School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning | RMIT University

If you are concerned about problems like global warming, loss of biodiversity and pollution you can become part of the solution. This program develops your ability to think creatively and work with people from a wide range of backgrounds towards sustainable solutions to these and other issues. The program provides an understanding of technical and scientific principles and practical solutions regarding areas such as ecology, agriculture and energy. However, the main emphasis is on policies, law and environmental management, and the way decisions about the environment are made. It is concerned with the way our society deals with the environment. A formal work placement of about 20 days is located in the final semester of the program. Graduates are employed in a wide range of occupations and organisations, including commonwealth, state and local government, consulting firms, community organisations and a range of private and public businesses in metropolitan and rural areas throughout Australia, as well as overseas.
The general areas of interest satisfied by the program are: Australian society, Community development, Economics, Ecosystem management, Geography, Globalisation, Government process and policy, Natural resource management, Negotiation skills, Policy and legislation, Pollution studies, Research methods, Resource/ environmental management, Social sciences, Urban environments, Waste management and pollution control, Wildlife management.

The course blends theory and practice. In first-year there is a general foundation in the social sciences, together with introductions to sustainability and ecology.

In second-year environmental policy and environmental management is consolidated along with professionally oriented courses in urban planning and rural resources and the environment. In this year there are also courses that introduce research methods and techniques.

In third year there is a threefold focus on: client-based research and work placement; professional courses in energy and pollution management; and advanced theoretical courses in environmental politics and environmental economics.

A stream of electives is also available, running across second and third year. Students most commonly select topics in the international/indigenous/social justice area or in the environmental sciences, although other electives are available across the full range of RMIT University departments. Work placement is a core final-year course. A variety of government, community and corporate positions are available. Students will have worked for real-world clients before this. The overseas exchange program is located in second year. The most common destinations are universities in Norway, Holland and Canada. Students go for about 15 weeks of study. There also exist shorter two-week trips for single subject credit , for example to places such as Bangladesh, Shanghai, and Samoa.

There is a variety of environmental student groups and green businesses on the campus in which our students commonly get involved. This extends to successfully running for office in student political governance systems.

http://www.rmit.edu.au/programs/bp000

Course Structure

This course is delivered face to face, generally full-time. Part-time study is available as a proportion of the full-time load, but classes are only available face to face during the 9 to 5 period.

The full-time load consists of 12 contact hours, generally spread across four of the Monday to Friday days

Duration: 3 years

Course Requirements

Current Year 12

Contact Details

In Semester One please contact:John Jackson, Program Coordinator for Semester One School of Global Studies, Social Science and PlanningTel: +61 3 9925 3437 Email: . In Semester Two please contact:Chris Bastin, Program Coordinator School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning Tel: +61 3 9925 3444 Email:

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