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)
COR109 Nutrition and Dietetic Skills
LFS100 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1
SCI102 Counselling and Communication Skills for Dietetics
SCI105 Complementary Nutrition
SCI110 Sport and Exercise Nutrition
SCI113 Nutrition and Dietetics Research and Evaluation
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Medical NutritionTherapy Placement
MTH102 Food Service Placement
Pathway courses (4)
Select 1 pathway from:
Biology
ENS221 Community and Public Health Nutrition
ENS222 Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Management
LFS252 Communication and Thought
LFS261 Communication and Thought
Biotechnology
LFS251 Nutrition and Dietetics Research Proposal
LFS252 Medical NutritionTherapy Placement
LFS261 Introductory Bioscience
MBT254 Human Physiology
Chemistry
CHM202 Human Anatomy
CHM210 Paramedic Professional Studies
CHM310 Paramedic Professional Studies
LFS251 Paramedic Clinical Foundations
Ecology
ENS213 Paramedic Foundation Practicum 1
ENS221 Community and Public Health Nutrition
ENS222 Applied Psychology in Health Care
ENS282 Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Management
Food Biosecurity
LFS261 Nutrition and Dietetics Thesis
PUB205 Public Health Foundations
SCI212 Science Research Methods
SCI303 Introduction to Pharmacology
Mathematics
ANM203 Human Pathophysiology
MTH202 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
MTH212 Paramedic Clinical Systems
MTH302 Medical Emergencies
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these electives, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded).
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
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
- MTH100 does not assume you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent). MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses (Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 level mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH100 and then MTH102 )
- MTH102 assumes you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent) (note that MTH102 is a prerequisite for advanced level (200 and 300 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)
- 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 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression.
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)