Associate Degree of Spatial Science (ADSS)

Engineering and Built Environment
AssocDegSpSc

Associate Degree of Spatial Science (ADSS) - AssocDegSpSc

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): (External: 907065; Toowoomba campus: 907062); Surveying (Springfield campus: 927061)

CRICOS code (International applicants): 053510F

	On-campus^*	External^@*
Semester intake:	Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July)	Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July)
Campus:	Springfield, 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
Residential school:		Springfield, Toowoomba
Standard duration:	2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Program articulation:	To: Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours); Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology

Footnotes
^	Availability of majors: Geographic Information Systems — on-campus at USQ Toowoomba and external; Surveying — on-campus at USQ Toowoomba, USQ Springfield, and external; Urban and Regional Planning — on-campus at USQ Toowoomba and external.
*	The Urban and Regional Planning major articulates fully to the Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours). With the possible exception of a couple of courses, the other majors articulate to the Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology and the Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours).
@	International overseas students are advised against studying this program, as it contains mandatory residential schools. External students must be able to attend mandatory residential schools at a USQ campus.

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: studyeng@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

Professional accreditation

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science (Surveying) is accredited by the Surveyors Board of Queensland and graduates may seek registration with the Board of Surveyors.

Graduates from the GIS and Surveying majors in the Associate Degree of Spatial Science are eligible to apply for membership with the .

Program aims

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science program provides students with the theory, methods and practices required by an associate to support a practising professional spatial scientist. To this end the program provides students with a general understanding of the broad practice and knowledge in the spatial science profession and the technical skills to work in one of three fields: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Surveying or Urban and Regional Planning.

Program objectives

A student who successfully completes the Associate Degree of Spatial Science should be able to:

display a broad range of theoretical and technical knowledge, including the underlying principles and concepts fundamental to spatial science
identify, analyse and evaluate information in order to solve technical problems within a limited range and context of spatial science
collect, store, adapt and manipulate spatial data to communicate effectively with a range of audiences including professionals, para-professionals, clients and the wider community
exercise appropriate judgement when identifying and responding to cultural, ethical, environmental and social issues
adapt to change, master new techniques and the skills required to process information and pathway to undertake further learning and study

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 06. Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.

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

Program Information Set

View USQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under via the QTAC website.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

Have achieved a minimum Overall Position (OP) 16, tertiary entrance rank 66 or equivalent qualification.^

Subject Pre-requisites: English (4, SA), Mathematics A (4, SA) or equivalent.
English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.

Applicants are advised to also note the following:

Recommended Prior ��ýapp: Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ��ýapp-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

These are determined by the ��ýapp for specific programs each Semester. The 2019 OP and tertiary entrance ranks are based on agreed QTAC schedules which assess formal study at Year 12 or , tertiary, preparatory, professional or vocational qualifications or work experience, as detailed in the QTAC Assessment of Qualifications Manual and QTAC Assessor Guidelines.

Special admissions may help you get into the program of your choice by increasing your Selection Rank. The additional points don't apply to all applicants or all programs. Please read the information about USQ's carefully to find out what you may be eligible for.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students 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. Students 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. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Program structure

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science program consists of 16 Academic courses and two or three Practice courses, depending upon major (Geographic Information Systems, Surveying or Urban and Regional Planning).

Academic courses are one-unit courses and involve approximately 155 hours of student work per unit.

Practice courses are zero unit courses and each involves approximately 50 hours of student work.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

Electives/Approved courses

Approved courses are part of the academic program and students should select approved courses from the list provided.

Practice courses

The major practical work requirements associated with each of the Engineering and Built Environment programs are contained within a series of Practice courses. These courses are designed to enhance learning, communication and practical skills through laboratory sessions, workshops, seminars, field trips and group activities.

Practical experience

Work experience is desirable and encouraged but is not required for the completion of the Associate Degree of Spatial Science. Students are encouraged to obtain work experience during vacation periods.

IT requirements

Access to an up-to-date computer is necessary. On-campus students can access appropriately equipped laboratories, but should consider acquisition of their own computer. External students should be able to access a computer with the following as advised by the ��ýapp. All students should have access to email and the Internet via a computer running the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. The ��ýapp has a wireless network for on-campus students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. Specialist software is required for some courses.

Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: V = Voluntary; O = Optional; C = Compulsory; R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. To find out more about , visit the to view specific dates for your degree, or visit the .

Students are required to undertake practical and professional activities relevant to their program through enrolment in a series of Practice courses in the program. Practice courses are zero unit courses that may be undertaken in either on-campus or external mode and the final grades available are Pass (P)/Fail (F) only. They are a compulsory part of the program and do not attract a student contribution charge for Australian residents or a tuition fee for international students. The recommended enrolment schedule for Practice courses is shown in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern for the program in this Handbook.

External students must attend a number of residential schools during their program to obtain experience in practical and professional activities appropriate to the program. The residential schools are included in Practice courses which are conducted in Semester 3 or during the recess periods. The dates for each residential school Practice course are shown in the in this Handbook and external students should ensure they are able to attend the residential school prior to enrolling in a Practice course. Personal protective equipment is compulsory in many engineering, construction and spatial science laboratories, students should confirm the requirements before attending residential schools for Practice courses.

Students who enrol in on-campus mode for Practice courses normally undertake a series of weekly activities and/or attend a compulsory residential school.

Geographic Information Systems

Surveying

Urban and Regional Planning

Articulation

Students can articulate, sometimes with the exception of a couple of courses, into the Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology and Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours) programs.

Exit points

Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Associate Degree of Spatial Science and who satisfy all of the requirements of the may be permitted to exit with that award.

Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

Work Experience

Work and industrial experience that has not been formally assessed, does not normally qualify for course credit in the Associate Degree of Spatial Science program.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

Geographic Information Systems major recommended full-time enrolment pattern
Geographic Information Systems major recommended part-time enrolment pattern
Surveying major recommended full-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)
Surveying major recommended part-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)
Urban and Regional Planning major recommended full-time enrolment pattern
Urban and Regional Planning major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

Geographic Information Systems major recommended full-time enrolment pattern

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.

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Geographic Information Systems (Major ��ýapp Code: 15409)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses, Year 1
Year 1, Semester 1
^*	1	1				1,2
	1	1				1,3
	1	1				1
	1	1				1
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				2
	1	2				1,2
	1	2				2
	1	2				1,2
Practice Course, Year 1
	1	1	2	1			M
Academic Courses, Year 2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1		Pre-requisite: and or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDST or MSST or GCST or MENS or MSPT
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	1				1
Year 2, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
	2	2				2
	2	2				2
Practice Course, Year 2
			3	3			M	Pre-requisite: ( and ) or () or (Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GDNS or MENS)
Approved Courses (Select 3 courses from the following)
		1,2				1,2,3
		2				2
		1				1,3
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS
		1,2				1,2,3
		1				1,2
		1				1
		1				1,2,3
		2				2
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
		1				1
		2				2

Footnotes
*	Students who achieve a high level in Year 12 Mathematics, or an equivalent mathematics program, may be eligible to replace the study of with .

Geographic Information Systems major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

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.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Geographic Information Systems (Major ��ýapp Code: 15409)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses, Years 1-2
Year 1, Semester 1
^*	1	1				1,2
	1	1				1,3
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				2
	1	2				1,2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
Year 2, Semester 2
	2	2				2
	2	2				1,2
Practice Course, Year 1 or 2
	2	1		1			M
Academic Courses, Years 3-4
Year 3, Semester 1
	3	1				1
	3	1				1
Year 3, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	3	2				2
	3	2				2
Year 4, Semester 1
	4	1				1		Pre-requisite: and or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDST or MSST or GCST or MENS or MSPT
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	4	1				1
Year 4, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	4	2				2
	4	2				2
Practice Course, Year 3 or 4
	3			3			M	Pre-requisite: ( and ) or () or (Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GDNS or MENS)
Approved Courses (Select 3 courses from the following)
		1,2				1,2,3
		2				2
		1				1,3
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS
		1,2				1,2,3
		1				1,2
		1				1
		1				1,2,3
		2				2
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
		1				1
		2				2

Footnotes
*	Students who achieve a high level in Year 12 Mathematics, or an equivalent mathematics program, may be eligible to replace the study of with .

Surveying major recommended full-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)

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.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Surveying (Major ��ýapp Code: 15410)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses, Year 1
Year 1, Semester 1
^*	1	1				1,2
	1	1				1,3
	1	1				1
	1	1				1
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				1,2
	1	2				2
	1	2				2
	1	2				2		Pre-requisite: or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
Practice Course, Year 1
	1	1	2	1			M
Academic Courses, Year 2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
	2	1				1		Pre-requisite: and or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
	2	1				1
	2	1				1		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSPT
Year 2, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
	2	2				2		Pre-requisite:
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
Choose one of the following two courses:
^{^^}	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
^{^^}						2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MENS
Practice Courses, Year 2
	2	1	3	3			M	Pre-requisite: and and and
	2	2	4	3			M	Pre-requisite: and and and
Approved Courses (Select from the following)
^**	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
^**						2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MENS
		1				1
		1				1		Pre-requisite: MAT1500 or ENG1500 or or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or GCEN
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
		2				2
		1				1
		1				1,2
		1				1
		2				2
		1				1
		2				2
		2				2

Footnotes
*	Students who achieve a high level in Year 12 Mathematics, or an equivalent mathematics program, may be eligible to replace the study of with .
^^	Students should study the course appropriate to their intended jurisdiction of practice.
**	The alternative to the previously completed Cadastral core course may be taken as an elective/approved course.

Surveying major recommended part-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)

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.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Surveying (Major ��ýapp Code: 15410)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses, Years 1-2
Year 1, Semester 1
^*	1	1				1,2
	1	1				1,3
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				1,2
	1	2				2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
Year 2, Semester 2
	2	2				2
	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
Practice Course, Year 1 or 2
	2	1		1			M
Academic Courses, Years 3-4
Year 3, Semester 1
	3	1				1		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSPT
	3	1				1		Pre-requisite: and or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
Year 3, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	3	2				2
	3	2				2		Pre-requisite:
Year 4, Semester 1
	4	1				1
	4	1				1		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSPT
Year 4, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	4	2				2
Choose one of the following two courses:
^{^^}	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
^{^^}						2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MENS
Practice Courses, Year 3 or 4
	3	1		3			M	Pre-requisite: and and and
	4	2		3			M	Pre-requisite: and and and
Approved Courses (Select from the following)
^**	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
^**						2		Pre-requisite: ( and ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MENS
		1				1
		1				1		Pre-requisite: MAT1500 or ENG1500 or or or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or GCEN
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GCST or GDNS or GDST or MSST or MSPT or MENS
		2				2
		1				1
		1				1,2
		1				1
		2				2
		1				1
		2				2
		2				2

Footnotes
*	Students who achieve a high level in Year 12 Mathematics, or an equivalent mathematics program, may be eligible to replace the study of with .
^^	Students should study the course appropriate to their intended jurisdiction of practice.
**	The alternative to the previously completed Cadastral core course may be taken as an elective/approved course.

Urban and Regional Planning major recommended full-time enrolment pattern

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.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Urban and Regional Planning (Major ��ýapp Code: 16734)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses Year 1
Year 1, Semester 1
	1	1				1
	1	1				1,3
	1	1				1
	1	1				1
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				2
	1	2				1,2
	1	2				2		Pre-requisite: Students enrolled in one of the following Programs: LLBP or BLAW or BABL or BALW or BBBL or BBLA or BCBL or BCLA or BCLW are not eligible for enrolment Enrolment is not permitted in if LAW1101 has been previously completed
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	1	2				2
Practice Course, Year 1
	1	1	2	1			M
Academic Courses Year 2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
Year 2, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
	2	2				2
	2	2				2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
Practice Course, Year 2
			2	3			M	Pre-requisite: ( and ) or () or (Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GDNS or MENS)
Approved Courses (Select from the following)
		1,2				1,2,3
		1				1,2,3
		1				1,2,3
						1
		1				1
		2				2
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS
^*		1				1		Co-requisite: LAW1101 or or or or (Students enrolled in BEDU (Legal Studies) or BLAW or LLBP or BALW or BBLA or BCLA or BCLW & Co-requisite LAW1201 or ) or (Students enrolled in DJUR & Co-requisite LAW5501 or )
		2				2
		2				2

Footnotes
*	On-campus offer available at Springfield only

Urban and Regional Planning major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

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.

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
Major ��ýapp: Urban and Regional Planning (Major ��ýapp Code: 16734)
	On-campus (ONC)		External (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Academic Courses Year 1
Year 1, Semester 1
	1	1				1
	1	1				1,3
Year 1, Semester 2
	1	2				2
	1	2				1,2
Year 2, Semester 1
	2	1				1
	2	1				1
Year 2, Semester 2
	2	2				2		Pre-requisite: Students enrolled in one of the following Programs: LLBP or BLAW or BABL or BALW or BBBL or BBLA or BCBL or BCLA or BCLW are not eligible for enrolment Enrolment is not permitted in if LAW1101 has been previously completed
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	2	2				2
Practice Course, Year 1 or 2
	2	1		1			M
Academic Courses Years 3-4
Year 3, Semester 1
	3	1				1
	3	1				1
Year 3, Semester 2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	3	2				2
	3	2				2
Year 4, Semester 1
	4	1				1
	4	1				1
Year 4, Semester 2
	4	2				2
Approved Course (Select from the Approved Courses list)	4	2				2
Practice Course, Year 3 or 4
	4			3			M	Pre-requisite: ( and ) or () or (Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCNS or GDNS or MENS)
Approved Courses (Select from the following)
		1,2				1,2,3
		1				1,2,3
		1				1,2,3
						1
		1				1
		2				2
		2				2		Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCST or GDST or MSST or MSPT or GCNS or GDNS or MENS
^*		1				1		Co-requisite: LAW1101 or or or or (Students enrolled in BEDU (Legal Studies) or BLAW or LLBP or BALW or BBLA or BCLA or BCLW & Co-requisite LAW1201 or ) or (Students enrolled in DJUR & Co-requisite LAW5501 or )
		2				2
		2				2

Footnotes
*	On-campus offer available at Springfield only

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