School of Public Health
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Bundoora and Bendigo)
Becoming a health scientist
Would you like to
- develop a broader understanding of health?
- be part of a growing health industry?
- develop an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors?
- work with employers to provide better environments?
Then consider enrolling for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Description of the course
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a flexible, non-clinical program which gives its students a broad understanding of the field. First year is an interdisciplinary foundation year. All students undertake core units which focus on basic human biosciences and the factors that influence health. These provide an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.
From second year, students choose interest areas within either human biosciences (anatomy and physiology or ergonomics) or public health. Then in third year, a practical component in their chosen area of interest enhances students' vocational grounding.
Students are also able to complete a major specialisation from any other faculty in the University, through the choice of an elective. This provides an excellent opportunity to either extend health sciences studies through the choice of a health-related unit, or to diversify the degree through the choice of an unrelated unit.
If you are currently employed in the health industry, the course will broaden your knowledge and give you a formal qualification. You can concentrate on public health, on health promotion, or on helping people with a illness or impairment to maximise their community involvement. The course does not provide specific clinical practice or professional registration.
Course Structure
The BHSc may be taken either as a pass degree or with honours. If taken full-time, the pass degree is designed to be completed within three years. A fourth year at honours level is available to students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Full details of the structure are available in the Handbook: Bundoora or Bendigo.
Career Prospects
After graduation, job prospects are excellent for health sciences graduates.
Studies in Public Health can lead to employment in government departments dealing with health care, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, geriatric care agencies and private health service organisations.
Studies in Anatomy and Physiology can lead to employment in the medical research field (eg. medical research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals) and public service departments. Opportunities also exist for continuing studies in the postgraduate medical research field.
Areas of employment include: health administration, health promotion, research and evaluation, specialist occupational health and safety and occupational rehabilitation fields, and non-clinical aspects of client management including community-based rehabilitation and case management.
Major studies
After first year, students select a major:
- Environmental Health (Bendigo campus)
- Ergonomics, Safety and Health (Bundoora campus)
- Human Physiology and Anatomy (Bundoora campus)
- Public Health (Bundoora and Bendigo campus).
Environmental Health (Bendigo campus)
This major covers environmental health risk factors that cause ill health as well as those factors that sustain and create good health. Graduates acquire a range of skills: environmental health risk assessment and management, knowledge of environmental law and extensive knowledge in the field.
Graduates find employment in local, state or federal government and in private enterprise and are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health (AIEH).
Ergonomics, Safety and Health (Bundoora campus)
This major will equip students with the educational requirements for practice as an occupational health and safety professional, or as a certified professional ergonomist working in other domains such as transportation systems, community safety or human-computer interaction.
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Safety Institute of Australia, Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia, International Ergonomics Association, Ergonomics Society (UK), Human Factors & Ergonomics Society (USA).
Human Physiology and Anatomy (Bundoora campus)
This major provides students with a wide range of options; employment in a research area, e.g in medical or sport science research institutes or pharmaceutical companies; or in teaching. Students will also be eligible to apply for graduate entry to courses such as medicine and other clinical courses or for enrolment in a higher degree.
Public Health (Bundoora and Bendigo campus)
This major will equip students with a sound knowledge of health and provide effective strategies for promoting the prevention of illness. Graduates will also be provided with practical skills to assist the community in health education and communication, health planning and management.
Completion of this major leads to employment in the rapidly expanding field of health promotion and public health: health care, community health centres, community-based rehabilitation centres, geriatric care agencies and private health services organisations.
Further Study
A stimulating variety of profession-specific and interdisciplinary courses is offered at the postgraduate level, including graduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, masters by coursework and higher degree research studies.
On completion of the three-year degree, graduates will be eligible to apply for graduate entry Masters programs in Health Sciences that will qualify them for professional practice. In 2009 such programs are available for Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy. In 2010 it is anticipated that graduate entry Masters programs will be available in Health Information Management, Orthoptics, and Social Work and in 2011 Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics.
How to apply
Application is made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Please refer to the following website for further details: www.vtac.edu.au
International applications
We have a number of international students in our courses and we welcome applications from prospective students from other countries. International students studying Year 12 in Australia can apply to La Trobe through VTAC. All other international applicants must apply directly to the University.
Further information is available at www.latrobe.edu.au/international. Email enquiries: International@latrobe.edu.au or phone (03) 9479 1199.
Further information
For additional information about the course
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