- 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 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: 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, 18 required courses including 1 major design area (8 courses), and 4 electives.
- 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).
- 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
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Introductory courses
3 required courses:
CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice
DES101 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES105 Introduction to Design
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
CMN140 Introduction to Creative Advertising
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES103 Digital Photographic Practice
DES104 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES106 Typography
Advanced courses
1 required course
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN218 Media and Community Relations
CMN222 Multimedia Advertising
CMN224 Advertising Campaigns
CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN227 News Rounds
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN237 Online Journalism
CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN248 Creative Advertising
CMN249 Advanced News Reporting
CMN256 Research into Journalism
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Graphic Design A
DES212 Graphic Design B
DES213 Graphic Design C
DES214 Graphic Design D
DES215 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES216 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
e-Media major
DES221 e-Media A
DES222 e-Media B
DES223 e-Media C
DES224 e-Media D
DES225 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES226 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
3D Design major
DES231 3D Design A
DES232 3D Design B
DES233 3D Design C
DES234 3D Design D
DES235 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES236 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
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 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 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
Required courses (12)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| DES101 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
| DES105 Introduction to Design |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
| CMN130 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| CMN140 Introduction to Creative Advertising |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| DES103 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
| DES104 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
| DES106 Typography |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN218 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN222 Multimedia Advertising | |||
| CMN224 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN227 News Rounds | |||
| CMN228 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN237 Online Journalism | |||
| CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
| CMN248 Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN249 Advanced News Reporting | |||
| CMN256 Research into Journalism |
Required advanced courses—from your chosen major study area (6)
Graphic Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Graphic Design A | |||
| DES212 Graphic Design B | |||
| DES213 Graphic Design C | |||
| DES214 Graphic Design D | |||
| DES215 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES216 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 e-Media A | |||
| DES222 e-Media B | |||
| DES223 e-Media C | |||
| DES224 e-Media D | |||
| DES225 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES226 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 3D Design A | |||
| DES232 3D Design B | |||
| DES233 3D Design C | |||
| DES234 3D Design D | |||
| DES235 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES236 3D 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 from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288