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.
- 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.
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 Youth Justice
LFS100 Restorative Justice and Mediation
SCI102 Professional Placement
SCI105 Crime Research Methods
SCI110 Communication and Thought
SCI113 Cell Biology
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Biodiversity and Ecology Δ
MTH103 Chemistry
MTH104 Science Research Methods
Pathway courses (4) 48 units
Select 1 pathway from:
Biology
ENS221 Discovering Science
ENS222 Introduction to Mathematics
LFS252
LFS261
Biotechnology
LFS251 Plant Diversity and Ecology
LFS252 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LFS261 Molecular Biology
MBT254 Microbiology
Chemistry
CHM202 Biochemistry
CHM210 Molecular Biology
CHM310 Microbiology
LFS251 Biotechnology: Research to Product
Ecology
ENS213 Organic Chemistry
ENS221 Inorganic Chemistry
ENS222 Physical Chemistry
ENS282 Biochemistry
Food Biosecurity
LFS261 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
PUB205 Plant Diversity and Ecology
SCI212 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
SCI303 Coastal and Marine Ecology
Mathematics
ANM203 Microbiology
MTH201 Food Safety: Laws, Regulations and Quality Assurance
MTH212 Genetics
MTH302 Biosecurity
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses from the undergraduate elective course options. 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.
Δrefer to program notes
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 2 (mid year) commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 1
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
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.
- Δ MTH100 not being offered in 2019