Graduate Diploma of Sustainability
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2024 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Sustainability |
| Deakin course code | S627 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024 This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 108876F Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
Course overview
During the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability you will build a solid understanding of issues in sustainability, environmental science and global change while exploring the study areas that interest you most. You will develop tools to measure and report on complex sustainability challenges and hone the skills required to identify, develop and implement practical solutions to the complex problems facing increasingly resource constrained societies.
Issues of sustainability are compex and the need for skilled professionals capable of developing appropriate cost effective and targeted solutions to these challenges are crucial for our future. This flexible degree builds on the Graduate Certificate of Sustainability and provides a range of elective study options that enable you to extend your knowledge in the key areas you're most passionate about - ensuring you have the opportunity to build the skills you need for the career you want.
Career opportunities
A career in sustainability is a chance to make a real impact to solve some of the most complex challenges of our time, and to engage in something meaningful.
Businesses across all industries are looking to implement sustainable practices and are actively seeking professionals with the necessary skills to help drive action. Once you graduate, you will be well-positioned to seek employment as a sustainability officer, analyst, manager or consultant for government, non-government organisations, or in the private sector.
Participation requirements
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Pathways
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability you could use the credit points you’ve earned to enter into further study, including:
Master of Sustainability (S727)
Master of Sustainability (Professional) (S728)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Sustainability (S527) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate specialist knowledge of natural and social sciences related to sustainability, environmental management, health and environment and sustainable regional development. |
| Communication | Present a reasoned argument that highlights essential details of sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development, theory and application, key observations, results and conclusions of scientific research in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts. Apply listening skills and effective communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer questions from a range of audience and to defend research/project findings and sustainability implementation propositions. Interpret the boundaries or limits of social and scientific information, data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments to justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, methods, techniques, conclusions and professional decisions. |
| Digital literacy | Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate sustainability data, information and literature in the planning and implementation of projects to a range of stakeholders in sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development. Reflect on information, data and results and develop strategies for disseminating research outcomes in a digital world. |
| Critical thinking | Appraise complex social, economic and scientific methodologies and information from a broad range of interdisciplinary sources using critical, analytical and logical reasoning from multiple perspectives for evaluating and providing solutions to sustainability issues that incorporate the holistic principles. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate complex problem-solving skills by identifying and creating solutions to real world sustainability through social, economic and/or scientific inquiry. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing national and international professional contexts to develop autonomy as researchers and evaluate own performances. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of social frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices based on the triple-bottom line principles. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively with advice from the supervisor towards achieving the outcomes of a project and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Apply principles of sustainability and environmental management knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with the supervisor to articulate the place and importance of social and scientific inquiry in the local and global context. |
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability, students must pass 8 credit points, which must include the following.
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- 3 core units
- 5 course elective units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core
Year 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity Module (0 credit points) |
| STP710 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE761 | Professional Research Practice |
| SLE756 | Sustainability in the Anthropocene |
| SLE757 | Environmental Science and Global Change |
Plus any five (5) course elective units from the list.
Students intending to articulate into the Master of Sustainability are recommended to choose course elective units from within the same group of units, and choose either SLE763 Research Project Planning or SLE767 Industry Practice Planning if they wish to take the research pathway in S728 Master of Sustainability (Professional), or industry practice pathway in S728 Master of Sustainability (Professional) or S727 Master of Sustainability.
Course elective units
Environmental Management
| SLE720 | Risk Assessment and Control |
| SLE715 | Circular Economy |
| SLE716 | Environmental Protection |
| SLE725 | Environmental Management Systems |
Health and Environment
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
HMC703-OD Promoting Human and Planetary Health (0.5 credit points) ^
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
MMC706-OD Change tools (0.5 credit points) ^
MMC705-OD Innovation and leadership (0.5 credit points) ^
Sustainable Regional Development
| SLE740 | Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation |
| SLE741 | Regional Development Economics and Planning |
| SLE742 | Systems and Strategic Thinking |
| SLE743 | Regional Development Modelling |
Professional studies
| SLE763 | Research Project Planning |
| SLE767 | Industry Practice Planning |
^ Students complete these Deakin approved microcredentials (Stackable Short Courses) to count towards the health and environment specialisation. These fully online microcredentials suit professionals with busy lives and work commitments, allowing you to complete microcredentials anytime and anywhere. Please refer to Microcredential learner support for more information.
Other course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central