- Research project
- – Western Pacific
We have drastically changed the way our catchments operate, through land clearing, vegetation change and urbanisation. And in a changing climate, extreme weather events are exposing the fact that our catchments have lost or are losing significant components of their resilience.
The Master of Catchment Science (MCS) is the only catchment-dedicated postgraduate degree in the world. Hosted by the International WaterCentre and developed and delivered in collaboration with Griffith University, the degree is designed to meet the emerging needs of the global water management sector, to develop a new generation of water professionals who can understand and use a full range of bio-physical and economic process knowledge and skills to diagnose and solve catchment issues through designing effective protection and restoration projects and programs.
From 2021 the program will be delivered in blended and fully online modes for both domestic and international students. Blended delivery will involve a number of face to face field-trips and intensives in Australia complemented by online delivery. Fully online delivery will involve online classes complemented by individual and team-based learning support.
Also, from 2021 the program will be available for both domestic and international students to study either full-time or part-time. Combined with the option to study via blended or fully online modes the MCS will be available for those who wish to learn by committing themselves fully to study or to learn whilst they work from wherever they live.
We have welcomed more than one thousand water professionals into our education and training programs.
The Master of Catchment Science program is the only catchment-dedicated postgraduate degree in the world.
We have delivered education, training and research projects to individuals, communities and organisations from 86 countries.
This Masters degree is hosted by the International WaterCentre and developed and delivered in collaboration with Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), School of Engineering and Built Environment and School of Environment and Sciences.
Available on-campus and online, the degree draws on a range of expert academic lecturers, industry guest speakers, practical workshops and field trips, as well as ARI’s research expertise in areas of catchment processes and hydrology.
It also includes a significant work-based research project, so you can apply your learning and gain practical outcomes while you study, combined with individual mentoring meetings to help you succeed academically and professionally.
In this degree, you will develop:
The Master of Catchment Science is a uniquely designed degree blending together the development of knowledge and skills in physical and remote monitoring and measurement, with data science, computing, modelling and the key biophysical processes involved in catchment function.
We offer flexible and shorter study options for those interested in developing their catchment science skills and knowledge. Two different four-course Graduate Certificates are available – the Graduate Certificate in Catchment Hydrology, and the Graduate Certificate in Catchment Processes, along with an eight-course Graduate Diploma in Catchment Science are available both as qualifications in their own right and as early exit points from the full Master of Catchment Science, if needed.
The Graduate Certificates can be completed part-time over either two or three trimesters depending on their structure (see their pages for more detail). The Graduate Diploma can either be completed full-time over two trimesters (1 year duration) or part-time over four trimesters (2 years duration).
Study can be undertaken in either full-time or part-time modes, following either a blended delivery model (of field trips and intensives) accompanied by online delivery, or fully online delivery, studied from wherever you live and work.
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points.
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
$28,000 fee (80cp) – 2021 indicative annual fee
Visit the Griffith University website for complete fee information.
An International student is one who is not:
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points (two full-time trimesters).
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
$28,000 fee (80cp) – 2021 indicative annual fee
Visit the Griffith University website for complete fee information.
It doesn’t matter where you’re joining us from, or where you are at in your career, a range of scholarships and other funding options are available for those interested in studying with the International WaterCentre.
See our scholarships page for more information.
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Catchment Science, an applicant must have:
Students admitted to the program with a Graduate Certificate in Catchment Hydrology or Graduate Certificate in Catchment Processes will be eligible for 40 credit points of advanced standing towards the program.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to these programs are described on the Griffith website.
7301ESC
7003ESC
7001ESC
7002ESC
Introduction to Catchment Processes
Data and Computing Skills for Catchment Science
Catchment Ecology
GIS and Remote Sensing
7418ENG
7209ENV
7921ENV
7304ESC
Economics for Water Resource Management
Soils and Geomorphology
N/A
7303ESC
7302ESC
7415ENG
Listed elective (see Griffith website)
Catchment Monitoring and Measurement
River Catchment Management and Rehabilitation
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modelling
7930ENV_P1
7930ENV_P2
7930ENV_P3
7930ENV_P4
Final Project
Final Project
Final Project
Final Project
7301ESC
7003ESC
Introduction to Catchment Processes
Data and Computing Skills for Catchment Science
7418ENG
7304ESC
Engineering Hydrology
Soils and Geomorphology
7001ESC
7002ESC
Catchment Ecology
Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
7209ENV
7921ENV
Environmental Chemistry
Economics for Water Resource Management
7303ESC
7415ENG
Catchment Monitoring and Measurement
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modelling
7930ENV_P1
N/A
Final Project
Listed elective (see Griffith website)
7930ENV_P2
7302ESC
Final Project
River Catchment Management and Rehabilitation
7930ENV_P3
7930ENV_P4
Final Project
Final Project
The knowledge and skills you will develop in the Master of Catchment Science are in demand across the world. Graduates will find work in water utilities and bulk water providers as well as local, state and federal government departments and agencies, in consultancy, in donor agencies and in natural resource management and catchment or watershed management bodies.
A catchment area (also known as a river basin or watershed) bounded by natural features, such as hills or mountains from where all run-off water flows to a low point. This low point will be a dam, a location on a river, or the mouth of a river where the water enters a bay or the ocean. Catchment areas vary in size and make-up. Large catchment areas, such as those drained by the Burdekin and Fitzroy Rivers in Australia are bordered by mountain ranges and include major drainage networks of creeks and rivers. Large catchment areas are made up of hundreds of smaller ‘sub-catchment’ areas. These can be bordered by low hills and ridges and drained by only a small creek or gully.
We believe that ensuring our catchments are healthy, productive and resilient is the cornerstone to protecting our water sources and environment. Everything we do, no matter where we live, has the potential to impact our waterways downstream. Managing our waterways and natural assets at the catchment-level through integrated water management will improve catchment health, as well as support the environment, economy and health of our communities.
Find out more about managing healthy and productive catchments
International WaterCentre programs are enrolled through Griffith University and taught from the Nathan campus.
Griffith University was created to be a different kind of university—challenging conventions, creating bold new trends and pioneering solutions through innovative teaching and research. Its high-quality degrees are specifically designed to prepare students for the future and are developed in consultation with industry, based on cutting-edge research, and taught by Australia’s most awarded teachers. Since its beginning, Griffith has been deeply connected to the Asian region, environmentally aware, open to the community and industry focused. Always ahead of its time, Griffith introduced Australia’s first degrees in a range of important areas, including modern Asian studies and environmental science.
Ranking in the top 2% of universities worldwide, Griffith hosts 50,000 students across six campuses in South East Queensland including its Digital campus. At Griffith, students benefit from an extensive network of industry partners to gain the skills and confidence that employers want.
The Nathan campus is situated in tranquil, native koala habitat on the edge of Toohey Forest, just 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD. Griffith’s foundation campus, Nathan offers degrees in aviation, business, government, engineering, information technology, environment, humanities, languages, law, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and science. On-campus student accommodation is available.
