Master of Urban Horticulture

The Master of Urban Horticulture (Coursework) was developed specifically for those seeking professional employment or developing research careers in urban horticulture and landscape management. There is a focus on the design, implementation and management of urban landscapes. Employment opportunities can be found in a variety of settings including arboricultural services and tree management, urban parks and public open space, revegetation and restoration, residential landscape design, landscape and asset management, landscape construction and services and in nursery and greenhouse management. Upon completion of the course students can progress to PhD studies at the University of Melbourne. Whilst it is beneficial for students to have some experience in the horticultural industry it is not essential to have previous employment to gain entry to the course. There are different pathways for students depending on the previous studies completed. The course has excellent linkages and contacts to the urban horticulture industry, adding to the currency and relevancy of the study experience, but also building employment opportunities for the future.

The Master of Urban Horticulture is a graduate coursework program of 200 points completed over two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Offered primarily at the Burnley and Parkville campuses subjects are offered using semester long, intensive or online delivery modes to give students flexibility. Core studies are completed in the areas of plant production and establishment, horticultural science, urban soil and vegetation and landscape management as well as science and business tools subjects. Discipline electives include social and therapeutic horticulture, urban food production, garden design, urban tree management and green infrastructure subjects as well as a research project. Elective subjects to complement your degree are available from across the university.

Note: Graduates of the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Urban Horticulture may apply for up to 100 points credit into the Masters program.

Upon completion of this course, graduates should be able to:

• demonstrate skills and knowledge in the design, implementation and current management of vegetation and green spaces in urban landscapes;
• interpret, critically analyse and evaluate data generated through research activities in order to effectively implement sustainable horticultural plant, soil and water maintenance and management programs and operations;
• investigate and apply innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the management of urban green space and green infrastructure by applying sound biological, socio-cultural and environmental principles;
• evaluate and critically assess the design and functional performance of urban vegetation systems, considering plant health, soil and substrate properties and water management
• communicate and synthesise the likely future effects of climate change upon urban horticulture and green infrastructure performance and ecosystem service function, and at the same time the role of urban vegetation in adapting our urban centres to climate change and extreme environmental conditions or events.
• develop an understanding of diverse approaches to 'problem solving' and demonstrate personal accountability and discipline professionalism by applying solutions to the diversity of challenges facing urban horticultural managers
• effectively communicate, to a range of audiences, the socio-ecological, biodiversity, environmental and functional value of urban horticulture to develop creative, vibrant and liveable cities

The Melbourne Experience enables our Graduates to become: Academically excellent Our Graduates will be expected to: have strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s) reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self directed learning be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies Knowledgeable across disciplines.

Our graduates will be expected to:

examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems have a a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment.

Leaders in communities

Our graduates will be expected to: initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations mentor future generations of learners engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity

Our graduates will be expected to : Value different cultures be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community respect Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values Active global citizens Our graduates will be expected to: accept social and civic responsibilities be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equality and ethics.