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Public Health

Bachelor of Public Health – Bendigo (RBPH)

From 2009 this course will only be available for continuing students and there will be no new intake.

Students will now enrol in the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

The Bachelor of Public Health is a flexible, innovative degree program which offers graduates a strong foundation for a considerable number of career paths. At the end of their first year, students elect to study either an environmental health or health promotion major stream.

Students who elect to take 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. They learn about health research, community development, health education and program planning. Graduates find work in local, state or federal government and in private enterprise.

Students who elect to take the health promotion major learn about the social and environmental factors that cause ill health as well as those factors that sustain and create good health. This stream in public health 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.

The degree may be awarded as a three-year pass degree, as a double degree with the Bachelor of Nursing and as a degree with honours. To enter the honours year, a student must normally have completed the requirements for the three year degree with academic results of a high standard. Graduates may consider postgraduate studies in research or any of the specialist areas provided by postgraduate diplomas, such as community health, teaching and environmental health.

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 major stream may be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health.

Course structure

In the first year of the course, students are required to complete the eight core subjects. In the second and third years of the course, students are required to complete eight subjects per year as per the program structure listed below. Students may select electives from a range of course-specific subjects offered in the Bachelor of Public Health and may pursue subjects of interest in any school of the University if they meet the prerequisites and have the approval of the course coordinator.

The course is valued at 360 credit points.

Programs of study

The following is designed to assist students in planning their course of study at second and third year levels. The programs give a broad view of the areas of study available. Some subjects at second and third year level have prerequisites. Students should carefully check prerequisites when planning their course of study.

Environmental health

Second year (continuing students only)

Third year (continuing students only)

Health promotion and health education

Second year (continuing students only)

Third year (continuing students only)

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.