International Programs
101 Weingart
Tel: (323) 259-2533
Fax: (323) 341-4976
ipo@oxy.edu

Australia: Townsville-Tropical Biology/
James Cook University

Eligibility: 3.0 GPA

Dates: Fall: Early or mid-July to Late-November
             Spring: Early or mid-February to late July.

Location: Townsville, with a population of 160,000 is the
second-largest city in the state in Queensland. Situated in
the tropical northeastern corner of Australia, on the
Cleveland Bay at the mouth of the Ross River, Townsville
has long been one of Australia’s most important ports and
the city serves as a gateway to some of the country’s most
important natural treasures from the Great Barrier Reef to
lush tropical rain forests. 

Program Structure: This is a direct enrollment program
based at James Cook University in Townsville. The program
is geared toward students majoring in the sciences,
especially biology. Students may not enroll in courses at the
Cairns campus. 

Academic Program: Students may choose from a broad
array of courses in the Faculty of Science & Engineering,
specifically within the School of Tropical Biology, the School
of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, and the School of Tropical
Environment Studies & Geography. Students may take
courses from more than one department within a School and
should pay careful attention to prerequisites when selecting
courses. In addition to their coursework in tropical biology,
students are required to take one course focusing on
Australian culture in an area such as history, literature,
sociology, anthropology or indigenous studies. 

Typically, courses at James Cook University carry four credits
per course and students enroll in a total of four courses.
Students should be sure to plan an academic program onsite
totaling a minimum of sixteen credits. A maximum of sixteen
credits will be awarded for the semester. 

Students should work carefully with the academic staff on-site
to construct an academic program totaling no fewer than sixteen
credits.  A maximum of sixteen Oxy credits will be awarded for
the semester.

Housing: Students are guaranteed on campus catered/self-
catered accommodations in single, twin, or apartment style
dormitories.  Self-catering options include the Rotary
International House and University Hall.

Number of Students: James Cook University has
approximately 11,000 students. 

Faculty Contact: Beth Braker


                       James Cook University website