Graduate Certificate in Captive Vertebrate Management

What is this course about?

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Captive Vertebrate Management is designed to provide graduates with scientific training and career development opportunities in the fields associated with captive vertebrate management.

About the course

The course aims to develop students' knowledge and skills in wildlife management, conservation ecology, reintroduction ecology, and assisted breeding technologies.

Students learn how to:

• implement best practices in the display and management of captive and wild populations of vertebrates based on a thorough understanding of: reproduction biology, population ecology, wildlife management, captive vertebrate management, animal behaviour, captive animal health, and master planning and exhibit design
• put into place an integrated framework for assessing and implementing appropriate management strategies and technologies
• identify and respond to a range of critical management issues related to the survival, display and breeding enhancement of wild and captive vertebrate populations.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Certificate has been recognised by the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) and Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK) as meeting the advanced training needs of their members.

Residential schools

The course is structured to incorporate residential schools for each subject, during which students meet with lecturers to discuss the course material as well as a wider range of issues affecting the industry. 

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Your course is recognised by industry

This course is recognised by the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) and the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK) as meeting the advanced trainng needs of their members.

Admission requirements

Applicants will be expected to meet at least one of the following requirements:

• have a minimum of five years appropriate industry experience
  
• hold a TAFE zookeeping certificate (or equivalent)
  
• have completed relevant tertiary study.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2