Courses Handbook 2007 - [ Archived ]

306141 v.1 Master of Natural Systems Engineering


MNatSysEng(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas

Introduction

This collaborative program is undertaken at the four Western Australian public universities - Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia. It is intended to meet the needs of students and employers for graduates with fundamental knowledge of the structure and functioning of natural systems, an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of those systems, knowledge of the various concepts of natural systems management and the principles of sustainable management. Graduates are also expected to gain skills in the application of modelling, experimental design and application of management solutions to environmental problems.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A bachelor degree in science or equivalent and be able to demonstrate, possibly by way of relevant occupational experience, the ability to complete the course requirements.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis. However, students must still complete one core unit at each of the participating universities. Applicants with a four year degree in science or engineering may be granted recognition of prior learning.

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is two years full-time or equivalent part-time study. At this stage it is not planned to be offered to international students.

Course Organisation

Each institution offers at least three units per year. At least one of these units will be an intensive one. Candidates must undertake one coursework (non-project) unit at each participating university, eight coursework (non-project) units and a compulsory project. If possible, the remaining eight units are selected to ensure an equal number of units are undertaken at each participating university.

Career Opportunities

Graduates undertaking this degree will already be employed by various consulting companies, environmental agencies and water authorities. Aimed at professional development of practising engineers and scientists, it has been structured to provide life-long learning skills to the participant. Employers will benefit in terms of having a workforce that is more competitive in an international market because of the skills and knowledge development received through the degree.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Special Note

Students may enrol at any one of the four participating institutions to undertake this collaborative program provided they satisfy course entry/prerequisite requirements. Curtin course enrolling students, ie. students who have nominated Curtin as their enrolling institution will be admitted at Curtin, undertake Curtin units (including the project dissertation) and complete units at the other participating institutions on a cross-institutional basis. All units undertaken will appear in the Curtin academic transcript. Curtin will award the degree on satisfactory completion, such award bearing the crests of all participating institutions. Non-Curtin course enrolling students - students who have nominated another of the participating institutions as their enrolling institution - will complete Curtin units cross-institutionally under a non-award program and have those units credited towards their degree. Unit fees are paid at each institution undertaken.

Course Structure

Hrs/Wk

Credit

Year 1 Semester 1
  SELECT 4 OPTIONS   100.0
  100.0

Year 1 Semester 2
  SELECT 4 OPTIONS   100.0
  100.0

Year 2 Semester 2
306318 v.1 ^ Natural Systems Project 699 100.0
  100.0

Year 2 Semester 1
  SELECT 4 OPTIONS   100.0
  100.0
 
Optional units to select from in Year 1 Hrs/Wk Credits
6414 v.7   Coastal Processes 503 3.0 25.0
308750 v.1 + Advanced Environmental Information Systems (ECU) 25.0
308751 v.1 + Coastal and Marine Systems (ECU) 25.0
308752 v.1 + Inland Aquatic Systems (ECU) 25.0
308753 v.1 + Ecological Water Requirements (ECU) 25.0
308754 v.1 + Introduction to Geostatistics (ECU) 25.0
308755 v.1 + Time Series Analysis (ECU) 25.0
308756 v.1 * Environmental Monitoring (Murdoch) 25.0
308757 v.1 * Greenhouse Science and Policy (Murdoch) 25.0
308758 v.1 * Fish and Fisheries Biology (Murdoch) 25.0
308759 v.1 * Mariculture Production Technologies (Murdoch) 25.0
308760 v.1 # Advanced Surface Hydrology (UWA) 25.0
308761 v.1 # Aquatic Contaminants (UWA) 25.0
308762 v.1 # Coastal Oceanography (UWA) 25.0
308763 v.1 # Environmental Fluid Dynamics (Physical Limnology) (UWA) 25.0
308764 v.1 # Environmental Fluid Dynamics (Transport Processes) (UWA) 25.0
 
# Unit undertaken at the University of Western Australia
* Unit undertaken at Murdoch University
+ Unit undertaken at Edith Cowan University
NB Options in list provided may also be selected in Year 2, Semester 2
^ Students who have selected Curtin as their enrolling institution must complete this unit at Curtin
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2007 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2007 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      
2008 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2008 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.



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