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Study online with University of Tasmania through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

With world-class expertise in facets of sustainability and informed by international and local research, practice and theory, this program allows students to explore the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that underpin the development of sustainable societies and solutions.With an emphasis on student-led and problem-based learning, you will benefit from international and local research and Tasmania’s unique and globally important ecosystems.You will investigate sustainable business practices in natural resource and science reliant industries. This includes practices that promote a sustainable business model and minimise the negative impact on social, economic, environmental and cultural values. Through industry-based examples, you will identify problems and provide solutions to sustainability challenges.

Benefitting from world-class expertise in sustainability, you'll learn how to create frameworks for developing sustainable solutions in a range of fields and careers.  

Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)

Geography and Environment major helps you tackle some of the most pressing problems facing humanity: climate change, biodiversity extinction crisis, sustainable cities, and resource depletion, for example. Through our subjects, you will be able to explore these challenges in an integrated way, drawing on the knowledge and skills needed to better understand and address these intractable issues.  Geography has become a much more high tech discipline over the past few decades, particularly with so much data and spatial information at our finger tips. You will learn how to combine the information from online maps and data layers with physical and social data to address environmental challenges locally and globally.  You will gain insights into the complex social-ecological systems, including understanding regulatory frameworks, ethics in science, as well as gain field skills such as vegetation and fire assessment. You will develop skills for environmental and planning jobs that require flexibility, innovative thinking and lifelong learning. You will expand your knowledge of environments and peoples, and the ways they interact from the local to the global.

Gain the skills and knowledge needed to tackle social and environmental challenges such as COVID, including being able to collect physical and social information on landscapes. 

Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)

This is a shell program used for the administration of four-year Double Degree programs. Students will enrol in the shell program and complete the requirements of both constituent programs. program content, rules and entry requirements are those for the constituent programs. Constituent programs include all those with 300 credit points, of which at least 100 credit points are electives.Bachelor of BusinessGet a real-world advantage with our Bachelor of Business. As the only university in the state, we’ve formed close connections with local industry.In our Bachelor of Business you will:<ul><li>Get a hands-on experience with corporate internships (<a href="https://www.utas.edu.au/corporate-internship-program/student-information" target="_blank">https://www.utas.edu.au/corporate-internship-program/student-information</a>), guest lectures from local business leaders, and current case studies from businesses in Tasmania and around the world.</li><li>Learn from the best with industry experts and teaching staff recognised as international leaders in their field.</li><li>Gain a qualification recognised by all the major professional bodies in business and economics.</li></ul>In our Bachelor of Business you can follow your passion, with the opportunity to build a degree from your choice of majors. You’ll also be able to cross-skill by undertaking electives or a second major from the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics or another area of the University.Bachelor of ScienceIf you enjoy pursuing your curiosity and understanding the world around you, consider yourself an innovator, and are passionate about shaping the world from our living laboratory, our Bachelor of Science provides a gateway to an exciting world of rewarding careers.The University of Tasmania’s science degree provides you with a foundation of core skills in science, analysis, and rational thinking. You have options to focus your study in one or more scientific disciplines and learn the methods to apply your skills and knowledge to the practical needs of industry, business, and government in both scientific and non-scientific roles.In choosing a Bachelor of Science you can:<ul><li>Select one or two science majors from our 21 exciting options, plus expand your educational experience and study subjects of your choice from across the University.</li><li>Explore a range of study options through your choice of electives, discovering potential new areas of interest even after you start studying</li><li>Learn through hands-on practical experience including laboratory work, field trips, field-based subjects, and research projects.</li><li>Enjoy being mentored by highly qualified staff, many of whom are national and world leaders in their field.</li></ul>Our curriculum offers flexibility and choice in how your degree is structured. We provide a wealth of practical experience, access to world class facilities and an opportunity to immerse yourself in a local and interconnected scientific community.

Explore hypotheses and understand the inner workings of businesses while you're at it. Graduate with the ability to work in either field or combine your expertise.

Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science

The Diploma of Sustainable Living aims to link participants’ lived experience as an individual, consumer and citizen with learning for sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally. The curriculum is structured around six narratives that are linked with selected UN Sustainable Development goals and include: sustainability at home; sustainability in the environment; sustainability as a social enterprise; sustainability to empower transformative change; sustainability and justice; and, sustainability and human health.Throughout this program, students learn practical knowledge about sustainability, and how to apply it to in their home, community, business and/or social enterprise.

Think about your experiences as an individual, consumer and citizen in terms of sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally. Discover tools to bring sustainability to life. Consider social justice, equity and diversity.  

Diploma of Sustainable Living

Now more than ever, business leaders need to consider a multitude of issues linked to &#39;sustainable development&#39; when managing their organisation.As stakeholders increasingly demanding greater accountability from organisations to address their environmental and social impacts, sustainability-related performance is now acknowledged as an integral aspect of business – with a failure to do so putting an organisation’s future at risk.The Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Business is designed to develop business professionals with the skills to tackle these sustainability-related issues in an increasingly socially and environmentally minded business climate. The Graduate Certificate is a 4-subject course with flexible learning options for practitioners currently working or seeking a career in the fields of socially responsible investment, business continuity, and governance and assurance.

Help businesses balance profit with people and the planet. You’ll learn to manage sustainability issues for organisations that care about their triple bottom line. Contribute to sustainable development. Consider a broader social system. 

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business

This is a shell program used for the administration of four-year Double Degree programs. Students will enrol in the shell program and complete the requirements of both constituent programs. program content, rules and entry requirements are those for the constituent programs. Constituent programs include all those with 300 credit points, of which at least 100 credit points are electives.Bachelor of Psychological SciencePsychology, the study of human behaviour, impacts every environment in which humans live, work, cooperate and communicate. Whether it’s in the classroom or the courtroom, the family home or the extremes of Antarctica, in Tasmanian communities or international relations, psychology plays a role.If you want to develop knowledge and skills that will enrich your personal and professional life, or your goal is to become a research scientist, counsellor or registered psychologist, the Bachelor of Psychological Science provides the perfect foundation. When you study the science of psychology you will learn about the biological and psychological principles of human behaviour, and will develop the transferable skills of critical thinking, communication and problem solving that are vital everywhere people interact. These include:<ul><li>Counselling</li><li>Criminal justice</li><li>Neuroscience</li><li>Health services support e.g. drug and alcohol, cancer, disability, rehabilitation</li><li>Aged, family and child services</li><li>Probation and parole services</li><li>Policy and planning</li><li>Business</li><li>Marketing</li><li>Education</li><li>Public affairs</li><li>Human resources, and numerous other areas</li></ul>Bachelor of ScienceIf you enjoy pursuing your curiosity and understanding the world around you, consider yourself an innovator, and are passionate about shaping the world from our living laboratory, our Bachelor of Science provides a gateway to an exciting world of rewarding careers.The University of Tasmania’s science degree provides you with a foundation of core skills in science, analysis, and rational thinking. You have options to focus your study in one or more scientific disciplines and learn the methods to apply your skills and knowledge to the practical needs of industry, business, and government in both scientific and non-scientific roles.In choosing a Bachelor of Science you can:<ul><li>Select one or two science majors from our 21 exciting options, plus expand your educational experience and study subjects of your choice from across the University.</li><li>Explore a range of study options through your choice of electives, discovering potential new areas of interest even after you start studying</li><li>Learn through hands-on practical experience including laboratory work, field trips, field-based subjects, and research projects.</li><li>Enjoy being mentored by highly qualified staff, many of whom are national and world leaders in their field.</li></ul>Our curriculum offers flexibility and choice in how your degree is structured. We provide a wealth of practical experience, access to world class facilities and an opportunity to immerse yourself in a local and interconnected scientific community.

Why choose one field of science when you can explore many? Specialise in psychological science while exploring the other avenues scientific study has to offer.

Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science

The world needs passionate change leaders, now more than ever. Whether you choose to protect natural resources, protect the world’s most vulnerable, lead emergency response teams or participate in foreign aid, becoming a ‘justice practitioner’ starts with a Bachelor of Justice Studies.Learn about justice issues affecting the places where you live, work, play and study and how they connect to wider regional, national and international concerns. You will be exposed to interdisciplinary expertise and world leading experts in a unique program that will provide you with the skills and knowledge to improve justice policy and practice. Prepare yourself to address perceived injustice issues that cross a range of societal, criminal, indigenous and environmental areas.Discover the nature of justice, harm and morality, and consider the efficacy of formal (laws, regulation, policing) and informal (organised protest, community, non-profit and volunteer organisations, online platforms) channels for achieving justice. Turn your passion into action with research-led learning experiences across different justice scenarios. Learn to interrogate a range of complex justice issues including domestic and international crime, environmental threats such as climate change, domestic violence, international terror, humanitarian crises, and species extinction. Throughout the degree you will be asked to consider ethical issues related to the representation of Indigenous communities, histories and events. You will explore issues important to Indigenous people and produce analytical and fair work that pursues social justice for all Indigenous experiences, both in terms of how these experiences are represented in and by criminal and social justice.In an environment where government and non-government organisations are now partnering together to overcome justice problems, as a graduate you will be prepared for a diverse choice of career options. Gain experience and network through work-integrated learning opportunities and exchange programs across more than 100 locations globally. Develop your skills to work in and across national government agencies, international government and non-government organisations, and the non-profit volunteer and community sector.Imagine working for an international organisation like the United Nations, Amnesty International, Australian Human Rights Commission, and Australian Red Cross, within the Police, Department of Justice or Correctional Services. Develop your research, analytical and communication skills through presentations, essays and report writing. You will be able to assess justice scenarios such as IRAQ reports and community resilience audits and reflect on the learnings of work-placed activities with offenders and in the juvenile justice settings.Available fully online across Australia, and on-campus from Hobart. Our degree works with you, your family, your career, and your lifestyle.

Work towards a career in social, environmental, or criminal justice systems. Consider laws and ethics beyond national borders. Explore justice concepts and theory. With problem solving skills you’ll be prepared to make changes for a better world.

Bachelor of Justice Studies

Introduction to Sustainable Design for Houses

Living with Fire

Sustainability

Landscape Conservation and Recreation

Environmental Management

Energy Economics and Policy

Corporate Sustainability

Introduction to Marine and Antarctic Science A

Nature, People, Place

Ecosystem Services

This subject aims to develop an awareness of environmental and human health impacts of housing in order to inform critical and creative decision-making in the design and renovation of houses. You will explore how housing affects our own health and the health of the planet, and how sustainable design can reduce environmental impacts and improve wellbeing. You will also learn how to make design choices that are more sustainable in relation to your personal needs and circumstances. The subject will emphasise reflective thinking, practical knowledge and an integrated approach that relates issues of sustainability to quality design, functionality and value.

Design and renovate healthy and sustainable homes. You’ll unpack what sustainability means for dwellings. Look into designing for health and climate. Exercise your creativity. Get to know sustainable products and building materials.

Living with Fire is a level-100 subject offered as part of the Diploma of Sustainable Living.  Fire has shaped the evolution of the world we see around us and is fundamental to life. Yet wildfire can also be devastating to human and ecological communities. Today, more and more of us are living in fire prone areas, and wildfires are behaving in new, less predictable ways.  So how do we live with fire - as individuals, and as communities? How do we plan for fire, and how do we respond when fires happen? How do we ensure that we are using fire in a sustainable way? What are the trade-offs involved in fire management? And what might we learn from indigenous Australians, who have used fire skilfully on this continent for over 40,000 years?  Living with Fire is for anyone interested in these complex but practical and fascinating questions about fire in our lives today. You will learn what causes fire and why wildfires behave the way they do. As well as the science of fire, you will learn about the human dimensions of fire and the complex trade-offs involved in fire management between the needs of culture and society, and ecology and biodiversity. You will learn how to evaluate your own level of fire risk and what you can do to plan for fire as an individual. You will also become more empowered to participate in conversations about how we plan for and respond to fire in our local communities.

Help communities prepare for bushfires. You’ll cover the science of fires, social responses to fire, and Indigenous fire management. Create resilient communities that co-exist with fire. Work on your own fire plan and explore fire management strategies

This introductory subject develops your knowledge of how people depend on nature, and how increasingly the conservation of nature depends on people. We will explore these relationships through a values lens: how nature is important for its own sake, how natural resources are important to people, and how nature is important for people&#39;s wellbeing. Workshops will provide you with skills to map social and ecological landscapes, argue for the conservation and use of nature, and present your evaluations and arguments to others. Some workshops will be conducted in the field in and around Hobart and Launceston, with virtual field trips and workshops for distance students. This subject will be useful in a wide variety of occupations and professions in government, environmental NGOs, and industry - as well as your personal understanding of nature.

In this subject, you will be introduced to the concept of sustainability starting with the transformations necessary for achieving the 17 subjected Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that organises them into 6 logical groups. You will examine each grouping and how collectively they form a framework for accelerating progress, in line with the latest global efforts to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and a just, and sustainable world by 2050 within safe planetary limits. This deeply interdisciplinary subject explores transformation across education, health, energy, sustainable food production, land, water and oceans, sustainable cities and communities. Along with the transformations you will identify the environmental, social, and economic implications of traditional production, processing and manufacturing systems at local and global scales and learn why we need to rethink and redesign the way we make and consume things. You will learn how decoupling, digital transformation and circular design must underpin all of these transformations. As immediate and ambitious action is necessary to achieve a sustainable future, you will explore, ‘how are we going to get there?’ as well as your own role in contributing to change. This subject also introduces learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, so you have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs. You will be introduced to:- a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice- principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios- reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations- ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry.

An introduction to the global challenge of sustainability. Think about social, economic, and environmental challenges around the world. Unpack interconnected issues including climate change and sustainable cities. Strive for an equitable future for all.

In this subject you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to undertake planning for protected area systems. We will explore the frameworks, processes and methods used to identify areas for inclusion in national reserve systems. Students will have the opportunity to apply and compare reserve selection methods using Tasmania as a case study. Topics covered include system purposes and priorities; national reserve planning frameworks; systematic conservation planning; government reserve selection processes; and collaborative and participatory approaches. Students without prior experience in GIS and spatial analysis will be given a basic introduction to these skills. Note, the software taught in this course works best with a Microsoft operating system. There is an optional on campus weekend tutorial session for students to complete the technical training on university computers. For those wanting more instruction for the technical aspects this session, or who use a Mac as their personal computer for learning, the on campus weekend session is recommended.

Reserve System Planning

Society needs professional environmental managers who have the knowledge and skills to effectively tackle problems of sustainable resource use, climate change and biodiversity conservation. Environmental managers also play an important role in helping communities identify and move towards sustainable and just futures. Environmental management is about how we (institutions and individuals) try to identify, protect and enhance environmental values. So we start by examining the variety and meanings of such values. We then explore the various means - the menu of options - for delivering environmental outcomes. These options include instruments such as legislation and market-based approaches; and methods such as community engagement and outreach. We also critically examine the effectiveness of such measures, and consider how we might achieve better management outcomes. These topics are exemplified through case studies in land use planning, food systems, waste management, coastal management, wetlands and biodiversity conservation.

The course of climate change can be altered, and science tells us the next decade will be crucial. Averting a climate catastrophe depends on rapid action to reduce greenhouse gases, as well as widespread adaptation to minimise the impact of the changes already being felt. This subject considers why we have not acted quickly as a society so far and what some of our options are going forward. We will explore policy responses and practical solutions that may help us reduce the most damaging changes to Earth’s climate and associated impacts on human and natural systems. Building on the knowledge of climate science gained in Introduction to the Science of Climate Change (KGA104), the subject explores pathways to reduce the most extreme effects of climate change, including international agreements on reduction of greenhouse gases and other mitigation measures such as carbon sequestration and drawdown and alternative energy sources. The subject additionally examines social movement demands and communication of climate change. In this subject you will also look at climate change through the lens of ethics, justice and injustice, and investigate how indigenous knowledges can instruct us in our responses to climate change. You will think about climate change and system change and ask whether current economic systems based on growth are compatible with averting catastrophic climate change.

Responding to Climate Change

Energy is a key input for a well-functioning economy and is essential for maintaining our modern way of life. Energy influences many dimensions of our economic and social lives. Ensuring future responsible (sustainable) and equitable access to affordable energy is a significant challenge. Economics plays an important role in the functioning of the energy sector, as well as in the development and application of energy policies and regulations, designed to meet the challenge of sustainability. The purpose of this subject is to develop the economic theory necessary to critically evaluate energy policy and related environmental policy. The subject has been structured into 3 sections. The first section will provide an overview of energy markets. Topics include sources of energy and energy use. We will examine the economics of energy production and investment. We will also examine energy market regulation. We study power systems in section two. We look at the economics of electricity generation and distribution and the design of power markets. We investigate the issues involved with integrating renewable energy sources in power system. Section three considers the environmental implications of energy. The focus is on energy related externalities and the policies proposed to correct these externalities. The subject fits into the University&#39;s major research themes: Environment, Resources &amp; Sustainability; and, Data, Knowledge and Decisions.

This subject is an elective of the Diploma of Sustainable Living course and explores the interlinked scientific, technical, environmental, economic, social and political factors that have shaped society&#39;s energy usage and which will impact on future energy policy and decision making.Energy science, technology, usage and energy policy affect almost all facets of modern life. Energy is the single most traded commodity in the global economy, it is a significant factor that affects political decision making at global, national, state and local levels, and a major determinant of economic and social wellbeing. Ensuring future responsible, equitable, access to affordable energy for both developed and developing societies is one of the most significant challenges currently facing humanity. Critical and wide-ranging examination of this issue is a major focus of this subject.This subject will facilitate active and informed student participation in the ongoing debate regarding current and future global energy policy and alternatives. Students will learn about conventional, alternative and potential future energy sources and then set this knowledge in the context of important economic, environmental, social and political factors that affect energy policy.

Energy

Earth is a lively and dynamic planet that is undergoing rapid changes wrought by the activities of humans. In what ways are these changes impacting on us and other species? Are we precipitating another mass extinction; the 6th major mass extinction since life exploded on Earth some 500 million years ago? How will the way humans formulate and apply international and national policies continue to drive change? What are our own values regarding change and how does that colour our perceptions of Earth Shaping? This subject will explore some dilemmas of Earth Shaping through the prisms of science, philosophy and governance. Online content investigates the scientific theories of modern Earth and life systems, along with practicals and quizzes, delves into the rock record to understand some mechanisms of past extinctions. A short essay provides the opportunity to express your own values and recognise those of others. Discussions with tutors and peers will engender debate on how values and human governance impacts go beyond local solutions to help us shape a planet we want to call home. The final design project will mesh Earth systems, human impacts and questions of governance. It will provide a launching point for discussions between peers. Time is allocated for modification of individual projects and reflection on final submissions. More than ever before humans are a force of nature that can reprogram the planet. Understanding our abilities means that we are probably the first ever species to consider limiting our activities. Overviews in science, philosophy and policies will equip participants to better understand our unique position and impacts as human Earth shapers.

Course results for University of Tasmania Sustainability Short courses

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