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Postgraduate Coursework Programs

The School of Geosciences is involved in four postgraduate coursework degree programs:

  • Master of Environmental Science and Law;
  • Master of Applied Science (Environmental Science);
  • Master of Applied Science (Spatial Information Science); and
  • Master of Human Rights.

Both of the Applied Science degrees are articulated, offering a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science and a Master of Applied Science for international students, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science, and a Master of Applied Science for local students.

All students can enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSci), which is equivalent to a Bachelors Honours degree, with a thesis. The GradDipSci can be taken in Human Geography, Physical Geography, Geology, or Geophysics. Details about each of these coursework degrees can be found in the Faculty of Science handbook and in the Postgraduate Program section of the Faculty of Science website.

The Units of Study offered by the School of Geosciences comprise only some of the full range of Units of Study available for these programs. The Faculty of Science handbook contains information about all the available Units. Please refer to the Faculty of Arts handbook for further Unit information for the Human Rights program.

Master of Environmental Science and Law

The Master of Environmental Science and Law program allows students to undertake dual and complimentary courses in the fields of both Science and Law. The program is unique and is not available elsewhere. It provides science graduates with the opportunity of extending their scientific knowledge into the area of the environment, as well as acquiring new skills in the field of environmental law. For Law graduates, the opportunity is to extend their knowledge into environmental aspects of law, as well as gain an understanding of some of the concepts underpinning environmental science. Further information on the Environmental Science and Law program is available on the Faculty of Science website.

Master of Applied Science (Environmental Science)

The aim of the Environmental program is to provide students with an understanding of environmental issues, how various science and the environment are related, and how acquired knowledge can be used to solve environmental problems.

It is possible to undertake a specialised stream in either Social Science or Geographical Information Systems (GIS). To undertake the Social Science stream students must take ENVI 5801 (Social Science of the Environment) and ENVI 5802 (Resources and Regional Development). To undertake the GIS stream students must undertake GEOG 5001 (Introduction to GIS) and GEOG 5002 (Advanced GIS). Further information about the Applied Science (Environmental Science) program is available on the Faculty of Science website.

Master of Applied Science (Spatial Information Science)

The Spatial Information Science program, commencing in 2008, offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of spatial analysis and modelling theory and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing methods in a range of application fields. With these skills students can address broad environmental and socio-economic issues, examine geographical trends, embrace advances in spatial information technologies and contribute to innovations in the spatial science industry. Further information about the Applied Science (Spatial Information Science) program is available on the Faculty of Science website.

Master of Human Rights

Human Rights has become the language of our time, and core business of an increasing number of government, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations both in Australia and internationally. Recognising the need for graduates with a deep understanding of human rights theory and practice and the ability to see how human rights language and tools can be used effectively in real life situations. Sydney University is offering one of the few inter-disciplinary human rights post graduate program in Australia.

This program will give graduates a firm foundation in human rights and, through a series of core units, provide them with a practical understanding of how human rights operate in different political, economic, social and environmental contexts. Emphasing the practice of human rights, the program will equip graduates to use human rights language and tools skilfully and effectively, in order to achieve specific changes in the real world. This practical dimension includes the opportunity for students to do an internship in an Australian or international human rights organisation. The degree has a global focus, but will also capitalise on Australia's geo-political location to offer a unique focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Further information about the Master of Human Rights program is available on the Faculty of Arts website.

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