Responsible faculty or institute:
Australian Maritime College (principal)
Campus(es) Offered:
Launceston:
Course Duration: Minimum
2 yrs, Maximum
5 yrs.
Course Contact (faculty or school):
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Introduction
The Master of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours is a two year degree offered through the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability of the AMC, an institute of the University of Tasmania.
Students enrolling in the the MAppSc(ME)Hons can select one of six specialisations offered - Marine Conservation, Global Change, Fisheries Management, Aquaculture, Seafood Quality and Safety, or Ocean Governance.
Students enrolled in each degree undertake eight units of coursework according to the core and elective schedules for each major.
The Master of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours takes an 'applied marine/maritime' approach by focusing on translational science and by providing a trans-disciplinary education experience. This approach will prepare graduates for the market place either within their majored discipline or at the science-policy interface in government, non-governmental organisation, or as science communicators.
Admission & Prerequisites
Candidates for the degree will require the approval of the National Centre Director and will have obtained a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification at another approved tertiary institution. Students with degrees in environmental management, wildlife management, environmental economics, ecological economics, environmental law, ocean policy, marine affairs, marine science, environmental science or related disciplines (e.g., Fisheries, Aquaculture, Seafood Quality and Safety, Marine Conservation, Global Change, Ocean Governance, or equivalent) from other universities will be accepted for entry.
Students will be expected to have demonstrable experience in aquatic science. Students without this experience may be required to undertake remedial study. Candidature is subject to appropriate supervision and project support being available for the Research Dissertation topic approved by the National Centre and subject to satisfying the prerequisites required for the chosen field of study. It is an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requirement that all students undertaking work at sea undertake a medical assessment. Note that work at sea is not a requirement of this course.
Course Objectives
The MAppSc(ME)Hons is planned for introduction in February 2009, alongside the BAppSc(ME) and will provide the opportunity for training in trans-disciplinary study across natural and social sciences with a focus on translating science into regulatory, policy and legal application as well as applying research and training for stakeholder (eg industry production) support. The MAppSc(ME)Hons will provide an opportunity for students to carry out a year-long research project and prepare a research thesis. This will provide graduates with an opportunity to enter a higher degree by research.
The coursework component (with major specialisations) provides a translational science approach to the educational experience in Australia with a broad exposure to the areas of natural sciences, social sciences, technology, economics, management, policy and law. The major areas of study encompass:
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Fisheries Management focuses on the principles of ecologically sustainable development in marine ecosystems and the application of science and technology to the assessment and sustainable management of wild-capture fisheries.
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Aquaculture focuses on integrating underpinning aspects of animal and plant biology, the aquatic environment, science and technology with business and policy to promote sustainable growth in this globally important sector.
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Seafood Quality and Safety (ultimately including the impacts on human nutrition) focuses on aspects of the seafood supply chain from harvest to market to maximise the quality of seafood for consumers and maximise market access for Australian seafood producers.
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Marine Conservation provides a basis for understanding the interaction of human societies and the marine environment, specifically the relationship between use and non-use values. Human society will continue to rely on natural ecosystems for many needs, specifically food and as a place to relax and recharge.
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Global Change is currently the focus of many governments. How will our climate shift, what are the potential effects of the changing and highly mobile population, how will globalisation and international trade alter our coastal ecosystems through marine invasions of microbes, animals and plants? This area of specialisation will provide the knowledge base for graduates to make a strong contribution to our future.
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Ocean Governance provides an understanding of the legal and policy tools to manage the system of local, national and regional interests in the coastal zone. The development of appropriate mechanisms to balance the competing influences in the marine and coastal zone will determine how sustainable our activities will be.
The research component of the degree will demonstrate ability for independent study and mastery of managing a comprehensive project. These outcomes will prepare students for leadership in a variety of areas including marine environmental management, policy and regulation in industry, non-governmental organisations and all levels of government.
Career Outcomes
Successful completion of this degree will prepare the student for a leadership or research role in various marine/maritime sectors such as conservation and environmental management, fisheries and aquaculture production and post-harvest, supply chain management, the tourism industry, non-governmental organisations and all levels of government from local to global. Students graduating from this degree will be well suited to industrial, governmental or non-governmental regulatory and policy positions.
Articulation to/from Course
- Graduates of the BAppSc (Marine Environment) may enrol; no credit is offered for units completed as part of the BAppSc (Marine Environment).
- Students holding a Bachelor degree majoring in biological, environmental sciences, or other relevant disciplines are eligible to enrol in the course.
- Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Marine Environment) graduates may articulate into the second research year of the Master of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours.
- Graduate Certificate of Applied Science (Marine Environment) graduates will be granted credit for relevant units toward a major in the the MAppSc(ME)Hons.
- Graduates from Master of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours can articulate into postgraduate research studies (PhD and Masters by Research).
Professional Recognition
It is planned to seek professional accreditation by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
