Three new courses to be offered at UQ Ipswich from February 1999 should expand career options for students, according to a senior University of Queensland academic administrator.
Social and Behavioural Sciences Executive Dean Professor Linda Rosenman said new courses offered by the Faculty would be bachelor of social science, bachelor of education (graduate entry) and bachelor of behavioural studies.
The courses would be taught at UQ Ipswich, at which construction began in May for a February 1999 opening with an expected intake of 580 students.
The 25-hectare campus, which is 1.4km from the Ipswich city centre, has a history dating from 1878. The first stage is expected to be completed by November 1998, allowing academic staff to move on site. Planning has begun for stage two, due for completion in February 2000.
According to Professor Rosenman, three courses taught by the Faculty will qualify students for a range of careers in areas including national and international aid agencies, human services, paramedical fields, educationally-related youth work and educational software design.
Professor Rosenman said the bachelor of social science, a three-year undergraduate course first offered at the St Lucia campus in 1998, would be available at UQ Ipswich from 1999.
The course would focus on people, social and cultural changes in local, national and international communities.
'Students will learn about features and issues within Australian and international communities, identify and analyse social concerns and problems, develop positions on issues and propose and implement interventions,' Professor Rosenman said.
'Students will also acquire skills in research, communication, self-management, independent learning and working in teams.'
The specific career concentrations to be offered within the bachelor of social science are applied communication, designed to develop skills and knowledge used by organisations and communities; and development studies, to develop skills and knowledge of how to work with urban, rural, international and indigenous people to achieve sustainable development.
'Studies in social science could lead to careers with public and private organisations in community development, human services, research, information services, public relations, national and international aid projects,' Professor Rosenman said.
The two-year bachelor of education (graduate entry) would be available to students who have completed an undergraduate degree which includes two teaching areas.
Professor Rosenman said the degree can be completed in one-and-a-half full-time years and would lead to registration as a secondary school teacher.
'The graduate-entry bachelor of education will be available only at the Ipswich campus, and will provide students with training and teaching experience in diverse communities,' Professor Rosenman said.
'Graduates will be qualified for employment in secondary state and independent schools, in Queensland and interstate, in TAFE and in areas such as staff training in industry.'
Professor Rosenman said the three-year bachelor of behavioural studies would be offered exclusively at UQ Ipswich in 2000.
'In this degree students will develop understanding and skills for careers in human services,' Professor Rosenman said.
For further information, contact Professor Rosenman on (07) 3365 7487.
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