Master of Science

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Course Structure

OPTIONS

Select a 36 credit point major (discipline) from Table A

TABLE A (MAJORS)

Campus

Candidature

Progression

Credit

Award Details

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.

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.

What you need to know before you apply

Certified copies of supporting documents

You must supply the following information with your application:

• Previous and current certificates and academic transcripts
• The Grading Scale used at the institution(s) where you have undertaken your studies
• English proficiency test results (if required and available at time of application)
• Your passport to confirm your name and citizenship (if available at time of application)

You can speed up the application process by emailing copies of your documents to internationaladmissions@jcu.edu.au. If your application is approved you must then post certified copies and/or documents to:

James Cook International
James Cook University
Townsville QLD 4811, AUSTRALIA

If your documents are in a language other than English, you must provide both certified translations and a certified copy of the original document.

An acceptable certified document is a photocopy of the original document, signed and certified as a copy of the original by a public notary, registered agent of JCU, or a representative of the institution. Copies of certified copies are not acceptable.

Credit and Articulation

Before applying for credit for previous studies you should read the Credit and Articulation Procedure. You can review any possible credits you may have with our Credit Calculator. When you apply for credit you must submit the course syllabi (subject outline) for each relevant subject and ensure the subject corresponds to a similar JCU subject.

Entry requirements

As well as having the prerequisites for this course, you must also meet minimum academic and language requirements.

Check the minimum English language proficiency requirements for this course in the Course Handbook.

If you meet the academic requirements for this course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will receive a packaged offer. This includes the opportunity to take an English language program as well as an offer to study a degree at JCU. Your JCU degree offer will be conditional on you gaining a certain grade in your English program.

Application deadlines

• 31 January for commencement in teaching period 1 (semester 1)
• 30 June for commencement in teaching period 2 (semester 2)

Our campuses in Singapore and Brisbane operate on a trimester system – application deadlines vary for Singapore and Brisbane. View academic calendars.

How to apply

Gather electronic copies of your documentation, including an Application for Credit form, if relevant.

Register using your full legal name as it appears on your passport.

Complete all questions, upload all documents, and submit your application. You may wish to include a second course preference.

Ready to apply? Apply now.

Help with 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 at enquiries@jcu.edu.au or phone: +61 7 4781 5601

Helpful links

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