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Welcome
The Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies (PCAS) is a fourteen week in-depth immersion in the beauty, history, science, political discourse, environmental concerns and future challenges of the frozen continent and surrounding seas. It includes a field trip to Antarctica.
This course has been developed jointly by the University of Canterbury and Antarctica New Zealand with significant input from 40 individuals, government agencies and a wider international Antarctic community. The multi-disciplinary perspectives along with the vigourous debate and a broad based critique of the issues that Antarctica faces, have resulted in a Certificate that is unique in its focus.
The certificate comprises four integrated courses:
- ANTA 601 Antarctica: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives, Part 1
- ANTA 602 Antarctica: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives, Part 2
- ANTA 603 Antarctic Field Work
- ANTA 604 Supervised Project in Antarctic Studies
Programme Objectives
It is expected that by the end of the Certificate programme participants will:
- have developed an overview of the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the understanding and resolution of global issues;
- have knowledge of contemporary research activity in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean;
- have an understanding of some of the major scientific, environmental, social, historical, legal and political issues in relation to the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean and the ways such issues are addressed;
- have a practical appreciation of the challenges imposed by the Antarctic environment;
- have developed skills in group work, self-directed learning, research, seminar and professional presentations and critical analysis, reflection and debate.
The Certificate is aimed at:
- Students who have qualified for a degree and wish to broaden their understanding of Antarctic related matters.
- Professionals who are working or plan to work in positions or organisations where their contribution would be enhanced from this programme.
Participants are drawn from all backgrounds, including science, arts, humanities, law, policy, commerce, engineering, education, social sciences and technology.