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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

301130 v.5 Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science

GradCertGIS(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 032964E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 0.5 Years


Course Overview

Graduate certificates 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 designed for professionals and practitioners from a diverse range of areas to acquire and build their knowledge and skills within geographic information science (GIScience). The course introduces geographic information systems as well as spatial problem solving and computer programming, and helps to develop skills in the management and use of geospatial data. The optional units extend the knowledge and skills in using and applying geospatial data and GIS. This course is available on campus and by distance education (via online learning) to Australian and international students.


Additional Course Expenses

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



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants 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 equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


The applicant's qualification may be in any discipline. Applicants are assumed to have a background in mathematics and statistics equivalent to first year university level. Applicants without this background may be required to undertake appropriate preparatory units.


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.


Upon graduation, students are eligible to enrol directly in the Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information Science and will be eligible for credit for recognisedrecognition of prior learning to the value of 100 credits in that award. Credit for Recognised Leaning is not normally granted for optional units.


Pathway to Further Study

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



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


This course comprises two (2) foundation units which reflect some of the basic core areas in the field of geographic information science. These units are extended by two (2) specialist options in the GIScience core areas. The choice of optional units may be limited depending on the semester of entry and the availability of units in each semester. Optional units are intended to provide students with a broader and deeper insight into the knowledge, skills and applications of GIScience.



Duration and Availability

This course is of one semester duration full-time or equivalent part-time study. Flexible modes of program delivery are utilised and the course is available on campus as well as fully online.Part-time and external study is only available to Australian resident students and international students studying outside Australia.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1         Y
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y     Y
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      
2014 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
4536 v.6   Geographic Information Systems 100 4.0 25.0
302318 v.2   Spatial Computations 100 4.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
310482 v.4   Applications of Global Positioning Systems 200 4.0 25.0
10423 v.6   Remote Sensing 210 4.0 25.0
7073 v.8   Applied Cartography 200 4.0 25.0
314388 v.1   Spatial Data Representation 510 4.0 25.0
314389 v.1   Spatial Algorithms 510 4.0 25.0
10424 v.3   Coordinate and Mapping Systems 210 4.0 25.0
10422 v.4   Photogrammetric Mapping 210 5.0 25.0
12037 v.5   Spatial Database Systems 110 4.0 25.0
314387 v.1   Geographic Information Analysis 510 4.0 25.0
310360 v.3   Geographic Information Systems Programming 510 4.0 25.0
310046 v.3   Web Mapping 510 4.0 25.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au


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 Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.