Undergraduate
Diploma of Science
Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
About this program
The Diploma of Science at Charles Darwin University is ideal for people curious about studying science who are unsure about committing to a degree, or those already working in the sciences who want to upskill in another discipline. Students explore science concepts, theories and principles across fields such as general science, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geographic information science, physics and mathematics, developing logical and critical thinking and problem-solving from a scientific and technological perspective. After completing the diploma, students can move into the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Environmental Science.
Fees & duration
Duration1 yr
Tuition (international)A$31,000
Application feeA$0
English test scores
IELTS6 overall
PTE50 overall
Verified cdu.edu.au ↗
Course structure
Study plan in 4 parts
- The common unit is designed to assist you to gain the academic skills required to make the successful transition to higher education. The focus is on developing the practical skills required for university study. These include: assignment writing
- reading and thinking critically
- referencing
- researching
- IT skills
- teamwork and communication. Specialist elective units enable you to study biology
- chemistry
- ecology
- environmental science
- earth science
- physics
- mathematics
- geographic information science
- indigenous environmental management and knowledge
- and statistics. It is possible for students with a Bachelor's degree in another discipline to take a selection of first-year
- second-year and third-year units if upskilling in a new science discipline. Alternatively
- by selecting the units from the first year of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Environmental Science
- full credit for the first year of those degrees can be gained
Core Units (1 unit)
- Language
- Literacy and Sustainability (replaces CUC100 from 2024)
- Communicating Technology
- Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107 from 2024)
Specialist Elective Units (5 units)
- Introductory Chemistry
- Mathematics 1A
- Earth Systems
- Diversity of Life
- Chemical Concepts (intensive)
- Mathematics 1A
- Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
- Earth Systems
- Introductory Chemistry
- Mathematics 1A
- Earth Systems
- The Diversity of Life
- Introductory Chemistry
- Mathematics 1A
- Software Now
- Earth Systems
- Introductory Chemistry
- Mathematics 1A
- Statics
- Earth Systems
- The Diversity of Life
- Cultural Capabilities (replaces CUC107 from 2024)
- Earth Systems
- The Diversity of Life
- Environmental Issues
- Indigenous Land and Resources
- Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Thinking
- Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Earth Systems
- The Diversity of Life
- Environmental Issues
- Introductory Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Evolution and Biodiversity
- Fire Ecology and Management in North Australia
- Flora and Fauna Survey and Monitoring
- Aquatic Ecosystems Chemistry (unit title change 2022)
- Wildlife Management
- Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity
- Organisms and Environmental Change
- Ecological Restoration and Conservation
- Desert Field Ecology (intensive)
- Field Studies in Northern Australia (intensive)
- Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods
- Environmental Microbiology (intensive)
- Medical Biochemistry
- Professional Practice in Science 1 (unit title change 2026)
- Professional Practice in Science 2 (new from 2026)
- Cellular Biology
- * Anatomy and Physiology 2 (replaces SBI171 and SBI172 from 2025 - see additional information below)
- Introduction to Microbiology (replaces SBI182 from 2025)
- Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Clinical Microbiology 1
- Clinical Microbiology 2
- Histology and Histochemistry (replaces SBI284 from 2025)
- Introductory Chemistry (if no chemistry background in senior high school)
- Chemical Concepts (intensive)
- Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive)
- Aquatic Ecosystems Chemistry (unit title change 2022)
- Medical Biochemistry
- Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Advanced Chemical Concepts
- Professional Practice in Science 1 (unit title change 2026)
- Earth Systems
- The Diversity of Life
- Environmental Issues
- Introductory Ecology
- Introductory Remote Sensing
- Ecosystems
- Evolution and Biodiversity
- Fire Ecology and Management in North Australia
- Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Thinking
- Flora and Fauna Survey and Monitoring
- Aquatic Ecosystems Chemistry (unit title change 2022)
- Wildlife Management (not offered 2025)
- Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity
- Organisms and Environmental Change
- Ecological Restoration and Conservation
- Environmental Monitoring and Modelling
- Hydrology and Catchment Processes
- Desert Field Ecology (intensive)
- Field Studies in Northern Australia (intensive)
- Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods
- Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data
- Environmental Microbiology (intensive)
- Cultural Resource and Site Management
- Indigenous Cultures and the Environment
- Mathematics 1A
- Mathematics 1B
- Concepts of Mathematics
- Mathematics 2A
- Data Analytics
- Concepts of Physics
- Statics
- Internet of Things (replaces ENG174)
- Analogue Electronics
- Electrical Circuit Analysis
- Fluid and Thermodynamics
- Dynamics
- Hydraulics and Soil Mechanics (replaces ENG267 from 2026)
- Science
- Technology
- and Society (title changed 2026)
- Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Professional Practice in Science 1 (unit title change 2026)
- Elective Units (2 units): Select 2 units totalling 20 credit points from either the above units or any other units offered by the University. If transferring into the Bachelor of Environmental Science
- no electives are available in the Diploma of Science
Admissions
Year 12 completion, ATAR approx 60 or equivalent (STAT score of 140 also accepted)
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