¾«¶«´«Ã½app

Skip to main content

Graduate Certificate of Science (GCSC) - GradCertSci

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: GCSC01; External: GCSC02

CRICOS code (International applicants): 069701A

 On-campus*+External#+
Semester intake:Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Campus:Toowoomba -
Fees:Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Standard duration: 1 semester full-time, 1 year part-time  
Program articulation:

To: ; Graduate Diploma of Science

Footnotes
*Some specialisations may only be available to external education students and/or may only be studied part-time and may not be suitable for international students who wish to study full-time on-campus. Only the Applied Data Science (Semester 2 entry) and Computing specialisations can be studied full-time and/or full-time on-campus. The teaching specialisations alone do not meet eligibility for teacher registration and therefore should only be taken by students who already have completed an initial teacher education program.
+Semester 1 intake for Applied Data Science specialisation is part time only.
#Semester 2 part time intake for Applied Data Science specialisation is only available to students who have completed and in their Bachelor degrees. Some students may take 1.5 years to complete.

Back to top

Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students  Future International students  Current students 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: study@usq.edu.au  

Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email: usq.support@usq.edu.au  

Back to top

Program aims

The Graduate Certificate of Science provides students with the opportunity to further their knowledge in discipline areas critical to their professional responsibilities and interests.

Back to top

Program objectives

On completion of the program graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of current issues in their chosen specialisation

  • demonstrate an enhanced breadth and/or depth of their knowledge base relevant to their specialisation

  • apply the specialist knowledge and skills acquired in their specialisation.


Back to top

Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 08. Graduates at this level will have advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

Back to top

Admission requirements

To be considered for entry, applicants should hold a three-year Bachelor's degree from an Australian ¾«¶«´«Ã½app or equivalent.

A formal process of Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) will be used to assess applicants without Bachelor degrees, who wish to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent experience or qualifications. Applicants should contact the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences if they wish to be assessed for admission on this basis.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, you may be admitted to an award program.

Back to top

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.
Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Back to top

Program structure

All specialisations within the program consist of four units of study taken from the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section. The Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences also may grant substitution of one course from outside these disciplines. At least two courses must be Level 8 (all specialisations). The student must select courses according to the pre- and co-requisite requirements contained in individual course specifications. Some courses may include a compulsory residential school.

Discipline Area  Modes of Offer/Residential School Requirements for EXT Courses 
Agricultural Science (AGR)  Some courses available externally with no residential school, some courses available with a compulsory residential school on-campus 
Applied Climate Science (CLI)  External only — no residential school requirement 
Applied Data Science (DAT)  Available in both modes — no residential school requirement 
Astronomy (PHY)  External only – no residential school requirement 
Biology (BIO)  Some courses available on-campus, some courses available in both modes – some external courses have compulsory residential schools 
Chemistry (CHE)  Some courses available on-campus, some courses available in both modes – some external courses have compulsory residential schools 
Computing (CSC)  Available in both modes — no residential school requirement 
Environment and Sustainability (REN/CLI)  Available in both modes — no residential school requirement 
Mathematics (MAT)  Available in both modes – no residential school requirement 
Mathematics for High School Teaching (MAT)  Available in both modes – no residential school requirement 
Mathematics for Primary/Middle School Teaching (MAT)  Available in both modes – no residential school requirement 
Physics (PHY)  Available in external mode only – recommended courses have no residential school  
Science for Primary/Middle School Teaching  Some courses available externally with no residential schools, some courses available with a compulsory residential school on-campus 
Statistics (STA/MAT)  Available in both modes — no residential school requirement 
Wine Science (WIN)  Some courses available externally with no residential schools, some courses available with a compulsory residential school on-campus. 

Those teachers studying who are relying on government scholarships or are seeking accreditation in a particular state, are advised to check with their funding agency or Education Authority that they are enrolled in an appropriate approved combination of courses. For further advice on these and other possible course combinations please contact the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences.

Back to top

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of three years to complete this program.

Back to top

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

Students will need internet access to retrieve course materials, undertake assessment and participate in course online activities.

Back to top

Articulation

Graduate Certificate of Science students may articulate to the Graduate Diploma of Science program with further completion of four courses, as required by that program.
Students must advise the Faculty in writing (usq.support@usq.edu.au) of their intention to articulate and this must occur prior to graduation from the GCSC. If a student is articulating to the higher degree, they will apply to that higher degree and will only graduate from that higher degree.

Back to top

Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

Applied Data Science specialisation: Students who have completed in their Bachelor degree may replace STA2300 with another STA level 2 or above course. Students who have completed in their Bachelor degree may replace CSC1401 with another CSC course.

Back to top

Enrolment

Enrolment patterns will need to be determined for individual students. On acceptance into the program, students must submit an enrolment pattern for approval to the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences. Pre-requisite courses should be taken as a guide to the assumed knowledge required for a course. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have the assumed knowledge before enrolling in a particular course.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

Back to top

Agricultural Science Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Residential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
2

Plus two from the following:

22
11
11
11
11
1
2
^11C
^22CPre-requisite:
11Pre-requisite:
^2CPre-requisite:
11
22Pre-requisite: and
22Pre-requisite:
1
1CPre-requisite: and
2Pre-requisite: and ( or )
1Pre-requisite:
^1CPre-requisite:
^3CPre-requisite:
#1,2,31,2,3Pre-requisite: Completion of 2nd year (or 2 years full time study in a relevant area)

Footnotes
^On-campus (Toowoomba) residential school required for external (distance) offering.
#Industry Placement may be available within each of the themes subject to approval of the Program Coordinator and availability of relevant placement.

Back to top

Applied Climate Science Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time commencing in Semester 1

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
11
12
21
22

Back to top

Applied Data Science Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time commencing Semester 1

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
11,211,2,3
11,211,2,3
1212
1212Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: and

Back to top

Applied Data Science Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time commencing Semester 2

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
12,312,3
1212,3
1212
1212Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: and

Back to top

Applied Data Science Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time commencing Semester 2

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

For students who have completed and in their Bachelor Degree


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1212
1212Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: and
One STA course at level 2 or above replacing STA23002121
One CSC course at level 2 or above replacing CSC14012121

Back to top

Astronomy Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
*1
2
*2

Footnotes
*Astronomical observations for each course are made remotely via internet access to USQ'S Mt Kent Observatory. Voluntary field nights will also be made available.

Back to top

Biology Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Residential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
2
2

Plus two from the following:

†22CPre-requisite:
†11C
11
1
22
22Pre-requisite: and
†2CPre-requisite:
1
2

Footnotes
†On-campus (Toowoomba) residential school required for external (distance) offering.

Back to top

Chemistry Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Residential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
†11C
2
†22CPre-requisite:

Footnotes
†On-campus (Toowoomba) residential school required for external (distance) offering.

Back to top

Computing Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time or part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

At least two from:

11Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN or GCSC or GDSI or MSCN.
11Pre-requisite: or enrolled in at the same time as or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN
11Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN
11Pre-requisite: Some experience with a Unix Operating System and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN
22Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN
22Pre-requisite: or and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or MCTN

At most two from:

1,21,2,3
22Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GDGS or GCEN or GDET or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MSBN or MSMS
11Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN
22Pre-requisite: or or have experience using Linux systems or students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GDGS or GCEN or GDET or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MSBN or MSMS
22Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GDGS or GCEN or GDET or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN
22Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN
1,21,2

Back to top

Environment and Sustainability Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
1

And any two of:

2
22
22
2
11
2
22

Back to top

Mathematics Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Students in this program need to have successfully completed and or equivalent.

11
22

Choose any two of the following:

^11Pre-requisite: or or MAT2500
^22Pre-requisite: or MAT2500 or
*22Pre-requisite: ( and ) or (MAT2500 and ) or ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in the following Program: MSBN
*11Pre-requisite: or USQIT16
11Pre-requisite: and ( or ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MPIT or MCOT or MCTE
1,2,31,2,3Pre-requisite: Completion of 2nd year (or 2 years full time study in a relevant area)
22

Footnotes
^The on-campus offering of this course is offered in even years only.
*The on-campus offering of this course is offered in odd years only.

Back to top

Mathematics for High School Teaching Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

This specialisation alone does not meet eligibility for teacher registration and therefore should only be taken by students who already have completed an initial teacher education program.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
#11
2
**1

Choose one of the following (other courses are available from the Mathematics and Statistics specialisation):

#22Pre-requisite: or MAT1502 or or Students must be enrolled in the following program: MSCN
22
11

Footnotes
# and give a higher level of Algebra & Calculus that are essential for teaching Mathematics B & C (or equivalent) in schools. Students without an appropriate background for MAT1102 should contact the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences to discuss options. Students can take and as alternatives to these two courses with the Approval of the Program Coordinator.
**In choose the Data Analysis and Research Reporting option. If students have completed a Data Analysis course, students can choose another Level 8 topic in STA8180/90 or MAT8180/90.

Back to top

Mathematics for Primary/Middle School Teaching Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

This specialisation alone does not meet eligibility for teacher registration and therefore should only be taken by students who already have completed an initial teacher education program.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
2
**2

Choose two of the following:

22
11
1

Footnotes
**In choose the Statistical Literacy option. If students have completed a Statistics course, students can choose another Level 8 course in or

Back to top

Physics Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
1
2
2

Back to top

Science for Primary/Middle School Teaching Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

This specialisation alone does not meet eligibility for teacher registration and therefore should only be taken by students who already have completed an initial teacher education program.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Residential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Choose any two of the following courses:

11
22
22
† 1 1 C
†22CPre-requisite:
+ 1
2
* 2
*1
1 1
1,2
1
2

Choose any two of the following courses:

1
2
2
1

Footnotes
†On-campus (Toowoomba) residential school required for external (distance) offering.
+ This course uses in-home practical kits. There is no residential school requirement.
* Astronomical observations for each course are made remotely via Internet access to USQ’s Mt Kent Observatory. Voluntary field nights will also be made available.

Back to top

Statistics Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Students in this program need to have successfully completed and or equivalent.

Choose at least two of the following:

11
11Pre-requisite:
22

Choose at most two of the following:

11Pre-requisite: and ( or )
22Pre-requisite:
11Pre-requisite: or approval of examiner
22Pre-requisite: or approval of examiner

Back to top

Wine Technology Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Residential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1
1

Plus choose two from the following:

2
1
2Pre-requisite:
† 1 1 C
1CPre-requisite: and
2Pre-requisite: and ( or )
1,2,31,2,3Pre-requisite: Completion of 2nd year (or 2 years full time study in a relevant area)
† 2 CPre-requisite:

Footnotes
†On-campus (Toowoomba) residential school required for external (distance) offering.