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Diploma of Science

Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at the Lismore campus for some units.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    DipSc

  • Course code

    2127298

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Interested in science but not sure which discipline is for you? This course will prepare you with a solid grounding in scientific knowledge and skills, and a taste of the many opportunities that science provides, from the marvels of mathematics, the innovation of engineering, the wonders of the natural environment and more.

You'll learn the language and nature of science and mathematics, and will be able to follow your interests in specific areas of science. This course is a pathway to linked Bachelor degrees in science, environmental, marine or forest science, civil engineering, coastal systems engineering or mechanical engineering. As a graduate of this course, you gain entry to a Bachelor degree in one of these disciplines and also receive credit for your Diploma studies.

Graduates may also find work in para-professional roles, including positions as field assistants, laboratory assistants and environmental monitoring officers.

This course is offered through SCU College, where we recognise our students may have different approaches to learning. We connect you to peers and nurture your success with additional workshops to develop your academic and study skills.

Course Learning Outcome

Exercise critical judgement and creative thinking to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined scientific settings

Exercise critical judgement and creative thinking to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined scientific settings

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined scientific contexts

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the field of science

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined scientific contexts

Communicate information, concepts and solutions, individually and/or in a team, with an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined scientific contexts

Communicate information, concepts and solutions, individually and/or in a team, with an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined scientific contexts

The course includes core units in science and electives in the following study areas:  

  • Environmental science (Lismore campus or online)
  • Physical sciences and mathematics (Lismore campus, or some units online)
  • Engineering (Lismore campus).

Please note: Not all study areas are available to study online.

The Diploma of Science will assist your progression to a preferred area of study, should you decide to articulate into Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Environmental Science, Bachelor of Marine Science and Management, Bachelor of Forest Science and Management, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1, Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Science students must complete 96 credit points, comprising:

  • 2 core units, and
  • 72 credit points in electives.

Exclusion
The Chair of the College Board may exclude a student for a maximum of one (1) study period where a student has received Absent Fail Grades for all units attempted in a session of study.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students must enrol in the core units from the College in their first session of study: EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline and MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics
Students are encouraged to select units from the same stream to enable completion of a major if they wish to progress to a Bachelor Degree.
Year 1, Session 1
EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline Introductory
MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics Introductory
2 units from Engineering Note 2
Year 1, Session 2
4 units from Engineering Note 2

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students must enrol in the core units from the College in their first session of study: EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCI10001 -  Nature of Science and MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics
Students are encouraged to select units from the same stream to enable completion of a major if they wish to progress to a Bachelor Degree.
Year 1, Session 1
EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline Introductory
SCI10001 -  Nature of Science Introductory
MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics Introductory
1 unit from Environmental Science
Year 1, Session 2
4 units from Environmental Science

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students must enrol in the core units from the College in their first session of study: EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCI10001 -  Nature of Science and MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics
Students are encouraged to select units from the same stream to enable completion of a major if they wish to progress to a Bachelor Degree.
Year 1, Session 1
EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline Introductory
MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics Introductory
SCI10001 -  Nature of Science Introductory
1 unit from Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Year 1, Session 2
4 units from Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students must enrol in the core units from the College in their first session of study: EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCI10001 -  Nature of Science and MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics
Year 1, Session 1
EDU10010 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline Introductory
MAT10001 -  Foundation Mathematics Introductory
SCI10001 -  Nature of Science Introductory
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory
3 units from: Engineering OR Environmental Science OR Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Note 1:

Only available internally

Note 2:

MAT71003 & ENG10757 must be studied concurrently.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Core units
EDU10010 Language and Learning in your Discipline Introductory
MAT10001 Foundation Mathematics Introductory

Streams

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
This stream is only available at the Lismore campus.
Select 6 of the following:
PHY10760 Physics and Materials Introductory
MAT71003 Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists Introductory
ENG10757 Applied Mechanics Introductory
ENS00203 Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
ENG10759 Processes and Philosophy of Engineering Introductory
MAT10718 Mathematical Ideas Introductory
CHE00201 Chemistry Introductory
GLY00201 Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core
SCI10001 Nature of Science Introductory
Select 5 of the following:
BIO10187 Science and Global Challenges Introductory
BIO00202 Ecology Introductory
ENS00203 Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
MAT00211 Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
BIO00201 Biology Introductory
CHE00201 Chemistry Introductory
GLY00201 Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
SCI10002 Science in Society Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core
SCI10001 Nature of Science Introductory
Select 5 of the following:
PHY10760 Physics and Materials Introductory
MAT10718 Mathematical Ideas Introductory
MAT00211 Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
ENG10759 Processes and Philosophy of Engineering Introductory
GLY00201 Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory
ENS00203 Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory
CHE00201 Chemistry Introductory