Important Information
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Current Handbook
Glossary
Program Level
Select Study Level Undergraduate Postgraduate Bridging and Access Research Higher Degrees HonoursStudy Area
HonoursCZ01 - STEPS
Program Aim
Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) is a pre-University preparatory program that can help prepare potential applicants for tertiary study.
STEPS aims to afford adults who have turned 19, and who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or hold permanent resident or humanitarian visas, an opportunity to study at university.
STEPS is a 12 week Accelerated or a 24 week Extended/Flex program, designed to instill in its adult learners the skills and confidence necessary to embark on tertiary study.
STEPS covers academic communication, mathematics, computing, independent learning skills, study skills and library/information literacy skills.
The great majority of students who have completed STEPS have gained entrance to CQU or other tertiary institutions, while others have moved on to more rewarding careers.
Program Structure
This program is offered on-campus during T1 and T2.
Course and Study Allowance
- Language & Learning - 6 hours/week
- Transition Mathematics 1 - 6 hours/week
- Computing for Academic Assignment Writing - 3 hours/week
- Tertiary Preparation Skills - 3 hours/week
Courses
Language and Learning (LNGE40049)
This course aims to have students acquire the reading, thinking and writing skills necessary for academic purposes. It helps students to apply recent findings on learning to writing and study. Students are familiarised with the stages of the writing process and gain practice in writing in a variety of genres. Particular attention is given to reading for planning and writing the academic essay. Through research, writing and discussion, students gain an understanding of both past and present social, political and economic influences on Australia as it faces social change in the 21st century.
Transition Mathematics 1 (MATH40237)
Transition Mathematics is a course in elementary mathematics. It is designed to have students commence work on the foundation concepts, rules and methods of basic mathematics. The main aim of this course is to provide a refresher course in those fundamentals of basic mathematics, which are necessary to develop mathematics as a unified body of knowledge. Topics covered in the course include number types, operations with numbers (including rules of precedence), percentages, introductory algebraic manipulation, introductory statistics, exponents (indices), solving algebraic equations, coordinate geometry of a straight line and units and their conversions.
Computing for Academic Assignment Writing (COIT40206)
This course aims to develop skills necessary for word processing assignments correctly using Microsoft Word and creating spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. The use of the Internet (World Wide Web and Webmail in particular) aims to develop research skills necessary for academic studies.
Tertiary Preparation Skills (SKIL40013)
Students will be familiarised with university programs and procedures as well as develop organisational strategies, oral presentation and research/information literacy skills necessary for academic studies.