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Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology (GDST) - GradDipSpScTech

CRICOS code (International applicants): 072982E

 On-campusOnline*
Semester intake:Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November)
Campus:Toowoomba -
Fees:Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Standard duration:2 semesters full-time or 4 semesters part-time or by distance learning 
Program articulation:

From: Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science Technology

To: ; Master of Spatial Science Technology

Footnotes
*Semester 3 commencement — only the Geographic Information Systems major is available for part-time commencement in Semester 3.

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Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students  Future International students  Current students 
Ask a question
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: study@usq.edu.au  
Ask a question
Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au  
Ask a question
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email usq.support@usq.edu.au 

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Professional accreditation

The Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology is not accredited by any professional bodies other than the University of Southern Queensland.

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Program aims

The Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology (GDST) program produces graduates who are skilled in the area of spatial science theory and evaluation. It allows students to advance their knowledge of a spatial science discipline area for industry application, research or management purposes.

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Program objectives

On completion of this program graduates should be able to:

  • apply and analyse advanced theoretical knowledge and technical skills in a spatial science discipline.

  • critically evaluate knowledge from professional journals and other information sources to exercise independent judgement and communicate relevant ideas and theoretical concepts in their specialisation.

  • acquire and demonstrate an integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in a spatial science discipline or area of professional practice.


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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 08. Graduates at this level will have advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting www.aqf.edu.au.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Completion of an Australian university three or four year Bachelor degree in the area of a discipline approved by the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, or equivalent

    Or

    A minimum of five (5) years' professional work experience equivalent to a qualification at AQF Level 7.

  • English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.


All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for FEE-Help.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

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Program structure

The Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology consists of eight units and is a one year full time on-campus program that may also be studied externally over two years.
Students completing the Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology select eight courses from the appropriate recommended enrolment pattern, including the core courses as specified in the specialisation, as follows:

Schedule A: five core courses (five units)

Schedule B: a three course specialisation (three units)

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Required time limits

Full-time students have a maximum of two years to complete this program. Part-time students have a maximum of four years to complete this program.
A pro-rata adjustment of the maximum time period will apply for those students who transfer from one mode of study to another. A pro-rate reduction in the maximum time period will apply to students who are admitted to a program with advanced standing.

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Specialisation

The specialisation study provides students with knowledge and skills in a specific discipline. The two specialisation study areas in the Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology are:

  • Geographic Information Systems

  • Surveying.


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IT requirements

Access to an up-to-date computer is necessary. On-campus students can access appropriately equipped laboratories, but should consider acquisition of their own computer. Students should be able to access a computer with the following minimum standards. All students should have access to email and the Internet via a computer running the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. The University has a wireless network for on-campus students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. Specialist software is required for some courses.

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Articulation

Graduates from this program may articulate with full credit into the Master of Spatial Science Technology in the same specialisation.

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Exit points

Students who for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Graduate Diploma of Spatial Science Technology, and who satisfy all of the requirements of the Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science Technology , may be permitted to exit with that award.

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the USQ Credit and Exemption Procedure.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

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Geographic Information Systems specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


Specialisation: Geographic Information Systems (Specialisation Study Code: 12704)
CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Schedule A: Students must complete the following core courses

     GIS1402 Geographic Information Systems11,3
     ENG8001 Engineering Research Methods1,2,31,2
     ENG8104 Asset Management in an Engineering Environment11
     MGT8070 Property Development1
     CIS8010 Information Systems Project Management22

Schedule B: Select the three remaining courses from the following list

     GIS3405 Spatial Analysis and Modelling22
     GIS3406 Remote Sensing and Image Processing22
     GIS3407 GIS Programming and Visualisation11Pre-requisite: GIS1402 and CSC1401 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDST or MSST or GCST or MENS or MSPT
     SVY3202 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing11
     GIS4407 Web Based Geographic Information System22Pre-requisite: GIS1402 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS
     SVY1110 Introduction to Global Positioning System22
     SVY3200 Land Administration22
     URP4002 Urban and Regional Planning Theory11Pre-requisite: URP1001 or URP3201 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS or GCBU or MPPM
     GIS3008 Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing22Pre-requisite: GIS1402 and GIS3406 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
     CSC1401 Foundation Programming1,21,2,3

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Surveying specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


Specialisation: Surveying (Specialisation Study Code: 12705)
CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Schedule A: Students must complete the following core courses

     SVY1104 Survey Computations A22Pre-requisite: SVY1102 or SVY1500 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
     ENG8001 Engineering Research Methods1,2,31,2
     ENG8104 Asset Management in an Engineering Environment11
     MGT8070 Property Development1
     MGT8072 Property Ownership Management2

Schedule B: Select the three remaining courses from the following list

     SVY2106 Geodetic Surveying A11Pre-requisite: SVY1110 and SVY1102 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
     SVY3107 Geodetic Surveying B22Pre-requisite: SVY1110 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
     SVY2301 Automated Surveying Systems11Pre-requisite: SVY1104 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
     SVY3202 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing11
     SVY1110 Introduction to Global Positioning System22
     SVY4304 Land and Cadastral Law22
     SVY3200 Land Administration22
     SVY2302 Mine Surveying11Pre-requisite: SVY1104 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSPT
     SVY4309 Practice Management for Spatial Scientists11
     SVY3304 Cadastral Surveying (Queensland)22Pre-requisite: (SVY1102 and SVY1104) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS