Systems Thinking
UndergraduateTAS-KGA2072026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $2,919
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Systems Thinking
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Describe the characteristics of systems across scales using appropriate tools and skills for a given system challenge.
- Apply systems thinking to societal problems to identify leverage points for transformative change.
- Critically reflect upon the strengths and limitations of systems thinking to solve complex problems in society.
- Thinking about thinking
- A History of systems thinking
- Describing systems
- Systems habits and tools
- Natural systems
- Complex systems (health)
- Complex systems (economy)
- Changing systems (leverage points)
- A balancing act
This subject takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex adaptive systems and developing practical skills in systems thinking. It is structured into five inter-related modules, beginning and ending with philosophical reflection on the human capacity to think about systems. Students are introduced to the history, concepts and tools of systems thinking, including methods such as causal loop diagrams, and explore case studies in natural systems, human health and the economy before examining different leverage points for intervening in complex systems. By critically engaging with ‘wicked’ sustainability challenges, students develop the mindset, skills and humility required to manage complexity - abilities that are widely applicable and transformative, fostering new ways of thinking, decision-making and leadership across disciplines and professions. The subject will be delivered online, combining interactive presentations, guided activities, and live collaborative workshops to create an engaging and supportive learning environment.
- Philosophical reflection journal (20%)
- Presentation: Sustainability Challenge (30%)
- System Model and Intervention Presentation (27.5%)
- System Description Report (22.5%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- 20
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- 14
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: This subject is delivered fully online through a combination of interactive presentations (one lecture per week), guided learning activities (one tutorial per week), and live collaborative workshops (one workshop per fortnight, beginning in week 1). Students are expected to engage with online materials each week and attend all scheduled workshops, particularly from week 3 onward, as these are essential for applying systems thinking tools, building teamwork skills, and preparing for assessment tasks. Learning activities include short presentations, group discussions, system mapping exercises, and opportunities for philosophical reflection.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)
UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)
UndergraduateTAS-SCG-DEG
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-BBS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-PSC-DEG
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