Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture
Course Introduction
This program has been designed for professionals currently managing, or planning to learn how to manage, urban trees. You will investigate sustainable tree management strategies and issues, biological functioning of trees and their benefits to the environment and urban life. At the completion of this course you will be qualified to conduct tree risk assessment and to be engaged as an expert witness for local government or consumer and trade tribunal proceedings and may be able to progress your career in landscape management, revegetation and restoration in private business and government agencies.
Course Objectives
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate should be able to:
• discuss the biological functioning of trees and how they benefit the environment
• develop urban tree management plans based around the application of technical knowledge;
• demonstrate high levels of communication and problem solving skills in their approach to tree management and planning;
• discuss issues of sustainability when managing trees in urban environments , including environmental, social and community and economic factors.
• analyse and discuss appropriate occupational health and safety policies for urban tree management
Entry Requirements
Entry into the course will be based upon completion of:
• a bachelors degree; or
• a relevant trade school or Higher Education Advanced Diploma or equivalent and 3 years full-time, relevant, documented relevant work experience or equivalent; or
• a relevant trade school Diploma and 4.5 years full-time relevant, documented work experience, or equivalent; or
• 6 years full time relevant, documented work experience, including at least 3 years in a demonstrated supervisory role and satisfy the University of Melbourne’s English language requirements
Course Fee
2012 fees $2,500 per subject
Course Structure
Each subject involves the intensive delivery of lectures, workshops,practical exercises and field visits over 6 days. There will be a 12-week online component following the intensive teaching period. To achieve the Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture you need tosuccessfully complete all four 12.5 credit point subjects. You may choose to complete these subjects over one to four years.
You may also study a single subject from the course through the Unviersity’s Community Access Program. You can read more about single subject study at www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/cap
• Urban Tree Growth and Function
Environmental stresses such as drought, extreme heat and severe wind events are increasing in their severity in urban environments. This subject will help you understand how and why urban trees are vulnerable to such stresses and how urban tree biology and function is constantly compromised through human intervention.
At the end of the subject you will understand the structure and function that underpins tree biology and its importance for urban tree managers. Tree stress adaption mechanisms will be investigated from a cellular to a whole tree level.
• Managing Urban Trees
This subject will provide you with a thorough understanding of the care and management of trees in the urban forest.
You will learn the methods of tree risk assessment and evaluation, tree protection strategies, planning and management issues and case-studies, including surveys, location mapping, inventories and tree protection strategies.
• Tree Identification and Selection
In this subject you will gain a thorough understanding of the tree selection and tree identification principles.
At the end of the subject you will be able to recognise trees commonly used in landscape horticulture and correctly write their botanical, common and family names as well as describe tree form and tolerances. You will also be able to write plant names in accordance with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.
• Urban Tree Health
Through this subject you will understand the impact of tree invasion by pests and other parasitic organisms in urban environments. You will be able to identify common pest and disease species, understand symptoms displayed and how to manage pests and diseases of trees. You will also gain an understanding of integrated pest control concepts, pest control measures and the fate of chemicals in the environment and integrated pest management.
Delivery Dates
You may choose to complete these subjects over one to four years.
• Urban Tree Growth and Function
Monday 20 February - Saturday 25 February (inclusive)
9am - 5pm daily
• Managing Urban Trees
Monday 16 July - Saturday 21 July (inclusive)
9am - 5pm daily
• Tree Identification and Selection
Monday 17 September - Saturday 22 September (inclusive)
9am - 5pm daily
• Urban Tree Health
Monday 19 November - Saturday 24 November (inclusive)
9am - 5pm daily
Higher Awards
Successful applicants will be provided full credit (50 points) on admission into the Master of Urban Horticulture, www.horticulture.unimelb.edu.au
Brochure
Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture
Application Process
For the application form and further instructions please visit the Student Services section.
Closing date for applications has been extended to 13 February 2012.
Further Information
For more information regarding the course, please contact:
Vicki Vlahos
Project Manager
School of Melbourne Custom Programs
T: 03 9810 3383
E: arboriculture@commercial.unimelb.edu.au