Studying on-campus
Studying on-campus as a full time student can be a rewarding way to undertake a university degree in a safe and friendly multicultural environment with modern facilities and a relatively low cost of living.
Life at USQ exposes you to a wide variety of multicultural influences, as Australian students from both rural and urban areas, as well as international students from more than 40 countries, study together. USQ has campuses located in:
- the attractive regional city of Toowoomba
- the beachside location of Fraser Coast
-
Springfield, an expanding and master-planned community in Brisbane's south-western corridor within easy access of the Gold Coast.
Lectures
Each course usually involves one lecture each week; each lecture usually runs for two hours.
The lecturer uses this time each week to address all of the students enrolled in a course.
Because of the number of students in some courses, lectures are often held in large, auditorium style lecture theatres, which are equipped with a variety of audio-visual devices to assist the lecturer with the presentation.
In most cases, the lecturer delivers a prepared speech, which may include an expanded discussion of important topics in the textbook, current topical examples, and instructions on preparing for assessment items. Most students take notes (for use in preparation for assignments and exams) about what the lecturer has covered, and there is usually little or no interaction between the students and the lecturer in this forum.
Tutorials
In many courses there is also one tutorial, of one to two hours duration, each week. In a tutorial, a small group of students gather with a teacher from the course - either the lecturer, or a teaching assistant called a tutor, to review the material for that week in a much more personal and interactive way. Students can raise any problems with the tutor, and seek clarification of any confusing issues. These small groups often involve group discussions and provide the opportunity to work through examples, and attempt practice questions.
Laboratory sessions
Some courses, particularly those in science and engineering areas, also require students to attend practical laboratory sessions where hands-on activities such as experiments and use of specialist equipment are undertaken.