Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries

This course develops understanding and skills required by professionals with connections to food production, agribusiness, and forest and resource management to respond to the challenges posed by climate change.

It explores the many factors underpinning climate change risk for agricultural production and methods for sustainable food and fibre production and their markets, in the face of changing climate.At the same time as developing individual capability, application of the knowledge gained during study to participants' work and projects provides immediate and relevant application of course learning and invaluable insights into the impacts of climate change to the future of primary industries.

Course structure

To achieve the Graduate Certificate in Climate Changes for Primary Industries, you are required to successfully complete all four 12.5 credit point subjects. A total of 50 points for the completion of the course.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• either

– an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with a weighted average mark of H3 (65%) in the final year of study, or equivalent, or – an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and at least two years of documented relevant work and/or professional experience, or equivalent, or – an undergraduate degree in any discipline and at least five years of documented relevant work and/or professional experience, or equivalent. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking and/or assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic qualification and performance; and, if relevant
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries aims to develop understanding and skills required by professionals with connections to food production, agribusiness, forestry and resource management to respond to the challenges posed by climate change.

The course should develop a deep understanding of the many factors underpinning food and fibre security and an awareness of methods for sustainable food and fibre production and their markets, in the face of changing climate.

The objectives of this course are to:

• Enable students to explore the interdisciplinary and international nature of primary industries and climate change at an advanced level
• Provide students with a sound foundation in the scientific and economic principles and analytical skills behind responding to climate change,
• Develop competence in the analysis of complex systems in devising strategies for responding to climate change for food and fibre security,
• Develop a critical understanding of environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to climate change and food and fibre security in Australia and globally