Course description
Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism) BAppSc(AdvEcotourism)
This unique course allows students to specialise in one of two areas of expertise in adventure ecotourism. One course of study provides students with 10 to 15 weeks of professional training in bushwalking, climbing and abseiling, with optional specialisations in canoeing, ski touring and mountain biking.
The other specialisation concentrates on the management and planning of ecotourism industries more broadly, to educate students as practitioners in natural area tourism, including the associated areas of heritage and cultural tourism.
The course aims to provide education in the area of ecologically sustainable tourism by fostering an understanding and an appreciation of the relationships between the natural and cultural environment, conservation and tourism.
Three mutually compatible areas of expertise are developed:
* the technical skills necessary in adventure recreation leadership
* the knowledge required to run a successful ecotourism business as an entrepreneur
* the ecological and scientific background necessary to understand the principles of conservation management and preservation.
Graduates will be equipped to work in the rapidly expanding areas of nature and adventure tourism. A fully supported work placement program ensures all students receive first-hand experience of what it is like to work in an ecotourism business.
Where it will take you:
Graduates work professionally as:
* tourism consultants
* tourism managers
* ecotourism instructors
* guides or operators
* ecotourism and/or outdoor development trainers
* consultants
* recreation managers
* tourism planners
* interpretive planners and environmental educators
* recreation coordinators
Professionals teaching you
The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience, including management of parks and recreation areas, coordinating ranger programs, designing and undertaking guiding programs, recreation planning and government consultancies including visitor services, wildlife management and environmental impact assessments.
Your course is recognised by industry
The course was developed in conjunction with Tourism Training Victoria and the Victorian Tourism Operators Association. The course is recognised by Ecotourism Australia as a leading course in its field.
The latest facilities
To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
* fully-equipped ecological laboratories
* computer network with internet access
* a modern, environmentally friendly campus incorporating a range of design principles and technologies which are relevant to the 'ecologically sustainable' nature of the course
* field excursions to ecotourism locations and operations
* field-based exercises such as camping, bushwalking, leading tours, wildlife monitoring and trapping, cultural heritage site assessment and practical skills development.
Practical experience
In addition to the practical and field components of most subjects and the industry placement part of the course, there are many opportunities to participate in voluntary and paid field expeditions. All students are eligible to participate in the Arid Zone Field Ecology course, which takes place in June each year. Other opportunities have included: threatened species conservation in the Alpine National Park, Victoria; penguin reseach on Montague Island National Park, NSW; rare and endangered grassland conservation in Terrick Terrick National Park, Victoria and; visitor experience studies in the Gammon Ranges National Park, SA. International experience is also available and encouraged through CSU’s Student Exchange Program.
Credit
Students who have already completed the TAFE Certificate IV or Diploma in Outdoor Recreation are awarded 32 points or 48 points of credit respectively upon admission.
TAFE component
Students will be trained to instructor level in several activity disciplines.
Students undertaking Outdoor Recreation Certificate IV will complete units in guiding skills, health and safety, emergency care and planning, training and assessment, competency in climbing, abseiling, bushwalking, ski-touring and kayaking. Students undertaking the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation will complete additional units in developing support skills and advanced levels of competency.
Residential school
Many subjects have a compulsory residential school of two to four days duration for distance education students.
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points, comprising the credit package of 32 or 48 points awarded for completion of the TAFE Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation or the TAFE Diploma of Outdoor Recreation respectively and 160 or 144 points respectively completed during enrolment in the Bachelor degree course. Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism) with the award BAppSc(AdvEcotourism).
Further study
Further study opportunities include an Honours year and also:
Graduate Certificate in Applied Science
Master of Applied Science
Doctor of Philosophy
