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Health Sciences

Bachelor of Health Sciences – Bendigo (HBHSB)

For students commencing the course in 2009. Continuing students should refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Public Health.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences is a flexible, innovative degree program with the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the field of health sciences while pursuing areas of interest within the human biosciences, occupational health, environmental health or public health domains.

Course structure

Students must complete 120 credit points at each year level. The pass degree is designed to be completed in three years of full-time study, or an equivalent period of part-time study. To qualify for the pass degree, a student must complete subjects to the value of 360 credit points.

In first year, students will undertake an interdisciplinary common year where students enrol in subjects with peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and factors influence health, and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors. Public health subjects cover the fields of disability, rehabilitation and health promotion.

In the second year, students are required to select a major from one of the following areas:

• public health
• environmental health.

Majors in public health, ergonomics safety and health, and human physiology and anatomy are available at the Bundoora campus (see the Bundoora section of this Handbook for details).

In the third year, students continue to study subjects from their chosen major. The course also allows for some elective choice, from elsewhere in the University, at both second and third years.

Streams

Students who enrol in the public health major learn about the social and environmental factors that cause ill health, as well as those factors that sustain and create good health. The public health stream prepares graduates to work in health promotion, community development, research and health programs and projects. Graduates find work in community health, non-government organisations, or in a wide range of health organisations and research centres.

Students who enrol in the environmental health major learn about the social and environmental factors that cause ill health, as well as those factors that sustain and create good health. Environmental health graduates have a range of skills including environmental health risk assessment and management, knowledge of environmental law, and extensive knowledge in the field. Students in the environmental health stream learn about health research, community development, health education and program planning. Graduates find work in local, state or federal government, and in private enterprise.

Professional recognition

Following successful completion of the course, students may be eligible for membership of organisations such as the Public Health Association of Australia and the Australian Health Promotion Association. Students completing the environmental health stream may be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health.

First year (new intake from 2009)

Public health stream

Second year

Third year

Environmental health stream

Second year

Third year

Electives

Electives may be chosen from the list below or selected from elsewhere in the University, with the approval of the course coordinator. Not all subject choices are available every year.

Honours (HHHSB)

To qualify for the honours program in the Bachelor of Health Sciences, a student must normally have completed the requirements for the pass degree and achieve academic results of a high standard.