Postgraduate Intensive Workshops
What are intensive workshops?
USQ Springfield offers postgraduate courses from the Master of Business Administration, Master of Project Management and articulating programs, including core courses and selected elective courses, in "intensive workshop" mode. Each course includes two intensive workshops (each of three days duration) providing 45-50 hours of contact and are the only on-campus component in this mode of study. The workshops are held in modern, well equipped rooms on the postgraduate level of the USQ campus located in Education City at Springfield.
Similar to external students, all students in this on-campus mode at the Springfield campus receive course materials and commence their studies at the start of each semester to allow time for prior reading of materials before the workshops, which "value-add" to the learning experience through interaction with the lecturer, fellow students and guest presenters from industry. This allows students to feel less isolated in their studies and provides an additional reference point when needing clarification or assistance. These course materials can be supplied in different formats (eg print-based materials, CD-ROM, etc) and the format used will vary from course to course. Students finish their studies in their own time and submit assignments in the normal way on the due dates.
In reality, it is an extremely flexible ‘enhanced' model of distance education and the workshops are structured to provide students with opportunities for the following:
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quiet time away from work and families to focus on studies, to kick-start the learning process and assessment and to create momentum to finish the studies without too much pain
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on-campus access to the library and other resources
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networking with other students who are experiencing the same challenges but who may come from different environments, different industries, different countries, different cultures, different languages, etc
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socialising with other students who share your interest and passion for learning
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collaboration with other students to share models of professional practice for personal development
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meeting with the academic staff who write the materials and run the courses
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interacting with practising managers from a wide range of industries in order to challenge pre-conceived ideas of how management is actually practised in the real world
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working with other students in small groups to examine real case studies and learn about the dynamics of working in teams
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attending workshops run by library staff to learn skills necessary to search library resources, access online databases from libraries around the world, carry out research quickly and effectively, reference research materials in accordance with faculty requirements, and how to use specialised software like Endnote to reduce the time and effort preparing assignments
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developing better skills in the use of other software programs, eg Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, Visio, etc
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participating in class sessions to improve study techniques, share study tips with other students, write better assignments and look at examples of high-quality assignments in order to gain better marks and grades.
Workshop attendance is not "compulsory" as it is recognised that work and family commitments can sometimes cause students to miss a part of them, although attendance is naturally of great benefit.
Who should enrol in this mode?
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students studying externally who can access the Springfield campus for three-day workshops
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students who have family and work commitments that limit their capacity to devote time to study on a regular weekly basis
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students who value interaction and collaboration
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students who wish to obtain the best outcomes possible within a flexible learning environment.
How to enrol in this mode
Enrol in the normal way in the program of your choice. When selecting individual courses, select ‘ONC' mode at Springfield, if it is available.
Schedule
The official workshop dates are available approximately six weeks before the start of each Semester.
Maps and Directions
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Getting to Springfield: USQ Springfield is part of the Education City precinct located on Sinnathamby Boulevard in Springfield.
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Campus Map: All postgraduate classes are held in the lecture rooms on Level 6 of the USQ building (six-storey building).
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Student ID Card and Access
During your first intensive workshop for the semester, your lecturer will direct new students to the Education City Security Office to be issued with a student identification card. This Security Office is on Level 1 (Ground Floor) of the World Knowledge Centre.
The Student ID card is required for:
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after-hours access to the Level 4 Student Commons
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after-hours lift access to the postgraduate computer lab (A6CL1) on Level 6 between 8.00am and 10.00pm
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access to the Level 1 computer lab which is available to all students 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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access to the Level 5 computer labs during business hours when not being used for classes
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borrowing at the USQ Springfield Library
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Once you have been issued with your Student ID Card, you will need to register as a user of on-campus information and communication technology. This registration process will be explained by your lecturer during your first intensive workshop.
A wireless network operates within the USQ Springfield Building. ICT Support is located on Level 5 and staff are available on weekdays to configure your laptop.
Library
Your Student IC Card is also your Library card. Please register your card with the Library located on Level 1, which is open six days a week during Semesters 1 and 2, and Monday to Friday during Semester 3.
Accommodation
There are a number of motels and apartments (*PDF 19k) located within a 20 minute drive of the campus. Accommodation is also available at the Student Village situation within Education City.
Food Services
Tea and Coffee Facilities
These facilities are provided in the Level 6 Kitchenette located near the stairs. Use of tea and coffee is based on an honour system requiring a contribution of 50 cents per cup to cover the replacement cost of supplies. A refrigerator and microwave oven are also available for use by postgraduate students, along with cleaning equipment.
On-Campus
The OC Cafe/Restaurant provides snacks and meals from Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 4.00pm.
Vending machines supplying cold drinks and snacks are located in the Student Commons on Level 4. All students can access this floor between 8.00am and 10.00pm.
Off-Campus
Food and drinks can also be purchased from:
Local Services
ATMs
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ANZ: Orion Shopping Centre
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Bank of Queensland: Across the road from the Springfield Fair Shopping Centre
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Bendigo Bank: Spring Lakes Village Shopping Centre
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Commonwealth Bank: Orion Shopping Centre and Springfield Fair Shopping Centre
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Qld Teachers Credit Union: Orion Shopping Centre
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Suncorp: Orion Shopping Centre
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Westpac: Orion Shopping Centre
Taxis
Need assistance?
For assistance with transport, directions or accommodation, please contact the Faculty of Business Administration Officer on +61 7 3470 4500 or email businessspringfield@usq.edu.au