Master of Sustainability – Course Structure
The Master of Sustainability consists of one 6-point core unit to be completed by all students, then three or four additional core units (6 points each) for each of the individual streams, and additional elective units to the total value of 72 credit points. This must include a minimum of 24 points taken at level five. Students who meet the criteria can undertake research and/or internship project units comprising 12 or 24 points of their degree.
Students may apply to exit after successful completion of 24 points with a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability (Course 2527) or 48 points with a Graduate Diploma in Sustainability (Course 0095).
Requirements
Students in all streams must complete:
APG4425 Perspectives on environment and sustainability (6 points)
Students will select a stream and must take the core units for that stream, as well as choose electives from the approved elective list.
Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Management stream
Stream Coordinator: Dr. Wendy StubbsEnvironment and Sustainability stream
Stream Coordinator: Dr. Ruth LaneInternational Development and Environmental Analysis stream
Stream Coordinator: Dr. Craig Thorburn
Elective units
Students complete electives sufficient to bring the total number of points for the degree to 72 credit points. Electives may be chosen from across the University with permission from the stream coordinator and, if no equivalent unit is available at Monash, from other Universities. If required, electives may be chosen from level three offerings, but only to a maximum of 12 points. Students must assure that they complete a total of at least 24 points at level 5.
Core units from other streams may be taken as electives, with the exception of APG4427 Frontiers in sustainability and environment (available only to students in the Environment and Sustainability Stream), BTX9100 Sustainability regulation (available only to students of the Corporate and Environmental Sustainability Management stream) and APG5805 The art and business of international development (only for students of the International Development and Environmental Analysis stream).Final Project
In order to undertake a final project students must gain a distinction average (70D) or above in the core and elective units, and/or permission of the course coordinator. For students who have not attained a distinction average, additional coursework electives may be substituted.
Students electing to undertake a final project may only enrol in these units after consultation with the Stream Coordinator. For research projects, it is strongly recommended that students first complete a research methods subject (see Research Methodology stream in the list of electives).
The course offers two final project options: either a supervised research essay that enables students to consolidate the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills acquired in the coursework components in a research context; or an industry internship placement that provides students the opportunity to apply and consolidate the knowledge and professional skills they have acquired through the coursework components within the practical context of a business, government, nongovernmental or community organisation. Final projects consist of either a single 12-point final project unit or a combination of two of these units.
Final Project Units:
- APG5780 Conceptualising environment and sustainability research project (12 points)
- APG5781 Implementing environment and sustainability research project (12 points)
- APG5763 Sustainability internship (12 points)
Eligible students can also undertake a double (24 point) final project, consisting of either two 12-point research units:
- APG5780 Conceptualising environment and sustainability research project
- APG5781 Implementing environment and sustainability research project
or a combination of an internship and research unit:
- APG5763 Sustainability internship, and
- APG5781 Implementing environment and sustainability research project
These may be taken simultaneously in a single semester or in series over two consecutive semesters. Major 24-point final projects generally involve empirical data collection, and are therefore only available to students with a proven capacity to undertake primary research.