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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 on campus for some units.

  • Placements

    No

  • Course abbreviation

    DipSc

  • Course code

    2127298

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Love science, but not sure which discipline is for you? Or perhaps you’re ready to study at University but you need a little extra academic preparation?

The Diploma of Science will prepare you with a solid grounding in scientific knowledge and academic skills.

It allows you to explore the many opportunities that science offers, the wonders of the natural environment and the foundations of scientific investigation.

Successful completion of the Diploma will enable 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, veterinary assistants and environmental monitoring officers.

This course is offered through SCU College, where we understand that students have diverse experiences and ways of learning. At SCU College, we support your success through carefully designed curriculum with embedded support, and additional support material is available through self-access online resources.

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.

Please note: Online students must undertake compulsory on campus Residentials for some units.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour 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:

  • 7 core units and 1 option unit (96 credit points); or
  • 1 specialisation in Animal Health.

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 EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline unit and SCIN1001 Nature of Science in their first term of study
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
Lismore
Term1
Term1
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
Term1,3
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in HLTH1001 - Introduction to Science for Health Professions.
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2,3
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
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.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2
Term2
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.
SCIN1005 Organisms and Environments
Term3
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
Option Unit
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline unit in their first term of study
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
Lismore
Term1
Term1
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
Term1,3
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
ANIM1001 Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites Admission to 3007400 - Bachelor of Veterinary Technology OR 3508006 - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours); OR Admission to 2127298 - Diploma of Science (Animal Health Specialisation) AND successful completion of EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in Your Discipline.
Enrolment information Students must be vaccinated against Q-Fever (including result testing) and Tetanus before starting this unit. Study Abroad students are not able to enrol in this unit. 1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian or veterinary technologist. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, additionally VNCA day one competencies required for AVNAT registration, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2,3
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
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.
VETS1001 Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites Admission to 3007400 - Bachelor of Veterinary Technology OR 3508006 - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours); OR Admission to 2127298 - Diploma of Science (Animal Health Specialisation) AND successful completion of EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in Your Discipline.
Enrolment information Students must be vaccinated against Q-Fever (including result testing) and Tetanus before starting this unit. Study Abroad students are not able to enrol in this unit. 1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian or veterinary technologist. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, additionally VNCA day one competencies required for AVNAT registration, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.
ANIM2001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 2

Not currently available

 12
Pre-requisites ANIM1001 - Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour
VTEC1001 Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Enrolment information 1. To pass the unit, students must complete and satisfy requirements for all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: We recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Any engagement opportunity missed, regardless of the reason, can decrease the opportunity for learning. It is expected that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities for this unit. Whilst many learning sessions may not include direct assessment, many will be linked to a summative assessment task in some way.
VTEC1002 Principles of Animal Health Assessment for Veterinary Technologists
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites ANIM1001 - Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour AND VTEC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
Enrolment information 1. To pass the unit, students must complete and satisfy requirements for all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: We recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Any engagement opportunity missed, regardless of the reason, can decrease the opportunity for learning. It is expected that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities for this unit. Whilst many learning sessions may not include direct assessment, many will be linked to a summative assessment task in some way.
VTEC1003 Surgical Theatre and Dental Care for Veterinary Technologists
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites VTEC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
Enrolment information 1. To pass the unit, students must complete and satisfy requirements for all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: We recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Any engagement opportunity missed, regardless of the reason, can decrease the opportunity for learning. It is expected that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities for this unit. Whilst many learning sessions may not include direct assessment, many will be linked to a summative assessment task in some way.

Note 1:

Compulsory residential. See unit page for more information

Note 2:

Students wanting to progress to the Bachelor of Science, Environment specialisation, should select ENVR1005.

Note 3:

Students wanting to progress to the Bachelor of Science, Agriculture specialisation, should select AGRC1003.

Note 4:

Students wanting to progress to the Bachelor of Science, Marine specialisation, should select MRNE1001.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules Note 1
CHEM1001 Chemistry Note 1
SCIN1005 Organisms and Environments Note 1
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
Option Units
ENVR1005 Ecosystem Management and Regeneration Note 1, Note 2
AGRC1003 Introduction to Agriculture Note 1, Note 3
MRNE1001 Marine Science and Management Note 1, Note 4

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
ANIM1001 Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
VETS1001 Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
ANIM2001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 2
VTEC1001 Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC1002 Principles of Animal Health Assessment for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC1003 Surgical Theatre and Dental Care for Veterinary Technologists