EAE3900 Landscapes and environments
EAE3900 Landscapes and environments
This unit offers an immersive field study experience in Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands. You will explore the unique geological and ecological landscapes of the island, gain hands-on experience and deepen your understanding of earth science and geography. Key areas of study include the formation and geomorphology of islands, assessing the impact of historical and contemporary land use practices, observing the health and sustainability of marine environments, and understanding the unique biogeography of this remote ocean island chain. Additionally, you will study local climate patterns and the implications of climate change. The unit also explores Indigenous knowledge, incorporating insights into the cultural and historical significance of the Cook Islands. Through guided tours, field work, workshops, and interactive sessions with local experts, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the environmental challenges and opportunities in the Cook Islands.
Students depart Melbourne on Wed 18 Nov and depart Rarotonga on Sat 28 Nov 2025. We have booked a group flight, and all students are required to travel to and from the Cook Islands together. Because flights to and from the Cook Islands are limited, we have already paid for the flights and there is no scope for personal travel either side of this program.
During the 10 days on island, activities will include investigating the local geology and geomorphology to understand the island's history, surveys of the coastal landscape, and sessions with local experts about the environmental challenges on the island.
Fieldwork will require some mobility, including standing and walking on sand, dirt, rocks or other unsealed surfaces; walking up to 2 km on unsealed tracks at a slow pace; and optionally standing or swimming in water.
Note: due to unforeseen circumstances, the location of the field trip has been moved from Hawai'i, USA to Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Draft itinerary
Dates and order of activities to be confirmed.
Activities will include
- fieldwork such as geological observations and measurements of sea level rise and water budgets
- engagement with local experts community groups
- assessment of human use of the environment and land and water security
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A | 2026 | 01/04/26 | 18/11/26 | 28/11/26 |
| Information Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Awarded Credit Points | 06 |
| Program Type | GST - Global Study Tour |
| Program Duration | 10 days |
| Leading Faculty | Faculty of Science |
| Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia |
Program Costs
Program Cost: $3,707 AUD
Deposit Payment: $207 AUD (due within 7 days of accepting your offer)
Further payments will be due periodically with final payments required in August 2026
+ $1500 by COB 28 May
+ $1000 by COB 25 June
+ $1000 by COB 13 August
All deposits and payments are non-refundable
Program costs includes:
- Flights to/from the Cook Islands*
- Triple share accommodation with breakfast
- All program related activities
- Transportation to program related events/activities
- Complimentary Monash University travel insurance for the duration of the tour and 15 days either side of the study tour dates.
Program costs do not include:
- Monash University tuition fees for 6 credit points of study**
- Visa costs (if applicable)***
- Any expenses incurred during free time
- Meals and drinks not included in the program
- Other personal expenses
- Spending money
- Medical expenses (which may be claimable via the insurance policy).
* There is no scope for personal travel before or after the program activities. All students must depart from Melbourne and return on the same flight.
** Monash students will be enrolled in EAE3900 (6 credit points) and charged standard fees according to their verified funding status. This fee will appear on your Monash Fee Statement.
*** Australian citizens and citizens of most other countries do not need a visa to travel to the Cook Islands
Travel insurance
Complimentary Monash University travel insurance for the duration of the tour and 15 days either side of the study tour dates
If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.
Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.
Visas
Monash Abroad cannot provide advice regarding visa requirements. Monash Abroad can issue you with supporting documentation to lodge your visa application, to request that, please complete this form. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days, but may take longer during peak periods.
Centrelink support documents
For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, complete this form so that Monash Abroad can produce a letter of enrolment for you. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days, but may take longer during peak periods.
Important Note:
The Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all Monash Abroad requirements are completed. Therefore, these funds should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program related deposits and balances.
Monash Abroad Travel Grant
Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit-bearing unit for this program will be assessed for eligibility to receive a Monash Abroad travel grant if they are not otherwise receiving any other scholarship that is intended to cover most or all of your travel/tuition costs for your program (e.g., New Colombo Plan Mobility grant).
You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.
OS-HELP Loan
OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.
If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.
Student Loans
If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.
Travel Scholarships
Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A | 2026 | 01/04/26 | 18/11/26 | 28/11/26 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- met the prerequisites for EAE3900
- submitted a 200-word personal statement as part of your application that addresses your intended major(s) in your degree, why you are interested in this program, how it will benefit you in your studies or career, and any factors that might otherwise impact your eligibility to take part in this program
The Personal Statement field can also be an opportunity to outline any circumstances that we should take into consideration in our assessment.
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
Fieldwork will require some mobility, including standing and walking on sand, dirt, rocks or other unsealed surfaces; walking up to 2 km on unsealed tracks at a slow pace; and optionally standing or swimming in water. We will accommodate students who are unable to participate in these activities, but you may need to sit out some elements of the program.
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply for the program
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Step 2: Selection
Assessment will be undertaken by the relevant faculty.
The faculty will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.
Priority will be given to students with progress in the following majors: Climate and Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Geographical Science, Geoscience.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
Once you have applied and if you are selected, you will receive an email alert with three forms for you to complete:
- Post selection form
- Monash Abroad Pre-Departure Module
- Travel Approval Request Form.
Once you have actioned all of those forms, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
| Dates / Deadlines: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov-Dec) | 2023 | 30-Jul-2023 | Rolling admission | 01-Dec-2023 | 10-Dec-2023 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- a WAM of 70% or above
- completed 48 credit points however, students with lower credit points may be considered if there are special circumstances
- submitted a 500-word personal statement as part of your application*.
* The Personal Statement should respond to the following:
Why would you like to undertake the unit?
What do you hope to learn in the unit?
What newsrooms and site visits are you most interested in visiting?
Have you been involved in MOJO and internships during your degree?
Please also be aware that you must have completed the following gateway units: ATS1089 Fundamentals of Journalism and/or ATS1090 Practice of Journalism.
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
Click here - Select "Monash led programs" as the program type.
Ensure that you respond to the above prompts in the "Personal Statement" portion of the application form.
NOTE: The Faculty cannot assess your application without the inclusion of a personal statement.
Step 2: Selection
Assessment will be undertaken by the relevant faculty by reviewing your personal statement, WAM, year of course and that you have met the enrolment requirements.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
If you are accepted into the program, you will be issued with an outcome email and you will be enrolled into the associated unit. You will also receive an email alert with another two forms for you to complete:
1. passport and medical details and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
Once you have actioned both of those forms, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.