Graduate Diploma of Climatology (GDCL) - GradDipClim

This program is offered only to continuing students. No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in this study area should contact us.

Contact us

Current students

Contact the Senior Administration Officer (Biological and Physical Sciences), telephone +61 7 4631 1540, email sciences.enrolment@usq.edu.au or submit a question via USQAssist.

Program focus

This program provides students with a thorough, sound knowledge of the concepts of climatology which are fundamental for any professional interested in pursuing a career in climatology or climatological forecasting.

Program aims

This program provides students with a thorough, sound knowledge of the concepts of climatology that are fundamental for any professional interested in pursuing a career in climatology or climatological forecasting.

Program objectives

On completion of this program graduates will:

• possess more than a basic competence in climatology and at least one of physics, statistics and mathematics

• possess a detailed knowledge of key climate mechanisms and be able to apply this knowledge in appropriate situations

• be able to apply principles of Physics to Climate Studies and/or be able to describe and appropriately apply climate forecasting models and/or be able to apply statistical and mathematical techniques to modelling climatogical and meteorological data

• have a good comprehension of the social, political and environmental implications of global climate changes

• be aware of the major social and moral responsibilities of climatologists

• be able to communicate to others the basic concepts of climatology and the results of climatology-based deliberations.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for a place in this program, applicants must have:

• good written and verbal communication skills based on a good command of the English language, and

• a background in mathematics and either Physics or Statistics that enables them to have a reasonable chance of successfully completing the courses they plan to study. In particular, successful completion of the courses:

  • MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I and MAT2100 Algebra and Calculus II and STA2301 Distribution Theory, or their equivalent, or

  • MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I and PHY1104 Physics Concepts, or their equivalent, and

  
  

• a three-year degree or an appropriate three-year Diploma from an Australian or other recognised University.

Assessment of applicants' qualifications, communication and mathematical skills will be on a case-by-case basis and will be undertaken by the Program Coordinator.

International Applicants

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP programs .

Program fees

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. You 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.

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. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

This program consists of eight units of study. To be eligible for the award, candidates must complete the following courses. No exemptions will be granted. Students who have completed one or more of the compulsory courses, as part of another program of study, must replace such courses by one or more of the other listed courses.

Not all courses will be available by external study in 2007. See Course Synopses section of this Handbook.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ Recommended Hardware and Recommended Software sites to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

Recommended enrolment pattern

There is no recommended enrolment pattern for this program. Students should select their own. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Coordinator.