Graduate Certificate in Catchment and Waterway Management

The objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practicing in the Victorian river health management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for river health.The course is one-year part-time, delivered by a combination of distance learning and intensive periods of face-to-face teaching.

Field trips are an integral component of all subjects.

Course structure

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in River Health Management, students must complete all 4 core subjects, a total of 50 points.

Entry requirements

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

• an undergraduate degree, or equivalent.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

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

• prior academic qualification and performance

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. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

NOTE: Applicants must be currently employed in the Victorian waterway management industry.

If applicants are applying for admission solely on the basis of their professional experience, then they must demonstrate that:

• they have at least five years professional experience;
• they have advanced in their career to the point where they hold a position that normally requires the kinds of skills a graduate possesses;
• their experience is in the field of waterway management or one of its specializations;
• they can produce complex analytical reports, papers or other documents; and
• they can demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement by undertaking relevant professional development courses.

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 objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practising in the Victorian waterway management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for catchment management.

Graduates of this course should:

Understand the technical content of the disciplines involved in river health and catchment management and its relationship to the broader objective of river health and total catchment management. Amongst other things, this involves an understanding of;

• river health policy and practice,
• the roles and responsibilities of catchment management agencies;
• appreciate how to create and acquire knowledge within their discipline, particularly by using and critically reviewing professional advice;
• be familiar with methods of applying their knowledge in practical settings; this includes -
• thinking and planning strategically,
• identifying both strategic directions and specific initiatives,
• making judgments about and challenging total catchment management policy and practice;
• realise how the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge about catchment management are intimately related;
• be able to articulate their knowledge in an appropriate form; in particular, to be able to:
• interact with a range of stakeholders to achieve community outcomes,
• manage human resources, and assist with development of leadership and succession planning;
• be capable of independent critical thought, that will enable them to:
• adapt and respond to evolving policy and operational circumstances,
• adapt and respond to unexpected outcomes of management actions,
• challenge current practices and facilitate positive changes; and exhibit analytic and problem-solving skills, in particular applying specific techniques for managing waterways and catchments.