• Program summary
• Program overview
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 011061
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-18 / Rank-64
Award abbreviation: BSocSc
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
Recommended prior study: English
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
USC program code: AR361
CRICOS code: 037991F

Program overview

This program is a comprehensive social science degree that equips you with skills and knowledge in social and political theory, social research and public policy.

You will develop an understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental processes that underpin social change and conflict at local, national and global levels, and will choose a major (eight courses) in one of the following areas of study:

• Counselling
• Environmental and Planning Studies
• Human Services
• Justice Studies
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Sociology #

Other courses may be undertaken in such areas as psychology; sociology; Indigenous Australia; counselling; cultural diversity; environmental and social issues; social research; community work; health, society and culture; disability; and cultural diversity.

The University also offers a Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology). You can also apply to complete an additional year of study to earn a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours). The honours program offers you an opportunity to continue your studies at a higher level, specialising in an area of interest.

Career opportunities

Graduates’ specialist skills in major and minor areas of study will support employment in these fields. Alternatively, graduates may apply their social science knowledge to a wide variety of roles. Common areas include:

• academia (with further study)
• administration
• advocacy
• community education
• industrial relations
• local/regional planning
• policy analysis/development
• research
• social planning

Special features

• opportunity to tailor the program to suit interests and career ambition
• provides a strong foundation for more advanced studies in the social sciences area

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
COR110 Indigenous Australia and the State
COR111 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People

Introductory courses

1 required course:
SCS110 Anatomy and Physiology

Advanced courses

2 required courses:
SCS225 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS230 Biodiversity and Ecology

A Major
Select 8 courses to make a major from one of the following areas:

• Counselling
Environmental and Planning Studies
Human Services
Justice Studies
Politics and International Relations
Psychology
Sociology #

A Minor
Select 4 courses to make a minor from one of the following areas:

• Child Protective Practices
Counselling
Environmental and Planning Studies
Justice Studies
Legal Studies
Politics and International Relations
Public Policy

Electives

Select 7 elective courses from the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Business, or Science, Health and Education. It is strongly recommended that electives be utilised to complete a second minor or to convert your chosen minor to a second major.

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. No more than 10 introductory level courses may be completed, including core courses, in the Bachelor of Social Science.
2. No courses may be counted towards more than one major or minor.
3. Required introductory courses may count towards some majors and minors.
4. A maximum of 4 Business or Science, Health and Education courses (48 units) can be included in the Bachelor of Social Science.
5. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
6. Refer to the Academic Rules.
7. Refer to explanation of terms.
8. Refer to recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
9. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.
10. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty adviser
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Dr Lucinda Aberdeen
Tel: +61 7 5430 1218
Email: laberdee@usc.edu.au

# Please note, the required courses SCS110 , SCS225 and SCS230 are all components of the Sociology major. If you select Sociology as your major, you will have three additional electives to complete. 

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