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20. Coastal Management coursework degrees

Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) (MApplSc(CoastalMgt))

Degree Code: LC043

Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) (GradDipApplSc(CoastalMgt))

Degree Code: LF031

Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) (GradCertApplSc(CoastalMgt))

Degree Code: LG016

Note that these degrees are not available to new students in 2010.

This chapter sets out the requirements for postgraduate degrees offered in the Faculty of Science in the area of Coastal Management. A comprehensive guide to the requirements and units of study of the coursework degrees is listed.

The information in this chapter is in summary form and is subordinate to the provisions of the relevant degree Resolutions, collected at the end of this chapter, or in the University of Sydney Calendar. The Calendar is available for sale at the Student Centre, for viewing at the faculty office or the Library, or online at
www.usyd.edu.au/publications/calendar.

Course overview

The University of Sydney Institute of Marine Science in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation, the NSW Coastal Council and Surf Life Saving Australia, has developed a new and innovative graduate program in Coastal Management. This program is the only one of its kind in Australia, and has been designed and will be taught by leading researchers and practitioners of coastal management.

It will be taught primarily in coastal locations in the Sydney region. It will draw on local coastal management systems, issues and problems as part of the program material. It will also make use of the 2003 NSW Coastal Policy and Coastal Management Manual to provide students with an in-depth understanding of all aspects of coastal management. The program will include units on coastal processes and systems, coastal zone policy and management, beach management and the application of geographical information systems (GIS) to the coastal zone.

The program is ideal for recent graduates who wish to extend their knowledge of coastal and beach management, and for coastal practitioners in local, state, federal and other agencies and in industry who require additional training and knowledge of coastal management policy and issues. The program will provide formal training and also enable students to undertake a supervised coastal management project. A key aspect of all Master's units will be a broad on-site exposure to coastal processes, systems, issues and real management problems in the greater Sydney region, and in some units in regional NSW.

Course outcomes

Upon completion of the graduate certificate graduates will possess a practical and theoretical background in a range of issues related to coastal management. This knowledge can be extended by completion of a graduate diploma, and further extended through course work and research projects as part of a master's program.

Coastal Management Postgraduate Degree Table

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session
All Degrees: Core Units
NB: Certificate students must complete two of these core units.
MARS5003
Beach Management 		6   

This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the Applied Science (Coastal Management) program
Semester 2
GEOG5001
Geographic Information Science A 		6      Semester 1
Semester 2
All Degrees: Optional Units
Certificate students must complete 12 credit points from the following (or from the remaining two core units).
Diploma students must complete 12 credit points from the following.
Masters students must complete 24 credit points from the following.
ENVI5705
Ecolog Principles for Environ Scientists 		6   

This is a compulsory course for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program.
 Semester 1
ENVI5808
App Ecology for Environmental Scientists 		6   

This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program
Semester 2
ENVI5809
Environmental Simulation Modelling 		6      Semester 1
Available to Diploma and Masters students only:
MARS5004
Coastal Management Field School 		6    C MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003 and GEOG5001
Semester 2
Available to Masters students only:

Coastal Management Unit of Study Descriptions 2010

ENVI5705 Ecolog Principles for Environ Scientists

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week. Assessment: Assignment, presentation.
Note: This is a compulsory course for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program.
This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of modern ecology for environmental scientists so as to provide non-biologically trained persons an understanding of the nomenclature of ecology and the physical parameters represented.
ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Gavin Birch Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one practical per week; one field trip per semester. Assessment: Assignment, presentation and report
Note: This is a compulsory course for the Grad Dip and Masters levels of the Applied Science (Environmental Science) program.
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry provides the basic chemical knowledge required to be able to understand chemical analysis of air, water and soil samples taken in the field. This is supplemented by a field-based project analysing soil and sediment samples for trace pollutants from locations in and around Sydney. This unit of study involves 4 contact hours per week for one semester as well as some time in the field as arranged with the class.
ENVI5803 Law and the Environment

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Gerry Bates Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lectures per week. Assessment: Essays
This unit of study provides an overview of Australian and international law as it pertains to the environment. It looks at a number of environmental issues at the various levels of analysis, policy making, implementation of policy and dispute resolution. It also provides a broad background to political and economic issues as they related to the legal issues. This unit of study involves lecture material and an essay on policy issues.
ENVI5808 App Ecology for Environmental Scientists

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clare McArthur Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures per week. Assessment: Essays and presentations
Note: This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program
This unit of study complements ENVI5705, and covers in depth the concerns of modern ecology pertaining to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. An understanding of the complex issues of invasive species, conservation of biodiversity and ecological management of the environment is provided.
ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six workshops. Assessment: Report
The concept and use of computer modelling in natural resource management is introduced in this unit of study, which is aimed particularly at non-programmers.
ENVI5903 Sustainable Development

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Phil McManus Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 2 hour lectures per week for seven weeks. Assessment: Essay and presentation
This unit of study demonstrates the history and contested understandings of the concept of sustainable development. It applies these concepts to explore important environmental science issues such as population, water management sustainable cities, rural development, industrial ecology, and energy issues. The unit concludes by presenting a range of future scenarios and encouraging students to develop their own vision of sustainability at the global and other scales, and to communicate their means of achieving this sustainability vision.
ENVI5904 Understanding Environmental Uncertainty

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Ross Coleman Session: Semester 2 Classes: One three hour lecture per week for 8 weeks. Assessment: Tutorials, oral presentations and written reports.
No assessment of potential environmental impacts is possible without relevant information about the ecological consequences. This unit is for those without a science degree, to explain the need to quantify and what are relevant measures. Describing and understanding uncertainty will be explained in the context of precautionary principles. Issues about measuring biodiversity and the spatial and temporal problems of ecological systems will be introduced.
ENVI5905 Management of Parks

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Deirdre Dragovich Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures 2hrs for 6 weeks, Practical work 3 hrs for 3 wks, Fieldwork 21 hrs (2.5 days), Total / week 7 hrs average Assessment: A prac report, assignment, one 1hr exam
This unit of study evaluates the reasons for the existence of parks, including National Parks, recreational spaces and reserves, and examines the applied aspects of their management. Topics covered include conservation, ecotourism, plans of management and their implementation (with particular emphasis on the remediation of the impacts of visitor numbers and erosion), fire control practices and resource management. Students will visit various parks within the Sydney region (such as the Royal National Park, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore, Jenolan Caves Reserve and Centennial Park) that highlight the different issues introduced in lectures and which illustrate the practical measures undertaken to manage the parks in a sustainable fashion.
Textbooks
A Course Handbook will be provided.
GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Chapman Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Six workshops. Assessment: Report
This unit of study gives an overview of basic spatial data models, and enables students to understand the import and export of data to and from a geographical information system (GIS). The manipulation of spatial data at a level appropriate to planning or locational applications, and the development of thematic maps from diverse data layers, will be addressed.
GEOG5002 Geographic Information Science B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Eleanor Bruce Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lectures, one 1 hour tutorial, one 3 hour practical per week for 6 weeks. Assumed knowledge: GEOG5001 Assessment: 2500 word assignment, seminar presentation, tutorial reports, WebCT quiz.
This course will provide the conceptual background to more advanced GIS analysis applications and spatial reasoning methods in the context of contemporary environmental issues. The course is designed to provide an understanding of spatial analysis techniques available within a GIS environment, explore a diversity of both social and physical environmental applications and address emerging issues in GIS research. A range of topics will be introduced including field based capture of spatial information, spatial data structures, surface modelling, visibility analysis, hydrological modeling, network analysis, spatial data uncertainty and social GIS.
Conceptual material presented in lectures and tutorial workshops will be placed in an applied context through a series of laboratory and field sessions designed to strengthen practical understanding and awareness of GIS methods.
MARS5003 Beach Management

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2
Note: This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the Applied Science (Coastal Management) program
This unit of study focuses on the fundamental issues, strategies and infrastructure involved in the management of urban, rural and resort beach environments. At present, the concept and application of beach management is poorly defined. The goal of this unit of study is to provide an integrated and comprehensive template for beach management covering a range of issues such as beach hazard recognition and assessment, public safety and awareness, patterns of public beach usage, and the planning and undertaking of major events. Specific topics covered include hazardous wave and surf conditions, rip currents, lifeguarding, beach capacity, demographics of beach users, beach infrastructure, beach auditing, surf carnivals, sporting events and concerts. The unit will use lectures, real-world scenarios, case studies and field exercises to enable students to develop beach management plans appropriate to their backgrounds.
MARS5004 Coastal Management Field School

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Corequisites: MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003 and GEOG5001
The field school will be based around visits to a series of coastal sites along the NSW coast. The unit will include a series of introductory lectures followed by visits to the sites where both unit staff and local coastal managers and stakeholders will address the students on the nature of the site, its historical development and contemporary coastal management issues and solutions. Sites will be selected to the representative of both the range of coastal systems present along the NSW coast, as well as the range of management issues presented by the sites.
MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: University base delivery: Prefield trip Tutorial (1 hr), On-line exercises (2 hr) Field based delivery: Lectures (11 x 1 hr), Seminars (4 x 1 hr), Tutorials - individual consultations to develop concepts in research (2 x 1 hr), Independent Research and Oral Presentation (40 hrs) Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation.
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit provides an in - depth overview of the key biological and non-biological processes that make up coral reef ecosystems. There is a focus on the biogeographic, oceanographic and physiological processes underlying the integrity of global tropical reef systems. The Great Barrier Reef is used as a case study to explore emerging concepts on the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes on the integrity of global reef and lagoon systems. Learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars and tutorials in the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is an independent research project conducted under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of two essays and a research project report and presentation. The curriculum in this unit is based on current research and a course book will be provided. This is a field intensive course held at One Tree Island Research Station or Heron Island Research Station. The course is ex-Gladstone Queensland and students are expected to make their own way there. This unit will be run over 8 days and there will be an additional course fee for food and accommodation, expected to be $600.
NTMP5005 Tropical Coastal Management

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Lucie Reynolds (course contact) Session: Semester 2 Classes: Fieldschool 80 hours intensive. Corequisites: MARS5002 and MARS5003 Prohibitions: NTMP3005 Assessment: Presentation, teamwork, assignment, 1 hr exam
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: department permission required for enrolment
This course examines the impacts of human activities on coastal and marine environments. It explores the complex relationships among the ecological and social values of these environments and outlines strategies and tools for their management. This is an intensive course that will be held at the University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station, North Stradbroke Island.
Textbooks
Handouts provided.

Resolutions

Resolutions

 

Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management)
Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management)
Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management)

 
0.1
Course rules
 
1.
Admission
1.1
The Dean of the Faculty of Science may admit to candidature for:
1.1.1
the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management):
1.1.1.1
graduates of the University of Sydney holding the degree of Bachelor of Science or any other equivalent award of the University of Sydney;
1.1.1.2
graduates of other universities or other appropriate institutions who have qualifications equivalent to those specified in subsection 1.1.1.1; or
1.1.1.3
persons who have experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the units of study;
1.1.2
the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management):
1.1.2.1
graduates of the University of Sydney holding the degree of Bachelor of Science or any other equivalent award of the University of Sydney;
1.1.2.2
graduates of other universities or other appropriate institutions who have qualifications equivalent to those specified in subsection 1.1.2.1; or
1.1.2.3
persons who have completed requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science, or equivalent;
1.1.3
the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management):
1.1.3.1
graduates of the University of Sydney holding the degree of Bachelor of Science or any other equivalent award of the University of Sydney;
1.1.3.2
graduates of other universities or other appropriate institutions who have qualifications equivalent to those specified in subsection 1.1.3.1; or
1.1.3.3
persons who have completed requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science, or equivalent.
2.
Units of study
2.1
The units of study for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management), Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management), and Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management), are listed in the table of units of study for Coastal Management Postgraduate coursework degrees in this chapter of the Faculty of Science Handbook.
2.2
Credit point value, assumed knowledge, corequisites, prerequisites and any special conditions are included under unit of study descriptions.
3.
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) (GradCertApplSc(Coastal Mgt)); Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) (GradDiplApplSc(Coastal Mgt)); Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) (MApplSc(Coastal Mgt))
3.1
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) are required to complete satisfactorily at least two core units of study from: MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003, GEOG5001, and 12 credit points from the following optional units of study: MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003, GEOG5001, CHEM5001, ENVI5705, ENVI5803, ENVI5808, ENVI5809.
3.2
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) are required to complete satisfactorily four core units of study (MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003, GEOG5001) and 12 credit points from the following optional units of study: MARS5004, CHEM5001, ENVI5705, ENVI5803, ENVI5808, ENVI5809.
3.3
Candidates for the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) are required to complete satisfactorily four core units of study (MARS5001, MARS5002, MARS5003, GEOG5001) and 24 credit points from the following optional units of study: MARS5004, MARS5005, CHEM5001, ENVI5705, ENVI5803, ENVI5808, ENVI5809.
 
0.1
Faculty rules
 
4.
Details of units of study
4.1
The units of study for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management), Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management), and Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management), are listed in the table of units of study in this chapter of the Faculty of Science Handbook.
4.2
A candidate for the course shall proceed by completing units of study as prescribed by the Faculty.
4.3
A unit of study shall consist of such lectures, seminars, tutorial instruction, essays, exercises, practical work, or project work as may be prescribed.
4.4
In these resolutions, 'to complete a unit of study' or any derivative expression means:
4.4.1
to attend the lectures and the meetings, if any, for seminars or tutorial instruction;
4.4.2
to complete satisfactorily the essays, exercises, practical and project work if any; and
4.4.3
to pass any other examination of the unit of study that may apply.
4.5
All units of study for a particular subject area may not be available every semester.
4.6
The Dean may allow substitution of any unit of study by another unit of study, including units of study from other postgraduate coursework programs in the Faculty or elsewhere in the University.
4.7
The Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) shall be awarded in two grades, namely Pass and, in the case of an outstanding candidate, Pass with Merit.
5.
Enrolment in more/less than minimum load
5.1
A candidate may proceed on either a full-time or a part-time basis.
6.
Cross-institutional study
6.1
Cross institutional study shall not be available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science, Graduate Diploma in Applied Science and Master of Applied Science courses, except where the University of Sydney has a formal Cooperation Agreement with another University.
7.
Restrictions on enrolment
7.1
Admission to candidature may be limited by a quota.
7.2
In determining the quota, the University will take into account:
7.2.1
availability of resources including space, laboratory and computing facilities; and
7.2.2
availability of adequate and appropriate supervision.
7.3
In considering an application for admission to candidature the Dean shall take account of the quota and will select, in preference, applicants who are most meritorious in terms of sub-section 1 above.
8.
Discontinuation of enrolment
8.1
A student who does not enrol in any semester without first obtaining written permission from the Dean to suspend candidature will be deemed to have discontinued enrolment in the course.
8.2
Students who have discontinued from the course will be required to apply for admission to the course and be subject to admission requirements pertaining at that time.
9.
Suspension of candidature
9.1
A student may seek written permission from the Dean to suspend candidature in the course.
9.2
Suspension may be granted for a maximum of one year.
10.
Re-enrolment after an absence
10.1
A student who plans to re-enrol after a period of suspension must advise the Faculty of Science Office in writing of their intention by no later than the end of October for First Semester of the following year or the end of May for Second Semester of the same year.
11.
Satisfactory progress
11.1
Candidates for the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management), the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management), and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management), shall be governed by the rules as follows:
11.1.1
A student who has failed a cumulative total of 12 credit points at any stage of enrolment in the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) will be required to show good cause why he or she should be allowed to re-enrol and, if good cause has not been established, the student's enrolment will be transferred to the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management);
11.1.2
A student who has failed a cumulative total of 18 credit points at any stage of enrolment in the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) and/or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) will be required to show good cause why he or she should be allowed to re-enrol and, if good cause has not been established, the student's enrolment will be transferred to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management);
11.1.3
A student who has failed a cumulative total of 12 credit points at any stage of enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) will be required to show good cause why he or she should be allowed to re-enrol and, if good cause has not been established, the student will not be permitted to re-enrol.
11.2
A student who has failed a cumulative total of more than 18 credit points in the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) and/or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) and/or the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) will be required to show good cause why he or she should be allowed to re-enrol and, if good cause has not been established, the student will not be permitted to re-enrol.
11.3.1
A student who has failed a core unit at the second attempt in the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) and/or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) and/or the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) will be deemed to have failed to complete course requirements and will be required to show good cause why he or she should be allowed to re-enrol.
11.3.2
If good cause has not been established, the student will not be permitted to re-enrol.
12.
Time limit
12.1
A candidate for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) shall complete the requirements for the award in a minimum enrolment of one semester and a maximum enrolment of four semesters.
12.2
A candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) shall complete the requirements for the award in a minimum enrolment of two semesters and a maximum enrolment of six semesters.
12.3
A candidate for the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) shall complete the requirements for the award in a minimum of two semesters and a maximum of eight semesters.
13.
Assessment policy
13.1
On completion of the requirements for the course, the Faculty shall determine the results of the candidature.
14.
Credit transfer policy
14.1
Credit is not available in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management), Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) and Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) for postgraduate study which has not been undertaken in these award courses within the previous three years.
14.2
A candidate who has qualified for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management) may transfer, within three years, to the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) and receive credit for up to 24 credit points from the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Coastal Management).
14.3
A candidate who has qualified for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management) may transfer, within three years, to the Master of Applied Science (Coastal Management) and receive credit for up to 36 credit points from the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Coastal Management).
14.4
A candidate who has completed units of study in the Applied Science program within the previous three years, but has not qualified for an award, may transfer to another award course within the same Applied Science program and receive credit for the units of study completed.