The Graduate Certificate in Applied Science is a flexible postgraduate-level qualification at Lincoln University for graduates who want to broaden or update their applied science knowledge without undertaking a longer graduate diploma or master's qualification. It can normally be completed in one semester of full-time study and allows students to select advanced courses across areas such as agricultural science, food science, environmental management, soil science, plant science, animal science, viticulture and oenology.

The supplied IPU programme link does not correspond to this Lincoln qualification. IPU-specific delivery, pathway, partnership, application arrangements, fees or scholarships for this particular programme are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a focused graduate-level qualification in applied science.
• Can normally be completed in just one semester full-time.
• Offers substantial flexibility in course selection.
• Allows students to build knowledge in areas connected with agriculture, food, environment, natural resources and land-based industries.
• Provides access to advanced 300-level science courses.
• Suitable for graduates seeking additional scientific knowledge before progressing into further study or applying science in professional settings.
• Lincoln's specialist land-based focus provides an applied context for scientific study.
• The programme addresses how science contributes to industry, agriculture, medicine, communications and transport.
• It also examines how science supports management and conservation of the biosphere and natural resources.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Graduate Certificate is intentionally flexible rather than following one fixed set of compulsory subjects.

Students need to complete 60 credits, with at least 45 credits at 300 level. The programme page states that the advanced courses are selected from courses associated with:

• Bachelor of Agricultural Science
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology.

A course adviser helps ensure that the selected courses form a coherent programme.

The currently listed Applied Science course options include the following.

Semester 1:

• ANSC 327 – Animal Nutrition, Biochemistry and Metabolism – 15 credits
• BMGT 314 – Quality Systems – 15 credits
• ANSC 312 – Dairy Production Science – 15 credits
• MGMT 316 – Evaluating Agricultural Systems – 15 credits
• QMET 306 – Experimentation – 15 credits
• PLSC 320 – Crop Science – 15 credits
• SOSC 340 – Advanced Soil Management – 15 credits
• SCIE 393 – Advanced Field Research – 15 credits
• FOOD 301 – Food Product Innovation and Quality – 15 credits
• FOOD 304 – Microbial Biotechnology – 15 credits
• ENGN 361 – Winery Equipment and Structures – 15 credits
• PLPT 323 – Grape Pest and Disease Management – 15 credits
• LWST 302 – Resource Management Law – 15 credits
• ENTO 304 – Insect Ecology and Diversity – 15 credits
• PLPT 305 – Plant Diseases – 15 credits
• WATR 301 – Water Resource Management – 15 credits.

Semester 2:

• ANSC 319 – Animal Physiology – 15 credits
• BICH 301 – Advanced Biochemistry – 15 credits
• ANSC 314 – Meat and Wool Production Science – 15 credits
• MGMT 317 – Strategic Management in Agricultural Systems – 15 credits
• PLSC 321 – Pasture Agronomy – 15 credits
• ECOL 309 – AgroEcology – 15 credits
• FOOD 302 – Advanced Food Processing – 15 credits
• FOOD 303 – Food Biochemistry and Biotechnology – 15 credits
• WINE 304 – Wine Chemistry and Technology – 15 credits
• MGMT 344 – Strategic Management in Wine and Horticultural Business Systems – 15 credits
• WINE 301 – Viticulture II – 15 credits
• WINE 302 – Wine Quality Assessment – 15 credits
• ERST 310 – GIS and Applications in Natural Resource Analysis – 15 credits
• ERST 313 – Catchment Management – 15 credits
• HORT 330 – Fruit and Vegetable Science and Technology – 15 credits
• PLPT 306 – Sustainable Plant Protection – 15 credits
• PLSC 325 – Environmental Plant Biology – 15 credits
• PLSC 331 – Seed Technology – 15 credits
• SOSC 301 – Advanced Soil Science – 15 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Graduate Certificate does not have separately named specialisations. Instead, its flexibility allows students to construct a study focus through their choice of advanced courses.

Possible areas of focus include:

• Agricultural science
• Animal science
• Animal nutrition
• Dairy production
• Crop science
• Soil science
• Plant science
• Plant diseases
• Sustainable plant protection
• Agroecology
• Environmental plant biology
• Food science
• Food processing
• Food innovation
• Microbial biotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Water resource management
• Catchment management
• GIS and natural-resource analysis
• Insect ecology
• Viticulture and oenology
• Wine chemistry and technology
• Wine quality assessment
• Horticulture
• Agricultural systems
• Resource management law
• Quality systems
• Research and experimentation. 

Programme Highlights

• 60-credit graduate qualification.
• Normally completed in one semester full-time.
• Designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree.
• At least 45 credits must be at 300 level.
• Flexible course selection.
• Advanced study across agriculture, science and viticulture/oenology.
• Strong connection with Lincoln's land-based science expertise.
• Options spanning food, environmental science, soil, plants, animals, water, wine and agricultural systems.
• Suitable for academic upskilling or changing direction within applied science.
• Course choices can be tailored with the assistance of a course adviser. 

Career Outcomes

Lincoln does not publish a fixed list of job titles specifically for graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science. Because the programme is flexible, career outcomes will depend substantially on the student's previous degree and the advanced courses selected.

Potential professional applications may include:

• Agricultural science
• Food science and food technology
• Environmental management
• Soil and land management
• Plant science
• Horticulture
• Viticulture and wine science
• Water-resource management
• Natural-resource analysis
• Agricultural systems management
• Quality systems
• Scientific research support.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current and valid New Zealand visa that permits them to study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the student-visa application requires:

• An Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds of NZ$20,000 per year for living expenses.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• The applicable visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may additionally request:

• Medical certificates.
• Chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information where the student will be under 18 when study begins.