- Combine computer-based visual design with a career in communications
- Specialise in either graphic design, e-media design or 3D design
- Opportunities to exhibit in the USC Gallery
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Design and Communication
Award abbreviation: BDes&Comn
QTAC code: 011031
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR336
CRICOS code: 074095J. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Learn about design in printed, electronic and 3D formats and explore how design integrates with other areas such as advertising and communication.
In this program you combine computer-based design with studies in communications. The computer-based design component covers practical and theoretical studies in graphic design, e-media (web and multimedia), 3D design, visual communication and information visualisation. Communication courses include public relations, journalism, creative advertising and creative writing. You also have opportunities to exhibit works in the USC Gallery.
Majors
Communication majors: 3D design, communication studies; creative advertising; creative writing; e-media design; graphic design; journalism; public relations.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, graphic design, editing, advertising, marketing, interpretive design, animation, multimedia design, packaging, public relations, publishing, web design.
Admission requirements
Please refer to the English language entry requirements.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Dr Debra Livingston
Tel: +61 7 5430 1252
Email: dlivings@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 18 required courses including 1 major design area (8 courses), and 4 electives.
- 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 your selected Majors and 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).
- 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.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- 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.
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream.
- Some of the required introductory courses may count towards some majors and minors
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1, following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to Study Plan.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109
COR110
COR111
Introductory courses
3 required courses:
CMN102
DES101
DES105
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116
CMN120
CMN130
CMN140
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102
DES103
DES104
DES106
Advanced courses
1 required course
CMN213
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214
CMN216
CMN218
CMN222
CMN224
CMN226
CMN227
CMN228
CMN229
CMN231
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240
CMN248
CMN249
CMN256
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211
DES212
DES213
DES214 Communication and Thought
DES215 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
DES216 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
e-Media major
DES221 Communication Theory and Practice
DES222 Editing for the Communications Professional
DES223 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES224 Introduction to Design
DES225 Introduction to Creative Writing
DES226 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
3D Design major
DES231 Introduction to Journalism
DES232 Introduction to Creative Advertising
DES233 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES234 Digital Photographic Practice
DES235 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES236 Typography
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Elective courses
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Design and Communication Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Introduction to Psychology A | |||
| COR110 Counselling for the Human Services Professional | |||
| COR111 Social Research |
Required courses (12)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory | |||
| CMN213 Counselling Theory and Practice | |||
| DES101 Group Work | |||
| DES105 Ethics and Professional Practice |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Developmental and Family Counselling | |||
| CMN120 Perspectives in Mental Health | |||
| CMN130 Counselling Interventions: Experiential Practices | |||
| CMN140 Clinic Preparation |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Clinic 1 | |||
| DES103 Clinic 2 | |||
| DES104 Clinic 3 | |||
| DES106 Counselling Children and Young People |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Counselling and Addictions | |||
| CMN216 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
| CMN218 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN222 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN224 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN226 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN227 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN228 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN229 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN231 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN235 Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN237 International Communication | |||
| CMN240 Communication and Thought | |||
| CMN248 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| CMN249 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| CMN256 Applied Research Methods |
Required advanced courses—from your chosen major study area (6)
Graphic Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Economics for Business | |||
| DES212 Business Law and Ethics | |||
| DES213 Management and Organisational Behaviour | |||
| DES214 Accounting Principles | |||
| DES215 Informatics for Financial Professionals | |||
| DES216 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 Financial Accounting | |||
| DES222 Business Finance | |||
| DES223 Law of Business Associations | |||
| DES224 Company Accounting | |||
| DES225 Management Accounting | |||
| DES226 Taxation Law and Practice |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 Contemporary Accounting Issues | |||
| DES232 Auditing and Professional Practice | |||
| DES233 | |||
| DES234 | |||
| DES235 | |||
| DES236 |
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288