Master of Applied Science (Environmental Management and Spatial Sciences) (K7J4)

This course is in teach-out and is not accepting new admissions

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 2 Years, up to a maximum of 5 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, online study may replace some or all of your on-campus classes. We'll be sure to keep you informed of any changes.
The ongoing sustainable development of our society requires skilled people with the knowledge and capacity to provide innovative, data led solutions to complex environmental management challenges.

Professionals who can combine an understanding of our environment, both past and present, with the need to manage sustainable development of urban and natural areas. Graduates of this degree will be able to monitor and understand changes to environments over time, including forests, rivers, marshes or wetlands, and then work with planners to both protect what remains, and aim to reverse negative changes in collaboration with sustainable growth.

This specialist degree combines the University of Tasmania’s key strengths in both environmental management and spatial sciences, for which we’re ranked in the Top 100* globally. The use of spatial data, knowledge and information is central to approaching environmental management challenges at scale over coming decades.

Your learning experience makes you career ready by blending practical experiences across environmental management and spatial sciences through well-balanced fieldwork in Tasmania’s living laboratory, and class room teaching with the use of leading-edge industry standard field and computing equipment such as our drone lab.

"Is this the degree for me?"

The course attracts people who love to work in both indoor and outdoor environment in solving the environmental management problems. It is highly suitable for both those who wish to develop new spatial sciences skills as well as those who are looking to refresh or up-skill to continue growing to the next stages in their career.

*Ranked in Top 100 in Remote Sensing in the ARWU Subject Rankings 2019

This course provides in-depth knowledge and skills in creating data driven, collaborative solutions to complex environmental problems. The spatial knowledge and skills you develop will help you to become a global citizen who can adapt and enhance the cultural, Indigenous, natural and physical values in landscapes.

Our approach in building up spatially enabled and skilled graduates involves a unique combination of skills, knowledge and experience to understand environmental processes across both space and time, aka: spatial sciences. We develop your knowledge base from environmental science, policy, social science and other relevant disciplines.

Our graduates have both an understanding and empathy for environmental management and the skills to collect, analyse and visualise data so they can make productive planning contributions across scales, both time and size.

  • 1 to understand the sources of spatial data, methods of spatial data collection, data quality issues, and the processes required to effectively import, manage, visualise, analyse and present spatial data sets.
  • 2 design geographical information systems that take into account different data, information, and knowledge from various disciplines
  • 3 practice in the discipline of geography and spatial sciences by ethical means, applying evidence-based knowledge and research techniques, including those associated with field work
  • 4 to communicate perspectives and knowledge in environmental and spatial sciences to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, oral, cartographic, and other visual means.
  • To prepare you for the collaborative nature of your future career, this course provides several opportunities to interact with professionals from council, state government, industry or not-for-profit organisations, all who contribute practical expertise and advice to your learning experience.

    Engagement with industry

    Local experts are invited as both guest lecturers and on field-trips across multiple units to demonstrate the state-of-the-art industry practices in the field of environmental management and spatial sciences that Tasmania is known for. Through these engagements, you will have opportunities to tackle the real-world problems and solve them, such as extracting geo-information from spatial data to inform decision makers in solving the pressing local problems that have global relevance, like urban mobility and bush-fire risk management.

    Unmatched field and site experiences

    Field experience is also applied throughout your studies. You will have opportunities to immerse yourself in Tasmania’s living laboratory as you conduct spatial oriented environmental field work both with our world class teaching staff, and industry partners. You will produce live data that is then brought into the laboratories for analysis and contributes to ongoing monitoring of some of Tasmania’s most pristine areas.

    Through guest lecturers and site visits you will see first-hand examples of locations and industries that use environmental management and spatial science knowledge to inform their operations. These are all easily accessible in Tasmania, often being no more than an hour from campus.

    Tasmania is literally a living laboratory

    The University of Tasmania has with six diverse ecosystems all within 30 minutes of the Sandy Bay campus, and the world’s second largest temperate rainforest only an hour away. We’re the gateway to Antarctica and, as the birthplace of the green movement, celebrate our biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

    Many of your classes will be conducted outside in this natural environment, and your proximity to a wide range of pristine, diverse environments, and the researchers who travel from around the world to work in them, give you unparalleled practical field experience while you study. Plus, it makes Tasmania an amazing place to live!

    Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to work with Tasmanian agencies and analyse local environmental data sets, contributing to ongoing environmental management programs, providing genuine project experience, and creating networking opportunities that can lead to local opportunities for employment in Tasmania.

    Your learning experiences also includes a range of case studies and industry engagement sessions with a range of Tasmanian businesses and government departments who are active in the environmental management and spatial sciences field, and who contextualise your classroom theory through real life examples.

    The information and spatial knowledge developed with local exposure and authentic learning in mind develops adaptable skills and knowledge that will help you find work elsewhere in Australia and overseas.

    Career outcomes

    Our graduates are in high demand across all areas of the environmental management sector where there is a need of delivering spatial analysis and data visualisation of environmental processes to support decision making in conserving and managing natural, rural and urban environments.

    Careers can be found in government at all levels, private consultancy, and community organisations, both in well-developed countries and cities as well as developing areas that are looking to integrate this knowledge to make good development decisions.

    Through rich Tasmanian case study examples on environmental management, you will develop an applied understanding on landscape diversity and associated environmental processes. These understandings will help you to translate the knowledge and skills from this course in different locations, taking what you learn with us to your home location, or anywhere else around the world. For example, Tasmanian bushfire planning and management is very well established, from bushfire planning considerations in housing development, to active management of live fires to minimise damage and protect both people and property, and vital/endangered protected areas. Fires are happening with increasing frequency around the world, so our world-leading experience becomes your globally relevant learning environment.

    Students coming into this degree may be looking to step into the environmental management and spatial sciences sector, or be looking to take on foundational knowledge and improve the next steps in their career. Regardless of your background, the skills and knowledge delivered by this degree also provide a solid foundation for progressing to environmental management positions where you control projects and multi-disciplinary teams.

    Students completing the thesis pathway of this course can also apply to undertake a PhD in Geomatic Engineering, Geography and Spatial Sciences, and other related fields.

    Course structure

    Choose from the following Specialisations
    Choice of Schedule A units
    Maximum of 25 credit points from Schedule A intermediate level

    A field-based unit taught in one of Tasmania’s distinctive natural environments. Students who successfully undertake this unit will develop a wide variety of skills in environmental data recording in the context of a project designed both to increase knowledge of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSpring school
    HobartSpring school (late)
    LauncestonSpring school (late)
    Cradle CoastSpring school (late)

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Society needs professional environmental managers who have the knowledge and skills to effectively tackle problems of sustainable resource use, climate change and biodiversity conservation. Environmental managers also play an important role in helping communities identify and move towards sustainable and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Maximum of 50 credit points from Schedule A advanced level

    Human activity has altered fifty percent of the Earth's surface, leading to various consequences, both positive and negative, on our landscapes. However, the opportunities to explore, conserve, and appreciate pristine and exposed landscapes are growing, giving rise to the fields…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    A unit essential for those working towards a career managing natural environments and people in protected areas. For those with other vocational interests, the unit is a way to learn about natural ecosystems and the principles of conservation management. Fire,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSummer school

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces legal, administrative, social and scientific aspects of environmental impact assessment using case studies. The unit emphasises the practical aspects of environmental impact assessment in Tasmanian contexts, but environmental impact assessment processes and legislation are similar in many…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choice of Schedule B units

    This unit provides students with a practical understanding of key systems for protected area planning and management. Terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas are considered. The global context of protected areas is analysed, including issues of definition, scope and governance.…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit is designed to assist students to meet the requirements of postgraduate coursework study at an Australian university. It is of particular benefit to students who are recently returning to study and international students. Studio workshops are held on…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit is designed to provide students studying at the graduate level with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of spatial information. This unit will introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and basic remote sensing analysis, with a focus…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    As more businesses and scientists adopt geographical information systems (GIS), there is increasing demand for graduates with strong skills in collecting, managing, analysing, and visualising spatial datasets. GIS and spatial analysis skills will be indispensable for almost all careers in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on advanced aspects of spatial data analysis, including practical aspects of developing software scripts for GIS analysis and customisation. This unit will start with a field excursion where you will collect your own point sample data with…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit introduces you to theoretical and practical foundations of remote sensing. The unit starts with the physics of remote sensing including the concepts of electromagnetic energy and the interaction of energy with the atmosphere and the earth surface. We…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit builds on the theory and skills of KGG542 Environmental Remote Sensing A and focuses on advanced aspects of remotely sensed image analysis that turn raw remote sensing data into valuable information. These additional remote sensing analysis skills are…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on learning research methods to solve real problems. You will come to understand how to design research, define an argument in response to the problems, use scholarly databases, consider ethical issues in data collection, generate field data,…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides postgraduate students with the skills and knowledge to undertake policy-based research - a key transferable employability skill. Practical skills development focuses on undertaking research to inform evidence-based policy positions for a topical real-world issue. Upon completing this…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choice of Schedule A units
    Maximum of 25 credit points from Schedule A intermediate level

    A field-based unit taught in one of Tasmania’s distinctive natural environments. Students who successfully undertake this unit will develop a wide variety of skills in environmental data recording in the context of a project designed both to increase knowledge of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSpring school
    HobartSpring school (late)
    LauncestonSpring school (late)
    Cradle CoastSpring school (late)

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Society needs professional environmental managers who have the knowledge and skills to effectively tackle problems of sustainable resource use, climate change and biodiversity conservation. Environmental managers also play an important role in helping communities identify and move towards sustainable and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Maximum of 50 credit points from Schedule A advanced level

    Human activity has altered fifty percent of the Earth's surface, leading to various consequences, both positive and negative, on our landscapes. However, the opportunities to explore, conserve, and appreciate pristine and exposed landscapes are growing, giving rise to the fields…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    A unit essential for those working towards a career managing natural environments and people in protected areas. For those with other vocational interests, the unit is a way to learn about natural ecosystems and the principles of conservation management. Fire,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSummer school

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces legal, administrative, social and scientific aspects of environmental impact assessment using case studies. The unit emphasises the practical aspects of environmental impact assessment in Tasmanian contexts, but environmental impact assessment processes and legislation are similar in many…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choice of Schedule B units

    This unit provides students with a practical understanding of key systems for protected area planning and management. Terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas are considered. The global context of protected areas is analysed, including issues of definition, scope and governance.…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit is designed to assist students to meet the requirements of postgraduate coursework study at an Australian university. It is of particular benefit to students who are recently returning to study and international students. Studio workshops are held on…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit is designed to provide students studying at the graduate level with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of spatial information. This unit will introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and basic remote sensing analysis, with a focus…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    As more businesses and scientists adopt geographical information systems (GIS), there is increasing demand for graduates with strong skills in collecting, managing, analysing, and visualising spatial datasets. GIS and spatial analysis skills will be indispensable for almost all careers in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on advanced aspects of spatial data analysis, including practical aspects of developing software scripts for GIS analysis and customisation. This unit will start with a field excursion where you will collect your own point sample data with…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit introduces you to theoretical and practical foundations of remote sensing. The unit starts with the physics of remote sensing including the concepts of electromagnetic energy and the interaction of energy with the atmosphere and the earth surface. We…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit builds on the theory and skills of KGG542 Environmental Remote Sensing A and focuses on advanced aspects of remotely sensed image analysis that turn raw remote sensing data into valuable information. These additional remote sensing analysis skills are…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Research and project management skills are core professional competencies. Undertaking a thesis as part of your Masters will equip you with the experience needed to undertake research independently or as part of a team, and the skills to design and…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Research and project management skills are core professional competencies. Undertaking a thesis as part of your Masters will equip you with the experience needed to undertake research independently or as part of a team, and the skills to design and…

    Credit Points: 25

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Entry requirements

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the entire amount for your studies. Commonwealth supported places are not available in this postgraduate course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.

    You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.

    An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy

    The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally oriented Masters courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses

    Scholarships

    Scholarships for domestic students

    Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.

    For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

    Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.

    Scholarships for international students

    There is a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps