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
Annual tuition fee 2018
A$25,600
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 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.

Program structure

Introductory courses (7) 84 units

COR109 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
LFS100 Introduction to Games Programming
SCI102 Introduction to Game Production
SCI105 Professional Games Programming
SCI110 Advanced Games Programming
SCI113 Communication and Thought

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Introduction to Psychology B
MTH103 Introduction to Psychology A
MTH104 Biodiversity and Ecology

Pathway courses (4) 48 units

Select 1 pathway from:

Biology

ENS221 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS222 Satellite Image Analysis and Surveying
LFS252 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
LFS261 Climate Change Adaptation

Biotechnology

LFS251 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
LFS252 Integrated Environmental Management
LFS261 Applied Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing
MBT254 Academic and Professional Skills: Planning for success

Chemistry

CHM202 ICT for Academic and Professional Applications
CHM210 Discovering Science
CHM310 Chemistry - Enabling your Future
LFS251 Biology

Ecology

ENS213 Communication and Thought
ENS221 Cell Biology
ENS222 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENS282 Chemistry

Food Biosecurity

LFS261 Science Research Methods
PUB205 Discovering Science
SCI212 Introduction to Mathematics
SCI303 Introduction to Applied Mathematics

Mathematics

ANM203 Introductory Calculus
MTH201 Plant Diversity and Ecology
MTH212 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
MTH302 Molecular Biology

Elective courses (5) 60 units

Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these electives, 2 must be developing and graduate 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 developing and graduate 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
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
  • You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
  • Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)