Diploma of Science (DPSC) - DipSci
QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 906271; External: 906275
| On-campus*^ | Online+ | |
| Start: | Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July) | Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July) |
| Campus: | Toowoomba | - |
| Fees: | Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place | Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place |
| Standard duration: | 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time | |
| Footnotes | |
| * | The Biology and Computing/IT majors cannot be completed full-time with a semester 2 entry. |
| ^ | Please refer to the Program Structure for further information on mode of offer for each major. |
| + | The Biology major is available on-campus and online with highly recommended on-campus residential schools. |
Contact us
| Future Australian and New Zealand students | Current students |
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315 Email: study@usq.edu.au |
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285 Email: usq.support@usq.edu.au |
Program aims
This is a generalist program providing students with the necessary skills that are essential for successful study in a Bachelor's degree and the knowledge of fundamental concepts in a chosen science major. The program aims to provide an articulation pathway for students into the BSCI Bachelor of Science.
Program objectives
On completion of this program, students should be able to:
-
Display broad technical and theoretical knowledge with some depth of understanding associated with the underlying principles and concepts within a scientific context
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Identify, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information gathered from a range of scientific sources to enable the development of problem solving skills
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Display and apply a limited range of specialist cognitive, technical and practical skills relevant for paraprofessional work and further study in a field of science
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Proficiently communicate knowledge within a scientific context to a diverse range of audiences, including professionals, paraprofessionals, clients and the wider community
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Work autonomously displaying accountability, responsibility, cultural competency and ethical capacity for their own performance and actions within defined parameters.
Program Information Set
View USQ鈥檚 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) 15, tertiary entrance rank 68 or equivalent qualification.^
-
English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.
Applicants are advised to also note the following:
-
expectations: English and Mathematics A.
All students are required to satisfy the applicable .
If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a 精东传媒app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.
| ^ |
These are determined by the 精东传媒app 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 .
Program structure
The Diploma of Science consists of 8 units comprising 2 core units of Foundation Studies with 4 units chosen from either a specified major or from level 1 or 2 courses included in the Diploma of Science or the Bachelor of Science, with two additional elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Faculty approval.
| Major | Offering | ||
| ONC | ONL | EXT | |
| Biology | Toowoomba | Highly recommended residential schools | |
| Computing/IT | Toowoomba | Online | |
| Environment and Sustainability | Toowoomba | Online | |
| Mathematics | Toowoomba | Online | |
| Physical Sciences | Online | ||
| General Science | Depends on the 6 Approved courses | ||
Core courses
Foundation Studies
The Foundation knowledge courses for every major in the program are listed in the table below. Students wishing to vary foundation studies courses must obtain Faculty approval.
| Course | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1,2 | ONC, ONL | |
| 1 | ONC, ONL |
Specific majors
In this section:
- Biology major
- Computing/IT major
- Environment and Sustainability major
- Mathematics major
- Physical Sciences major
- General Science major courses
Biology major
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, EXT* | |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONC, EXT* | |
| 2 | ONC, ONL |
| Footnotes | |
| * | This offering has a highly recommended residential school (linked to an assessment item and non-attendance will mean a student misses an element for assessment preparation or an element of assessment). |
Biology major - recommended electives (Complete either the recommended electives or two (2) elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Program Coordinator approval.)
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, EXT* | |
| 2 | ONC, EXT* |
| Footnotes | |
| * | This offering has a highly recommended residential school (linked to an assessment item and non-attendance will mean a student misses an element for assessment preparation or an element of assessment). |
Computing/IT major
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 1,2,3 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONC, ONL | |
| 1,2,3 | ONC, ONL |
Computing/IT major - recommended electives (Complete either the recommended electives or two (2) elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Program Coordinator approval.)
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONC, ONL |
Environment and Sustainability major
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONL |
Environment and Sustainability major - recommended electives (Complete either the recommended electives or two (2) elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Program Coordinator approval.)
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 2 | ONC, ONL | |
| OR | 2 | ONL |
| 1 | ONC, EXT |
Mathematics major
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1,2,3 | ONC, ONL | |
| * OR * | 1 | ONC, ONL |
| 2 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONC, ONL |
| Footnotes | |
| * | Students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent should include in their program. All other students should include . |
Mathematics major - recommended electives (Complete either the recommended electives or two (2) elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Program Coordinator approval.)
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONC, ONL | |
| 2 | ONC, ONL |
Physical Sciences major
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 1 | ONL | |
| ^ | 1 | ONL |
| 2 | ONL | |
| ^ | 2 | ONL |
| Footnotes | |
| ^ | and can only be completed by students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent. Students who have not completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent must complete as one of the electives prior to enrolling in and . |
Physical Sciences major - recommended electives (Complete either the recommended electives or two (2) elective units chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to Program Coordinator approval.)
| Courses | Semester(s) Offered | Mode |
| 2 | ONC, ONL | |
| ^OR | 2 | ONC, ONL |
| 2 | ONC, ONL |
| Footnotes | |
| ^ | and can only be completed by students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent. Students who have not completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent must complete as one of the electives prior to enrolling in and . |
General Science major courses
Any four (4) level 1 or 2 approved courses included in the Bachelor of Science or Diploma of Science, plus any two (2) approved elective courses chosen from any level 1 or 2 course offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland, subject to pre-requisite requirements and Program Coordinator approval.
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 .
Highly recommended residential school (linked to an assessment item and non-attendance will mean a student misses an element for assessment preparation or an element of assessment).
Biology major:
Articulation
Upon successful completion of the Diploma of Science students have the opportunity to articulate directly into the BSCI Bachelor of Science).
Students articulating into the USQ BSCI Bachelor of Science may be given exemptions for eight courses completed in the Diploma of Science.
Recommended enrolment patterns
In this section:
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Biology - Full-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Biology - Part-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Computing/IT - Full-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Computing/IT - Part-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability - Full-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability - Part-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics - Full-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics - Part-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Physical Sciences - Full-time
- Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Physical Sciences - Part-time
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Biology - Full-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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Residential school | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | ||||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | |||
|
Year 1 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | HR | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Pre-requisite: | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | HR | Pre-requisite: | |||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Pre-requisite: ( or or ) | ||||
| 1 | 2 | |||||||
| Elective 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Biology - 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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Residential school | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | ||||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | |||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | HR | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | HR | Pre-requisite: | |||
| 1 | 2 | |||||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Pre-requisite: | ||||
| Elective 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Pre-requisite: ( or or ) | ||||
| Elective 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Computing/IT - Full-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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN or BSED | |||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Elective 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Computing/IT - 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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN or BSED | |||
| Elective 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability - Full-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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
|
Year 1 | |||||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Elective 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability - 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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Elective 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics - Full-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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
|
Choose one of the following two courses: | |||||||
| * | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| * | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Enrolment is not permitted in if STA3100 has been previously completed. | |||
| Elective 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Footnotes | |
| * | Students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent should include in their program. All other students should include . |
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics - 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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Enrolment is not permitted in if STA3100 has been previously completed. | |||
| Elective 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Physical Sciences - Full-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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
|
Year 1 | |||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||
| ^ | 1 | 1 | |||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| ^ | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Elective 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Footnotes | |
| ^ | and can only be completed by students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent. Students who have not completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent must complete as one of the electives prior to enrolling in and . |
Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Physical Sciences - 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.
| Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | |||||
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | ||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Elective 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| ^ | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Elective 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| ^ | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Footnotes | |
| ^ | and can only be completed by students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent. Students who have not completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent must complete as one of the electives prior to enrolling in and . |