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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.

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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  

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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.

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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

  • Identify, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information gathered from a range of scientific sources to enable the development of problem solving skills

  • 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

  • Proficiently communicate knowledge within a scientific context to a diverse range of audiences, including professionals, paraprofessionals, clients and the wider community

  • Work autonomously displaying accountability, responsibility, cultural competency and ethical capacity for their own performance and actions within defined parameters.


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Program Information Set

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

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Admission requirements

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

  • Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 61.5, or equivalent qualification.^

  • English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.


Applicants are advised to also note the following:

  • expectations: English and General Mathematics


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 2021 ATAR 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.

Adjustment factors may help you get into the program of your choice by increasing your entrance 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.

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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 .

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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 

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

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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:

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Biology major

Courses  Semester(s) Offered  Mode 
  1  ONC, EXT* 
  1  ONC, EXT* 
  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).

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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 

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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 
  1  ONC, EXT 

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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 

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Physical Sciences major

Choose four courses from the following five approved courses:

Courses  Semester(s) Offered  Mode 
  1  ONC, ONL 
^  1  ONC, ONL 
  2  ONC, ONL 
^  2  ONC, 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 . and have required mathematics co-requisites. Please refer to the course specification for further detail.

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 
^OR  2  ONC, ONL 
  1  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 .

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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.

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: 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:


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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.

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

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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.


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

Year 1

1111HR
1111HRPre-requisite:
1111
Elective 11111
1212HR
1212Pre-requisite: (BIO1100 or or )
12
Elective 21212

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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.


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedResidential schoolEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)		External
(EXT)		Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111HR
1111
1212HR
12
2121HRPre-requisite:
Elective 12121
2222Pre-requisite: (BIO1100 or or )
Elective 22222

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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.


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)		External
(EXT)		Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
1111
Elective 11111
1212Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: UCCC or GDTI or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN or BSED
12
1212
Elective 21212

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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.


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)		External
(EXT)		Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
1212
12
2121
Elective 12121
2222Pre-requisite: or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: UCCC or GDTI or GCEN or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MCTN or BSED
Elective 22222

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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.


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

Year 1

1111
1111
1111
1111
12
12
Elective 11212
Elective 21212

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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.


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)		External
(EXT)		Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
12
12
2121
2121
Elective 12222
Elective 22222

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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.


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

Choose one of the following two courses:

     *1111
     *1111
1111
1111
Elective 11111
1212
12
1212Enrolment is not permitted in if STA3100 has been previously completed.
Elective 21212

Footnotes
*Students who have completed Mathematics B (4, SA) or equivalent should include in their program. All other students should include .

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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.


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)		External
(EXT)		Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
1212
12
2121
Elective 12121
2222Enrolment is not permitted in if STA3100 has been previously completed.
Elective 22222

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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.


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

Year 1

1111
1111,2

Recommended Elective

1111

Choose four courses from the following five approved courses:

     1111
     ^1111Co-requisite: ( or ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MSCN or GDSI or GCSC
     1212
     ^1212Co-requisite: ( or ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MSCN or GDSI or GCSC
     12
Elective1212

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 . and have required mathematics co-requisites. Please refer to the course specification for further detail.

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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.


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

Year 1

1111
22

Recommended Elective

1212

Choose four courses from the following five approved courses:

     1111
     ^2121Co-requisite: ( or ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MSCN or GDSI or GCSC
     1212
     ^2222Co-requisite: ( or ) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MSCN or GDSI or GCSC
     22
Elective21,221,2

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 . and have required mathematics co-requisites. Please refer to the course specification for further detail.