Tertiary Preparation Program courses

You will study either four or five courses during the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP). We recommend that you select courses that will prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree at UQ.

Once you're enrolled in the program, you'll have the opportunity to choose your courses. It's important to check the UQ undergraduate program prerequisites to ensure you can meet any subject prerequisites when you apply to university.

Here is some more information about what you will learn in each course.

Elective availability is subject to minimum enrolments.

Core Course

Elective Courses

Accounting

The aim of this course is to introduce accounting concepts and the role of accounting within business. Students will learn how to use Excel to produce financial reports such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements.

Behavioural Science

Behavioural science provides opportunities for students to engage with concepts that explain behaviours and underlying cognitions. Students examine the brain and cognitive development, as well as consciousness and sleep. Students will also investigate the concept of intelligence, psychological disorders, as well as emotion and motivation.

This course is recommended if you would like to pursue a program in the Health, Medicine, and Behavioural Sciences Faculty.

Biology

Biology provides opportunities for students to develop their understanding of cells and multicellular organisms and how they regulate their internal environment in response to stimuli. You will develop your understanding of DNA, patterns of inheritance and the processes and mechanisms of how life on Earth has changed and diversified over time. Students learn about factors influencing biodiversity and have the opportunity to investigate several local ecosystems by attending a field trip to the UQ Moreton Bay Research Station on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) or Heron Island.

This course is recommended for students wishing to progress into Science, Medicine and Health programs.

Business Management

Covering a broad range of management concepts and business operations, this course helps you develop an appreciation of business principles, planning, marketing, organisational behaviour and human resource management. You will apply the theory learnt in class to plan your own business enterprise in a group.

Chemistry

This course introduces the foundational concepts of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, with a focus on the study of the structure and properties of materials. You will develop valuable skills required for scientific investigation and critical evaluation, and have opportunities to experience laboratory techniques and analysis.

This course is recommended for students wishing to progress into Science, Medicine, Health and Engineering programs.

Design

This course is an introduction to the fundamental processes and methods of design that are applied to the built environment, engineering, and other closely related disciplines. You will learn about the work of designers and how they evaluate problems and generate solutions.

This course is recommended if you wish to progress to programs related to Architecture, Design, and Engineering.

Economics

In this course, you will explore macroeconomic and microeconomic issues and develop an understanding of how decision makers within the economy (consumers, firms, governments) use limited resources to satisfy the level of demand.

Students will also develop an ability to make economic decisions based on an analysis of economic information.

General Mathematics

Covering basic algebra, regression analysis, geometry, measurement, financial mathematics, statistics, graphs and network analysis. This course gives you the everyday maths skills needed for a non-mathematically based tertiary program.

Health and Nutrition

This course introduces the multidimensional nature of health and wellbeing, and how it is influenced by diet and exercise. You will gain an understanding of the function of nutrients in the body, the challenges facing the food system and how the body responds to exercise. Students will also apply this knowledge to develop a personal diet and exercise plan to improve or maintain their own health and fitness.

Humanities and Social Sciences

This course examines topics such as global strategies and perspectives, and creative arts and history to develop skills in critical and creative thinking, research and evaluation, argument mapping, problem solving and reflective learning.

This course is recommended if you wish to progress to programs within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Information Technology

In this course, you will develop foundational knowledge of computer systems and practical programming skills using Python, SQL, and HTML/CSS. You will apply these skills to design and develop an information management application for a small business.

This course is recommended if you wish to progress to programs related to Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science or Data Science.

Mathematical Methods

In this course, you will develop your understanding of the mathematical concepts of algebra, calculus and statistics that will equip you with the necessary skills to solve real-life mathematical problems. Topics include linear equations, computation, sequences and series, logarithmic functions, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, statistics and probability.

To meet prerequisite entry requirements, this course is recommended for students wishing to progress into Commerce, Science, Biomedical Science, Information Technology and Engineering programs.

Physics

This course provides the theoretical and experimental basis to engage in classical and modern understandings of the universe. You will study force and motion, thermodynamics, electricity, gravitational and electromagnetic fields, waves, radioactivity and modern physics. The practical work in the course will give you experience in laboratory techniques and analysis.

This course is recommended if you wish to progress to Engineering or Science programs.

Research

This course provides students with the research skills needed for success as an undergraduate student. Research helps students develop specific techniques and methods for good assignment writing at university. In this course, you will investigate a topic of your own choice by selecting and analysing relevant literature. This will help you develop critical thinking skills, which will benefit any undergraduate program of your choice.

This course offers students a high degree of autonomy over their chosen area of investigation, while following a prescribed research pathway.