- Learn in small workshop groups taught by industry professionals
- 24-hour access to dedicated computing facilities
- Create a portfolio of creative work and exhibit in the USC Gallery
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Computer-Based Design
Award abbreviation: BCompBasedDes
QTAC code: 011191
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-18 / Rank-62
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR335
CRICOS code: 064651B. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Creativity and skills in computer-based design can lead to a diverse range of careers in visual communication.
This professionally oriented program offers practical and theoretical studies in print design, online media, and 3D design. Introductory courses focus on developing your understanding of visual communication and literacy, and design and practice. You also undertake an advanced editing course, while elective courses allow you to study in creative advertising, public relations, journalism, communication studies, creative writing, marketing, and other areas. You also have opportunities to exhibit works in the USC Gallery.
Majors
E-media design; graphic design; 3D design.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected: 3D design, advertising, animation, graphic design, information visualisation, interpretive design, multimedia design and development, packaging, publishing, visual communication, web design.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information.
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice.
Program Leader
Dr Debra Livingston
Tel: +61 7 5430 1252
Email: dlivings@usc.edu.au
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses.
- Complete 7 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 11 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 4 elective courses, 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete a major design area and a minor design area.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream. The 4 advanced courses from one of the design streams will constitute a minor in that stream.
- Students can convert their chosen minor into a second major by taking 2 further advanced DES courses in that stream.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 3D Design A
COR110 3D Design B
COR111 3D Design C
Introductory courses (7)
7 required courses:
CMN102 3D Design D
DES101 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES102 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES103 Communication and Thought
DES104 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
DES105 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
DES106 Communication Theory and Practice
Advanced courses (11)
1 required course:
CMN213 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
PLUS select 10 required courses:
(200/300 level) courses from one of the following streams for a major
Graphic Design:
DES211 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES212 Digital Photographic Practice
DES213 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES214 Introduction to Design
DES215 Typography
DES216 Editing for the Communications Professional
e-Media:
DES221 Graphic Design A
DES222 Graphic Design B
DES223 Graphic Design C
DES224 Graphic Design D
DES225 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES226 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
3D Design:
DES231 e-Media A
DES232 e-Media B
DES233 e-Media C
DES234 e-Media D
DES235 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES236 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses, 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
Up to 4 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Computer Based Design Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Core courses (2)
Complete 2 core courses.
Select 2 core courses from:Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
COR109 Investigative and Data Journalism | |||
COR110 Futures 101: Futures Methods and Techniques | |||
COR111 Strategic Foresight Leadership |
Required courses (8)
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
DES101 Sustainable Futures | |||
DES102 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy | |||
DES103 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy | |||
DES104 Communication and Thought | |||
DES105 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
DES106 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
CMN102 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
CMN213 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images |
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Required advanced courses (10)
- Select 6 advanced (200/300 level) courses from one of the following streams for a major
- Select 4 advanced (200/300 level) courses from a second stream for a minor.
Graphic Design:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
DES211 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
DES212 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
DES213 Introduction to Design | |||
DES214 Typography | |||
DES215 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
DES216 Editing for the Communications Professional |
e-Media:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
DES221 Graphic Design A | |||
DES222 Graphic Design B | |||
DES223 Graphic Design C | |||
DES224 Graphic Design D | |||
DES225 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
DES226 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio |
3D Design:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
DES231 e-Media A | |||
DES232 e-Media B | |||
DES233 e-Media C | |||
DES234 e-Media D | |||
DES235 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
DES236 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio |
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses , 3 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
Up to 4 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).