Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional)

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2024 course information

Award granted Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional)
Deakin course codeS719
Faculty

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment

Campus

New course from Trimester 1, 2025

OnlineNo
Duration2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code114666K
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

New course from Trimester 1, 2025

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Be ready to step into the job opportunities offered by the booming green economy with the Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional). This course is situated in the cutting-edge arena of sustainable urban development through a new understanding of circularity in the built environment and will equip you with the skills to succeed as a leader in the growing field of urban sustainability. The expertise you gain will enable you to help influence a more sustainable future and create environmentally resilient communities both locally and globally.

Learn how to effectively influence circular city systems from social, sustainable and environmental perspectives, with a focus on the design and implementation of urban environments that prioritize sustainable practices. Apply circular economy principles to urban challenges including public space and cultural heritage, green infrastructure, governance and policy, waste and resource use, and economics and supply chains. In the later part of this course pursue either an Advanced Discipline Course Work or Research pathway.

Ready for a career that will make a real difference?

With the world's urban population predicted to more than double by 2050# the need for jobs that support the transition to more sustainable cities is clear. The Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional) prepares you to meet this demand.

Learn by doing with opportunities for global study tours and get hands-on in the applied design research lab unit, where you'll apply design thinking and research methods to real-world problems and build innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. Opportunities to engage with industry allow you to gain invaluable experience while you study, giving you a head start upon graduation.

In the later part of this course, you will choose to pursue a dedicated pathway in either Advanced Discipline Course Work or Research. Students undertaking the Advanced Discipline Coursework Pathway will focus their area of study in either environmental systems, urban life or urban systems. Students pursuing a research pathway will undertake a Masters level thesis or research project.

As issues of sustainability become increasingly central to our built environment, businesses and how we live, your cutting-edge knowledge and work-ready skills will be highly sought after by employers.

# https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/overview

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, site visits and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Career opportunities

The Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional) gives you the advanced career and research skills to meet the demand for more sustainable development practices, while meeting the predicted 18.6% growth in urban and regional planners by 2026#. As a graduate you may pursue career opportunities in areas such as:

  • urban design consultancies (in planning, engineering, architecture, landscape)
  • urban management and governance
  • property development and housing
  • circular design specialists
  • environmental consultancies
  • urban regeneration and environmental agencies.

#Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026

Participation requirements

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Pathways

Graduates will be uniquely positioned to commence a PhD.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (S519)
Graduate Diploma of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (S619)
Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (S718)

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between urban design, architecture, engineering, social sciences, and environmental sciences in the context on circular cities.

Develop an understanding of policy, governance and economic frameworks that support circular cities and critically evaluate their effectiveness in different contexts.

Communication

Communicate complex urban concepts, processes, and outcomes persuasively through a range of media, including verbal presentations, written reports, and visual representations.

Digital literacy

Use digital tools and technologies to enhance circular design and planning processes.

Critical thinking

Apply design and systems thinking approaches to discover, analyse and reframe complex urban problems related to circularity.

Problem solving

Analyse and synthesize data and information to identify opportunities for circularity in cities and catalyse them into propositions that address environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Self-management

Demonstrate leadership and entrepreneurial skills in designing, implementing, and promoting circular urban solutions.

Apply research methods to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of circular urban interventions and propose recommendation for future improvements.

Teamwork

Collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and sectors to develop circular city solutions that are contextually relevant and socially equitable.

Conduct interdisciplinary research and integrate knowledge from multiple fields to inform circular city design.

Global citizenship

Critically reflect on the ethical, social, and cultural implications of circular cities in relation to the role of design in shaping circular cities.

Approved by Faculty Board 3 August 2023

Course rules

To complete the Master of Science (Design for Circular Cities) (Professional), students must attain 16 credit points, which must include the following:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit point compulsory unit)
  • SRA710 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
  • STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
  • 6 core units (totalling 9 credit points)
  • 4 course elective units (totalling 4 credit points)
  • three (3) credit point pathway in:
    • Research pathway OR
    • Advanced discipline coursework pathway

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core

DAI001Academic Integrity Module (0 credit points)

SRA710Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP710Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SRD743Components of the Circular City (2 credit points)

SRL733Indigenous Narratives and Design Processes

SRD760Geo-Planning and Design

SRD744Interactions and Enablers of the Circular City (2 credit points)

SRR703Applied Design Research Lab (2 credit points)

SRM772Built Environment Practical Assessment

Plus any four (4) units (4 credit points) from the course elective list (subject to meeting unit requirements)

Pathway options

Three (3) credit points chosen from the following professional studies pathways:

Research pathway

SRR782Research Methodology

SRR711Thesis (2 credit points)

OR

Advanced discipline coursework pathway

Three (3) units (3 credit points) from any one theme set from the course elective list, ie; Environmental Systems - Natural Capital, Urban Life - Social Cultural Capital or Urban Systems - Human-made Capital.

Course elective units

Environmental Systems - Natural Capital

SLE740Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation

SLE742Systems and Strategic Thinking

ADH712Food and Water Security

SLE741Regional Development Economics and Planning

SLE725Environmental Management Systems

HSN706Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

SRR722Built Environment Research Project

SRR767Built Environment Study Tour


Urban Life - Social Cultural Capital

HSH703Health Promotion

ADS701Introduction to International and Community Development

HSH728Health Equity and Human Rights

AIM708World Heritage

AIM703Heritage Practice: Conservation and Managing Change

ADS705Participatory and Community Development Practice

ALR718Public Relations, Activism and Social Change

HSH701Principles and Practice of Public Health

HSH736Community Consultation and Participation

ADS715Cross Cultural Communication and Practice

SRR722Built Environment Research Project

SRR767Built Environment Study Tour


Urban Systems - Human-made Capital

SLE757Environmental Science and Global Change

MPM780Foundations in Leadership

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics

MMP713Property and Real Estate Context

MIS772Predictive Analytics

MAF702Financial Markets and Digital Innovations

MAF752Principles of Finance

MIS770Foundation Skills in Data Analysis

SLE756Sustainability in the Anthropocene

AIP746Challenges to Democracy

ADH717Climate Change and Sustainability

SLE715Circular Economy

MPT712Managing Innovation (Tour)

MAA767Enterprise Value Creation: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting

DMC713-OD Life Cycle Assessment (0.5 credit points) ^, and

MMC715-SY Sustainable Leadership to 2030 (0.5 credit points) ^

^ Must be completed together. These fully online microcredentials (Stackable Short Courses) 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.

Work experience

This course includes a compulsory industry placement experience via unit SRM722. For more information please visit deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.

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.