- 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 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
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 2012: 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 20 required courses and 4 electives.
- 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 your selected Majors and 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
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Introductory courses
7 required introductory courses:
CMN102 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
DES101 Communication Theory and Practice
DES102 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES104 Digital Photographic Practice
DES105 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES106 Introduction to Design
Advanced courses
1 required advanced course:
CMN213 Typography
PLUS select 10 required advanced courses from:
Select 6 advanced courses from one of the following streams for a major, and select 4 advanced courses from a second stream for a minor.
Graphic Design:
DES211 Editing for the Communications Professional
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:
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:
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
Elective courses
Select 4 elective courses 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 Politics and the Media | |||
| COR110 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship |
Required introductory courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| DES101 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| DES102 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
| DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| DES104 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
| DES105 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
| DES106 Introduction to Design | |||
| CMN213 Typography |
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 courses from one of the following streams for a major, and select 4 advanced courses from a second stream for a minor.
Graphic Design:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| 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:
| 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:
| 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 |
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).