Graduate Certificate of Science

Information valid for students commencing in 2014.

Course Code

53911

Version

7

Faculty

Science and Engineering

Award Requirements

Course Structure

Candidature

Progression

Advanced Standing

Award Details

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of a Bachelor of Science, from this or another university; or

Other qualifications recognised by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students of non-English speaking backgrounds must have an adequate English language capacity assessed under the Australian International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS score required for admission to this course can be found in Schedule I of the JCU Admissions policy.

Additional selection requirements

Nil

Special admission requirements

Nil

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

12 credit points

Additional course rules

Nil

Additional completion requirements

Nil

Course learning outcomes

JCU graduates are committed to lifelong learning, intellectual development, and to the display of exemplary personal, professional and ethical standards. They have a sense of their place in the tropics and are charged with professional, community, and environmental responsibility. JCU graduates appreciate the need to embrace and be acquainted with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia. They are committed to reconciliation, diversity and sustainability. They exhibit a willingness to lead and to contribute to the intellectual, environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges of regional, national, and international communities of the tropics.

On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Science, graduates will be able to:

  • Integrate and apply specialised theoretical and technical knowledge in one or more science disciplines

  • Retrieve, analyse, synthesise and evaluate knowledge from a range of sources

  • Plan and conduct reliable, evidence-based laboratory and/or field experiments/practices by selecting and applying methods, techniques and tools, as appropriate to one or more science disciplines

  • Organise, analyse and interpret complex scientific data using mathematical, statistical and technological skills

  • Communicate complex scientific ideas, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently to a variety of audiences through advanced written and oral English language skills and a variety of media

  • Identify, analyse and generate solutions to unpredictable or complex problems, especially related to tropical, rural, remote or Indigenous contexts, by applying scientific knowledge and skills with initiative and high level judgement

  • Explain and apply regulatory requirements, ethical principles and, where appropriate, cultural frameworks, to work effectively, responsibly and safely in diverse contexts

  • Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes to manage their professional learning needs and performance, autonomously and in collaboration with others.

Course Structure

Options

Select a major (discipline area)

Majors

Type of major

Mandatory

Single

Credit points in major

12 credit points

Special requirements

Nil

MAJOR

AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Aquaculture Science and Technology

Townsville

 

Fisheries Biology and Management

Townsville

 

Marine Biology and Ecology

Townsville

 

Natural Resource Management

Cairns

Townsville

 

Protected Area Management

Cairns

Townsville

 

Sustainability

Cairns

Part time only

Tropical Agriculture

Cairns

Townsville

(Suspended 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2015)

Tropical Biology and Conservation

Townsville

 

Tropical Urban and Regional Planning

Cairns

Townsville

 

Zoology and Ecology

Cairns

 

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Cairns

 

Townsville

 

Candidature

Expected time to complete

6 months full-time or equivalent part-time

Maximum time to complete

2 years

Maximum leave of absence

1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites

Nil

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

No

Special assessment requirements

Nil

Accreditation requirements

Nil

Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade

Nil

Supplementary exam for final subject

Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility

Candidates may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning policy associated procedures.

Maximum allowed

6 credit points

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.

Expiry

Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 12 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree.

Other restrictions

Not applicable

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur

The major studied shall appear on the testamur.

Exit with lesser award

Not applicable

Course articulation

Candidates who complete the Graduate Certificate of Science are eligible for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Science, and may be granted advanced standing for all subjects completed under the Graduate Certificate.