Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism) equips graduates with skills in leadership, business and conservation ensuring a thorough grounding for future career in the adventure ecotourism industry.

If you have a genuine passion for the natural environment, love an outdoor lifestyle, and want to share this passion with others, adventure ecotourism could be the career path for you.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

What will I learn?

Students choose to specialise in one of two areas of specialisation:

Outdoor Recreation specialisation

In this specialisation, students will study leadership, recreation and conservation at CSU, alongside 10-15 weeks of professional training in bushwalking, rock climbing and abseiling while doing a Certificate IV at Wodonga TAFE. Canoeing, ski touring and ski camping, mountain biking, sea kayaking and whitewater rafting may also be available.

Students undertaking Certificate IV will complete units in adventure programming and guiding, legal issues, workplace safety, wilderness first aid and emergency care, and information and communication technologies.

Planning and Policy specialisation

This specialisation provides a broader understanding of conservation, ecology, cultural issues, management, and tourism.

Learning facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

  • a range of field-based equipment and software relevant to undertaking field study exercises
  • fully equipped laboratory facilities
  • a library that covers a broad range of natural and cultural management literature.

Your course is recognised by industry

This degree and the associated certification are recognised nationally and internationally by employers in this field.

Credit

Students who have already completed the TAFE Certificate IV are awarded 32 points of credit upon admission.

Residential school

Many subjects have a compulsory residential school of two to four days duration for distance education students.

Campus

Albury-Wodonga

Duration

  • 3 years full-time on campus
  • 6 years distance education

Admission rank cut-offs

ATAR + criteria

CRICOS code

075526E

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points, comprising the credit package of 32 points awarded for completion of the TAFE Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation and 160 points completed during enrolment in the Bachelor degree course.

Course structure

More information about subjects and course structure.

Career opportunities

Ready to make a real difference to the world? Discover more about where this course could take you.

Admission requirements

To study this course, you will need to indicate your likelihood of success through previous studies and other attainments and experience.

Cost of study

When weighing up the costs of study, consider the benefits of having the qualification you need to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Career opportunities

Graduates are employed in either Australia and internationally in organisations such as outdoor education centres and outdoor adventure companies, as well as in government organisations including the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Education (Victoria).

Graduates find work conducting outdoor education programs, school camps, sport and fitness programs, and leading tours to wild and remote areas of Australia. They are involved in tourism services, nature conservation, adventure programming and personal development.

Planning and Policy specialisation graduates move into senior leadership positions with government and large tourism institutions. They are qualified for positions in natural area tourism and the related areas of heritage and cultural tourism.

Outdoor Recreation careers include:

  • adventure ecotourism instructors
  • ecotourism guides or operators
  • ecotourism and/or outdoor development trainers
  • environmental educators/consultants

Planning and Policy careers include:

  • recreation managers
  • recreation coordinators
  • tourism consultants
  • tourism managers
  • tourism planners
  • environmental educators

 

The course consists of

  • Core subjects (144 points; 18 subjects)
  • Minor sequence (48 points; 6 subjects)

Core subjects (144 points)

ACC101 inancial Planning for Business
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
BIO216 Conservation Biology
ENM109 Workplace Preparation
ENM163 atural Resource Management
ENM309 Environmental Management – Administration and Practice
GEO164 Earth System Processes
MKT110 Marketing and Society
PKM208 An Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Ecotourism
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk in Outdoor Recreation
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design
REC167 Leadership and Communication
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism
REC302 Interpretive Guiding Management in Ecotourism
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
SCI301 International Practical Experience

Outdoor Recreation Minor (48 points)

TAFE Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation (32 Points)
PKM302 The Philosophy of Outdoor Education
PKM363 Shoreline Recreation Management

Planning and Policy Minor (48 points)

PKM105 People and Places – Social Science Dimensions
TRM330 Issues in Tourism Planning and Policy
PKM 301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
and 3 Free electives

Enrolment pattern

Normally Three years by Full-time study or Six year by part-time Distance Education

Note: students may be able to decrease the length of time it takes to do the degree by taking some of the limited number of subjects that are available in Session 90.

Outdoor Recreation Minor

Full time

Year 1 Session 1 (30)
ENM109 Workplace Preparation 
PKM208 An Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism
REC167 Leadership and Communication
Certificate IV

Year 1 Session 2 (60)
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism 
ENM163 Natural Resource Management
Certificate IV 

Year 1 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 2 Session 1 (30)
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
GEO164 Earth System Processes
Certificate IV 

Year 2 Session 2 (60)
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management
MKT110 Marketing and Society
ACC101 Financial Planning
Certificate 

Year 2 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 3 Session 1 (30)
PKM363 Shoreline Recreation 
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
BIO216 Conservation Biology
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design

Year 3 Session 2 (60)
PKM302 Philosophy of Outdoor Education
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
SCI301 International Practical Experience
REC302 Interpretive Guiding

Outdoor Recreation Minor

Part Time

Year 1 Session 1 (30)
ENM109 Workplace Preparation
PKM208 An Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism

Year 1 Session 2 (60)
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism
ENM163 Natural Resource Management

Year 1 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is: ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 2 Session 1 (30)
REC167 Leadership and Communication
Certificate IV

Year 2 Session 2 (60)
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
Certificate IV

Year 2 Session 3 (90) 
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is: ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 3 Session 1 (30)
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk
Certificate IV

Year 3 Session 2 (60)
MKT110 Marketing and Society
Certificate IV

Year 3 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is: ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 4 Session 1 (30)
GEO164 Earth System Processes
PKM260 Interpretive Planning

Year 4 Session 2 (60)
ACC101 Financial Planning
PKM266 Cultural Heritage Management

Year 4 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is: ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 5 Session 1 (30)
PKM363 Shoreline Recreation 
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism

Year 5 Session 2 (60)
PKM302 Philosophy of Outdoor Education
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 5 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subject is: ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 

Year 6 Session 1 (60)
BIO216 Conservation Biology
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design

Year 6 Session 2 (90)
SCI301 International Practical Experience
REC302 Interpretive Guiding

Planning and Policy Minor

Full time

Note students may be able to decrease the length of time it takes to do the degree by taking some of the limited number of subjects that are available in Session 90.

Year 1 Session 1 (30)
PKM208 An Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism
ENM109 Workplace Preparation
PKM105 People and Places - Social Dimensions
REC167 Leadership and communication

Year 1 Session 2 (60)
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
REC200 Ecotourism Principles
ENM163 Natural Resource Management
PKM266 Introduction to Cultural Heritage

Year 1 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 2 Session 1 (30)
GEO164 Earth System Processes
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
BIO216 Conservation Biology
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk

Year 2 Session 2 (60)
MKT110 Marketing and Society
ACC101 Financial Planning
PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
Elective 

Year 2 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 3 Session 1 (30)
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design
TRM330 Tourism Policy and Planning
Elective 

Year 3 Session 2 (60)
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
SCI301 International Practical Experience
REC302 Interpretive Planning
Elective 

Planning and Policy Minor

Part Time

Year 1 Session 1 (30)
PKM208 An Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism
ENM109 Workplace Preparation

Year 1 Session 2 (60)
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism

Year 1 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 2 Session 1 (30)
PKM105 People and Places - Social Dimensions
REC167 Leadership and Communication

Year 2 Session 2 (60)
ENM163 Natural Resource Management 
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management

Year 2 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice
ENM310 Field Study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 3 Session 1 (30)
GEO164 Earth System Processes
PKM260 Interpretive Planning

Year 3 Session 2 (60)
ACC101 Financial Planning
MKT110 Marketing and Society

Year 3 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 4 Session 1 (30)
BIO216 Conservation Biology
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk

Year 4 Session 2 (60)
PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
Elective

Year 4 Session 3 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 5 Session 13 (30)
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design

Year 5 Session 1 (60)
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice
REC302 Interpretive Guiding

Year 5 Session 2 (90)
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of subjects. The relevant subjects are:
ENM309 Environmental Management - Administration and Practice 
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management (as an elective)
PKM366 Site Survey Design (as an elective)

Year 6 Session 1 (30)
TRM330 Tourism Policy and Planning
Elective

Year 6 Session 2 (60)
SCI301 International Practical Experience
Elective 

Students are supported in taking at least six weeks of full-time work placement in Australia or overseas to ensure all students receive first-hand experience of what it is like to work in an ecotourism business. Placement opportunities in Australia include:

  • Tasmanian wilderness

  • Great Barrier Reef

  • Australia's far north

  • Western Australia

In addition to the practical and field components of most of the university subjects and the industry placement component of the course, there are many opportunities to participate in voluntary and paid field expeditions to areas such as the Australian alps, Mungo National Park and North Head, Sydney.

In addition, all students are eligible to participate in the Arid Zone Field Ecology course, which takes place in June each year, and in School-based international field trips to locations such as East Timor and Nepal. International experience is also encouraged through CSU's Student Exchange Program.

Admission requirements

All full-time on campus applicants must complete a Student Profile form to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and interest in outdoor recreation pursuits.

Applicants wishing to commence study in Session 2, 2013 should apply through UAC and must submit the form to the School of Environmental Sciences by 14 June, 2013.

In addition to the Student Profile form, applicants' ATAR (or equivalent) plus a strong performance in subjects relevant to the course will also be taken into account.

Principal's Report Entry Program applicants

Students applying for this course through PREP should submit the additional application form direct to CSU with their PREP application.

Note:

Late applicants should contact the University before submitting the form.

If you add CSU's Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism) to your preferences after the main UAC closing date, phone 02 6051 9850 to request the form.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

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.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

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.

 

 

 

 

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Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2

Admission code: 215051

Apply through VTAC

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1

Admission code: 13181

Apply online

Admission code: On campus - KSAE
Distance education - ESAE

Mail your application

International students

Apply online

Admission code: ISAE

Mail your application

Recruitment agent

Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

More information:

Consider also:

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.

within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001