Graduate Diploma of Ornithology

What is this course about?

CSU's Ornithology program caters for both professional and amateur ornithologists who wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge whilst attaining a recognised tertiary qualification.

About the course

These two articulated courses are the only specialised postgraduate courses in Australia in the field of ornithology. The courses combine theory and practice with an emphasis on Australian birds.

The aims of these courses are to:

• provide detailed and current knowledge of bird ecology, including foraging and breeding, social organisation, bird movement and birds as 'environmental indicators'
• provide an overview of the origin, evolution and systematics of birds focusing on recent developments in this dynamic field
• critically investigate current approaches to bird conservation, including reintroduction programs
• provide an understanding of the principles of captive avian management, including husbandry, nutrition, breeding requirements, health and disease and record keeping
• provide a comprehensive review of two selected bird groups, including evolution, taxonomy, biology and ecology and conservation status
• provide an integrated framework for assessing and implementing appropriate management and conservation strategies and technologies
• further enhance the problem solving/thinking/research skills of graduates to enhance their leadership potential
• provide the opportunity for individuals to carry out major reviews or small projects in areas of specific interest to them or their organisation

Residential school

Students of the Graduate Certificate are required to attend compulsory residential schools for each subject. Residential schools are scheduled to allow students to attend two residential school subjects back to back.

The additional four subjects undertaken as part of the Diploma do not have residential schools.

Distance education students studying only one subject per semester may choose to attend residential schools ahead of subject commencement to reduce the amount of travel required.

Admission requirements

Graduate Certificate in Ornithology

Applicants are expected to hold a university degree or five years' minimum relevant experience in a natural resource industry or five years' minimum part-time project experience with a recognised ornithological society or other equivalent experience as deemed appropriate by the Faculty.

Graduate Diploma of Ornithology

As this course is articulated with the Graduate Certificate in Ornithology course, applicants must have completed the Graduate Certificate at a Credit grade average or better.

For both courses, students must also have access to a computer and be competent computer users as they will be required to undertake online literature searches to complete assignments.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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.

fee-paying
international-distance

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2