Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
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 as well as teaching applications of commercial platforms such as ArcGIS.
During the course, you will learn essential skills to apply the latest spatial science tools and techniques to data relevant to multiple sectors including, Environmental Science, Precision Agriculture, Disaster & Emergency Management, and Health.
The Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science is nested within the Masters degree course as entry and exit pathways 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

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

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)

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

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 type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core | 60cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 60 credit points as detailed below: Select 10 credit points (1 unit) of statistical units from the list below: Select all 5 units (50 credit points) from the units listed below: |
Specialist Electives | 60cp
| Specialist Elective units totalling 60 credit points. Select 20 credit points from the list below: Research Methodology 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 Humanitarian Aid, Emergency and Disaster Management Health Information Technology Civil and Structural Engineering Business and Project Management Indigenous Knowledges |
Research Units (2 units) | 40cp | Research totalling 40 credit points as detailed below: ENV820 Research Project x 2 (20cp repeatable unit) |
Course Total | 160cp |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
Students are advised to complete either SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies OR ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis before enrolling into ENV518 Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data.
SBI209: This unit is recommended for students who have no background in statistics.
ENV511: This unit is recommended for students who have some background and skills in statistics
Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Recommended full-time study plan for students taking SBI209 - Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
SID403 Research Skills | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 2 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
Specialist Elective | SE | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Recommended part-time study plan for students taking SBI209 - Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
Year 2 | |||
SID403 Research Skills | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 3 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 4 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Recommended full-time study plan for students taking ENV511 - Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
SID403 Research Skills | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 2 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Recommended part-time study plan for students taking ENV511 - Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 2 | |||
SID403 Research Skills | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 3 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Year 4 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Students commencing in Semester 2
Students are advised to complete either SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies OR ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis before enrolling into ENV518 Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data.
SBI209: This unit is recommended for students who have no background in statistics.
ENV511: This unit is recommended for students who have some background and skills in statistics
Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Recommended full-time study plan for students taking SBI209 - Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Calendar Year 1 | |||
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 2 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
SID403 Research Skills | CO | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 3 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE |
Recommended part-time study plan for students taking SBI209 - Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Calendar Year 1 | |||
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 2 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
Calendar Year 3 | |||
SID403 Research Skills | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Calendar Year 4 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 5 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Recommended full-time study plan for students taking ENV511 - Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Calendar Year 1 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 2 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
SID403 Research Skills | CO | ||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE |
Recommended part-time study plan for students taking ENV511 - Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Calendar Year 1 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 2 | |||
ENV502 Remote Sensing | CO | ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling | CO |
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Calendar Year 3 | |||
SID403 Research Skills | CO | ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems | CO |
ENV511 Statistical Methods for Impact Analysis | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
Calendar Year 4 | |||
Specialist Elective | SE | ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Calendar Year 5 | |||
ENV820 Research Project (20cp) | R |
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 in 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 Module | A 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 Proficiency | A 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 module | A 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

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

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

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

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