All courses at USC have a digital course 'site' in the learning management system (LMS). From Semester 1, 2022 USC is moving to a new LMS called Canvas. Your course information is uploaded to Canvas by your Course Coordinator and should be available within two weeks before classes start.

Canvas will provide you with access to your course learning materials, videos, discussions, announcements, assessment information and assignment submission portals.

What does the LMS change mean for new students? A better learning experience! You'll be notified once Canvas has launched and invited to log in and take a look around.

You might see the name 'Blackboard' mentioned sometimes between now and Canvas launching. This is the old LMS and you won't be using it for your studies, however you might be invited to access some Orientation materials via Blackboard.

The course outline contains key information about your course, such as the course description, course schedule, learning/assessment tasks and due dates. It also has details about textbooks and recommended readings and your responsibilities as a student. You can find your course outline for each course you are enrolled in via Canvas, which are made available approximately two weeks before the start of your study period. How do I find my Course Outline?

Prescribed textbooks and course workbooks are the required reading material that supplement your lectures and tutorials. Having regular and easy access to them is important.

Check your course outline for a list of required textbooks and course workbooks. It is recommended that you order the items prescribed in the course outline for your relevant Semester/Session as they may change from previous study periods.

You can purchase your textbooks online, from Booktopia online via the Textbook Finder page:

1. Select Institution and Campus
2. Select Semester
3. Select Course Code

or on-campus from;

• • Caboolture campus: Queensland Textbook Warehouse (QTW), located on the ground floor of B Block
  • Moreton Bay campus: Online at EduGear

Second-hand textbooks can also be purchased:

• Online through Facebook - USC Textbooks - Buy and Sell - University of the Sunshine Coast
• From Blackboard > Organisations tab > Campus Life and Student Groups > Textbooks - buy and sell here
• Through the USC Student Guild textbook hub located at the Uni Club, Sunshine Coast campus.
• Via public noticeboards throughout campuses

A copy of physical prescribed texts and readings (selected by the Course Coordinator) are held in the Reserve Collection at each campus library where the course is offered. To search the Reserve Collection, go to the library homepage and search for your course code in the library search box. To learn more, visit the Find information library guide.

Course workbooks can be ordered online via MyPrint Shop once available, usually three weeks before the start of classes. Check the Student News and email newsletter for a notice when they are available to order.

Check your course outline for a list of required textbooks and course workbooks. It is recommended that you order the items prescribed in the course outline for your relevant Semester/Session as they may change from previous study periods.

For each course you study, your Course Coordinator may have selected key readings for you to complete each week. These readings may be book chapters, journal articles, online videos and other types of sources. You will find course readings in your Course in Canvas.

Login to Canvas, select your course, then select the menu item for Course Readings. Most Course Readings are divided in a similar way to the Learning Materials for that course, either by week, module or topic. To learn more, visit the Find information library guide.

Microsoft Office 365 is offered free to all actively enrolled USC students to help with your studies. Download and install Microsoft Office.

Keep track of your studies and important dates with the assistance of a student diary and the academic calendar. Collect your free student diary at Orientation or from Student Central at your campus.

USC is committed to embedding and fostering a culture of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. To ensure these core values are understood, new students are required to successfully complete the Academic Integrity and Respect at USC modules before they start their studies. Find out how to complete your pre-study modules.