Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Bachelor of Health Sciences - Course Handbook

Course Coordinator

Mr Rick Hayes
Email: r.hayes@latrobe.edu.au
Phone: 03 9479 3290
Office: HS1:117

Course Objectives

The overall aim of the course is to provide the opportunity for students to develop a broad understanding of the field of health sciences and to undertake specialist studies in one or more areas which contribute to the health sciences. The course includes studies in the areas of human biosciences (structure and functioning of the human body), health behaviour and the organisation and provision of health services and programs.

Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired:

• an understanding of the ways in which biological, psychological, social and environmental factors affect health;

• knowledge of human structure and function;

• knowledge of the social, political, historical and economic aspects influencing health service systems in general and Australian health services in particular;

• knowledge of the structures, functions and types of health services and programs in Australia;

• understanding of ethical issues and legal responsibilities in the delivery of health services and programs;

• skills in obtaining, analysing, critically evaluating and communicating information relevant to health and the provision of health services;

• skills in the application of evaluation and quality assurance techniques in health settings;

• skills in oral and written communication;

• advanced knowledge in one or more specific areas including: ergonomics, safety and health, human physiology and anatomy, public health and health research.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Health Sciences pass degree is designed to be completed in three years if taken full-time. In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Health Sciences, students must complete units to the total value of 360 credit points. Following on from a set first-year group of units, a sequence of study in a core subject area is required. Major sequences of study are offered in the areas of human physiology and anatomy, public health and ergonomics (see following pages). Students must discuss their unit selection with a course advisor before enrolment.

In the first year of the course, students are required to complete six core units, plus units to the value of 30 credit points from any faculty of the University; prerequisites must be satisfied.

In the second year and third year of the course, students may select from the range of core specific units offered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (i.e. follow one of the major sequences of study above) and can, in addition, pursue units of interest from any faculty in the University, if they meet the prerequisites.

At each year level, units up to a maximum number of credit points may be undertaken in any faculty of the University, subject to approval. Students MUST discuss their unit selection with a course advisor before enrolment. Within the degree requirements, unit selection is limited only by timetable clashes, unit incompatibility and the need to complete a major sequence in one of the core streams of study. Please note that in some units both minimum and maximum class sizes may obtain.

The honours programs require one year of full-time study, or equivalent period of part-time study, and are offered in the Schools of Public Health and Human Biosciences, details of which are listed below. To qualify for entry into the honours year, 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.

Course Units

Descriptions of units which have been developed specifically for the Bachelor of Health Sciences are in the next section. There are many more units within the Faculty of Health Sciences which students can select including third year electives (refer page ). The University Handbook contains a full description of the course, and of units not specific to the course but which can be selected after prior approval. This is available from the University Bookshop at a cost of $25.00 or online at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/handbook/2009/undergraduate/health-sciences/single-degrees/.

The units are coded as follows:

• Public Health (PHE#####)
• Human Biosciences (HBS#####)

First-year Units

First Year units (120 credit points required for regular full-time student enrolment)

First-year Electives

In addition to the above core Health Sciences units, there are other relevant units available for Bachelor of Health Science students from within the School of Human Biosciences and the School of Public Health. Some of these are listed in the table below. Please note that the availability of these units changes from year to year, depending on minimum enrolment data.

*Quota applies

Second-year Units

Second Year units (120 credit points required for regular full-time student enrolment)

Units to the equivalence of at least 80 credit points must be selected from one of the core steams as listed below. In addition, students must take 40 credit points of approved second-year units, from any faculty of the University, including Health Sciences.

Stream: Human Physiology and Anatomy

Stream: Public Health

Stream: Ergonomics, Safety and Health

Second-year Electives

In addition to the above core Health Sciences units, there are other relevant units available for Bachelor of Health Science students from within the School of Human Biosciences and the School of Public Health. Some of these are listed in the table below. Please note that the availability of these units changes from year to year, depending on minimum enrolment data.

Third-year Units

Third Year units (120 credit points required for regular full-time student enrolment)

Units to the equivalence of at least 60 credit points must be selected from the core streams as listed below. In addition students must take 60 credit points of approved third-year units from any faculty of the University, including Health Sciences.

Stream: Human Physiology and Anatomy

Stream: Public Health

*one of these units.

Stream Ergonomics, Safety and Health

Potential Electives at Year 3 Level

Units to the equivalent of at least 60 credit points can be selected from the range of units below. Availability of these units is dependent on the achievement of minimum enrolment quotas.

Honours Year (Fourth Year)

The honours program is offered over one year of full-time study, or an equivalent period of part-time study, in the Schools of Public Health and Human Biosciences. To qualify for entry into the honours year, 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.

School of Public Health honours program

This honours program involves three major components: PHE4THA/PHE4THB a 12,000 word thesis (75 credit points) and completion of two coursework components, PHE4RMH and PHE4AIH, and an elective to the value of 15 credit points. The thesis contributes 70% towards the overall honours year mark gained, with the other two coursework units contributing 15% each to the overall mark. The elective unit is not taken into account in the overall honours grade.

School of Human Biosciences honours program

The program 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 communication of research results in oral and written presentations at an advanced level. The program will normally involve supervised research projects, although course work may be applicable in some circumstances. Students undertake HBS4HBH Human Biosciences 4 all year.

For further information, contact:

Academic Course Enquires:

Bachelor of Health Sciences Course Coordinator
Mr Rick Hayes
Telephone: 9479 3290
Email: r.hayes@latrobe.edu.au

or 1st Year Coordinator:

Mr Rick Hayes
Telephone 9479 3290
Email: r.hayes@latrobe.edu.au

Course Administration

Bhavani Singh
Email: b.singh@latrobe.edu.au
Phone: 03 9479 2558
Office: HS1: 107 (Health Sciences Building 1, Bundoora Campus)

Please contact the Course Administrator in the School of Public Health for general course inquiries, including queries about deferred places, variations of enrolments, advanced standing, intermissions, etc. Specific concerns about units should be directed to course advisors.

Study Skills Assistance Scheme

The Study Skills Assistance Scheme aims to provide students in the Faculty of Health Sciences with study skills assistance beyond that which can be readily provided by individual members of the academic staff. The Scheme is for the benefit of all students.

The Scheme is provided by a network of staff at the Faculty. Several members of staff have been appointed as study skills advisers, and each is expected to be available for a certain amount of time for individual consultation with students, and for participation in short courses on study skills.

Supporting these are members of the academic staff who are responsible for providing a basic level of study skills assistance to students. Further information and brochures are available from the Faculty Office and the Bachelor of Health Sciences Course Administrator in the School of Public Health.

Admission and General Information

Fees

Band 2 Commonwealth Supported Places (HECS-HELP) are offered for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

A General Service Fee (GSF) is payable by all students.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be obtained from the University's Student Accommodation and Financial Services Office which is located on level 2, Peribolos East (Careers Advisory Service) telephone (03) 9479 2112. They can provide advice on loans, financial planning, and other forms of assistance. Loans for students are available for short, medium and long terms.