Bachelor of Design and Communication | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Design and Communication

  • 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
COR110
COR111

Introductory courses

3 required courses:
CMN102
DES101 Elements of Design
DES105 Design Methods

PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN120 Introduction to Contemporary Global Media and Communication
CMN130 News and Reporting
CMN140

PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102
DES103 Fundamentals of Photography
DES104 Art, Design and Digital Culture
DES106

Advanced courses

1 required course
CMN213

PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214
CMN216
CMN218
CMN222
CMN224 Advertising Campaigns
CMN226 Creative and Interactive Advertising
CMN227
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN229
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240 Feature Writing
CMN248
CMN249
CMN256

PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:

Graphic Design major

DES211 Visual Identity
DES212 Visual Communication and Culture
DES213
DES214
DES215
DES216

e-Media major

DES221 Introduction to Interactive Media
DES222 Responsive Design and Technology
DES223
DES224
DES225
DES226

3D Design major

DES231 Animation Principles, Process and Production
DES232 Visualisation and Sonification
DES233
DES234
DES235
DES236

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:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
COR109 Clinic 2
COR110 Clinic 3
COR111 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design
Required courses (12)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN102 The Literature Review
CMN213 Qualitative Research Methods
DES101 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
DES105 Communication and Thought

PLUS select 1 course from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
CMN120 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
CMN130 Applied Research Methods
CMN140 Economics for Business

PLUS select 2 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
DES102 Business Law and Ethics
DES103 Management and Organisational Behaviour
DES104 Marketing Theory and Practice
DES106 Accounting for Business

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN214 Introduction to Informatics
CMN216 Communication and Thought
CMN218 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
CMN222 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
CMN224 Applied Research Methods
CMN226 Economics for Business
CMN227 Business Law and Ethics
CMN228 Management and Organisational Behaviour
CMN229 Marketing Theory and Practice
CMN231 Accounting for Business
CMN235 Introduction to Informatics
CMN237 Communication and Thought
CMN240 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
CMN248 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
CMN249 Economics for Business
CMN256 Business Law and Ethics
Required advanced courses—from your chosen major study area (6)
Graphic Design major

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
DES211 Management and Organisational Behaviour
DES212 Accounting for Business
DES213 Introduction to Informatics
DES214 Strategic Management
DES215 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
DES216 Applied Research Methods

e-Media major
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
DES221 Marketing Theory and Practice
DES222 Consumer Behaviour
DES223 Services Marketing
DES224 Marketing Communication
DES225 Advanced Research Methods
DES226 Marketing Research Project
3D Design major
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
DES231 Global e-Business
DES232 Sport and Event Marketing
DES233 Social Marketing
DES234 Brand Management
DES235    
DES236    

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  

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