Diploma
Dreaming of a career in science? Understand the world around you and discover a career of choice and versatility.
La Trobe's Diploma of Science is a supported pathway into the Bachelor of Science - or the qualification you need to kickstart a career in entry-level roles in the science industry.
Explore basic scientific concepts and learn how to harness collaboration in the laboratory. Consolidate your new knowledge and skills through practical, laboratory-based classes where you'll have opportunities for hands-on experience. And build skills in scientific communication - an essential skill for sharing outcomes with different audiences.
Already know where you want to steer your career? Our wide range of electives allow you to take specialist subjects right away. Depending on your campus, choose from biochemistry, zoology, physics, molecular biology, data science and more.
You'll learn alongside Bachelor's students in the same subjects, while you map out your transition to further university study. Depending on your subject selection, after successfully completing your Diploma you can transfer directly into the second year of La Trobe's Bachelor of Science. That's all thanks to the one year's worth of course credit (also called advanced standing) you could receive for the subjects you study in your Diploma.
We'll be with you every step of the way. Receive tailored advice from a dedicated Senior Support Adviser and connect with discipline-based peer mentors. We'll help you enrol, choose your subjects and navigate university systems and requirements. You can also access La Trobe's Careers Service to help you shape your future.
You'll learn:
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 5 - Diploma.
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Diploma of Science, students must complete a total of 120 credit points across 1 year.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0 WOMINJEKA LA TROBE: INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LITERACY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ABS0WOM 1 0 BIG IDEAS IN SCIENCE: LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING SCI1LUE 1 15
A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.
Core choice subjects are one or more subject groups you need to select in your course. Core choice subjects may be specific to your course, major, minor, specialisation or other learning requirements.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points CALCULUS AND DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS MAT1CDE 1 15 DATA-BASED CRITICAL THINKING STA1DCT 1 15 MAKING SENSE OF DATA STM1001 1 15 MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS IN BIOLOGY MAT1MAB 1 15The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.
Graduates of the Diploma of Science can pursue a range of science-related career paths with further study.
Possible roles include: