Fast Facts
Location
Online study is only available to off-shore students
Commencing
- Online: February, July
- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
- Singapore: February, July
Fees
$32,960.00+
+estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible
Duration
1 year full-time
Part-time study available for online students
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health, health science, medicine, medical science, or veterinary science discipline; with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the final year; or equivalent
English language requirements
Band 2
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.
CRICOS Code
086005F
Course detail
Looking to pursue postgraduate study and discovery? Develop the skills to excel in health and medical research with the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine]. In this one-year degree, you will gain fundamental skills, strategies and methods for planning, implementing and completing a research project in a field of animal or human health.
Combine your passions for research and healthcare in the tropics. Study two core subjects, and tailor your course to suit your interests by choosing four electives from JCU’s wide range of research-based subjects. Options include Research Methodologies for Health Professionals, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health Practitioners, and more
Learn how to develop and write a research proposal and conduct a literature review to an academic standard. You will have the opportunity to design your own independent research project including a rationale, methods and ethics application. Complete a small-scale research project, then plan and write a research-based thesis and communicate your findings to a variety of audiences.
As you learn how to conduct independent research, you’ll be supported by leading research advisors, who provide personal advice and guidance tailored to your research focus and your own developing research style.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to successfully apply your research skills in a professional medical or clinical context. Eligible graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] may apply to higher degree by research programs in the field of Tropical Health and Medicine.
Consult the handbook for more information.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine].
JCU Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] graduates have the skills to succeed in a higher degree by research.
Graduates pursue MPhil or PhD programs in the field of Tropical Health and Medicine and go on to lead successful research careers. You will also have the skills to undertake minor research projects in your workplace.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2023 |
Course code | 114206 |
Course type | Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8) |
Owner | Academy |
| College | Healthcare Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Completion of at least an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health, health science, medicine, medical science, or veterinary science discipline; with a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (credit average) in the final year; or other qualifications recognised by the University as equivalent. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Additional selection requirements | Quota restrictions on the number of places available may apply from time to time as determined by the College. Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 24 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods, graduates will be able to:
|
Inherent Requirements
Inherent requirements | Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Postgraduate Research Methods. |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
RM8301:06 Research Planning in Tropical Health and Medicine
RM8302:06 Research Project in Tropical Health and Medicine
OPTIONS
Select 6 credit-points of postgraduate Research Methods subjects from List 1 or equivalent subjects as approved by the college Associate Dean, Research Education.
PLUS
Select 6 credit-points of postgraduate coursework or research dissertation subjects that have the following subject prefixes: TM, MI, HS, NS, OT, MD, DS, PP, PC, RH, PY, SL or TV or equivalent subject pre-fixes as approved by the college Associate Dean, Research Education.
List 1
HS5102:03 Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals
HS5106:03 Planning and Evaluation for Primary Health Care
HS7405:03 Research Methodologies for Health Professionals
MI5000:03 Clinical Epidemiology
TM5515:03 Epidemiology for Public Health
TM5516:03 Biostatistics for Public Health
TM5524:03 Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health Practitioners
TV5320:03 Applied Protocol Writing
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | |
JCU Townsville | |
JCU Singapore | |
External |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
Maximum time to complete | 3 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Nil |
Special assessment requirements | Nil |
Professional accreditation requirements | Not applicable |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Nil |
Credit
Eligibility | Eligibility for credit will only apply to students who have completed the JCU Graduate Certificate of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine]. These students may apply for credit for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] may be eligible for up to 12 credit points of credit for equivalent subjects. |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Not applicable |
Award Details
Award title | GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF RESEARCH METHODS |
Approved abbreviation | GDipResMeth |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Students seeking admission to a research higher degree should consult the University’s HDR Degree by Research Requirements. Students seeking admission to a Masters by Research must have obtained at least a GPA 5.0 (Credit) for the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods. To be eligible to apply for direct admission to a PhD, students must have obtained at least a GPA 6.0 (Distinction) for the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods. |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD32,960.00
Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.
A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.
Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.
You will need to supply the following with your application
- Previous and current certificates and academic transcripts
- Grading Scale used at the institution/s you have undertaken your studies
- English proficiency test results (if required and available at time of application)
- Passport to confirm your name and citizenship (if available at time of application)
- Detailed curriculum vitae with your work and academic history
- Research proposal.
Advanced Standing (credit for prior learning)
If you wish to seek credit for previous studies, you can submit the course syllabi (subject outline) for each relevant subject you have already studied. You will need to ensure that previous subjects, that you wish to gain credit for, correspond to a similar JCU subject. View JCU subject outlines and Course Enrolment Planners to assist in this process.
Certified copies and original documents
Posted, faxed, scanned or uploaded copies can be used during the assessment process. However once your application is approved you will need to supply original certified documents. These may be posted to:
James Cook International,
James Cook University,
Townsville QLD 4811, AUSTRALIA.
If documents are written in a language other than English you will need to provide certified translations and a certified copy of the original document.
An acceptable certified document is a photocopy of an original document that has been certified as a true copy and signed by the certifier - public notary, registered agent of James Cook University or a representative of the institution. The certification must be original; photocopies or facsimiles of certified copies are not acceptable.
Completion of a recognised, appropriate undergraduate degree, or equivalent prior learning including appropriate professional experience.
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
If you meet the academic requirements for a course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will be issued a JCU degree offer conditional upon achieving the required scores in an approved English test. You can undertake an English program at JCU to improve your skills prior to sitting your English test. If you are interested in doing this please email [email protected]
Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.
Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.
Take note of the duration, cost and campus availability of your selected course.
You may wish to include a second course preference.
- Register using your full legal name as it appears on your passport.
- Gather electronic copies of your documentation including advanced standing application if relevant. You will need to provide original certified copies of your documents once your application has been approved.
- Complete all the questions and upload all your documents. You can save and continue the application later if you need to.
- Submit your application.
If you need help with your application, or would like to change your preferences (e.g. course, campus, commencing semester) after you have submitted your application please contact JCU International Admissions:
Email [email protected]
Phone +61 7 4781 5601
Helpful links
Education agents and representatives
Scholarships and financial aid
Real stories
-
Student
Stephanie King
Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine]
The staff at JCU really care about you and support you to grow your skills. There is a real understanding of what you are going through at different stages of your life, it’s a very personalised and non-judgmental approach. I received a really high standard and quality of teaching.
-
Lecturer
Dr Diana Mendez
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Research Methods Course Coordinator
You’ll build your research capacity and credentials towards pursuing further Master or Doctoral studies. This learning experience will lead you into the exciting world of research and help you contribute to your field of interest, as well as effect change in your industry by answering real-world questions.