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 2019
A$27,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$54,000
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 - 63
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 2019
  • Commonwealth supported places
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 Human Rights Law
LFS100 Legal Internship
SCI102 Sports Law
SCI105 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
SCI110 Law Honours Thesis
SCI113 Business Analytics

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Introduction to Economics Δ
MTH103 Management and Organisational Behaviour
MTH104 Introduction to Marketing

Pathway courses (4) 48 units

Select 1 pathway from:

Biology

ENS221 Accounting for Business
ENS222 Introduction to Informatics
LFS252 Business Law and Ethics
LFS261 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

Biotechnology

LFS251 Communication and Thought
LFS252 Cell Biology
LFS261 Biodiversity and Ecology
MBT254 Chemistry

Chemistry

CHM202 Science Research Methods
CHM210 Discovering Science
CHM310 Introduction to Mathematics
LFS251 Introduction to Applied Mathematics

Ecology

ENS213 Introductory Calculus
ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS282 Molecular Biology

Food Biosecurity

LFS261 Microbiology
PUB205 Biochemistry
SCI212 Molecular Biology
SCI303 Microbiology

Mathematics

ANM203 Biotechnology: Research to Product
MTH201 Organic Chemistry
MTH212 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH302 Physical Chemistry

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

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