What are the Academic Calendar changes to MSCN, GDSI, and GCSC in 2024?

In 2024 the Master of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Graduate Certificate of Science will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar. 

 

A Trimester is a study period that occurs three times during the year. Each Trimester is of equal length (14 weeks) and includes a 2-week flexible learning period (these are weeks that contain no new teaching content, but there is an expectation that students will still be engaged with other aspects of study, which may include catching up, revision, and assessment progression/submission). 

 

The first Trimester study period for postgraduate science degrees starts in January 2024. 

 

Visit the Academic Calendar and Important Dates page for more information on key dates or to download a copy of the Trimester Calendar.  

 

• Agricultural Science specialisation in Trimester 1 (January) or Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September) for full time and part time enrolments
• Applied Climate Science specialisation in Trimester 1 (January) or Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September) for full time and part time enrolments
• Environment and Sustainability in Trimester 2 (May) for a full time enrolment pattern and Trimester 1 (January) or Trimester 3 (September) for part time enrolment pattern
• The specialisations of Applied Data Science (AI & Machine Learning), Mathematics and Statistics, and Applied Data Science (Data Analytics) can only be completed in a part time enrolment pattern. You can start in Trimester 1 (January) or Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September) in a part time enrolment pattern for these specialisations. 

 

Not all courses are offered in every study period. 

 

Recommended enrolment patterns are provided in the program handbook. These patterns have been developed to build your foundational knowledge and ensures you meet pre-requisite requirements when completing subsequent courses. 

 

The handbook will be released prior to enrolment opening for 2024 courses.  

 

For the Master of Science and Graduate Diploma of Science programs, if you are studying full-time there is no option to accelerate through the program faster than the recommended enrolment pattern due to pre-requisites and course offerings.  
 
The Graduate Certificate of Science is 4-course program that is designed to be completed part time. There are specialisations that can be completed in one trimester by taking all four courses in that trimester. These include ‘Applied Data Science’ and ‘Environment & Sustainability’ (may be completed in one trimester if undertaken in Trimester 1) and ‘Computing’ (may be completed in one trimester if undertaken in Trimester 1 or Trimester 2).   
 
If you are studying part-time, you will find options to distribute your study load more evenly throughout the year, and possibly study more than 2-4 courses per year if desired. However, this is subject to course offerings, enrolment requisites and program rules. If you require any assistance with your enrolment, please visit the enrolment website or contact iconnect.    

 

No! There is no obligation to study in all three trimesters. 

 

You may want to study full-time or spread your enrolment load across the year and take fewer courses in each trimester. This might help you to balance work, study, family, and other commitments. 

 

A part-time pathway is available if you want to do fewer courses across the year. 

 

If you are considering full or part time study, an international student, or receiving Centrelink benefits you can access more information on full-time study. 

 

The Trimester calendar offers a great deal of flexibility to allow you to speed up or slow down your studies. It also allows you to study in all three trimesters in a calendar year and still have a break (approx. 6 weeks) in your studies over the end of year holiday period.   

 

All core courses taught in the Master of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Graduate Certificate of Science will be offered in the Trimester Academic Calendar in 2024. 

 

Some other disciplines areas offer courses in other academic calendars. If you plan to take electives from other discipline areas, please check the course specifications in the UniSQ Handbook for information about the study period in which these courses are offered. 

 

In Semester 3 of this year (2023), if you are planning to enrol in:

you will experience a three-week crossover with your Trimester 1 studies. The final three weeks of Semester 3 overlap with the first three weeks of Trimester 1. If you are planning on taking either PUB5001 or SCI3302 courses in Semester 3 this year (2023) and a Trimester 1 course next year (2024), then you need to contact your Program Director who will help you to develop a plan for your studies in these two study periods. 

 

In 2024 you will enrol in the Trimester Academic Calendar for your core courses in the Master of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Graduate Certificate of Science. 

 

We will email you with further information about your program’s move to the new Academic Calendar prior to enrolments opening for 2024. 

 

Find answers online, any time, through Ask UniSQ FAQs, or live chat or connect with the iconnect team, your first point of contact when you need information or support, 7 days a week. The team is also available to answer your queries on-campus in UniSQ Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield.