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Graduate Certificate in Science (GCSC) - GradCertSci

CRICOS code (International applicants): 069701A

	On-campus	Distance education
Semester intake:	Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July)	Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July)
Campus:	Toowoomba	-
Fees:	Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place International full fee paying place	Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place International full fee paying place
Standard duration:	1 semester full-time, 1 year part-time

Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students	Future International students	Current students
Ask a question Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315 Email: studysci@usq.edu.au	Ask a question Phone: +61 7 4631 5543 Email: international@usq.edu.au	Ask a question Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285 Email: usq.support@usq.edu.au

Program focus

The Graduate Certificate in Science focuses on providing educators, science communicators and others with an opportunity to further their knowledge in areas critical to their professional responsibilities and interests.

Program aims

The Graduate Certificate in Science provides students with the opportunity to further their knowledge in areas critical to their professional responsibilities and interests.

Program objectives

On completion of this program graduates will be able to demonstrate:

understanding of current issues in their chosen discipline
enhanced breadth and depth of their knowledge base relevant to teaching
practical skills in relevant laboratory practice and/or field work.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must have a three-year degree from an Australian or other recognized University or equivalent.

International Applicants

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP programs .

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The program comprises four one-semester courses in the disciplines of science, or mathematics, or computing, and can also be used to study a combination of courses in these disciplines. The Program Coordinator also may grant substitution of one course from outside these disciplines.
Students may choose up to four first-level courses to complete the program.

Subject Area	Residential School Requirements for EXT Courses
Astronomy (PHY)	External only – no residential school requirement
Biology (BIO)	All courses available on-campus, some courses available in both modes – some external courses have compulsory residential schools
Biomedical Sciences	Courses are available on-campus, or externally using a residential school
Chemistry (CHE)	Chemistry courses are available on-campus, and externally through the use of compulsory residential schools
Computing (CSC)	Available in both modes — no residential school requirement
Environment and Sustainability	Available in both modes — no residential school requirement
Mathematics (MAT)	Available in both modes – no residential school requirement
Physics (PHY)	Available in both modes – recommended courses have no residential school requirement
Primary Teaching	Available externally — all courses have a residential school
Wine Technology (WIN)	Some courses available externally with no residential schools, some courses available on-campus with a compulsory residential school.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.

Practical experience

Students will obtain practical and/or field work experience as part of individual courses studied.

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ minimum computing standards to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

Residential schools

Some science courses offered in on-campus mode have laboratory and/or fieldwork attendance requirements. Similarly, some external courses in the sciences have a compulsory residential school that requires on-campus attendance for up to one week during the mid-semester teaching break for on-campus students. Details of any residential school requirements are contained within individual course specifications.

Exemptions

No exemptions are available for this program.

In this section:

Recommended Enrolment Pattern
Astronomy
Biomedical Science (Cellular Emphasis)
Biomedical Science (Whole Body Emphasis)
Biology
Chemistry
Computing
Environment and Sustainability
Mathematics
Mathematics for Primary/Middle School teaching
Physics
Primary Science Teaching
Wine Technology

Recommended Enrolment Pattern

There is no set enrolment pattern as this program is designed to allow students flexibility to choose courses according to individual needs, interests and prior study. However, please note that:

The student must select courses according to the pre- and co-requisite requirements contained in individual course specifications.
Some courses include a compulsory residential school.
Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.
Those teachers studying who are relying on government scholarships are advised to check with their funding agency that they are enrolled in an appropriate approved combination of courses.
Students seeking specific course combinations to upgrade their skills may wish to follow one of the following recommended enrolment patterns listed below. For further advice on these and other possible course combinations please contact the Program Coordinator.

Astronomy

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
PHY1101 Astronomy 1†				1
PHY2204 Astronomy and Astrophysics†				1
PHY1107 Astronomy 2†				2
SCI3301 Science Project #				2

Footnotes
†	Astronomical observations for each course are made remotely via Internet access to USQ’s Mt Kent Observatory. Voluntary field nights will also be made available.
#	Students enrolling in SCI3301 need to arrange project supervision in advance.

Biomedical Science (Cellular Emphasis)

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose four of the following courses:
BIO2119 Human Biochemistry 1*		1		1			Pre-requisite: CHE2120
BIO2107 Cell and Molecular Biology 1*		1		1			Pre-requisite: CHE2120
BIO3206 Medical Microbiology and Immunology 3*		1		1			Pre-requisite: BIO2106
BIO2219 Genetics*		2		2			Pre-requisite: BIO1101 and STA2300
BIO3219 Human Biochemistry 2*		2		2			Pre-requisite: BIO2119
BIO3207 Cell and Molecular Biology 2*		2		2			Pre-requisite: BIO2107

Footnotes
*	theory only course

Biomedical Science (Whole Body Emphasis)

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose four of the following courses
BIO2118 Human Physiology and Pharmacology 1*		1		1				Pre-requisite: BIO1204
BIO3313 Human Physiology and Pharmacology in Disease 1		1						Pre-requisite: BIO2203 and BIO2213
BIO1203 Human Anatomy and Physiology		2		2,3			C
BIO1204 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences^		2		2			C
BIO2218 Human Physiology and Pharmacology 2*		2		2				Pre-requisite: BIO2118
BIO3323 Human Physiology and Pharmacology in Disease 2		2						Pre-requisite: BIO3313 or equivalent
BIO3333 Cardiorespiratory and Sports Physiology		2						Pre-requisite: BIO2203

Footnotes
*	theory only course
^	residential school

Biology

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Take the following two courses:
BIO1101 Biology 1^		1		1			C
BIO2103 Biology 2^		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: BIO1101
Plus choose two from the following:
BIO1100 Biology Concepts		2		2
CHE1110 Chemistry 1		1		1			C
BIO2119 Human Biochemistry 1		1		1				Pre-requisite: CHE2120
BIO3313 Human Physiology and Pharmacology in Disease 1†		1						Pre-requisite: BIO2203 and BIO2213
CHE2120 Chemistry 2		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: CHE1110
BIO2202 Plant Physiology		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: BIO1101
BIO3219 Human Biochemistry 2		2		2				Pre-requisite: BIO2119

Footnotes
^	Recommended for a one-year enrolment pattern
†	BIO3313 is offered on-campus but not externally.

Notes

Recommended enrolment pattern may alter slightly in 2013.

Chemistry

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Take the following two courses:
CHE1110 Chemistry 1^		1		1			C
CHE2120 Chemistry 2^#		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: CHE1110
Plus choose two from the following:
BIO1100 Biology Concepts		2		2
BIO1101 Biology 1^		1		1			C
BIO2119 Human Biochemistry 1		1		1				Pre-requisite: CHE2120
BIO3313 Human Physiology and Pharmacology in Disease 1		1						Pre-requisite: BIO2203 and BIO2213
PHY1104 Physics Concepts 1 +^				1
WIN1101 Grape and Wine Production ^		1		1
BIO2103 Biology 2 ^		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: BIO1101
BIO2202 Plant Physiology		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: BIO1101
BIO3219 Human Biochemistry 2		2		2				Pre-requisite: BIO2119
PHY1911 Physics Concepts 2 +^				2
WIN2102 Wine Composition, Stability and Analysis ^		2		2				Pre-requisite: WIN1101 and CHE1110

Footnotes
^	Recommended for a one-year enrolment pattern.
#	A 2-year enrolment allows studies of Chemistry in year 1 and Biochemistry in year 2.
+	This course uses in-home practical kits. There is no residential school requirement.

Notes

Recommended enrolment pattern may alter slightly in 2013.

Computing

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose four of the following courses
CSC1401 Foundation Programming		1		1
CSC3407 Network Fundamentals and Routing~		1		1
CSC2408 Software Development Tools		2		2
One of the following two courses:
CSC2406 Web Technology		2		2			Pre-requisite: CSC1401 or USQIT16 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GDGS or GCEN or GDET or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MSBN or MSMS
CSC2407 Introduction to Software Engineering		2		2			Pre-requisite: CSC1401 or USQIT16 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GDTI or GCSC or GDGS or GCEN or GDET or METC or MCOT or MCTE or MCOP or MPIT or MSBN or MSMS

Footnotes
~	Some schools offer information technology courses that are linked to the Cisco IT Essentials and Cisco CCNA Discovery curriculum, and CSC3407 covers some of the IT skills and knowledge required. CSC3407 has no pre-requisites, so that it can be taken in parallel with CSC1401.

Environment and Sustainability

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
BIO1100 Biology Concepts		2		2
CLI1110 Weather and Climate		1		1
CLI3301 Climate and Environment Risk Assessment		1
CLI2201 Climate Change and Variability		2		2
CLI3302 Adaptation to Climate Change		2		2
REN1201 Environmental Studies		1		1
REN2200 Ecology for Sustainability		1
REN3301 Biodiversity and Conservation		2		2
REN3302 Sustainable Resource Use		2		2

Notes

For a one-year external enrolment, suited to secondary teachers teaching into environment and sustainability (including SOSE), specialisations in climate, ecology and conservation can be studied by enrolling in the GCCA Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation or the PCSS Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Science.

Mathematics

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose a total of four of the following courses
One of the following two courses
MAT1500		1		1
MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I #		1		1
One of the following two courses
MAT1502 *		1, 2		1, 2
MAT2100 Algebra and Calculus II#		2		2			Pre-requisite: (MAT1102 or MAT1502) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MSBI or GCEN or GDET or METC
Two of the following four courses
STA2300 Data Analysis		1, 2, 3		1, 2, 3
MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing		1		1
MAT2409 High Performance Numerical Computing		1		1			Pre-requisite: CSC1401 and MAT1102 or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MPIT or MCOT or MCTE
MAT1200 Operations Research 1		2		2

Footnotes
#	MAT1102 and MAT2100 give a higher level of Algebra & Calculus that are useful for teaching Maths B & C in schools. Students without an appropriate mathematics background for MAT2100 should first take MAT1102, and students without an appropriate background for MAT1102 should first take USQ’s Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) course in mathematics.
*	MAT1502 is equivalent to MAT1102. Other course combinations are possible - please contact the Program Coordinator

Mathematics for Primary/Middle School teaching

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose a total of four of the following courses:
Choose ONE of the following three courses
MAT1000 Mathematics Fundamentals		1		1
ENG1500		1		1
MAT1001 Business Mathematics Fundamentals		1		1
Choose ONE of the following two courses:
STA2300 Data Analysis		1, 2, 3		1, 2, 3
STA3100 Evaluating Information		2		2
Choose ONE of the following two courses:
MAT1500		1		1
MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics		2		2
You can also choose:
MAC1901 Mathematics for Teachers		2		2
EDO3681 Teaching the National Curriculum: Mathematics						3

Notes

Other course combinations are possible - please contact the Program Coordinator

Physics

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
PHY1104 Physics Concepts 1 +				1
PHY2204 Astronomy and Astrophysics †				1
PHY1911 Physics Concepts 2 +				2
PHY2206 Medical Physics +				2

Footnotes
+	This course uses in-home practical kits. There is no residential school requirement.
†	Astronomical observations for PHY2204 are made remotely via Internet access to USQ’s Mt Kent Observatory. Voluntary field nights will also be made available.

Primary Science Teaching

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
Choose four of the following courses
BIO1100 Biology Concepts		2		2
BIO1101 Biology 1		1		1			C
CHE1110 Chemistry 1		1		1			C
CLI1110 Weather and Climate		1		1
PHY1104 Physics Concepts 1 +				1
REN1201 Environmental Studies		1		1
PHY1107 Astronomy 2 †				2
REN3301 Biodiversity and Conservation		2		2
SCI1901 Science Fundamentals				2

Footnotes
+	This course uses in-home practical kits. There is no residential school requirement.
†	Astronomical observations for each course are made remotely via Internet access to USQ’s Mt Kent Observatory. Voluntary field nights will also be made available.

Wine Technology

Course	Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied						Residential school	Enrolment requirements
	On-campus (ONC)		Distance education (EXT)		Online (ONL)
	Year	Sem	Year	Sem	Year	Sem
CHE1110 Chemistry 1 *		1		1			C
CHE2120 Chemistry 2 *		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: CHE1110
WIN1101 Grape and Wine Production *		1		1
WIN2102 Wine Composition, Stability and Analysis *		2		2				Pre-requisite: WIN1101 and CHE1110
If you have already studied the equivalent chemistry subjects, you may choose two of the following depending on prior knowledge and prerequisite studies:
WIN2201 Wine Analysis Practice		3					C	Pre-requisite: WIN2102
WIN2202 Winemaking Practice 1		1					C	Pre-requisite: WIN2102
WIN2204 Wine Biochemistry				2				Pre-requisite: BIO1101 and CHE2120 and WIN2102
WIN2206 Wine Microbiology				2				Pre-requisite: BIO1101 and WIN2102
BIO1101 Biology 1		1		1			C
BIO2202 Plant Physiology		2		2			C	Pre-requisite: BIO1101
Other Bachelor of Technology (Wine) courses, subject to approval by the GCSC Program Coordinator

Footnotes
*	These courses particularly suit (1) secondary teachers in the chemical or biological sciences who wish to upgrade their knowledge of recent advances in wine science and (2) University graduates working in the wine industry. They are recommended for a one or two year program.