2. Why do I have to do core courses?

a. to improve your transferable skills and knowledge base and help you achieve the graduate attributes
b. to increase your understanding of why each discipline area is relevant and useful
c. to learn generic skills that you can use in advanced level subjects
d. to expand your understanding of society

3. How will the core courses benefit me?

The core courses are designed to help you make a smooth transition into your first year at university.

4. How many core courses do I have to do?

Generally you select two of the three core courses and do one in first semester and one in second semester of your first year of study.

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5. Do I need prerequisites?

Core courses do not assume prior knowledge in a specific field and so you can take all core courses, therefore no prerequisites are required.

6. Which core courses should I do?

Unless specifically stated as part of your program requirements, you are not obliged to take the core course offered by the faculty in which you are enrolled. To broaden your knowledge, it may be useful to take the core courses offered outside your faculty. Wherever possible, select the two core courses that you will find interesting and challenging.

7. What kind of workload is involved with the core courses?

Apart from activities such as lectures and tutorials, you are expected to undertake considerable private study (which might involve discussion of course material with other students, reading, research, problem solving, etc) and work towards preparing and submitting assessment tasks. The workload for each core course is similar to other courses you will study.

8. Do I have to attend lectures and tutorials?

Specific attendance requirements for all university courses are normally found in the course outline for each course. However, you will benefit from attending as many lectures and tutorials as possible.

9. How can a core course based in a different faculty from the one I'm studying in be useful to me?

Almost certainly, when you have finished your degree and are working in your chosen field, you will be dealing with professionals with other specialities and have responsibilities more wide ranging than the specific knowledge dealt with in your chosen degree. The core courses give you a broad generic skill and knowledge base as well as an insight into other disciplines. This should help you to handle the demands of your future careers.

10. Which core course would best suit my degree?

All of them. Each core course is intended to provide generic skills and be a useful part of studies in all degree programs.

11. How can I get more information about core courses?

The USC website has some information, but for more specific details regarding any of the core courses, contact the course coordinator via the specific Faculty Office that offers the course you are interested in. It may also be helpful to talk to students who have already done the core courses.

12. How will core courses help me in my degree?

The more you get involved with the core courses, the more you will benefit from them. You can pick up specific knowledge related to course disciplines of communication/thought, creativity/entrepreneurship and environment/sustainability. You will also gain more generic skills (such as improving how you research for information and data, as well as how you might present that information) and you will have a stronger sense of the context within which you are studying, and how your studies fit in your own life and in the community of which you are a part.

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