Handbook home
Graduate Diploma in Science (GD-SCI) // Entry and participation requirements
About this course
Coordinator
Assoc Professor Andy Martin
Contact
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: enquiries-STEM@unimelb.edu.au
Future students:
- Further information:graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-diploma-science
Entry requirements
In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an undergraduate degree, or equivalent; and
• at least 25 points of specific prerequisite subjects at level 1 or above for the stream into which entry is sought.
-
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider prior academic performance.
The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.
Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
-
Stream Specific Subject Prerequisites
Applied Mathematics
Both of MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, or both of MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, or equivalents
Botany
25 points of level 1 or above biological sciences subjects
Chemistry
CHEM10004 Chemistry 2 or CHEM10006 for Biomedicine, or equivalents and a further 12.5 points of level 1 science
Computer Science
At least 25 points of level 1 or above Computer Science subjects, or equivalent and 25 points of level 1 or above mathematics or statistics subjects, or equivalent
Discrete Mathematics / Operations Research
Both of MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, or both of MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, or equivalents
Genetics
At least 25 points of level 1 or above biological sciences subject
Geology
ERTH10002 Understanding Planet Earth , or equivalent plus one other level 1 or above subject in Geology or Chemistry
Human Geography
GEOG10001 Famine in the Modern World , or equivalents plus 12.5 points of level 1 or above science subjects
Integrated Geography
Two of ENVS10001 Natural Environments, GEOG10001 Famine in the Modern World, ERTH10001 The Global Environment or UNIB10003 An Ecological History of Humanity, or equivalents
Medicinal Chemistry
CHEM10004 Chemistry 2 or CHEM10006 for Biomedicine, or equivalents and a further 12.5 points of level 1 biological science subjects.
Physical Geography
Two of ENVS10001 Natural Environments, GEOG10001 Famine in the Modern World, ERTH10001 The Global Environment or UNIB10003 An Ecological History of Humanity, or equivalents
Physics
25 points of level 1 Physics and 25 points of level 1 Mathematics, or equivalent, plus two of PHYC20005 Quantum Mechanics & Thermal Physics and PHYC20009 Thermal and Classical Physics and PHYC20010 Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity and PHYC20011 Electromagnetism and Optics, MAST20009 Vector Calculus and MAST20026 Real Analysis, or equivalents
Pure Mathematics
Both of MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, or both of MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, or equivalents
Statistics / Stochastic Processes
Both of MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, or both of MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, or equivalents
Zoology
25 points of level 1 or above Life Sciences
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The Graduate Diploma in Science welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.
The Graduate Diploma in Science requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:
- the ability to comprehend complex science, technology and/or engineering systems related information;
- the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, technology and engineering systems principles and practices during assessment tasks; and in some areas of study
- the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursionactivities.
Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
There are additional inherent academic requirements for some major studies and subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these majors and subjects.
Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
-
Discipline-specific Core Participation Requirements
Chemistry
Core Participation requirements: Laboratory experiments
This discipline requires students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination and balance are essential for participation. Assessment is reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results.
Botany
Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork, practicals and laboratory experiments
This discipline requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination and balance are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqsBSc.pdf
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheel chair accessible and may require students to traverse broken ground. Students are also required to undertake experiments including specimen and microscope work with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results. Practicals may also involve handling and working with animals.
Geology
Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component, as is specimen and microscope work.
Zoology
Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork, practicals and laboratory experiments
This major requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination and balance are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqsBSc.pdf The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheel chair accessible and may require students to traverse broken ground. Students are also required to undertake experiments including specimen and microscope work with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results. Practicals may also involve handling and working with animals.
Last updated: 10 February 2025