Diploma of Laboratory Technology
– for Year 11 and 12 STEP Students

What is STEP?
In 2009, Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT) will offer units within selected Diploma programs to school students in Years 11 and 12.

This program is known as STEP – Southbank Tertiary Entrance Program.

STEP students will be offered an on-campus experience at SBIT. STEP students will be required on campus at SBIT between 3–5 hours per week for semesters 1–3. During semester 4 however, students will be required on campus up to 7 hours per week. Following Year 12, STEP students will have the opportunity to complete the entire Diploma program at SBIT with confirmed entry and credit into the Diploma they have been studying.

The majority of these Diplomas will provide pathways and credit towards university programs.

Benefits
• Upon completion of Year 12, STEP students will be offered a confirmed entry with credit towards the Diploma they have been studying at school. STEP students will therefore know in Year 11
they have a guaranteed place at SBIT, post senior schooling and have the ability to bypass the QTAC process at the end of Year 12.

• Since STEP forms part of a student’s high school curriculum, students will be accumulating credit towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) as well as undertaking a Diploma qualification.

• STEP offers students a more affordable option; students pay no tuition fees, only material fees.

• If a STEP student transitions to university after completing their Diploma of choice it is likely to diminish their HECS fees due to reduced time at university and students will graduate with both a Diploma and university qualification in near to the equivalent time it takes to complete a university award.

• The pathways developed by SBIT and university partners provide a quality, highly focused learning experience for STEP students. These pathways combine the complementary strengths of both institutions.

To be considered as a STEP student, Principal and Parent/Guardian consent is mandatory.
It is highly recommended that those students considering the Diploma of Laboratory Technology as part of STEP concurrently be studying Biology, Chemistry and a minimum of Maths A during Years 11 and 12 at high school.

At the completion of this Diploma STEP students may be employed as a Laboratory Technician.

Full Time :
School: 2 years (refer to the outline section for more information)

Southbank Institute of Technology 1 year

University Pathway Programs
Successful completion of this Diploma allows students to articulate directly into the below Bachelor degrees, with the stated credit arrangements:

Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology or Microbiology), QUT
- 1 year university credit
- 2 years left at university
Bachelor of Engineering Technology, Griffith University
- 1 year university credit
- 2 years left at university
Bachelor of Coastal Studies, University of the Sunshine Coast
- 1.5 year university credit
- 1.5 years left at university
Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science), University of the Sunshine Coast
- 1.5 years university credit
- 1.5 years left at university

Diploma

STEP students will not be required to pay any tuition fees, only the material and administration fees associated with the units over Years 11 and 12. The material fees for this program are:

Semester one $ 260.00*
Semester two $ 50.00*
Semester three $ 135.00*
Semester four $ 230.00*

Bridging Course $ 370.00*

*As at 1 August 2008, these are the material fees for the abovementioned Diploma. Southbank Institute of Technology reserves the right to change these fees without notice. Material fees are non-refundable post start of study.

Please note: All programs are subject to a $14 Administration Fee per year, payable on enrolment.