Design of Computer Systems (IFB112)

High-achieving Year 11 students entering Year 12 in 2023 have an opportunity to undertake a first-year STEM unit over the summer holidays. This is a two-week intensive program where you complete about 80 hours of study, including lectures, discussion, exercises, and assessment.

The intensive unit will be led by our academics and assisted by current undergraduate students. Once completed, you can receive advanced standing (credit) for your future QUT studies, putting you ahead of your peers and setting you up for future success.

What you receive

During the program, you'll receive:

• all materials and resources required for the two-week program
• expert teaching by leading academics in the field
• access to current QUT Student Ambassadors
• a certificate of completion.

If you successfully complete your intensive unit, you'll have the opportunity to complete a second START QUT unit and when you complete Year 12, you'll receive:

• advanced standing (credit) for the unit or units towards a related bachelor degree at QUT
• an adjustment of up to 2.00 selection rank adjustments (1.00 selection rank adjustment for each START QUT unit successfully completed) added to your selection rank through our Year 12 Subject Scheme
• up to four credit points towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), if applicable.

Cost

We will cover the cost of your tuition fees and study materials. You'll be responsible for any other incidental costs, including:

• transport
• meals.

Things to consider before applying

You must be capable of undertaking university level study.

You need the support of your parents or guardians to be able to submit your application, so you need to discuss with them whether the program is suitable for you.

A staff member from your school must approve your participation before you can submit your application form. They'll assess whether you're able to handle the workload involved in the program. Your school will also need to have approval from your parents or guardians before they can endorse your application.

Expectations

As a START QUT (STEM Intensive) student, you'll be expected to:

• attend an orientation session before the program starts
• attend all the classes each day for the two-week period at our Gardens Point campus
• attend a closing event evening to pitch your project and receive your certificate
• contribute to group work and complete all the required assessment
• undertake any pre-readings or pre-recorded lectures if specified for your unit.

We'll support you

Your tutors and current QUT students will support you through the program.

We'll keep in touch to make sure you're aware of all important dates and requirements, from application to the program's start.

Am I eligible?

You must be:

• female
• minimum age of 16 when START QUT classes commence in January
• a current year 11 student at time of application
• a Queensland or northern New South Wales-based school senior student (Northern New South Wales is defined as per the Rural North designated intake area on the Department of Education New South Wales website)
• one of the following:
  • currently studying or completed a minimum of five ATAR general subjects (including General English) with suitable grades
  • on an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) pathway with suitable grades
  • an extrasystemic student (e.g Home Schooling, ACE, NZ Steiner Certificate of Education) with a suitable SAT result.

Diversity in STEM

Some units have specific gender or attribute requirements as an affirmative action to increase participation in those areas. If you do not meet the eligibility for the STEM Intensive program but wish to study those units, you may be able to via the START QUT program that is offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Your grades

In the semester before you apply, you must have maintained:

• a minimum of a B (70%) in English, literature, English and literature, or English as an additional language (or equivalent IBD subjects)
• a B (70%) average across a minimum of five general ATAR or IBD subjects.

Median grade is not used.

A B average is, for example:

• one A, three B and one C
• one A and four B
• two B+, one B and two B-

The following grade combination examples are below a B average:

• three B and two C
• one A, two B and two C
• four B and one B-.

Extrasystemic students must have achieved minimum SAT score of 1300.

Attendance and support

You must:

• be capable of undertaking a university level subject
• have the support of your parents or guardian
• have permission from your school to participate. A staff member (guidance officer, career counsellor, curriculum head, dean of studies, academic dean, gifted students coordinator, principal, deputy principal or other similar position) must approve your participation
• be able to attend for the full duration of the intensive block mode at the QUT Gardens Point campus and undertake any pre-readings or pre-recorded lectures as applicable to your unit.

Course requirements

To remain in the START QUT program you must:

• remain enrolled in the same senior pathway as you applied under
• have ongoing support from your parents or guardian
• have ongoing permission from your school to participate.

If you change schools you must provide a school approval proforma from your new school.

If you change senior studies, you must provide a new school approval proforma along with your current results.

To undertake a second START QUT unit you must have passed your first unit of study.

We will revoke your enrolment in START QUT if you don't meet any of the requirements.

Applications open 15 July 2022 and close 24 August 2022.

Step 1: School approval

Request that your school completes and signs the school approval proforma and provides you with a copy.

Step 2: Apply online

Once applications open, complete the START QUT online application form.

Application form for Australian and New Zealand students

Application form for international students

To apply you must have:

• your school email address to create your QUT account. This is the first part of the application process
• a Learning Unique Identifier (LUI) (not applicable for Northern New South Wales students)
• school results on school letterhead for the previous semester
• the completed and signed school approval proforma (for extrasystemic home schooling students, this must be completed by your main teacher).

You will apply for SQ02 (2) - START QUT on the application form. You don't need to select the unit you want to study at this stage. You'll do that when enrolments open in October 2022.

When to apply

Apply as soon as applications open.

We won’t consider late applications.

What happens next?

If your application is successful, we'll send you an email to offer you a place in the START QUT program. The email will let you know how to:

• accept your offer
• choose your units
• get started at QUT.

If your application is unsuccessful, we'll also email you to let you know.

We may also email you to request more information or supporting documents. Make sure you upload this documentation within 10 working days.

All emails we send you will be sent to the email address you provide in your application. Make sure you provide us with your personal email address and not your school email, because we will contact you over the school holidays.

We understand that circumstances can change. You'll be able to decline your place in the program if you can no longer attend.