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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
    Please note there are compulsory residential workshops at the Lismore or NMSC Coffs Harbour campus for some units.

  • Placements

    No

  • 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. It also enables you to explore the many opportunities that science provides, 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.

Students choose a specialisation in either Earth and Environmental Systems or Marine Systems. Successful completion of the Diploma will guarantee you entry and up to eight units of credit towards linked specialisations in the Southern Cross Bachelor of Science.

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.

Please note there are compulsory on-campus residentials for some units at Lismore or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. Please check each unit.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined scientific settings.

GA2: Creativity

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined scientific contexts.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined scientific contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined scientific settings.

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined scientific contexts.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work within defined scientific settings.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined scientific settings.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined scientific contexts.

All students select a specialisation in one of the following areas:  

  • Earth and Environmental Systems
  • Forestry Systems
  • Marine Systems

Please note: Some units may require on-campus attendance. 

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 – with a specialisation in Earth and Environmental Systems, Forestry Systems or Marine Systems. 

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 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.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score or equivalent5.5
Reading5.0
Writing5.5
Listening5.0
Speaking5.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Science, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 1 specialisation Marine Systems, Earth and Environmental Systems or Forestry Systems (96 credit points).

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 Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the SCU College units in their first term of study: EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCIN1001 - Nature of Science AND SCIN1001 -  Nature of Science
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi UST N/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Melbourne N/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port Moresby N/A
Term1
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in HLTH1001 - Introduction to Science for Health Professions.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to https://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
MRNE1001 Marine Science and Management
Term4
12 Note 4
Location Domestic International
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for ALL students that will be held at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term5
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisites SCIN1002 - Science in Society

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the SCU College units in their first term of study: EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCIN1001 - Nature of Science.
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi UST N/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Melbourne N/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port Moresby N/A
Term1
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in HLTH1001 - Introduction to Science for Health Professions.
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to https://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
ENVR1005 Ecosystem Management and Regeneration
Term4
12 Note 5
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information ALL students must attend a compulsory 2-day residential at either the Lismore campus or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. Students will attend one residential. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term5
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisites SCIN1002 - Science in Society

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the SCU College units in their first term of study: EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in your Discipline and SCIN1001 - Nature of Science
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi UST N/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Melbourne N/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port Moresby N/A
Term1
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in HLTH1001 - Introduction to Science for Health Professions.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to https://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
FORS1001 Introduction to Forest Science and Management
Term4
12 Note 3
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information There will be an optional one day residential for ALL students (Online and On Campus) that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term5
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisites SCIN1002 - Science in Society

Note 1:

Compulsory residential for Online students at Lismore

Note 2:

Compulsory residential for Online students at Lismore or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour

Note 3:

Compulsory residential for ALL students at Lismore

Note 4:

Compulsory residential for ALL students at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour

Note 5:

Compulsory residential for ALL students at Lismore or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Specialisations

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules Note 1
CHEM1001 Chemistry Note 2
MRNE1001 Marine Science and Management Note 4

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
ENVR1005 Ecosystem Management and Regeneration Note 5
CHEM1001 Chemistry Note 2
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges
FORS1001 Introduction to Forest Science and Management Note 3
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules Note 1
CHEM1001 Chemistry Note 2
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis