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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
This course can only be undertaken full-time and must be completed in Semester 1, 2025. You will not be able to enrol in this course after that time.
The Undergraduate Certificate Introduction to Environmental Science offers you the opportunity to reskill and retrain in the environment sector. This 6-month course will give you a direct pathway into higher education courses across the Environmental Science discipline.
During this course you will learn about the principles that underpin our understanding of the natural environment.
Completion of the Undergraduate Certificate Introduction to Environmental Science will provide you with a pathway to the Bachelor of Environmental Science. As this qualification has been designed to allow you to explore opportunities in disciplines, you may also use it as a pathway for entry into a variety of higher education courses.
Advanced standing will be granted in a relevant undergraduate degree for some or all of the subjects successfully completed. You should check the requirements of your preferred undergraduate degree to ensure your credit transfer is maximised.
Note: On current advice the Undergraduate Certificate must be completed by mid-2025.
Career opportunities
The course will provide you with the opportunity to upskill, retrain and reskill in environmental science whilst providing pathways to pursue further study.
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Science, Environmental Science and Management at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- #3 in Australia for agriculture and environmental studies starting salary (GUG 2024)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study science, environmental science & management at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for agriculture and environmental studies starting salary (GUG 2024)
Why study Science, Environmental Science and Management at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- #3 in Australia for agriculture and environmental studies starting salary (GUG 2024)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study science, environmental science & management at CDU?
If you're interested in finding solutions to our planet's environmental issues, there's never been a better time to study science, environmental science and management at CDU. You'll be prepared to apply the academic theories and principles you learn in class to real-world problems in a diverse range of careers.
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for agriculture and environmental studies starting salary (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
This 40-credit point course consist of four (4) specialist elective units. This course consists of a combination of introductory and first-year degree subjects, designed to help you develop core knowledge in environmental science and the necessary skills for successful university studies.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Specialist Elective
| 40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from the units listed below: IAS201 Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107 from 2024) |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (40cp)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022
The course structure has been been changed by removing the requirement for two core units (CUC107 and CUC106) and making all units available as specialist electives.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 3 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Specialist Elective 4 | SE |
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology IAS201 Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107) ENV102 The Diversity of Life and ENV201 Introductory Ecology (students who take ENV201 should also complete ENV102) ENV208 Geographic Information Systems | CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology (external only) IAS201 Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107) ENV101 Earth Systems (external only) ENV103 Environmental Issues |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology IAS201 Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107) ENV102 The Diversity of Life and ENV201 Introductory Ecology (students who take ENV201 should also complete ENV102) ENV208 Geographic Information Systems | CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology (external only) IAS201 Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107) ENV101 Earth Systems (external only) ENV103 Environmental Issues |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent).
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 125 or higher.
- Successful completion of a recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
- Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
- Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
- Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
- Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
I chose CDU because it has an excellent science course, with lots of opportunities for practical experience in the field. I love the small classes, community feel and the interaction with lecturers that you don't get at larger universities.
Brittany
CDU student
I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.
Cassian
CDU student
I chose CDU because it has an excellent science course, with lots of opportunities for practical experience in the field. I love the small classes, community feel and the interaction with lecturers that you don't get at larger universities.
Brittany
CDU student
I am very proud that I am now an environmental expert who can work anywhere on this planet. There is nothing that can be done on the development of any projects without environmental experts. So, it is a very promising career.
Cassian
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about environmental management
Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about environmental management
Vamshidhar is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Management at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
MyNextCourse
Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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