Diploma of Science

Intrigued by the world and how it works? Dip your toe in the sciences and engineering with this one year course, opening up the possibilities of a career in science and a lifetime of discovery!

The Diploma of Science will prepare you with a grounding in scientific knowledge and skills and a taste of the many opportunities that science provides. You will learn the language and nature of science and mathematics and will be able to follow your interests in biomedical science, engineering, or human, environmental or physical sciences to discover where science can take you.

SCU College understands that learners have diverse experiences and ways of learning. The College supports your study success and connects you to your peers through additional workshops to assist you to develop academic and study skills.

Graduates can consider continuing their study into an Associate Degree, or Bachelor award across a range of scientific and engineering disciplines and will receive up to one year credit towards their degree.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Diploma of Science can find work in para-professional work in a range of settings, including positions as field assistants, laboratory assistants, revegetation officers and environmental monitoring officers.

Graduates who proceed to one of the pathway Bachelor degrees will have a range of career opportunities available in their chosen fields in government agencies and in the private sector.

Major Areas of Study

The course includes core studies in science that prepare students for further study through a range of science discipline units. The Diploma will assist students’ progression to their preferred area of study, should they decide to articulate into Southern Cross University’s Associate Degree of Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Environmental Science, Bachelor of Marine Science and Management, Bachelor of Forest Science and Management, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering.

Study areas are offered as follows:

• Human Science (Lismore campus)

• Environmental Sciences (Lismore campus or online)

• Physical Sciences and Mathematics (Lismore campus, or some units online)

• Engineering (Lismore campus)

Please note: Not all study areas are available to study online.

Assessment methods

Assessment tasks vary from unit to unit and can include essays, reports, audio or video presentations, class participation, individual and group work, online quizzes, case analyses, and examinations. Assessment items are in accordance with learning outcomes and designed to ensure that all the graduate attributes are assessed throughout the course. The performance criteria, grading standards and due dates for assessment tasks are included in each Unit Information Guide. Students receive timely feedback on their assessment submissions.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches which can including lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, field trips, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit. Students receive a regular schedule of face-to-face and/or online contact with academic staff.

Online students experience a highly interactive study mode that strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of the podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Please note: Some units contain compulsory residential workshops at the Lismore campus that may include lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and field trips.