT90005 Partnerships for Sustainable Futures, LAWS70068 Environmental Law and LAWS70293 Climate Change Law.
- Subjects
Biosecurity cluster
Learning outcomes
Interdisciplinary knowledge about global biosecurity and food safety systems.
Starting points
- EVSC90017 provides an overview of how the global environment is changing and the impacts it is having on civil society.
- NRMT90002 provides an overview of the impacts of global species exchange and the systems used to manage theri impacts.
- FOOD90008 provides an overview of food, food safety, and the global systems used to ensure consumers have confidence i the safety and quality of their food.
- EVSC90014 provides an overview of the sorts of quantitative tools used across both biosecurity and food safety in professional practice.
Additional information
- None of these subjects have pre-requisites.
- EVSC90017 and MAST90044 should be taken first for recommended background knowledge.
- Several subjects are taught in intensive mode (EVSC90014, VETS90087, and VETS90086).
- Several subjects are taught online (VETS90087 and VETS90086).
- Subjects
- EVSC90017 Global Environmental Change
- NRMT90002 Management of Plant and Animal Invasions
- VETS90087 Transboundary Animal Diseases
- FOOD90008 Food Safety and Quality
- EVSC90014 Environmental Risk Assessment
- ECON90016 Environmental Economics and Strategy
- MAST90044 Thinking and Reasoning with Data
- VETS90086 Epidemiology of Epidemics
Risk cluster
Learning outcomes
Risk analysis is fundamental to modern society with learning outcomes providing skills in understanding the elements of risk, namely hazard, elements at risk and vulnerability. The area is one of the fasting growing employment markets in the services sector as companies come to terms with social and environmental risk of their extended supply chains.
Risk analysis is contained within most disciplines to varying degrees of depth. The following list are subjects which have a focus on risk, usually from a discipline-specific perspective but with relevance to the Master of Environment.
- Subjects
- In OEP pre-approved list (no additional permission required for enrolment):
- EVSC90014 Environmental Risk Assessment (undergraduate statistics knowledge recommended)
- EVSC89922 Bushfire Urban Planning
- NRMT90014 Sustainable Landscapes (focus on landscape management practice)
- GEOG90020 Risk Management and Citizen Science
- Requires the permission of your Stream Co-ordinator for enrolment:
- MAST90051 Mathematics of Risk (requires 2nd year undergraduate statistics knowledge)
- LAWS70149 Construction Risk
- SCWK90054 Assessing Risk and Vulnerability (psychology/social work focus)
- MULT90014 Business Risk Management
- SCWK90064 Lifespan Risk and Resilience (social work focus)
- In OEP pre-approved list (no additional permission required for enrolment):