Associate Degree in Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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This page was archived on 26 March 2018 and is no longer updated.

Associate Degree in Science

Fast-track your scientific skills

Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
064652A
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
2 years
Semester tuition fee 2018
A$12,800
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$51,200
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2023 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013101
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 19 Rank - 60
UniSC program code
SC201
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
2 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
on campus
Recommended prior study
English; Maths B, or C; and at least one of the sciences, preferably Chemistry
Fee type 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
16
Total units
192

Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.

Fast-track your science education and gain guaranteed entry into a degree at USC. This program provides students with an alternative pathway to the Bachelor of Science and related programs at USC.

The program aims to meet the needs of students who may have a limited background in science, thus during your first year you’ll learn core scientific principles such as biology, chemistry and introductory mathematics. You then have the flexibility to select an area to specialise in.

Areas you can specialise in include: Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.

After you complete your Associate Degree, you’ll receive full credit towards and direct entry into the Bachelor of Science or another degree in your chosen field of study. USC also offers Associate Degrees in Business and Medical Laboratory Science.

Minors

Students are required to study 1 minor pathway from either Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.

Career opportunities

Depending on major chosen: research and education, industry / government.

Fees

The 2017 Australian Federal Budget proposes changes to fee arrangements for higher education students. If these changes are passed by the Federal Parliament, domestic students who have a completed higher education qualification and are studying Diploma or Associate Degree programs may not be eligible for Commonwealth Support from Semester 1, 2018. We will provide further information on any changes to fees as soon as it is available.

Program structure

Introductory courses (7)

COR109 Communication and Thought
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SCI113 Discovering Science

PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
MTH104 Introductory Calculus

Pathway courses (4)

Select 1 pathway from:

Biology

ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LFS252 Molecular Biology
LFS261 Microbiology

Biotechnology

LFS251 Biochemistry
LFS252 Molecular Biology
LFS261 Microbiology
MBT254 Biotechnology: Research to Product

Chemistry

CHM202 Organic Chemistry
CHM210 Inorganic Chemistry
CHM310 Physical Chemistry
LFS251 Biochemistry

Ecology

ENS213 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS282 Coastal and Marine Ecology

Food Biosecurity

LFS261 Microbiology
PUB205 Food Safety Laws and Regulations
SCI212 Genetics
SCI303 Biosecurity

Mathematics

ANM203 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
MTH201 Calculus II and Linear Algebra
MTH212 Discrete Mathematics
MTH302 Applied Mathematics

Elective courses (5)

Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these electives, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded).

*The number of electives may vary depending on the pathway chosen.

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

 

Total units: 192

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded).
Program notes
  • MTH103 and MTH104 assume you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent), and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements. MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses
  • It is highly recommended that students consider enrolling in relevant enabling courses
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)and following the recommended study sequence
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression.
  • You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
  • Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)