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CRICOS code (International applicants): 031448M

You are currently viewing the 2023 Handbook. For study in 2024, please refer to the .

Notes

In 2023 the program follows the Semester calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Semester calendar.

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Program aims

The program aims to produce graduates that are equipped with essential scientific and/or mathematical knowledge and an appreciation of the latest literature and technologies.

Agricultural Science specialisation
This specialisation provides graduates with a knowledge of contemporary issues associated with agricultural production and sustainability. The program aims to produce graduates with the capacity to engage with a range of agriculture related disciplines.

Applied Climate Science specialisation
The global climate service industry is estimated to have a significant and growing economic value. In Australia, the need for ‘climate smart’ professionals working within their chosen industry is growing with hundreds of job opportunities in industry and the public sector organisation. This specialisation is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and decision-making skills to work as ‘climate smart’ professionals in many sectors of economic activity including agriculture, food, water, energy, health, and natural resource management industries.

Applied Data Science specialisation
This specialisation is designed to provide an opportunity for graduates from all disciplines to gain skills and knowledge in handling data which are commonly known as Big Data, as well as producing and interpreting data analytics. The aim of this program is to provide students with a career path in the Data Science area or an opportunity for advancement in their career.

Environment and Sustainability specialisation
This specialisation provides graduates with knowledge of selected basic concepts and skills associated with environmental and climate science and the broad area of sustainability. The program aims to produce graduates with knowledge and skills for the integration of social, environmental and economic research within an interdisciplinary planning and policy framework and to provide capacity for the sustainable management of natural resources, businesses and communities.

Mathematics and Statistics specialisation
This specialisation aims to provide graduates with skills in key areas of mathematics or statistics that relate to the needs of their profession or industry, including teaching.

Physics and Astronomy specialisation
This specialisation is designed to provide an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in physics and astronomy and develop scientific research skills. The program provides professional development in science for those in educational or science communication careers.

Sport and Exercise specialisation
This specialisation aims to provide graduates with the opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge and skills relevant to health, fitness and sports performance across the lifespan to an advanced level. The specialisation is designed to meet personal achievement goals or provide for career opportunities within the health, sports and fitness industry such as sports coaches, personal trainers, sports development officers or a range of other roles.

General specialisation
This specialisation enables students who have completed at least 8 courses with at least 4 courses at Level 6 and/or 8 from courses within other Graduate Diploma of Science specialisations to exit from the MSCN Master of Science .

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Program objectives

On completion of the program graduates should be able to:

• Synthesise an understanding of a complex body of advanced knowledge in a discipline of science.

• Apply established theories to a body of advanced knowledge or practice in a relevant science discipline.

• Critically analyse, evaluate and consolidate on complex advanced information, problems, concepts and theories applicable to a relevant science discipline.

• Interpret and transmit advanced knowledge, skills and ideas, both individually and collaboratively, to a range of audiences.

• Display autonomy, responsibility, adaptability and ethical practise in decision-making and engage in lifelong learning through critical reflection in a range of professional and cultural contexts.

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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 .

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Admission requirements

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

• Completion of an Australian university three year Bachelor degree in any area, or equivalent

  or

  equivalent professional work experience, as determined through the .

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

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

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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 .

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, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

All specialisations within the program consist of eight units of study taken from the specialisation tables. At least four units must be at Level 6 and/or 8.

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Required time limits

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

Specific specialisations

In this section:

• Agricultural Science specialisation
• Applied Climate Science specialisation
• Applied Data Science specialisation
• Environment and Sustainability specialisation
• Mathematics and Statistics specialisation
• Physics and Astronomy specialisation
• Sport and Exercise specialisation
• General specialisation

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Agricultural Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 4 core courses, all available in online mode, and 4 approved courses.

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Applied Climate Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of the following courses, which are all available by online mode only. Students may vary their enrolment on the basis of prior studies or professional requirements with the approval of the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au. This specialisation is not suitable for international on-campus students.

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Applied Data Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of eight courses which are all available on-campus and online.

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Environment and Sustainability specialisation

This specialisation consists of the following eight core courses which are all available in online mode. Students may vary their enrolment on the basis of prior studies or professional requirements with the approval of the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au. This specialisation is not suitable for international on-campus students.

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Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

This specialisation consists of eight units of study. The courses studied will depend on the student's background in mathematics.

Students without MAT1102 (S1) and STA6200 (S1, S2) may not be able to complete in one year.

Students must complete eight courses from the following tables. At least four courses must be at Level 6 and/or 8. Students may seek approval from the Discipline Coordinator to enrol in courses not listed in these tables.

Semester 1 Courses

Semester 2 Courses

Courses Offered in Either Semester 1 Or Semester 2

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Physics and Astronomy specialisation

This specialisation consists of eight units of study (six (6) core courses and one (1) approved two-unit course). Students may vary their enrolment on the basis of prior studies or professional requirements with the approval of the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au. This specialisation is not suitable for international on-campus students.

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Sport and Exercise specialisation

This specialisation consists of four compulsory courses and four approved courses.

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General specialisation

This specialisation enables students who have completed at least 8 courses with at least 4 courses at Level 6 and/or 8 from courses within other Graduate Diploma of Science specialisations to exit from the Master of Science . Students can use completed courses that meet the program objectives of the Graduate Diploma of Science to exit with that qualification.

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IT requirements

For information technology requirements, please refer to the .

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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 .

Sport and Exercise specialisation: For all modes there will be on-campus and practical attendance requirements for some courses. In order to successfully complete the program students must be able to fulfil any designated practical attendance requirements of a one week residential school in each year.

Agricultural Science (approved course)

• BIO3318 Plant Microbe Interactions

Sport and Exercise Specialisation

Core Courses:

• SES8001 Advanced Biomechanics

• SES8005 Advanced Exercise Physiology

• SES8006 Advanced Exercise Programming and Rehabilitation

• SES8007 Advanced Exercise Assessment and Delivery

Approved Courses:

• SES1103 Nutrition and Exercise

• SES3206 Strength Training and Conditioning

• SES8001 Advanced Biomechanics

• SES8003 Advanced Motor Control and Learning

• SES8008 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology

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Articulation

Graduate Diploma of Science students may articulate to the Master of Science coursework program with further completion of eight courses, as required by that program.

A student successfully completing all courses in the Graduate Diploma of Science program will receive full credit towards the Master of Science in the same specialisation. Students intending to continue with the Master of Science must apply for separate admission and may EITHER graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Science and receive full credit as exemptions into the Master of Science, OR choose not to graduate with the Graduate Diploma, in order to transfer their grades, maintain their GPA and articulate into the Masters of Science and ultimately qualify from this higher award only. Students who wish to transfer their grades and maintain their GPA into the Master of Science, must advise the Faculty in writing (usq.support@usq.edu.au) of their intention to articulate and this must occur prior to completion of the Graduate Diploma of Science.

Graduate Diploma of Science students may articulate to the Master of Science (Research) program if they meet other requirements for entry into that program. Students must advise the Faculty in writing (usq.support@usq.edu.au) of their intention to articulate to the Master of Science (Research) and should seek the advice of the Program Director with respect to transfer or application for course exemptions prior to graduation from the Graduate Diploma of Science.

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Exit points

Students may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Science if the courses completed satisfy the requirements of a Graduate Certificate of Science specialisation.

Sport and Exercise specialisation - students may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Sport and Exercise if the courses completed satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Certificate of Sport and Exercise.

Students should consult the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au should they wish to exit to ensure they satisfy requirements for the Graduate Certificate.

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

Sport and Exercise specialisation:

Exemption of four units may be granted if student has completed the Graduate Certificate of Sport and Exercise offered by UniSQ.

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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 Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au. 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:

• Agricultural Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time (2 Semesters, S1 entry)
• Agricultural Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Applied Climate Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry
• Applied Climate Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry
• Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry
• Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry
• Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry (without (CSC1401 or CSC5020) and (STA6200 or STA2300 or STA1003) in previous study)
• Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S2 entry (requires Program Director approval)
• Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S2 entry
• Environment and Sustainability specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry
• Environment and Sustainability specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry
• Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry (with QSSSS Mathematical Methods)
• Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry (without MAT1102 or STA1003 (or STA6200))
• Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry
• Physics and Astronomy specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry
• Physics and Astronomy Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry
• Sport and Exercise Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry

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Agricultural Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time (2 Semesters, S1 entry)

Note: This specialisation is not available for International on-campus students as core courses are available in online mode only.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is a recommended example. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au

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Agricultural Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)

Note: This specialisation is not available for International on-campus students as core courses are available in online mode only.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is a recommended example. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au

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Applied Climate Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry

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Applied Climate Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry

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Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry

This enrolment pattern is only available to students who have completed (CSC1401 Foundation Programming or CSC5020 Foundations of Programming ) and (STA6200 Statistics for Quantitative Researchers or STA2300 Data Analysis or STA1003 Fundamental Statistics) in previous study.

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Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry

This enrolment pattern is only available to students who have completed (CSC1401 Foundation Programming or CSC5020 Foundations of Programming ) and (STA6200 Statistics for Quantitative Researchers or STA2300 Data Analysis or STA1003 Fundamental Statistics) in previous study.

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Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry (without (CSC1401 or CSC5020) and (STA6200 or STA2300 or STA1003) in previous study)

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Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S2 entry (requires Program Director approval)

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Applied Data Science specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S2 entry

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Environment and Sustainability specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry

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Environment and Sustainability specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry

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Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry (with QSSSS Mathematical Methods)

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is an example only for S1 enrolment. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director.

This pattern assumes students have current skills at the level of Queensland Senior Secondary School Studies Mathematical Methods or equivalent. Students without this knowledge should contact the Program Director for advice and may have to study part-time.

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Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 entry (without MAT1102 or STA1003 (or STA6200))

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is an example only for S1 enrolment. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director.

This pattern requires students to have knowledge equivalent to MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I and (STA6200 Statistics for Quantitative Researchers or STA2300 ).

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Mathematics and Statistics specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 entry

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is an example only for S1 enrolment. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

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Physics and Astronomy specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is a recommended example. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

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Physics and Astronomy Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - part-time S1 or S2 entry

The recommended enrolment pattern for this specialisation is a recommended example. Students may vary or select their own pattern, keeping in mind any course pre-requisites, timetable constraints and the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

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Sport and Exercise Specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - full-time S1 or S2 entry