Several hundred distance education students enrolled across more than 20 courses attended residential schools held at CQU Rockhampton campus in late April.

Students travelled from as far away as Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Workshops and practical sessions in the sciences ran from 9am to 9pm for many students.

Courses ranged from astronomy to zoology. The largest class was Introductory Biosciences with an enrolment of more than 70 students.

Dr Bob Newby, Head of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, said that the residential schools took a huge logistic and technical effort and planning began one year in advance.

"Quite apart from learning practical skills, students appreciate the opportunity to interact personally with staff and other students," he said.

"It is also a good opportunity for student mentors to meet personally with their flock".

Dr Newby said he was grateful to the Division of Facilities Management for rescheduling maintenance work to ensure it did not interfere with the students’ residential school experience.

Photo: Budding zoologists from an invertebrates class, during CQU's recent residential school period.