- Combine computer-based visual design with a career in communications
- Specialise in either graphic design, e-media design or 3D design
- Opportunities to exhibit in the USC Gallery
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Design and Communication
Award abbreviation: BDes&Comn
QTAC code: 011031
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: AR336
CRICOS code: 074095J. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Learn about design in printed, electronic and 3D formats and explore how design integrates with other areas such as advertising and communication.
In this program you combine computer-based design with studies in communications. The computer-based design component covers practical and theoretical studies in graphic design, e-media (web and multimedia), 3D design, visual communication and information visualisation. Communication courses include public relations, journalism, creative advertising and creative writing. You also have opportunities to exhibit works in the USC Gallery.
Majors
Communication majors: 3D design, communication studies; creative advertising; creative writing; e-media design; graphic design; journalism; public relations.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, graphic design, editing, advertising, marketing, interpretive design, animation, multimedia design, packaging, public relations, publishing, web design.
Admission requirements
Please refer to the English language entry requirements.
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 structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses.
- Complete 6 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 12 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 4 elective courses, 2 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete a major 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).
- 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.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- 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.
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream.
- Some of the required introductory courses may count towards some majors and minors
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1, following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to Study Plan.
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Introductory courses (6)
3 required courses:
CMN102 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
DES101 Communication Theory and Practice
DES105 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Introduction to Design
CMN120 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN130 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN140 Introduction to Journalism
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Introduction to Creative Advertising
DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES104 Digital Photographic Practice
DES106 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
Advanced courses (12)
1 required course:
CMN213 Typography
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN216 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN218 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN222 Media and Community Relations
CMN224 Multimedia Advertising
CMN226 Advertising Campaigns
CMN227 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 News Rounds
CMN229 The Writer and the Law
CMN231 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN235 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN237 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN240 Online Journalism
CMN248 Feature Writing
CMN249 Creative Advertising
CMN256 Advanced News Reporting
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Research into Journalism
DES212 Graphic Design A
DES213 Graphic Design B
DES214 Graphic Design C
DES215 Graphic Design D
DES216 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
e-Media major
DES221 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES222 e-Media A
DES223 e-Media B
DES224 e-Media C
DES225 e-Media D
DES226 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
3D Design major
DES231 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
DES232 3D Design A
DES233 3D Design B
DES234 3D Design C
DES235 3D Design D
DES236 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses, 2 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 Design and Communication Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Enabling Physiology | |||
| COR110 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship |
Introductory courses (6)
3 required courses:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| DES101 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| DES105 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Introduction to Design | |||
| CMN120 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN130 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives | |||
| CMN140 Introduction to Journalism |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
| DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| DES104 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
| DES106 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History |
Advanced communication courses (6)
1 required course:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Typography |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN216 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN218 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN222 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN224 Multimedia Advertising | |||
| CMN226 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN227 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN228 News Rounds | |||
| CMN229 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN231 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN235 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN237 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN240 Online Journalism | |||
| CMN248 Feature Writing | |||
| CMN249 Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN256 Advanced News Reporting |
Advanced design courses (6)
Select 6 advanced (200/300 level) courses from one of the following streams for a major
Graphic Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Research into Journalism | |||
| DES212 Graphic Design A | |||
| DES213 Graphic Design B | |||
| DES214 Graphic Design C | |||
| DES215 Graphic Design D | |||
| DES216 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| DES222 e-Media A | |||
| DES223 e-Media B | |||
| DES224 e-Media C | |||
| DES225 e-Media D | |||
| DES226 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| DES232 3D Design A | |||
| DES233 3D Design B | |||
| DES234 3D Design C | |||
| DES235 3D Design D | |||
| DES236 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project |
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses, 2 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