What are core courses?

The University of the Sunshine Coast offers three core courses for students enrolled in an undergraduate program.

The core courses provide transferable generic skills relevant to all disciplines at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

These skills create a foundation for academic study, improve the general knowledge base of graduates and contribute to a positive first year experience.

Full-time undergraduate students are generally required to complete at least two of the three core courses by the end of their second year of enrolment, or the equivalent for part time students.

Students can choose any two out of the three courses, all of which are useful to their degrees.

Core courses and graduate attributes

All of the University’s courses address a combination of graduate attributes, but core courses underpin student development of graduate attributes. This is achieved by:

• focusing students on graduate attributes in their first year of study
• commencing student achievement of all graduate attributes
• helping students establish their approaches to monitoring achievement of graduate attributes (Professor Paul Thomas, USC Vice Chancellor, November 2005).

‘Core courses form a significant part of the first year experience of undergraduate students and represent the cornerstone of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s thrust to build the interdisciplinary skills and capacities that are relevant to further study, work and employment.’ (The Beck Report into Core Courses, August 2005).

‘…these courses are an excellent initiative of the university and are certain to be of significant benefits to students’ (Nulty Review of Core Courses, December 2005).

Core courses offered

COR109 Medical Microbiology
COR110 Microbial Pathogenesis
COR111 Genetics

What do the core courses provide?

• a firm grounding in inquiry-based learning
• an opportunity to enhance the ability to communicate ideas and information
• guidance in developing interdisciplinary contexts of specific topics and subjects
• an environment which fosters the consideration of social impacts
• a stimulating learning environment encouraging intellectual growth and curiosity

Aims of the core courses

• to be a positive and constructive introduction to the university experience
• to provide effective progression into other courses in all faculties
• to encourage students to explore innovative and creative uses of technology
• to contribute to the development of graduates who are good communicators

More information

For more information about core courses, visit the core courses FAQs (frequently asked questions).