Graduate Certificate in River Health Management
Full Course Name / Course Abbreviation
Graduate Certificate in River Health Management
Course Introduction
The Graduate Certificate in River Health Management, offered by the University of Melbourne with support from the Victorian Waterway Managers Forum, is an accredited course of study for Victorian waterway management professionals. It is a one-year part-time course delivered by a combination of distance learning and intensive periods of face-to-face teaching either on campus or at regional centres in Victoria.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practising in the Victorian river health management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for river health.
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.
Graduate Attributes
Please see course objectives
Entry Requirements
All applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following minimum entry requirement:
- currently employed in the waterway management industry e.g. Catchment Management Authorities, Melbourne Water, Department of Sustainability and Environment;
- an understanding of waterway management consistent with a three-year undergraduate degree;
- the skills of study that are consistent with a three-year degree; and
- the time and resources to undertake the course.
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.
Course Fee
$2250 per subject (GST exempt).
Applicants may be eligible for the FEE-HELP government loan scheme to pay the course fee. For further information please visit www.goingtouni.gov.au.
Course Structure
The School of Enterprise courses are based on a points structure with students required to accumulate a certain number of points in order to receive an award.
To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate students will need to complete 4 x 12.5 point subjects thereby accumulating a total of 50 points.
Subject Information
Fundamentals of Catchment Management
On-ground River Protection and Restoration
Caretaking Rivers for the Community
Integrated Management Plans
Each subject is taught sequentially so that participants are only committed to a single subject at a time. The four subjects are preceded by a course orientation session held over one full day in Melbourne designed to set the scene, promote interaction, assign projects and groupings. Each subject comprises a remote learning component combined with an intensive face-to-face teaching period of four days per subject supplemented by major projects, assignments and case studies. Each student will also select either a major project that will be undertaken throughout the whole course or individual subject-specific projects that have/has particular relevance to his or her workplace. Field trips will be an integral part of all subjects.
The course is not available full-time. Students must successfully complete all four subjects totalling 50 points to be awarded the Graduate Certificate
Course Coordinator Details
Dr John Tilleard
John has 30 years experience in theory and practice of river management
Delivery Dates
Fundamentals of Catchment Management
Subject Start: 28th July 2008
Subject End: 19th September 2008
Intensive Date: 18th – 21st August 2008
Intensive Location: Lake Dewar Lodge
On-ground River Protection and Restoration
Subject Start: 6th October 2008
Subject End: 28th Nov 08
Intensive Date: 27th – 30th Oct 2008
Intensive Location: Lake Hume Resort
Caretaking Rivers for the Community
Subject Start: 9th March 09
Subject End: 1st May 09
Intensive Date: 30th March – 2nd April 09
Intensive Location: Trawool Valley Resort
Integrated Management Plans
Subject Start: 25th May 2009
Subject End: 17th July 2009
Intensive Date: 15th – 18th June 2009
Intensive Location: Lake Dewar Lodge
Course Brochure
Graduate Certificate in River Health Management 2008
Online Resource Information for Current Students
Students use our online learning system called Moodle to assist with their studies.
Articulation in to higher awards
Contact Lesley King for information regarding further study.
Prizes
The Christine Forster Award for Excellence
The Christine Forster Award for Excellence was established to honour the 40 years Ms Foster has spent working with great commitment to ensure our natural resources were managed sustainabily and responsibly for future generations.
This is awarded to the student who achieves the highest marks and is placed first overall in the course.
The prize for this award is $500 cash.
The Victorian Waterway Managers Forum Participation Award
This is awarded to the student who demonstrates the best overall contribution to the course. This is based on contribution to group activities and tasks, quality of presentation skills, demonstration of applying knowledge gained throughout the course, and participation in, and simulation of, group discussions.
The prize is sponsorship for Professional Development to the value of $500.
Application Process
Applications are managed by Student Services