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Graduate Diploma in Science

Official Abbreviation GradDipSc
Course Type Postgraduate
Commencement Semester 1 and Semester 2
Study Mode On and Off Campus
Course Duration
  • 1 Year Full-time
  • 2 Years Part-time
Fees CSP or Full Fee
Total Credit Points 48
Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Science provides an opportunity for graduates to upgrade or extend their qualifications in a field of study not covered in depth in their undergraduate studies. Study programs are designed to meet the candidate's interests and academic background and involve a combination of course work selected from a chosen field of study.

Intensive Schools Intensive mandatory schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.
Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a three-year Bachelor degree and have completed the equivalent of first-year units in the intended area of specialisation.
Additional Entry Requirements N/A
Course Rules

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, which are relevant to the study of rural science, computer science, natural resources or science.

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 Science
4.1. A student shall complete a study program comprising units counting 48 credit points offered by the school of which not more than 24 credit points shall be for units at 200 level. If a student includes the unit SCI 595 in their study program, not more than 18 credit points shall be for units at 200 level.

4.2. In special circumstances and with the approval of the Postgraduate Course Coordinator other units available from subjects offered within the University may be substituted for one or more of the units approved for the Diploma subject to the conditions of Rule 2.2.

4.3. Course Work Programs
The school may prescribe programs by which the Diploma shall be named in the testamur and transcript. The programs prescribed by the school are:

(a) Biomedical Science
ANAT310/510; BCHM 210, 220, 320/520, 330/530; GENE 210, 340/540, 500; HUMN 340; MICR 220, 350; PHAR 222; PSIO 210, 220, 331/531, 332/532; PSIO 410/510; PSYC 363, 366; STAT 200.

(b) Botany
BOTY 202/402, 203/403, 355/555, 360, 370; ECOL 202/402, 203/403, 204/304, 307/507, 511; EM 323/523, 353/553; RSNR402/502; EVOL 211, 301; ZOOL203.

(c) Chemistry
 At least 42 credit points from CHEM 201, 202, 203, 204, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307; PHYS 301; plus six credit points from other relevant units offered by the faculty.

(d) Ecology
BOTY 202/402, 203/403, 360, 370; ECOL 202/402, 203/403, 204/304, 220, 307/507, 311/511; EM 323/423, 353/553; RSNR402/502; ZOOL 203, 210, 326, 327, 328/528.

(e) Genetics
At least 42 credit points chosen from the following units: BCHM 210, 330/530; GENE 210, 322, 340/540, 351, 422/522, 500; STAT 200, 300; plus six credit points from other relevant units offered by the faculty.

(f) Health
ANAT310/510; BCHM 210, 220, 320/520; BIOP 320/520; GENE 210, 340/540; HUMN 340; MICR 220, 350; PHAR 222; PSIO 210, 220, 331/531, 332/532; SCI 501, 502; STAT 200; not more than 18 credit points may be chosen from: ARPA 361; HHSC 243/343, 383/583, 384/584, 385/585, 398/498; HS 352; PSYC 363, 366.

(g) Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
BCHM 210, 220, 310/510, 320/520, 330/530; CHEM 204; GENE 210, 322, 340/540; MICR 220, 360/560.

(h) Physics
PHYS 204, 207, 211, 212, 311; and at least 12 credit points chosen from the following: AMTH 250; ASTY 221; COMP 282, 389, 395; PHYS 301; STAT 200, 300.

(i) Statistics
AMTH 250; PMTH 212, 213; STAT 260, 261, 300, 354, 356, 357, 501, 502, 503, 504.

(j) Zoology
ECOL 203/403; EVOL 211; GENE 322; ZOOL 203, 210, 220, 321, 326, 327, 328/528.

4.4. The unit SCI 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 supervising school. The project may take the form of a design, a management plan, a literature review, or a field or 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 SCI 595.

6. Appointment of Supervisors
A student is not permitted to enrol in the unit SCI 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 SCI 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 SCI 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

Career Opportunities N/A
Practical, Clinical or Work Experience None
Double Degree Opportunities None
Advanced Standing Advanced standing may be granted for a maximum of 24 credit points on the basis previous study completed at a recognised tertiary institution. This can include six credit points of advanced standing which may be granted on the basis of relevant professional experience.
Fast Track None
Other Benefits

Pathway: Concurrent Enrolment with the Bachelor of Science:

After completion of two years of study (96 credit points) towards a degree of Bachelor of Science students may enrol concurrently for the Graduate Diploma in Science. The Graduate Diploma will not be awarded until the Bachelor degree has been completed.

Articulation to the Master of Scientific Studies:

On completion of the Graduate Diploma, students are able to articulate to the Master of Scientific Studies with 24 credit points of advanced standing for units completed towards the Graduate Diploma.

Admission to candidature for the Master of Science:

On completion of the Graduate Diploma at the level of at least Pass with Distinction, students are able to apply for admission to candidature for the degree of Master of Resource Science. The Master of Science is a research-only degree.
Honours None
Scholarships None
Further Information

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