Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

• Complete 2 core courses.
• Complete 7 required introductory (100 level) courses.
• Complete 11 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
• Complete 4 elective courses, 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
• Complete a major design area and a minor design area.
• Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
• Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
• Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.

Program notes

• Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
• The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream. The 4 advanced courses from one of the design streams will constitute a minor in that stream.
• Students can convert their chosen minor into a second major by taking 2 further advanced DES courses in that stream.
• Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
• As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
• Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
• Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
• When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.

Program structure

Core courses (2)

Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Introductory courses (7)

7 required courses:
CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice
DES101 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES102 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES103 Digital Photographic Practice
DES104 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES105 Introduction to Design
DES106 Typography

Advanced courses (11)

1 required course:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional

PLUS select 10 required courses: 

• Select 6 advanced

(200/300 level) courses from one of the following streams for a major

Select 4 advanced (200/300 level) courses from a second stream for a minor.

Graphic Design:

DES211 Graphic Design A
DES212 Graphic Design B
DES213 Graphic Design C
DES214 Graphic Design D
DES215 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES216 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio

e-Media:

DES221 e-Media A
DES222 e-Media B
DES223 e-Media C
DES224 e-Media D
DES225 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES226 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio

3D Design:

DES231 3D Design A
DES232 3D Design B
DES233 3D Design C
DES234 3D Design D
DES235 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES236 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio

Elective courses (4)

Select 4 elective courses, 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
Up to 4 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

TOTAL UNITS 288

Study Plan

The Bachelor of Computer Based Design Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Core courses (2)

Complete 2 core courses.

Select 2 core courses from:

Course	Semester of offer	Units	Requisites
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Required courses (8)

Course	Semester of offer	Units	Requisites
DES101 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES102 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES103 Digital Photographic Practice
DES104 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES105 Introduction to Design
DES106 Typography
CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional

Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .

Required advanced courses (10)

• Select 6 advanced (200/300 level) courses from one of the following streams for a major
• Select 4 advanced (200/300 level) courses from a second stream for a minor.

Graphic Design:

Course	Semester of offer	Units	Requisites
DES211 Graphic Design A
DES212 Graphic Design B
DES213 Graphic Design C
DES214 Graphic Design D
DES215 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES216 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio

e-Media:

Course	Semester of offer	Units	Requisites
DES221 e-Media A
DES222 e-Media B
DES223 e-Media C
DES224 e-Media D
DES225 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES226 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio

3D Design:

Course	Semester of offer	Units	Requisites
DES231 3D Design A
DES232 3D Design B
DES233 3D Design C
DES234 3D Design D
DES235 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES236 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio

Elective courses (4)

Select 4 elective courses , 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
Up to 4 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).