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Tropical wetlands
Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science

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This course is only available to Domestic students and your preference is currently set to International.

This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

0.5 year/s full-time
1 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

40

Course code

USPSC1
SATAC codes

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Spatial Science complements your current science qualifications and will further develop your professional skill set. This course is designed for professionals, across a wide-range of vocations, seeking to gain expertise in spatial science at postgraduate level.

This stand-alone course belongs to a pathway between graduate certificate, graduate diploma and Master of Environmental Management.

You are not expected to have previous experience in the spatial science field; however, if you do have some background, the repeatable placement unit allows the inclusion of project work in the unit selection.

Career opportunities

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in government, private companies and non-government organisations (NGO) as GIS technicians, remote sensing analysts, spatial ecologists, project managers, and geospatial modellers.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems. 

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

Interested in solving our planet's biggest environmental issues? There's never been a better time to study a postgraduate degree in science, environmental science and management with CDU. Gain advanced skills and knowledge that help progress your career. Apply critical thinking to future-focused solutions across real-world problems. 

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Environmental science at CDU

Why study science or the environment at CDU?

If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)

What will I study?

The Graduate Certificate in Spatial Science provides a package of applied spatial science units and includes a placement project option for those with existing experience in spatial science.

Course structure

The course stresses both the importance of theory and the application of theory in practice through projects and practical exercises.

Those completing the Graduate Certificate in Spatial Science may be eligible to articulate into the Master of Applied Spatial Science or the Graduate Diploma and Master of Environmental Management with full credit transfer.


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Specialist Electives 
(4 units)
40cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below.

ENV502 Earth Observation 
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling 
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems 
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)
SID500 Professional Practice in Environmental Management (repeatable) (no longer available from 2022)

40cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022

Students who have completed SID500 should not complete ENV518.

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2018

ENV508 Applied Geographic Information Systems is now Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking. 
ENV518 Advanced Spatial Science is now Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data.

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

Part-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Intensive 6
Year 1
ENV502 Earth ObservationCOENV506 Environmental Monitoring and ModellingCO
ENV508 Geographic Information SystemsCOENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)CO

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STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

There is no Semester 2 entry into this course.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent international qualification.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.

You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:

Previous study in English
  • Successful completion of Australian secondary schooling year 12.
  • Successful completion of secondary schooling from a recognised English-speaking country*.
  • Successful completion of a program equivalent to a Charles Darwin University enabling program, of at least six months duration full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE or 40 credit points (CP)).
  • Successful completion of a TAFE qualification at a recognised institution from a recognised English-speaking country* at a Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of six months full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE or 40 credit points (CP)) higher education study (HE Diploma level or higher) at a recognised institution from a recognised English-speaking country*.
AHPRA RegistrationCurrent registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
English Test^Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below.
Primary language pathwayCompletion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12.

Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.

^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores

Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirementPostgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework)
CDU ELICOS - English for Academic PurposesSuccessful completion of EAP003Successful completion of EAP004
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic testOverall minimum: 6.0
No band below: 6.0
Overall minimum: 6.5
No band below 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) AcademicOverall minimum: 50
No score below: 50
Overall minimum: 58
No score below: 50
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)Overall minimum: 60
Minimum writing score: 21
Overall minimum: 79
Minimum writing score: 21
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)Overall minimum: 169
No skill below: 169
Overall minimum: 176
No skill below: 169

Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.

*Recognised English-speaking countries:

Standard ListAntigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Extended ListBermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.

For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.

Cassian

CDU student

Cassian Lushinge

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.

Cassian

CDU student

Cassian Lushinge

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science
Faculty/College
Faculty of Science and Technology
Sector
HE
Area of study
Science, Environmental Science and Management

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about environmental management

Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about environmental management

Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (FF)
1GC522
Online (FF)
1GC522
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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