Fast-track your scientific skills
Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.
Fast-track your science education and gain guaranteed entry into a degree at USC. This program provides students with an alternative pathway to the Bachelor of Science and related programs at USC.
The program aims to meet the needs of students who may have a limited background in science, thus during your first year you’ll learn core scientific principles such as biology, chemistry and introductory mathematics. You then have the flexibility to select an area to specialise in.
Areas you can specialise in include: Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.
After you complete your Associate Degree, you’ll receive full credit towards and direct entry into the Bachelor of Science or another degree in your chosen field of study. USC also offers Associate Degrees in Business and Medical Laboratory Science.
Minors
Students are required to study 1 minor pathway from either Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Depending on major chosen: research and education, industry / government.
Fees
The 2017 Australian Federal Budget proposes changes to fee arrangements for higher education students. If these changes are passed by the Federal Parliament, domestic students who have a completed higher education qualification and are studying Diploma or Associate Degree programs may not be eligible for Commonwealth Support from Semester 1, 2018. We will provide further information on any changes to fees as soon as it is available.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Urbanism and Urban Design
LFS100 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
SCI102 Physical Geography and Mapping
SCI105 Hydrology and Geomorphology
SCI110 Historical Geographies
SCI113 Animals and Society
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Arts Education: Curriculum B
MTH103 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum B
MTH104 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
Pathway courses (4)
Select 1 pathway from:
Biology
ENS221 Secondary Professional Learning 2: Managing the Diverse Learning
ENS222 Arts Education: Curriculum A
LFS252 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum A
LFS261 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
Biotechnology
LFS251 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
LFS252 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
LFS261 The Psychology of Learning
MBT254 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
Chemistry
CHM202 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
CHM210 Academic Skills for Success
CHM310 Digital Futures
LFS251 Chemistry
Ecology
ENS213 Mathematics
ENS221 Statistics
ENS222 Critical Thinking in Society
ENS282 An Introduction to Working within the Community
Food Biosecurity
LFS261 Biology
PUB205 Business Study Skills
SCI212 Maths for Science and Engineering
SCI303 Communication and Thought
Mathematics
ANM203 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
MTH201 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
MTH212 Changing Planet Earth
MTH302 Urbanism and Urban Design
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these electives, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded).
*The number of electives may vary depending on the pathway chosen.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 2 (mid year) commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 1
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded).
Program notes
- MTH103 and MTH104 assume you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent), and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements. MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses
- It is highly recommended that students consider enrolling in relevant enabling courses
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)and following the recommended study sequence
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression.
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)