Civet, eel mingled in the chosen course of study (8)

I believe the answer is:

elective

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'course of study' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for elective that I've seen before include "Optional" , "Choice" , "(Of studies) chosen by the student" , "description, of course" , "(Of medical procedures) not essential" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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