Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards

Why study the Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards at UNE?

The Master in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards takes a multidisciplinary approach to looking at natural hazards and how society can build resilience in the face of natural hazards. The course will build from a broad knowledge of natural hazard situations towards questions of policy development in the field of hazard mitigation. The course will cover the following topic areas:

· Environmental factors that combine to produce natural hazards

· The ecological, social and economic consequences of natural hazards and disasters

· Methods relevant to studying aspects of natural hazards and disasters

· Mitigation strategies

· Challenges and opportunities for policy development in the natural hazards field

· Future trends in planning for and managing natural hazards.

The course also provides various opportunities to expand expertise in the context of natural hazards via a choice of elective units. These opportunities include units that provide skills in population, physical and/or economic geography, land use planning, risk management, and Graphical Information System applications. The course also fosters the development of advanced skills in academic research via a supervised dissertation.

The course is offered full time or part time. It can be taken on-campus or by distance.

Career Opportunities

Environmental and town planning; Natural resource management; Emergency management; and Disaster insurance

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1.5 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2019 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation MNatHaz
Course Type Postgraduate
CRICOS Code 080080K
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Online
Course Duration
  • 1.5 Years Full-time
  • Up to 6 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International
For fee information, click here
Total Credit Points 72
Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree from a recognised university in a related field of study, for example, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography or Environmental Science; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards from UNE and attained at least a Credit grade point average in 24 credit points; or

(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards from UNE and attained at least a Credit grade point average in 48 credit points.

Applicants must meet the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is not granted for units taken to meet course admission requirements (except for an approved articulation in the course). The maximum advanced standing shall be for units counting 36 credit points which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted advanced standing for GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415 and GEPL490.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted advanced standing for GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415 and GEPL490 and 18 credit points of Listed Units (including at least 6 cp at 500 level) as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards.

No advanced standing will be granted for the Dissertation unit GEPL500.

Academic Colours

Mace (BCC 73)

Further Information

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These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards in 2019.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree from a recognised university in a related field of study, for example, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography or Environmental Science; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards from UNE and attained at least a Credit point average in 24 credit points; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards from UNE and attained at least a Credit point average in 48 credit points.

Students must meet the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is not granted for units taken to meet course admission requirements (except for an approved articulation in the course). The maximum advanced standing shall be for units counting 36 credit points which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted advanced standing for GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415 and GEPL490.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted advanced standing for GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415 and GEPL490 and 18 credit points of Listed Units (including at least 6 cp at 500 level) as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards.

No advanced standing will be granted for the Dissertation unit GEPL500.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one and a half year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 72 credit points, including 24 credit points at 400 level, not more than 12 credit points at 300 level and 36 credit points at 500 level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)
Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 54 cps
Listed Units 18 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
Course Structure Credit Points
Specified Advanced Standing 24 cps
Core Units 30 cps
Listed Units 18 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
Course Structure Credit Points
Specified Advanced Standing 42 cps
Core Units 30 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted to the Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards under Rule (a) who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards upon completion of 24 credit points comprising units GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415 and GEPL490. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted to the Master of Planning and Management of Natural Hazards under Rule (b) who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards upon completion of 48 credit points comprising units GEPL407, GEPL409, GEPL415, GEPL490 and 24 credit points of Listed Units, including 6 credit points at 400 level, not more than 12 credit points at 300 level and not more than 18 credit points at 500 level. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Dissertation

1. A candidate shall submit a dissertation embodying an original investigation of a topic within their chosen field.
2. Depending on the topic under investigation, the approval of the relevant Ethics committee must be sought if required.
3. The School, on the advice of the course coordinator, shall appoint a supervisor, who shall be a member of the teaching or research staff of the University or an associate of the University or an associate of the University (at the rank of academic Level B or higher). The supervisor shall advise and supervise the candidate during the period of candidature.
4. Except with the permission of the School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the dissertation shall not exceed 15,000 words of text, excluding appendices.
5. Except in exceptional circumstances, candidates shall be required to enrol in and complete the dissertation in either one trimester full-time or one year long honours period part-time.

Submission of Dissertation

1. The candidate shall submit to the School, two copies of the dissertation in a form approved by the School. The candidate shall submit with the dissertation a statement from his or her supervisor certifying that the dissertation is in a form suitable for examination.
2. At least one month prior to the date of submission candidates shall inform the School of their intention to submit a dissertation.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The disseration will be assessed by at least two examiners.
2. The examiners may be internal or external to The University of New England at the discretion of the course coordinator.
3. The final result will be determined on the basis of the examiner's reports.
4. A dissertation will not be examined by a candidate's supervisor.

Academic Progress

1. Candidates admitted under Rule (a) must complete 48 credit points of coursework at a Credit Grade Point Average before commencing GEPL500.
2. Candidates admitted under Rule (b) must complete 24 credit points of coursework at a Credit Grade Point Average before commencing GEPL500.

Candidates who fail to meet these course specific progression requirements will be asked to show cause as to why their candidature should not be discontinued and they be transferred to another course.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

To provide graduates with a multidisciplinary knowledge of Natural Hazards and how these can be best planned for and managed from a resilience perspective.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate a body of knowledge in relation to natural hazards and their planning contexts, including historical backgrounds and contemporary perspectives, in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region;
  2. demonstrate a body of knowledge concerning the role of planning systems and policy in the mitigation of natural hazards, including a critical appreciation of contemporary developments in the field;
  3. demonstrate a body of knowledge relating to the environmental, economic and social contexts of natural hazards, including different disciplinary perspectives; and
  4. demonstrate the ability to independently undertake original research in the field of natural hazards; to answer a research question competently and ethically using appropriate research principles and methods; present a critically coherent argument based on current research; and to communicate the problem, approach, results and conclusions effectively.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will develop an advanced understanding of current paradigms in natural hazard and disaster planning and management in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as relevant practices from a variety of international contexts. The course expores a wide range of approaches to building resilience to natural hazards in various Australian and international contexts. Exposure to varied research and policy approaches will expand the graduate's skills in hazard planning and management in various situations.

Communication Skills

Graduates will be able to communicate effectively to a range of audiences in the areas of natural hazard planning and management. Through participation in the course, students will hone their online communication skills (online students), their oral skills through discussion and presentations (on-campus students) and their written skills through assessment tasks such as essays (all students). Independent research undertaken during the course will also provide graduates advanced skills in academic communication.

Problem Solving

Graduates will have advanced skills in analysing natural hazard situations from a planning and management perspective. Graduates will develop high-level capabilities in solving problems relating to the planning and management of natural hazards, and in applying logical, critical and creative thinking to various hazard and disaster scenarios. Graduates will also have specialist skills to apply advanced resarch methods to identified problems in natural hazards planning and management contexts.

Information Literacy

Through the research component of the course, students will develop advanced skills in procuring, organising and reporting upon a wide range of sophisticated information relevant to the planning and management of hazards. All units in the course are delivered online, and students are both directed to a wide range of best practice sources and encouraged to use those sources to inform unit-based discussions and tasks.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

The successful development of systems for appropriate planning of, preparation for, response to and recovery from natural hazards and disasters must involve all sectors of society. The course will prepare students to act in an ethical and socially responsible manner in the wider social contexts of hazard planning and management. Graduates will also have an advanced awareness of ethical practice in independent research.

Lifelong Learning

The course will provide advanced knowledge and skills that can be utilised and built upon in a range of forums. Skills in policy analysis and plan-making acquired through the course will underpin ongoing learning in professional contexts. These skills will be flexible and diverse, and will have multiple applications in a range of contexts and situations.

Independence and Collaboration

Graduates of the course will have highly-developed capacities to undertake independent research. Graduates will have an independent capacity to analyse hazard contexts, and competency in procedures for addressing hazard situations. Students will also learn principles and skills relating to stakeholder engagement and collaboration crucial to planning and management activities. Students will have opportunities to work collaboratively to solve problems in some units.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

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