Health Sciences
Bachelor of Health Sciences – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBHS)
For continuing students (pre-2009 intake).
Students commencing from 2009 should refer to the above entry for Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Division of Health Studies: (03) 9479 1750
Course Coordinator: (03) 9479 3290
Duration: 3 years
In this course students gain a broad understanding of health sciences, and have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in a particular field within human anatomy and physiology, ergonomics, safety and health or public health. Public health areas include disability and rehabilitation and health promotion.
The degree may be awarded as a pass degree, a double degree with the Bachelor of Arts (see the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences chapter), Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of International Development, Bachelor of Pastoral Care, or as a degree with honours. To qualify for the honours year, a student must normally have completed the requirements for the pass degree and have achieved academic results of a high standard.
Graduates may apply to continue their studies at a postgraduate level in areas such as community health, ergonomics, gerontology, health promotion, human biosciences, public health, and rehabilitation.
Course structure
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. Students may enrol in up to 130 credit points per year without special permission from the course coordinator.
In the first year of the course, students are required to complete the six core subjects described below, plus subjects at least to the value of 30 credit points from any faculty of the university. Prerequisites must be satisfied. Students must choose one of three major areas of study once they commence the second year of the course. These areas are:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Public Health
- Ergonomics, Safety and Health.
Public health subjects cover the fields of disability and rehabilitation and health promotion.
Students must discuss their subject selection with a course adviser before enrolment. Within the degree requirements, subject selection is limited by timetable clashes, prerequisites, co-requisites, quotas and subject incompatibility. Electives can be chosen from any faculty of the University, including the Faculty of Health Sciences. Students must complete 120 credit points at each year level.
First year (pre-2009 intake))
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS1API | Introduction to the Human Body | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE1HOA | Health of Australians | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE1PHA | Introduction to Public Health A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS1HRB | Regulation of Human Body Function | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE1AHS | Australia’s Health Care System | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE1PHB | Introduction to Public Health B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1/2 | Elective/s | first-year electives | 30 |
From second year, students will select subjects to the equivalent of at least 80 credit points from within one of the core streams as listed below. In addition, students must take 40 credit points of approved second-year subjects from any faculty of the university, including the Faculty of Health Sciences.
In third year, subjects to the equivalent of at least 60 credit points must be selected from the core streams as listed below. In addition, students must take up to 60 credit points of approved third-year subjects from any faculty of the university, including the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Stream: Ergonomics, Safety and Health
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2PEA | Design for Safe System Performance | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2PEB | Workload, Stress and Performance Management | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS2BEW | Healthy Workplace Design | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS2BEM | Biological Bases of Ergonomics (M) | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE2ARM | Applied Research Methods in Health | 20 |
Third year (not offered in 2010)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-ALLYR | HBS3ESS | Ergonomics and Systems Safety | 25 |
| TE-ALLYR | HBS3EAM | Ergonomics Analysis and Measurement Methods | 40 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS3DAI | Systems Data Analysis | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS3ESH | Review of Ergonomics Safety and Health Issues | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | OCT3OHS | Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Principles and Legislation | 15 |
Stream: Human Anatomy and Physiology
(For current 1st year BHSc students applying to enroll in the physiology and anatomy stream (2010), students will attain automatic entry if they have achieved a pass in BOTH in HBS1HBA & HBS1HBB with a mark of 60 C in either of the subjects.)
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2ALL | Anatomy: Lower limb | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2HPA | Human Physiology A | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS2ATL | Anatomy: Trunk and Upper Limb | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS2HPB | Human Physiology B | 20 |
Third year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS3APA | Advanced Physiology A | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS3APB | Advanced Physiology B | 30 |
Stream: Public Health
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE2EBD | Environmental and Social Determinants of Health | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE2HSD | Health Skills Development | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE2ARM | Applied Research Methods in Health | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE2LCI | Living with Chronic Illness and Disability | 20 |
Third year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE3PHP | Public Health Programs | 30 |
| plus one of: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE3PFA | Participatory Field Study A | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3PFB | Participatory Field Study B | 30 |
In addition to the above core Health Sciences subjects, there are other relevant subjects available for Bachelor of Health Science students from within the School of Human Biosciences and the School of Public Health. These are listed in the table below. Please note that the availability of these subjects changes from year to year, subject to minimum enrolment data.
Second year electives (offered subject to sufficient enrolments)(may not be available every year)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-W | HBS2RHE | Reproductive Health | 15 |
| TE-SEM-W | HBS2RSH | Reproductive and Sexual Health | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE2CPH | Communication Processes in Health Care | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE2CHP | Community Health Promotion | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE2OPH | Organisational Psychology of Health Services | 20 |
Third year electives (offered subject to sufficient enrolments)(may not be available every year)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS3DIS1 | Drugs in Sport | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS3DIU1 | Drugs in Use | 15 |
| TE-SEM-S | HBS3RHE1 | Reproductive Health | 15 |
| TE-SEM-S | HBS3RSH1 | Reproductive and Sexual Health | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE3IGA | Introduction to Gerontology A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE3IGB | Introduction to Gerontology B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3IHI1 | Introduction to Health Information Systems | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3PPH | Psychosocial Perspectives of Health and Illness | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE3SEP | Sports and Exercise Psychology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3DDA | Death, Dying and Grief A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3DDB | Death, Dying and Grief B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3DUA1 | Drug Use and Addictive Behaviour A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3DUB1 | Drug Use and Addictive Behaviour B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-S | PHE3HIC2 | Health Informatics for Clinical Practice | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3ISB | Illness and Spirituality | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3LDA1 | Living with Disability in the Australian Community A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3LDB1 | Living with Disability in the Australian Community B | 15 |
Key: 1 Not offered in 2010
2 Taught in block mode during summer vacation (early February)
Honours year
The honours program requires an additional year of full-time study, or an equivalent period of part-time study, in the schools of Public Health and Human Biosciences subjects listed below. To qualify, a student must normally have achieved the requirements for the pass degree and demonstrated academic excellence in a subject area relevant to one of the contributing schools. Students contemplating honours are encouraged to undertake appropriate research methods elective subjects in the second and third years.
School of Public Health Honours program (120 credit points) (HHHS)
In the School of Public Health, the honours program involves four major components, PHE4THA Thesis Preparation (15 credit points) and PHE4THB Thesis (60 credit points) consisting of a 10,000 to 12,000-word thesis, completion of two coursework components PHE4RMH and PHE4AIH (15 credit points each), and an elective from the School’s postgraduate diploma electives to the value of 15 credit points.
School of Human Biosciences Honours program (120 credit points) (HHHS)
The honours year provides students with specialised training in practical research. As well as providing the setting for a disciplined approach to research in the laboratory, the School will provide training in methods of oral and written communication of research results at an advanced level. The program normally involves supervised research projects, although coursework may be applicable in some circumstances. The assessment for the honours year is two 15-minute seminars, a literature survey, an analysis of a scientific paper, a thesis of 10,000 – 12,000-words and the supervisor’s assessment. Students undertake subject HBS4HPA (120 credit points) Honours in Human Physiology and Anatomy all year.
Credit for TAFE diplomas
Up to 12 months’ (120 credit points) advanced standing (credit) may be granted for certain TAFE diplomas to students entering the Bachelor of Health Sciences. The advanced standing may be granted as a mixture of specified and unspecified credit, depending on the applicant’s background. Where possible, candidates who have completed subjects related to the Bachelor of Health Sciences subjects (determined by the course coordinator) will be granted specified credit. Advanced standing will be granted only to students who meet normal admission requirements. The completion of a designated TAFE diploma does not guarantee entry to the course.
Students who have completed the three-year Ambulance Officer Training Course at the Ambulance Officer Training Centre of Victoria will be granted up to 180 credit points of advanced standing towards the Bachelor of Health Sciences. This comprises credit for all first-year subjects and unspecified credit of 60 credit points for second-year subjects, excluding School of Human Biosciences subjects.
Details of the designated TAFE diplomas that attract 120 credit points of credit in the Bachelor of Health Sciences are available from the course administrator in the School of Public Health, telephone (03) 9479 2558.