1. Admission
1.1. An applicant for the Graduate Diploma shall:

(a) hold a bachelor degree or an equivalent qualification; or

(b) be enrolled for a bachelor degree in the University and be approved by the school as:
(i) having sufficient prerequisite knowledge for concurrent candidature for the Graduate Diploma, and
(ii) passed the equivalent of at least 96 credit points towards a bachelor degree; or

(c) have satisfied the school by means of qualifications and related experience, that the equivalent standard of Rule 1.1.(a) has been achieved.

1.2. Admission requires the approval of the school and an adequate background in the sciences as determined by the appropriate course coordinator.

2. Program of Study
2.1.The student shall pursue a study program approved in advance by the appropriate course coordinator.

2.2. The study program shall comprise units counting 48 credit points at 200 level or higher. However, if the appropriate course coordinator decides that an applicant has insufficient background in the sciences fundamental to the relevant Graduate Diploma, the applicant shall also complete additional units up to a maximum of 36 credit points, as prescribed by the course coordinator. In this case the period of study prescribed in Rule 3 shall be extended.

3. Period of Study
A student must complete the program of study (except when extended by the course coordinator due to exceptional circumstances):

(a) in not more than 12 months as a full-time student; or

(b) in not less than four nor more than eight consecutive semesters as a part-time student; or

(c) in not more than four consecutive semesters as a concurrent student in a bachelor degree.

4. Requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information Science
4.1. A student shall complete a study program comprising units counting 48 credit points including:

(a) EM 234/534, 432/532, 433/533; NR 331/531; and

(b) units to the value of 24 credit points approved by the Course Coordinator.

4.2. At the discretion of the Course Coordinator of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, the prescribed course of study may include NR 595.

4.3. The unit NR 595 involves a project and a project report. The project topic must be approved in advance by the Course Coordinator on the recommendation of the head of the school. The project may take the form of a design, a management plan, a literature review, or a laboratory investigation.

5. Advanced Standing
On the recommendation of the relevant course coordinator, a student may be granted advanced standing to a maximum of 24 credit points towards the Graduate Diploma in terms of Advanced Standing Rule 2 provided that:

(a) the maximum advanced standing which may be granted in terms of Rule 2.1.(a) for an awarded Graduate Certificate in a relevant area offered by the University shall be for units counting 24 credit points; or

(b) the maximum advanced standing which may be granted in terms of Rule 2.1.(b) shall be for units counting 24 credit points; or

(c) the maximum advanced standing which may be granted in terms of Rule 2.2.(b) shall be for units counting 12 credit points; and

(d) the maximum advanced standing which may be granted in terms of Rule 2.3. shall be for units counting six credit points;

(e) advanced standing shall not be granted for NR 595.

6. Appointment of Supervisors
A student is not permitted to enrol in the units NR 595 until the appropriate Course Coordinator has approved a topic and one or more project supervisors. At least one such supervisor shall be a member of the school.

7. Award of the Graduate Diploma
7.1. A student who has successfully completed the unit NR 595 within the study program will be awarded the Graduate Diploma at the level of Pass or Pass with Credit or Pass with Distinction or Pass with High Distinction.

7.2. A student who does not complete one of the unit NR 595 within the study program will be awarded the Graduate Diploma at the level of Pass.

7.3. A student admitted in terms of Rule 1.1.(b) shall not be eligible for the award of the Graduate Diploma until the Bachelor degree has been completed