Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
Fees
$39,120.00+
+estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Entry Requirements
AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in science with minimum GPA of 5.0; or equivalent
CRICOS Code
074894M
Course detail
Learn from research and industry experts and diversify your knowledge studying the unique environments of North Queensland, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, dry savannahs and tropical rainforests.
Enhance your employability and advance your career in Australia and globally through the Masters Employability Program. Complete a structured co-curricular employability skills and development program, which runs for the duration of the degree. This includes a tailored plan to support individual employment objectives, beginning from semester one through to graduation.
During this flexible, 18 month, full-time course, you will learn from research and industry experts through practical experiences in varied environments. Choose from one of seven majors, with each offering a range electives to extend and specialise your core knowledge components.
You will also have the opportunity to study subjects in Singapore, the Galapagos Islands, Thailand or Vietnam.
View the handbook for a detailed overview of available majors and subjects.
Majors
Students choose from seven majors and can select elective subjects within the same major, or from another discipline to enhance their learning. Only the Environmental Earth Science and Tropical Biology and Conservation majors are available at the Cairns campus.
Aquaculture Science and Technology
Students benefit from practical, experience based learning in JCU’s Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility and on location with industry partners.
You will explore the science of aquaculture and learn about the husbandry and nutrition of various species. Investigate the scope and role of aquaculture as a food source and critically assess the environmental sustainability and suitability of existing and developing aquaculture industries.
Environmental Earth Science
Learn from world-class lecturers about the impacts of land use, land management, and climate change on the earth surface. Investigate the latest techniques to minimise the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.
Apply your learnings to the diverse environments of the tropics, including the Daintree Rainforest, fertile agricultural regions, the vast savannah outback, magnificent tropical rivers and diverse coastlines.
Environmental Management
Reap the benefits of hands-on fieldwork experience to develop your capability in natural resource management. Work with research and industry experts to deepen your understanding of how natural environments function and change over time.
Gain specialised technical skills in remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. Become an expert in the interconnected ecological and social aspects of managing complex ecosystems.
Fisheries Science and Management
Explore the fundamentals of fisheries science and its application in tropical environments. Gain knowledge, technical skills and experience in fisheries assessments, sustainable development and management approaches.
Tackle the grand challenges in fisheries across small scale and industrial contexts, to ensure the best possible outcomes for human communities, fish stocks, and ecosystems globally.
Geology
Develop your knowledge of geological structures, mineralogy and plate tectonics. Benefit from practical experience studying rocks, sediments and soils in the Great Artesian Basin, the Savannah and the areas surrounding the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Learn about feasible and sustainable ways to extract resources, and evaluate geological natural hazards that may threaten communities.
Global Change Biology
Develop the technical skills and knowledge necessary for environmental conservation, research and analysis in a rapidly changing world.
Gain in-depth knowledge of global changes, patterns of biodiversity, conservation planning and evolutionary adaptation and be equipped to address the threats and challenges to global biodiversity. Learn how to identify major issues impacting species and ecosystems, analyse the contributing factors and formulate methods of solving some of our world's biggest problems.
With the natural environment changing at an unprecedented rate, it has never been more important to understand and reduce the accelerating impacts on our ecosystems.
Marine Biology
Study one of the most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Evaluate the impact of human society on tropical marine populations, species, habitats and ecosystems.
Attain the technical skills and knowledge necessary for working in the marine conservation sector and for conducting excellent ecological research. Students are taught by JCU’s leading researchers while working at the JCU Orpheus Island Field Station and in award-winning laboratories. Explore and deliver innovative solutions for the marine environment and its dependent communities.
Tropical Biology and Conservation
Benefit from access to natural environments in close proximity to JCU campuses, including savannahs, the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest, and coastal marine habitats. Your studies will integrate a range of disciplines such as zoology, ecology, botany, and behaviour and evolution biology across an array terrestrial and marine habitats.
Observe, explore and build your understanding of the diversity of the biological world while developing the skills necessary to conduct applied research and / or work in environmental science industries delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for conserving the natural environment.
View the handbook and for detailed subject information.
JCU Master of Science graduates are well regarded and highly skilled. You will have the potential to find employment in a wide range of industries in Australia and internationally.
Depending on your area of specialisation, you could work across the public or private sector for business, government, education, research or not for profit agencies.
You could find employment in roles such as biologist, conservation agent, educator, environmental manager, field or laboratory technician, geologist, research scientist, resource consultant, or science communicator.
Students seeking a pathway to full research degrees or a substantive placement program should apply for the Master of Science (Professional) degree from the outset. Subjects completed in the Master of Science degree can be credited towards the Master of Science (Professional).
Master of Science
Handbook year | 2022 |
Course code | 106904 |
Course type | Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9) |
Owner | Division of Tropical Environments and Societies |
College | Science and Engineering |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in science with a minimum GPA of 5.0 (65%); or equivalent. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Post Admission requirements | Some majors require attendance in intensive mode subjects on either the Townsville or Cairns campus. Students may be required to attend intensive mode classes at a campus other than that at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 36 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Master of Science, graduates will be able to:
|
Course Structure
OPTIONS
Select a 36 credit point major (discipline) from Table A
TABLE A (MAJORS)
Credit points in major | 36 credit points |
MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Cairns JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Cairns JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Townsville | ||
JCU Cairns JCU Townsville |
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | Not all majors available at JCU Cairns |
JCU Townsville |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time |
Maximum time to complete | 5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 2 years |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | No |
Special assessment requirements | Nil |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 12 credit points, unless part of an approved articulation process. |
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 15 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree. |
Other restrictions | Nil |
Award Details
Award title | MASTER OF SCIENCE |
Approved abbreviations | MSc |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Majors will appear on the testamur |
Exit with lesser award | Students who exit the course prior to completion and have completed 24 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Science. Students who have completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects may be eligible to receive the award of Graduate Certificate of Science. |
Course articulation | Students who complete the requirements for the Master of Science are eligible for direct entry into the 48 credit point Master of Science (Professional) and may be granted credit for all subjects completed under this course. Those students wishing to complete the Professional Employability Stream within the Master of Science (Professional) will need to have completed SC5200:03 Professional Employability within their major. |
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD39,120.00
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.
Credit may be available upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Science or Graduate Diploma of Science. The Master of Science degree is a pathway for direct entry into the Master of Science (Professional).
Students can undertake a substantive research project, or professional project aligned to an industry or management partner within the JCU Master of Science (Professional). The Master of Science (Professional) is the pathway towards a JCU PhD.
Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.
Real stories
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Student
Sheila Villora
Master of Science, majoring in Fisheries Science and Management
JCU is one of the world’s leading universities in Marine Science and offers study on Fisheries Management in the Tropics. This was the main reason I travelled from Germany to study here in Townsville. I had the opportunity to work on projects which will help to conserve the marine environment on an international scale.
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International Student - Thailand
Nut Munpholsri
Master of Science, majoring in Tropical Biology and Conservation
I was looking for opportunities to study and conduct research in a thriving environment. JCU location provides a great opportunity for my field. My aim is to acquire research skills, build up international networks, and return to Thailand to join a research team.
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Lecturer
Dr Naomi Gardiner
Senior Lecturer, Marine & Aquaculture Sciences
The best part of working at JCU is being part of an incredibly vibrant, active and diverse team of students and staff. Together our JCU Science team regularly makes breakthrough discoveries that change paradigms and practices globally. It is great to be able to contribute to work that really does make a difference.