Sustainable Living

Explore the history and literature of sustainability, including the formation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll develop the skills to think critically about sustainability in your own life and community. Plus, you’ll develop the research and communication skills to implement sustainability solutions in your community. This is a compulsory core unit.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 8 hours

Embark on a journey through the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the context of everyday life. Discover how individual actions contribute to global change, and apply your sustainability knowledge to personal and wider community environments. As the capstone of the Diploma of Sustainable Living, this unit combines theory with practice, encourages critical thinking about social change, and explores systems thinking through interactive online activities. You will reflect on your learning throughout the Diploma, equipping you to tackle complex sustainability challenges and opportunities.  This is a compulsory core unit.

Science of Gardening is for everyone, from avid green thumbs with a lifetime of experience to those planting their first seedling. In this unit, you’ll learn the science behind traditional and modern gardening techniques, transforming the way you see and care for your plants.

Sustainable living starts at home, and this unit will change the way you see your plants and how you garden

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 5-7 hours

You will explore the roles of climate and soils in shaping the types of plants that grow in different regions; the origins of domesticated plants; and the roles of predators, pathogens, mutualists and symbionts in extending or limiting plant growth.

Science of Gardening 2 will equip you with the knowledge to make more informed decisions about your garden design and will heighten your appreciation of your natural environment.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 7-10 hours

As the world warms, wildfires are behaving in new, less predictable ways, presenting fundamental challenges to our established methods of preventing, fighting, and living with fire. With increasing populations on the wildland-urban interface, we urgently need to find new solutions to these challenges.

Learn what causes fire, why wildfires behave the way they do, and how to evaluate your own level of fire risk. This unit was developed in consultation with members of the indigenous community, Tasmanian practitioners, and the UTAS Fire Centre, led by Professor David Bowman. It provides a holistic perspective on the scientific, social, economic, and ethical issues inherent in moving towards a sustainable coexistence with wildfire.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 7-9 hours

Backyard Biodiversity is for everyone: from those keen to deepen their understanding of local wildlife, to those ready to convert their backyard into a biodiverse haven, and those just interested in coexisting more sustainably with life on Earth.

Some of the important and interesting questions we cover in this unit include: What is biodiversity, and how does it impact our lives? How are animals classified into different groups, and how can that knowledge help us identify backyard animals? What are the best observation techniques for different types of animals, and which ones can you use in your own backyard? How can you attract the animals you want while keeping your backyard, family, pets, and wildlife safe? How can you help meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals simply by increasing the biodiversity in your garden?

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 5-7 hours

Whether you’re looking to build, buy, renovate, or simply learn, smart housing design can have significant benefits for you and our planet. Learn about the environmental and human health impacts of using creative decision-making in the design and renovation of houses.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 10 hours

Have you noticed the climate changing around you and want to learn more? Or do you want to better understand the science that predicts Earth’s future climate? The Science of Climate Change provides an engaging entry into the subject.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 10 hours

Science of Fishing is for everyone: from those wanting to develop their skills and knowledge in fishing, to those looking to enhance their recreational fishing experience, and those aiming to contribute to a sustainable fishery.

Learning from experts at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, you will explore the habits of different species based on their environment, learn about various fishing gear and methods, and understand the science of fishing sustainably.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 8-10 hours

Discover the art and science of responsible and sustainable fishing in this comprehensive unit. Enhance your understanding of both releasing and harvesting fish by learning best practice handling techniques to reduce stress and increase post-release survival chances. For retained fish, gain knowledge of safe, hygienic processing methods to optimise yield and quality. Explore innovative preparation and preservation techniques, and understand the nutritional health benefits of seafood. This unit takes into account various fish species, each requiring unique handling, preparation, and preservation methods. Embark on this journey to become a more informed and responsible participant in the world of fishing.

Enhance your readiness to navigate a variety of culturally challenging situations. Develop an appreciation for the personal and professional benefits that arise from being more culturally aware and competent in increasingly diverse settings.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 5-10 hours

Dive into the complex world of global food security in the 21st century, a crucial and multifaceted challenge that entails sustainable food production and equitable food access. This interdisciplinary unit equips you with skills and knowledge essential for all citizens and professions. Engage with peers and lecturers from various disciplines in this online unit to critically examine the many aspects of global food security, encompassing environmental, technical, economic, cultural, political, and moral dimensions. Enhance your ability to integrate and evaluate diverse information, formulate arguments, and advocate positive responses. Discuss pressing issues such as hunger, obesity, resources, poverty, population, justice, and sustainability, and engage in meaningful debates on contentious topics like diets, biofuels, biotechnology, and capitalism.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 8-9 hours

Life on Earth has nearly been extinguished five times since the explosion of complex life some 550 million years ago. The causes of the five major events are debated. This unit explores the science, governance and values relevant to the issue of mass extinction and human Earth shaping.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 6-9 hours

Are you interested in participating in transformations for a better world and learning how you can make a difference? This involves assessing environmental, social, and economic implications, evaluating approaches to sustainability, and analysing and communicating information to aid decision-making.

*Estimated weekly study for this unit is 8-10 hours

Build on your practical knowledge of sustainable design for houses by expanding your thinking to include houses within landscapes - both natural and constructed - and their interaction with climate, biodiversity, human health, and urban and regional food systems.

Explore pathways to reduce the most extreme effects of climate change, including international agreements on the reduction of greenhouse gases and other mitigation measures such as carbon sequestration, drawdown, and alternative energy sources.

Integrating the disciplines of sociology, law, and complementary medicine, this unit is designed for students who want to develop their knowledge to understand, debate, and critically analyse the use and role of complementary medicines in the modern healthcare system. Drawing on a range of online teaching methods, learning modules will focus on topics such as understanding the use of complementary medicines in Australia and around the world, the question of evidence, and the role of ethics and the law in regulating the availability, safety, and advertising of complementary medicines. Students will address issues related to locating reliable information on complementary medicines and develop an understanding of the environmental implications arising from the increased popularity of these medicines.

This unit explores Indigenous lived realities through an Indigenous lens, primarily focusing on the Palawa/Aboriginal People of Lutruwita/Tasmania. Engage in a comparative study of Navajo (US) peoples, illustrating both shared and unique lifeworld experiences. Through virtual tours, you'll experience the intrinsic connection between 'Country' and Aboriginal knowledge and wellbeing. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to participate in an on-Country tour led by Palawa/Aboriginal Knowledge Holders, fostering a personal bond with Indigenous culture. Investigate themes of Palawa/Aboriginal sovereignty, justice, and society, highlighting unbroken cultural ties and the transformative impact of colonisation. Furthermore, examine historic and current rights pursuits and reparative justice initiatives, thereby enriching your comprehension of Indigenous lifeworlds and your own position in relation to them.

Contemporary media is saturated with images of extreme weather events, hunger, poverty, conflict, pollution, austerity, and financial crises. Mounting evidence suggests that the 21st century will be defined by unprecedented challenges related to environmental instability, economic inequality, and risks to social well-being on a global scale. As a result, this unit brings a wide range of perspectives to bear on questions of sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic disciplines. The unit will enhance your interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability through critical thinking, reflection, and evidence-based argument focused on practical case studies drawn from around the world. Unit delivery focuses on dialogue and inquiry among teachers, yourself, and your peers, respecting the importance of diverse perspectives.

Do you want to make a difference in something you care about? Would you like some time and space to consider, develop, and test your approaches in a safe environment, supported by experts in the field? Following Bruce Mau’s 'design thinking' principles and collaborating with seasoned designers, business educators, and social entrepreneurs, you'll brainstorm, evaluate, and then trial potential projects. In doing so, you'll develop your creative and entrepreneurial potential.

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 and a significant factor that influences political decision-making at global, national, state, and local levels. It is also a major determinant of economic and social well-being. Ensuring future responsible, equitable access to affordable energy for both developed and developing societies is one of humanity's most significant challenges. Learn about conventional, alternative, and potential future energy sources, and then contextualise this knowledge within the important economic, environmental, social, and political factors that influence energy policy.

Uncover the profound role science plays in society, its indispensable contribution to sustainable development, and the essential ethics that govern scientific conduct. Aimed at enhancing your scientific literacy, this unit equips you to interpret and communicate scientific data proficiently while maintaining an acute sense of ethical considerations. Practical learning experiences are central to this unit, cultivating the skills, knowledge, and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community, and global demands.

Completing a Diploma in Sustainable Living and looking for your next step? Study a Bachelor of Science with a major in sustainability .

For more information please visit Bachelor of Science.

Now more than ever, business leaders need to consider a multitude of issues linked to 'sustainable development' when managing their organisation. Our new Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business will give you the skills you need to help understand and improve your organisation's bottom line.