U0606 Diploma of Science
Office of the DVC Education and Senior VP
Diploma of Science (U0606) is a 2 years full-time, 96-credit-point, diploma course from the Office of the DVC Education and Senior VP, taught at City (Melbourne). Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.
- Credit points
- 96
- Duration
- 2 years full time
- 4 years part time
- Campus
- City (Melbourne)
- On campus
- Guaranteed ATAR
- Part 1: 50 || Part 2: 60
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Requisite map
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Overview
The Diploma of Science provides a pathway into a Monash University Science degree. The Diploma will introduce you to the fundamentals of the scientific method in both theory and practice, and across a range of science and related disciplines including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Psychology, Computing and Engineering.
The Diploma of Science will enable you to develop the skills you will need to prepare you for success at Monash University, including critical thinking, research techniques, academic writing and communication. This Diploma offers flexibility to select subjects depending on your career goals and areas of interest, to give you a head start in your science degree.
Part 2 of this Diploma enables you to study subjects equivalent to first-year Monash University subjects, which will enable you to progress to second year in your chosen field.
In the Diploma of Science, you can also select to undertake the Education stream, which upon completion allows you to progress to the Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science double degree. During your studies in part 2, you will complete the same number of units as a single discipline diploma. You'll complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement as part of your diploma.
Course structure
Part 1. Foundation Knowledge (Trimester 1 and 2 students)48 credit points
a) You must complete the following seven units (42 points):
MCD1180 Introductory physics
MCD1700 Introductory mathematics
MCD1170 Introductory chemistry
MCD1520 Introduction to academic communication
MCD1710 Introductory biology
MCD1750 Intermediate mathematics
MCD1190 Chemistry A
b) You must complete one of the following units (6 points):
MCD1120 Physics A
MCD1160 Introductory engineering computing
Part 1. Foundation Knowledge (Trimester 3 students)48 credit points
a) You must complete the following seven units (42 points):
MCD1160 Introductory Engineering Computing
MCD1180 Introductory physics
MCD1700 Introductory mathematics
MCD1170 Introductory chemistry
MCD1520 Introduction to academic communication
MCD1190 Chemistry A
MCD1530 Functions and their Applications
b) You must complete one of the following units (6 points):
MCD1120 Physics A
Part 2. Discipline knowledge48 credit points
- Diploma of Science only, or
- Diploma of Science with Education stream
Diploma of Science only
48 credit pointsa) You must complete the following three units (18 points):
MCD4390 Chemistry 1
MCD4410 Blueprint for life (Biology 1)
MCD2080 Business statistics
and one elective unit from the following list (6 points):
MCD2130 Functions and their applications OR MCD4490 Advanced mathematics
MCD4160 Physics for engineering
MCD6080 Foundations in psychology**
b) You must complete the following two units (12 points):
MCD4400 Chemistry 2
MCD4420 Life on earth (Biology 2)
and two elective units from the following list (not yet already completed) (12 points):
MCD2130 Functions and their applications OR MCD4490 Advanced mathematics*
MCD4770 Professional practice
MCD2040 Managing people and organisations
MCD4160 Physics for engineering
MCD6080 Foundations in psychology
MCD6170 Introduction to psychological inquiry (MCD6080 is a pre-requisite)**
MCD4440 Discrete mathematics for Computer Science
MCD4500 Engineering mathematics*
*MCD4500 Engineering Mathematics (and potentially MCD4490 Advanced Mathematics) are compulsory units if you want to major in mathematics in your Bachelor of Science.
**MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology and MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry are compulsory units if you want to major in Psychology in your Bachelor of Science.
Diploma of Science with Education stream
48 credit pointsa) You must complete the following five units (30 points):
MCD4390 Chemistry 1
MCD4410 Blueprint for life (Biology 1)
MCD2080 Business statistics
MCD4400 Chemistry 2
MCD4420 Life on earth (Biology 2)
b) You must complete one elective unit from the following list (6 points):
MCD2130 Functions and their applications
MCD4500 Engineering mathematics*
MCD4160 Physics for engineering
MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology
*MCD4500 Engineering Mathematics (and potentially MCD4490 Advanced Mathematics) are compulsory units if you want to major in mathematics in your Bachelor of Science.
c) You must complete one of the following combination of units (in your chosen education stream) (12 points)
Primary Education stream
MCD8011 Working in Education: An introduction to the profession
MCD8012 English and literacies 1
MCD8030 Primary professional experience (0 points)
Secondary Education stream
MCD8011 Working in Education: An introduction to the profession
MCD8012 Approaches to teaching and learning
MCD8050/60 Secondary professional experience (0 points)
The handbook's description of this structure
The course is structured in two parts: Part 1. Foundation knowledge and Part 2. Discipline knowledge.
Part 1: Foundation knowledge
In this part, across your first two trimesters, you will study eight core science units that provide you with foundational knowledge in science disciplines with the opportunity to develop focus and prepare you to progress to part 2.
Part 2: Discipline knowledge
In this part, across your final two trimesters, you will study units that are equivalent to first-year university units and develop your specialist knowledge in science. In this part you will study eight units, comprising five core units and three elective units that align with your interests.
In this part you also have the opportunity to complete Education studies stream, which allows you to develop foundational knowledge in either primary or secondary education. In the Education stream you will complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement.
The course comprises 96 points structured in two parts: Part 1. Foundation knowledge (48 points) and Part 2. Discipline knowledge (48 points).
Each unit is 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Part 1: Foundation knowledge (48 points) (Trimester 1 and 2 students)
You must complete a) and b)
a) You must complete the following seven units (42 points):
- MCD1180 Introductory physics
- MCD1700 Introductory mathematics
- MCD1170 Introductory chemistry
- MCD1520 Introduction to academic communication
- MCD1710 Introductory biology
- MCD1750 Intermediate mathematics
- MCD1190 Chemistry A
b) You must complete one of the following units (6 points):
- MCD1120 Physics A
- MCD1160 Introductory engineering computing
Part 1: Foundation knowledge (48 points) (Trimester 3 students)
You must complete the following eight units (48 points):
- MCD1160 Introductory Engineering Computing
- MCD1180 Introductory physics
- MCD1700 Introductory mathematics
- MCD1170 Introductory chemistry
- MCD1520 Introduction to academic communication
- MCD1530 Functions and their Applications
- MCD1190 Chemistry A
- MCD1120 Physics A
Part 2: Discipline knowledge (48 points)
Diploma of Science only
You must complete a) and b)
a) You must complete the following three units (18 points):
- MCD4390 Chemistry 1
- MCD4410 Blueprint for life (Biology 1)
- MCD2080 Business statistics
and one elective unit from the following list (6 points):
- MCD2130 Functions and their applications OR MCD4490 Advanced mathematics
- MCD4160 Physics for engineering
- MCD6080 Foundations in psychology**
b) You must complete the following two units (12 points):
- MCD4400 Chemistry 2
- MCD4420 Life on earth (Biology 2)
and two elective units from the following list (not yet already completed) (12 points):
- MCD2130 Functions and their applications OR MCD4490 Advanced mathematics*
- MCD4770 Professional practice
- MCD2040 Managing people and organisations
- MCD4160 Physics for engineering
- MCD6080 Foundations in psychology
- MCD6170 Introduction to psychological inquiry (MCD6080 is a pre-requisite)**
- MCD4440 Discrete mathematics for Computer Science
- MCD4500 Engineering mathematics*
*MCD4500 Engineering Mathematics (and potentially MCD4490 Advanced Mathematics) are compulsory units if you want to major in mathematics in your Bachelor of Science.
**MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology and MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry are compulsory units if you want to major in Psychology in your Bachelor of Science.
Diploma of Science with Education stream
You must complete a) and b) and c)
a) You must complete the following five units (30 points):
- MCD4390 Chemistry 1
- MCD4410 Blueprint for life (Biology 1)
- MCD2080 Business statistics
- MCD4400 Chemistry 2
- MCD4420 Life on earth (Biology 2)
b) You must complete one elective unit from the following list (6 points):
- MCD2130 Functions and their applications
- MCD4500 Engineering mathematics*
- MCD4160 Physics for engineering
- MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology
*MCD4500 Engineering Mathematics (and potentially MCD4490 Advanced Mathematics) are compulsory units if you want to major in mathematics in your Bachelor of Science.
c) You must complete one of the following combination of units (in your chosen education stream) (12 points)
Primary Education stream
- MCD8011 Working in Education: An introduction to the profession
- MCD8012 English and literacies 1
- MCD8030 Primary professional experience (0 points)
Secondary Education stream
- MCD8011 Working in Education: An introduction to the profession
- MCD8012 Approaches to teaching and learning
- MCD8050/60 Secondary professional experience (0 points)
Learning outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate knowledge of technical and theoretical issues in a variety of science disciplines, underpinned by scientific and mathematical theory.
- 2
Identify and communicate advice in a variety of science disciplines to address technical problems in accord with management requirements.
- 3
Utilise technical skills to demonstrate understanding and problem solving in relation to science issues involving diverse stakeholders.
- 4
Critically apply theoretical and technical skills to solve problems in relation to a range of science disciplines.
- 5
Manage work priorities and coordinate the work of others in accord with parameters set by management in a number of science contexts.
Entry requirements
Guaranteed ATAR and selection rank
Part 1: 50 || Part 2: 60
English language
Part 1:
- IELTS (or equivalent): 5.5 (no band lower than 5.0)
- TOEFL Internet based score: 52 – Writing 15, Speaking 14, Listening and Reading 5
Part 2:
- IELTS (or equivalent): 6.0 (Writing not less than 6.0, no other band less than 5.5)
- TOEFL Internet based score: 69 – Writing 21, Speaking 14, Listening and Reading 5
More information
Progression to further studies
Once you have completed your Diploma with the required entry score and prerequisite requirements, you will have guaranteed entry into second year of a related undergraduate degree at Monash University.
Notes for students
For those students studying the Education Stream:
- All teachers in Australia require a Working with Children's Check. You will need to apply for this during the first few weeks of your diploma.
- All applicants must sit an online Situational Judgement Test to be eligible for entry into this course. The test is designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. For more information visit the Faculty of Education's Situational Judgement Test website.
- Successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test is a requirement of the Education double degree. We will help you prepare, so you can choose to sit the test while at Monash College or once you are at Monash University. Find out more information about the Literacy and Numeracy Test.
This Diploma includes 10 days of professional experience (usually during Trimester 2). You will be enrolled into MCD8030 Primary Professional Experiences OR MCD8040 Secondary Professional Experiences based on your specialisation in education.
Other information
The Diploma of Science provides a pathway into a Monash University Science degree. The Diploma will introduce you to the fundamentals of the scientific method in both theory and practice, and across a range of science and related disciplines including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Psychology, Computing and Engineering.
The Diploma of Science will enable you to develop the skills you will need to prepare you for success at Monash University, including critical thinking, research techniques, academic writing and communication. This Diploma offers flexibility to select subjects depending on your career goals and areas of interest, to give you a head start in your science degree.
Part 2 of this Diploma enables you to study subjects equivalent to first-year Monash University subjects, which will enable you to progress to second year in your chosen field.
In the Diploma of Science, you can also select to undertake the Education stream, which upon completion allows you to progress to the Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science double degree. During your studies in part 2, you will complete the same number of units as a single discipline diploma. You'll complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement as part of your diploma.
Common questions
How long is Diploma of Science?
2 years full time, 96 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 4 semesters of full-time study.
What ATAR do I need for Diploma of Science?
The guaranteed ATAR listed for 2025 entry is Part 1: 50 || Part 2: 60.
Where can I study Diploma of Science?
At City (Melbourne).
How do I plan my Diploma of Science units?
Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.