Skip to main content
Start of main content
Tropical wetlands
Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Applied Spatial Science

Key details

Duration

2 year/s full-time
4 year/s part-time
2 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

160

Course code

SSPSC1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

The Master of Applied Spatial Science will give you the skills to apply spatial science technologies and analysis techniques to solve real-world problems across a diverse range of fields and vocations. This in-depth program is delivered both online and on-campus from Darwin, which is Australia's gateway to Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The course carries a strong focus upon the application of open-source spatial science technologies, developing professional contacts through work placement, and field skills including operating research-grade global positioning system units, spectroradiometers, terrestrial LiDAR system, and UAVs. You will apply the latest spatial science tools and techniques to data relevant to multiple sectors including, Environmental Science, Precision Agriculture, Disaster and Emergency Management, and Health.

Through this course you will gain important transferable employability skills, including collaboration, preparing a resume and addressing selection criteria, clear scientific writing, report writing, and preparing and delivering oral presentations.

The Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science is nested within the Masters degree course as an entry and exit pathway to this program.



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.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $33,840.00. This equates to $ $4,230.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

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?

This program (160 credit points) contains 60cp of core studies in spatial science (a statistical unit, four spatial science units, and a research skills unit), 40cp of the research project, and 60cp of specialist electives. The special electives include 20cp of research methodology electives and 40cp of electives selected from disciplines such as Environmental Science, Health, Disaster & Emergency Management, Information Technology, Engineering, Project Management, or Indigenous Knowledge.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core 
(6 unit
60cp

Compulsory Core units totalling 60 credit points as detailed below.

Select all 6 units (60 credit points) from the units listed below: 
ENV502 Remote Sensing 
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling 
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking 
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning (SBI209 has been removed as an alternative for ENV511 from 2024) 
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023) 
SID403 Research Skills 
 

Specialist Electives 
(6 units

60cp

 

Specialist Elective units totalling 60 credit points. 
Students are required to complete 20 credit points of Research Methodology units plus 40 credit points from one or more of the available specialisations identified below: 

Select 20 credit points from the list below:

Research Methodology 
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education (unit title change 2022) 
IAS501 Research Methods (20cp) 
IAS521 Principles of Indigenous Research 
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies 
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation 
PHM526 Research Design 
PHM527 Research Ethics and Impact 
PHM552 Epidemiology 
PHM553 Biostatistics 
PHM588 Qualitative Research Methods 

PLUS 

Select 40 credit points of which 20 credit points must be at 500 level from one or more of the specialisation groups listed below: 

Environmental Science 
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity 
ENV503 Ecological Restoration and Connectivity 
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management 
ENV509 Ecological and Management of Tropical Forests and Savannas 
ENV515 Desert Field Ecology 
ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia 
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods (not offered 2024) 
ENV519 Aquatic Resource Management 
ENV520 Wildlife Management 
SID500 Professional Practice 

Humanitarian Aid, Emergency and Disaster Management 
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context 
DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management 
DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management 
DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management 
DEM516 Reflective Case Study: Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management (no longer available from 2024) 

Health 
HEA515 Health Informatics 
PHM526 Research Design 
PHM527 Health Research Skills 
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation 
PHM553 Biostatistics 
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making 
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases 
PHM592 Global Health 

Information Technology 
HIT140 Foundations of Data Science 
HIT234 Database Concepts (assumed knowledge for PRT563*) 
HIT333 Cyber Security 
PRT531 Business Intelligence and Data Mining 
PRT551 Project Management, Risk and Reliability 
PRT563* Advanced Data Management 
PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation 
PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms 
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management 

Civil and Structural Engineering 
ENG215 Surveying and Construction 
ENG311 Geomechanics 
ENG515 Water Resource Engineering 
ENG516 Road and Traffic Engineering 
ENG564 Geotechnical Engineering 
ENG566 Design of Concrete Structures 

Business and Project Management 
PRT551 Project Management, Risk and Reliability 
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise 
BUS506 Global Megatrends 
BUS507 Global Market and Sustainability Strategy 
BUS508 Business Analytics 
The following units are no longer available in this course: 
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education (no longer available) 
MAN508 Organisational Strategy and Leadership (no longer available) 
MAN515 Operations Management (no longer available) 
MAN506 Organisational Behaviour (no longer available) 

Indigenous Knowledges 
IAS225 Cultural Resource and Site Management 
IAS223 Representing and Recording Country 
IAS353 Indigenous Cultures and the Environment 
IAS354 Impact Assessment and Management of Cultural Sites 
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy, and the Critique of Development 
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics 
IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation 
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies 
IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing


Research Units 
(2 units) 
 
40cpResearch totalling 40 credit points as detailed below: 

ENV820 Research Project x 2 (20cp repeatable unit)
Course Total160cp 

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


Course Changes for 2024

  • SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies has been removed as a core unit. Students who have completed SBI209 do not need to complete ENV511.
  • DEM516 Reflective Case Study: Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management is no longer available from the Humanitarian Aid, Emergency and Disaster Management specialisation. Students who have completed this unit prior to 2024 will have it counted towards their Specialist Electives.

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

  • Students are advised to complete ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning before enrolling into ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems.
  • Students are advised to have a topic for their ENV820 Research Project before enrolling into SID403 Research Skills.
  • ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling and ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems are offered in Intensive 6.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

Recommended full-time study plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ENV502 Remote SensingCOENV506 Environmental Monitoring and ModellingCO
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial ThinkingCOENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World ProblemsCO
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data ReasoningCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist ElectiveSE
Year 2
SID403 Research SkillsCOENV820 Research Project (20cp)R
ENV820 Research Project (20cp)RSpecialist Elective SE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist Elective SE

Recommended part-time study plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ENV502 Remote SensingCOENV506 Environmental Monitoring and ModellingCO
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial ThinkingCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Year 2
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data ReasoningCOENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World ProblemsCO
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist ElectiveSE
Year 3
SID403 Research SkillsCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist Elective SE
Year 4
ENV820 Research Project (20cp)RENV820 Research Project (20cp)R

Top of Page

 

Students commencing in Semester 2

  • Students are advised to complete ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning before enrolling into ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems.
  • Students are advised to have a topic for their ENV820 Research Project before enrolling into SID403 Research Skills.
  • ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling and ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems are offered in Intensive 6.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

Recommended full-time study plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Calendar Year 1
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE
Calendar Year 2
ENV502 Remote SensingCOENV506 Environmental Monitoring and ModellingCO
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial ThinkingCOENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World ProblemsCO
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data ReasoningCOENV820 Research Project (20cp)R
SID403 Research SkillsCO  
    
ENV820 Research Project (20cp)R  
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  

Recommended part-time study plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Calendar Year 1
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE
Calendar Year 2
ENV502 Remote SensingCOENV506 Environmental Monitoring and ModellingCO
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial ThinkingCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Calendar Year 3
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data ReasoningCOENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World ProblemsCO
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist Elective SE
Calendar Year 4
SID403 Research SkillsCOENV820 Research Project (20cp)R
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Calendar Year 5
ENV820 Research Project (20cp)R  

Top of Page

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

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

International entry pathway

International Pathway

Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
 

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 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Applied 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 or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Casuarina campus (FF)
1CM626
873130
Online (FF)
1CM626
873130
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
107551B

We are here to help

Submit an enquiry and our friendly team will be in touch.

You can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy notice.
Back to top