Diploma of Higher Education

The Diploma of Higher Education (DoHE) provides an alternative entry pathway into a bachelor's course in science, inclusive of mathematics or related areas. If you have the drive and desire to study science at university but you don't quite meet the entry requirements for entry, have missed a prerequisite, particularly mathematics, have experienced educational disadvantage or are returning to study after some time away, DoHE can help you achieve your academic goals.

The Diploma of Higher Education lets you begin studying towards your Monash degree from day one. It is a one-year course that is equivalent to the first year of university undergraduate science. It is delivered from our Clayton campus, so you will be able to access support from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Education.

You will be introduced to a broad range of science fields by completing a sequence of study in two of the following areas: biological science; chemistry; computational science; earth, atmosphere and environment; and physics. This will allow you to gain a foundation in key scientific principles while determining your future major area of study.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 5, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 5, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. achieve success in your studies and proceed to a Monash University undergraduate degree course
2. achieve the understanding of mathematical principles required for future higher education study
3. achieve first-year equivalent standard in an area of study in which you wish to gain entry to a degree course
4. demonstrate the intellectual capabilities necessary for higher education study and scholarship
5. operate as a self-directed and independent tertiary learner through the development of positive learning habits including analytical, problem-solving, oral and writing skills.

This course consists of two parts, Part A. Foundation knowledge units and Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge units within the area of study corresponding to your chosen stream.

Part A. Foundation knowledge

These two units will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an independent learner who can succeed at university studies. You will develop enhanced writing and critical reading skills and learn how to produce essays and reports that present a critical argument and adhere to the conventions of academic presentation. You will also learn how to get the most out of lectures, tutorials and other learning materials and understand the expectations of university studies.

Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge

You will complete six specialist discipline knowledge units. These units will introduce you to foundation mathematical principles and applications, the fundamentals of your chosen stream and will ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to take the next step in your higher education studies.

Students must complete 48 credit points comprising Part A. 12 points of foundation knowledge for successful tertiary study and Part B. 36 points of specialist discipline knowledge in your chosen area of study.

The units required for each field are detailed below.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-d0501.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation knowledge (12 points)

Students complete:

• EDF1010 Learning in a university context
• EDF1011 Knowledge and context

Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge (36 points)

Students complete the units listed in their chosen destination field.

Science

Students complete six level 1 science units as follows:

(a.) Two of the following mathematics units (12 points):

• MTH1010 Functions and their applications (unless the equivalent Year 12 studies have already been completed to an appropriate standard)
• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• MTH2010 Multivariable calculus
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note: The mathematics units studied will depend on your mathematics background:

• MTH1010 is for students who have not studied Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent)
• SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background
• STA1010 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
• MTH1020 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent) or MTH1010
• MTH1030 requires students to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.

(b.) Two level one approved science sequences (24 points), from the following list:

Usually, the units in a level one sequence are required for the completion of a related minor or major. The choice of level one sequences will influence your choice of level two and level three units and will lay the foundation for your major in the Bachelor of Science.

Biological sciences

One pair of:

• BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1022 Biology II
• BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1042 Environmental biology

Chemistry

One pair of:

• CHM1011 Chemistry I and CHM1022 Chemistry II
• CHM1011 Chemistry I and CHM1052 Chemistry II advanced
• CHM1051 Chemistry I advanced and CHM1022 Chemistry II
• CHM1051 Chemistry I advanced and CHM1052 Chemistry II advanced

Computational science

• FIT1045 Introduction to algorithms and programming and FIT1008 Introduction to computer science

Earth, atmosphere and environment

• EAE1011 Earth, atmosphere and environment 1 and EAE1022 Earth, atmosphere and environment 2

Physics

One pair of:

• PHS1011 Classical physics and relativity * and PHS1022 Fields and quantum physics **
• PHS1080 Foundation physics and PHS1022 Fields and quantum physics **

* MTH1020 Analysis of change is required as co-requisite.

** MTH1030 Techniques for modelling is required as co-requisite.

Upon successful completion of this course, you may be eligible to transfer into the second year of the following Monash degree courses. Progression to second year is based on your academic performance:

• S2000 Bachelor of Science
• D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (specialisations: primary education, secondary education)

The Diploma of Higher Education can also provide a pathway into other Monash degree courses that are not destination degrees. You can apply for other courses through VTAC and you will need to make sure that you have met the prerequisites for those courses.