Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) aims to produce graduates who can apply basic scientific principles to the management of Australia's natural and cultural resources for the purpose of conservation and recreation.

CSU's Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) has been training rangers for more than 30 years. With the continued involvement of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to develop the course, we know the key skills that all rangers require - a strong understanding of the environment around us, and the ability to interact with the human element. This is so that national parks can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, while at the same time some of the most unique environments on earth are conserved and protected.

Students may choose to exit with the Associate Degree in Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage).

What will I learn?

The course focuses strongly on field instruction and real-world situations. Studies in ecology, wildlife management, vegetation management and the earth sciences are complemented by studies of the human dimension to help you understand your role in conserving and protecting the natural environment, because you can't manage the environment if you can't manage people.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

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

The course is recognised by every conservation agency in Australia.

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 part-time on campus
  • 6 years distance education

Admission rank cut-offs

70.00

CRICOS code

012025C

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) with the award BAppSc(ParksRec&Herit).

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.

Video | Environmental Science students in Nepal

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Watch some highlights from the annual four week field experience program in Nepal.

Career opportunities

Graduates gain positions with national park agencies as well as many other environmental industries to become:

  • national park rangers
  • wildlife officers
  • environmental planners
  • heritage officers
  • land care and catchment management officers
  • recreation planners
  • environmental consultants

The degree comprises 16 core subjects (128 points), one 4 subject minor (32 points) and either a second 4 subject (32 points) Minor OR an elective sequence of 4 subjects (32 points) selected from any of the three Minor groups.

Students may elect to exit with the Associate Degree of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) after the completion of the 16 core subjects.

CORE SUBJECTS

BIO112 Principles of Ecology
BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
GEO164 Earth System Processes
ENM101 People and the Environment
ENM109 Workplace Preparation
ENM163 Natural Resource Management
ENM309 Environmental Management Administration and Practice
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management
PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
PKM307 Environmental Planning
REC167 Leadership and Communication
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism
REC205 Open Space Planning
SCI200 Introduction to Spatial Science and Data Visualisation
SPA115 Principles of Geographic Information Systems

Students can exit after completion of the 16 Core subjects with the Associate Degree of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage).

MINOR

Students must complete at least one of these 32 point minors:

Wildlife and Conservation
32 points from the following:
BIO326 Vegetation and Disturbance Management (16 points)
BIO327 Wildlife Ecology and Management (16 points)
BIO263 Methods for Environmental Data Analysis
BIO216 Conservation Biology
BIO312 Landscape Ecology
BIO328 Restoration Ecology

Indigenous and Cultural Heritage,
32 points from the following:
PKM397 Heritage Site Management (16 points)
PKM398 Cultural Heritage Policy and Planning (16 points)
PKM366 Site Survey Design
ENM310 Field study in Environmental Management

Visitor Services and Open Space Management,
32 points from the following:
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk
PKM302 Philosophy of Outdoor Education
PKM363 Shoreline Recreation Management
PKM364 Outdoor Recreation Design
REC260 Australian Leisure Product
REC302 Interpretive Guiding Management in Ecotourism

AND
1 x Elective sequence - students choose four subjects (32 points) from any of the Minors listed
OR
Double Minor- students choose four subjects (32 points) all within another group.

Enrolment pattern

Note students can decrease the length of time it takes to do the degree by taking some of the limited number of subjects that are available in summer (session 90).

Full-time
Year 1
Session 1

GEO164 Earth System Processes
ENM109 Workplace Preparation
ENM101 People and the Environment
REC167 Leadership and Communication

Session 2
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
ENM163 Natural Resource Management
SCI200 Introduction to Spatial Science and Data Visualisation
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism 

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Year 2
Session 1

PKM260 Interpretive Planning
REC205 Open Space Planning
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 2
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management
BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Students can exit with the Associate Degree at this point.

Year 3
Session 1

PKM307 Environmental Planning
SPA115 Principles of Geographic Information Systems
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 2
PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
ENM309 Environmental Management Administration and Practice
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Part Time
Year 1
Session 1

GEO164 Earth System Processes
ENM109 Workplace Preparation

Session 2
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Year 2
Session 1

ENM101 People and the Environment
REC167 Recreation Leadership and Communication

Session 2
ENM163 Natural Resource Management
SCI200 Introduction to Spatial Science and Data Visualisation

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Year 3
Session 1

PKM260 Interpretive Planning
REC205 Open Space Planning

Session 2
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management
BIO262 Vegetation Ecology

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Year 4
Session 1

Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 2
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Students can exit with the Associate Degree at this point.

Year 5
Session 1

SPA115 Principles of Geographic Information Systems
PKM307 Environmental Planning

Session 2
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management

Session 3
It is optional for students to undertake studies in this semester. The school offers a limited number of biology (BIO), park management (PKM) and environmental management (ENM) subjects during this time. Students should look at subject availability list for specific details.

Year 6
Session 1

Specialisation OR Elective sequence
Specialisation OR Elective sequence

Session 2
Specialisation OR Elective sequence
ENM309 Environmental Management Administration and Practice

Admission requirements

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: 215351

Apply through VTAC

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1

Admission code: 13101

Apply online

Admission code: Distance education - ESPQ
On campus - KSP

Mail your application

International Students

Apply online

Admission code:

  • On campus - ISPQ
  • Distance education - JSPQ

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.

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