James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

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Part I Introduction to the University

James Cook University was established by an Act of the Queensland Parliament which was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony at the University on 20 April 1970.

JCU was formerly the University College of Townsville and enrolled its first students in 1961. Its formation was inspired by the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Mr JD Story, who advocated the establishment of a regional university institution outside the Brisbane metropolitan area. Local citizens in Townsville had shown keen interest in the establishment of a university college and the Townsville and District University Society worked actively to achieve this goal. On 18 May 1959 the Queensland State Cabinet announced that it would proceed with the establishment of a university college in Townsville. The foundation stone was laid on 21 May 1960 by Education Minister, Mr JCA Pizzey and the University College of Townsville was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable GFR Nicklin, on 27 February 1961.

The first Warden of the University College was the late Professor FJ Olsen. The initial enrolment was 92 full time students and 88 part time students. Dr KJC Back succeeded Dr Olsen as Warden in January 1963 and in 1970 became the first Vice-Chancellor of the autonomous James Cook University.

In the mid 1960s, construction commenced on the permanent campus of JCU at Douglas, where the first buildings were occupied in 1967. By 1972, Administration, the Computer Centre, the Library and twelve academic departments had been transferred from the original Pimlico campus to Douglas. The remaining departments were moved to Douglas between 1975 and 1980.

Townsville College of Advanced Education amalgamated with JCU on 1 January 1982.

JCU has grown rapidly since the mid-1980s, more than doubling in size since then and has increasingly earned a global reputation for research and advisory work, particularly in disciplines relevant to the tropics.

There has been continuing expansion of existing activities as well as initiation of new projects.

New programs of study have been introduced, many with greater flexibility for students.

The latest course introduced at JCU is an undergraduate medical program, which takes its first intake of students in 2000. The new JCU Medical School is one of only 11 in Australia, and the first new School in Australia for 25 years. The Medical School is the first in Australia to specialise in rural, indigenous and tropical medicine. The course is also unique because it offers a six-year undergraduate program, as opposed to a four-year postgraduate program. The Medical School has been strategically positioned adjacent to Townsville’s new $200 million hospital, which will open in 2001 and will serve as a teaching facility for medical students.

JCU has been involved in the establishment of seven major Cooperative Research Centres as part of an initiative fostering close links between research and industry. They are the CRC for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the CRC for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management, the CRC for Aquaculture, the CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production, the CRC for Sustainable Development of Tropical Savannas, the CRC for Sustainable Tourism and the CRC for Coastal Zone Estuary and Waterway Management.

JCU continues its guarantee of high-quality research as evidenced by its international reputation in areas such as the marine sciences and engineering. The University’s particular focus on research relating to the tropics also sets it apart as an academic institution making a tangible contribution to its community.

About 80 percent of JCU’s students come from North Queensland, with many of these now able to undertake their studies at the Cairns campus of the University.

JCU also continues to strengthen its international ties with 546 overseas students enrolled in 1999.

Enrolments

In 1999, the total number of students (Townsville and Cairns) was 10230 consisting of:

The number of postgraduate students included in the total was 1464 (650 research, 814 coursework).

The number of students enrolled at the Cairns Campus was 2259 consisting of:

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