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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2015

This handbook contains information on courses and components (majors, minors, streams and units) at Curtin in 2015.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2014.

GD-INFLIB v.1 Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies

GradDipInfoLibStds(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Graduate Diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course is for graduates who wish to gain a professional level qualification in the field of librarianship. Students are introduced to professional principles, attitudes and practice.


Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for associate membership of the Australian Library and Information Association.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.


Course Overview Note

Regular and reliable Internet access is required as is access to a Microsoft Windows operating system.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Graduate Diploma are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.


Specifically, applicants require a three year bachelor degree in another discipline or a four year honours degree in another discipline. As the course is heavily dependent on computer skills, applicants should develop competency in word-processing and use of Internet browser software before commencement of the course.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate Diplomas contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


A three week fieldwork component, taken during the inter-semester break, allows students to put into practice, in a supervised work environment, the theory gained during the first semester. Fieldwork placements are also arranged for external students.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. understand the discipline of librarianship, its theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional approaches; understand and apply in practice established and developing knowledge and professional practice

2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions to librarianship issues, including conservation and preservation

3. understand the nature of information and how information is created, organised, distributed and used in the Librarianship sector; apply best practice in servicing the needs of information users; locate and evaluate information resources and manage collections effectively

4. communicate appropriately with information users and colleagues; assess the information needs of information user groups in the Librarianship sector; assess and meet the information literacy needs of a defined user group

5. assess the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the librarian; learn the technologies relevant to information creation, organisation, dissemination and use; decide on appropriate applications and systems for specific information service needs

6. apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to the professional practice of Librarianship

8. recognise individual human rights, including rights of free access to information; appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when disseminating information to diverse user groups; value diversity of language and how this may be fostered in services offered by Librarians

9. apply as appropriate the professional skills of librarians and other information professionals; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; understand issues in the ethical use of information and demonstrate how ethical practices may be followed in the workplace; understand and apply major tools for information organisation, metadata creation and indexing and recordkeeping throughout the continuum to ensure efficiency and compliance


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one year full-time or equivalent part-time study. External study is also available.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
INFO5007 v.1   Technologies for Information Services 3.0 25.0
INFO5020 v.1   Reference Services 3.0 25.0
INFO5000 v.1   Information Design 3.0 25.0
INFO5013 v.1   Information Literacy 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
INFO5021 v.1   Collection Management 3.0 25.0
INFO5022 v.1 *   Management of Information Services 3.0 25.0
INFO5008 v.1   Resource Description and Access 3.0 25.0
INFO5003 v.1   Conservation and Preservation 25.0
  100.0

*    This unit includes professional work experience for a total of three weeks full-time.




Further Information

If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook

The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.

For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.