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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
Environmental science and environmental management at Charles Darwin University are research-intensive, dynamic disciplines, situated within some of the most spectacular and fascinating natural and cultural environments in Australia.
The Graduate Certificate of Environmental Management provides postgraduate education for existing and future professionals on the background, principles and practices of environmental management, particularly in the context of wet-dry and semi-arid tropical ecosystems and arid landscapes.
The generic skills, concepts and applications covered in this course are also highly relevant to those working in other ecosystems. The course also includes a focus on the social context within which environmental management takes place. Unit selection allows you to focus on ecology, policy, livelihoods and spacial science and their application.
This one semester course enables you to select specific units which address your interests and career directions, while also giving you the option to smoothly articulate, with full credit, into the Graduate Diploma or Master of Environmental Management.
There are opportunities for intensive units with remote field locations, and there are sometimes international study opportunities available.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this program are equipped to work within the diverse range of disciplines and sectors involved in effective and sustainable ecosystem management, and are eligible to apply for membership of associations such as the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) and the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ).
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study science or the environment at CDU?
Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study science or the environment at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study science or the environment at CDU?
Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study science or the environment at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
The flexible course structure allows choice among units that focus on ecology, policy, livelihoods and spatial science, and their application. Student-centred, resource and activity-based learning materials provide a stimulating program that is balanced between updating content knowledge and technical skills, developing conceptual skills, and the application of these for natural resource management within its social context. The program responds to the changing needs of employers and other stakeholders, with the latest outcomes of regional research incorporated into learning materials, and taught by research active academic staff. Small class sizes mean that all students have ready access to staff, via collegial distance or face-to-face interactions.
Course structure
Students can undertake the course fully externally or internally, or a combination of both, depending on unit selection. Internally enrolled students attend tutorials on campus, while having full access to the materials provided to external students. Both Darwin based and interstate students can choose to enrol into intensive units with remote field locations, and there are sometimes international study opportunities available. In this way, the course offers an exciting range of opportunities to develop field, technical and practical skills.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (1 units) | 10cp | Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below. SID510 Advanced Communication and Engagement in Science and Technology (new from 2025) |
| Specialist Elective Units (3 units) | 30cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 30 credit points selected from the units detailed below. ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025
The course structure has changed for 2025
- Core unit requirements have decreased from 2 units (20cp) to 1 unit (10cp).
- Specialist Elective unit requirements have increased from 2 units (20cp) to 3 units (30cp).
- ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy and ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management have been removed from the Core units and added as Specialist Elective units.
- SID510 Advanced Communication and Engagement in Science and Technology has been added as the Core Unit (new from 2025).
Transition Arrangements
- Students who have completed ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy and ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management prior to 2025 will have these counted towards their Specialist Elective requirements.
Link to Environmental Intensives page.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024
The course structure has changed for 2024
- Specialist Elective units A and B have been combined into one Specialist Elective selection.
- Specialist Electives ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy and ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management have been moved into Core Units to reflect the structure of the Masters Program, and facilitate articulation between the two courses.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2018
ENV508 Applied Geographic Information Systems is now Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking
ENV512 Tropical Wetland and Coastal Management has been replaced by ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management
ENV518 Advanced Spatial Science is now Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy | CO | ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
Year 2 | |||
| ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy | CO | ||
Availability of Units
| Semester 1 3/03/2025 - 30/05/2025 | Intensive 4 23/06/2025 - 1/08/2025 | Semester 2 21/07/2025 - 17/10/2025 | Intensive 5 18/08/2025 - 26/09/2025 | Intensive 6 23/10/2025 - 21/09/2025 |
| ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity ENV502 Remote Sensing ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking ENV509 Ecology and Management of Tropical Forests and Savanna ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy ENV515 Desert Field Ecology ENV520 Wildlife Management (not offered 2025) SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management | ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management SID510 Advanced Communication and Engagement in Science and Technology | ENV503 Ecological Restoration and Conservation ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management | ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (includes compulsory 5-day intensive) | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (ENV502 is assumed knowledge for this unit)
|
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.
Cassian
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.
Cassian
CDU student
Course details
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about environmental management
Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about environmental management
Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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