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

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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 2017
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 2025 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 A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences
Fee type 2017
  • 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.

Program structure

Introductory courses (7)

COR109 Advanced Geographical Studies
LFS100 Changing Planet Earth
SCI102 Introducing Human Geographies
SCI105 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SCI110 Landscapes, Place and People
SCI113 Urbanism and Urban Design

PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Introduction to Weather and Climate
MTH102 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology

Pathway courses (4)

Select 1 pathway from:

Biology

ENS221 Earth Observation: Remote Sensing and Surveying
ENS222 Applied Geospatial Analysis
LFS252 Changing Planet Earth
LFS261 Introducing Human Geographies

Biotechnology

LFS251 Hydrology and Geomorphology
LFS252 Biogeography: Mapping with Drones
LFS261 Coastal Geomorphology
MBT254 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment

Chemistry

CHM202 Historical Geographies
CHM210 Animals and Society
CHM310 Communication and Thought
LFS251 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession

Ecology

ENS213 Mathematics Foundations
ENS221 Chemistry
ENS222 Calculus and Algebra
ENS282 Science Research Methods

Food Biosecurity

LFS261 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PUB205 Organic Chemistry
SCI212 Inorganic Chemistry
SCI303 Applied Systems Modelling

Mathematics

ANM203 Cell Biology
MTH202 Physical Chemistry
MTH212 Medicinal Organic Chemistry
MTH302 Biochemistry

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).

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
  • MTH100 does not assume you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent). MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses (Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 level mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH100 and then MTH102 )
  • MTH102 assumes you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent) (note that MTH102 is a prerequisite for advanced level (200 and 300 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)
  • 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)