- 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 e-Media A
COR110 e-Media B
COR111 e-Media C
Introductory courses (6)
3 required courses:
CMN102 e-Media D
DES101 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES105 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 3D Design A
CMN120 3D Design B
CMN130 3D Design C
CMN140 3D Design D
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES103 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES104 Communication and Thought
DES106 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Advanced courses (12)
1 required course:
CMN213 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN216 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
CMN218 Introduction to Design
CMN222 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN224 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN226 Introduction to Journalism
CMN227 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN228 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
CMN229 Digital Photographic Practice
CMN231 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
CMN235 Typography
CMN237 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN240 Investigative and Data Journalism
CMN248 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN249 Media and Community Relations
CMN256 Multimedia Advertising
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Advertising Campaigns
DES212 Advertising: Copy and Image
DES213 News Rounds
DES214 The Writer and the Law
DES215 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
DES216 Communication Campaign Planning
e-Media major
DES221 News Writing and Reporting
DES222 Online Journalism
DES223 Feature Writing
DES224 Creative Advertising
DES225 Advanced News Reporting
DES226 Research into Journalism
3D Design major
DES231 Graphic Design A
DES232 Graphic Design B
DES233 Graphic Design C
DES234 Graphic Design D
DES235 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES236 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
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 Medical Biochemistry | |||
| COR110 Nutritional Biochemistry | |||
| COR111 Analytical Sciences |
Introductory courses (6)
3 required courses:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Functional Anatomy | |||
| DES101 Exercise Physiology I | |||
| DES105 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Special Research Project | |||
| CMN120 Special Research Project | |||
| CMN130 Workplace Learning I | |||
| CMN140 Workplace Learning II |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Immunology | |||
| DES103 Systemic Physiology I | |||
| DES104 Communication and Thought | |||
| DES106 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship |
Advanced communication courses (6)
1 required course:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| CMN216 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
| CMN218 Introduction to Design | |||
| CMN222 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN224 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives | |||
| CMN226 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| CMN227 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN228 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| CMN229 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
| CMN231 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
| CMN235 Typography | |||
| CMN237 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN240 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN248 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN249 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN256 Multimedia Advertising |
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 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| DES212 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| DES213 News Rounds | |||
| DES214 The Writer and the Law | |||
| DES215 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| DES216 Communication Campaign Planning |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| DES222 Online Journalism | |||
| DES223 Feature Writing | |||
| DES224 Creative Advertising | |||
| DES225 Advanced News Reporting | |||
| DES226 Research into Journalism |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 Graphic Design A | |||
| DES232 Graphic Design B | |||
| DES233 Graphic Design C | |||
| DES234 Graphic Design D | |||
| DES235 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES236 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio |
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