The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Environmental and Public Health major) is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements. Progress to Year 4 of the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health Practice requires a GPA of 5.
Course aims
The major aims to provide graduates with the pre-requisite knowledge and skills in public health practice and the fundamental science requirements to complete a graduate program in environmental health practice.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, graduates should be able to:
- articulate the relationship between social structures and the social determinants of health;
- understand the relationship between public health policies and population health issues such as clean water supplies, city infrastructure and environmental hazards;
- perform simple epidemiological analysis of population health problems;
- write effectively and have developed their verbal communication and negotiation skills;
- take control of their own learning and reflect on their practice; and
- demonstrate knowledge on the legislation and ethics governing the practice of health professionals.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Environmental and Public Health major) a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Except with the permission of the Course Committee, a student may not proceed to higher year core topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year's core topics.
Core - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH1003 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
HLTH1304 Communication and Interprofessional Practice (4.5 units)
HLTH1305 Health Practitioner Practice 1 (4.5 units)
HLTH1306 Health Practitioner Practice 2 (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
31.5 units comprising:
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health (4.5 units) S1
HLTH2105 Health: A Psychological Perspective (4.5 units) S2
HLTH1101 Health Promotion for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
PHCA1507 Introduction to Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA2510 Introduction to Food Democracy (4.5 Units)
ENVS2712 Environmental Change and Human Health (4.5 units)
GEOG2700 Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Professionals (4.5 units) S2 or
CIK230 Indigenous Engagements: Land and Water (4.5 units) on-line or
CIK240 Indigenous Cultures and the Environment (4.5 units) on-line
Core - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3106 Health Work Internship (4.5 units)
PHCA3514 Leadership in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA3506 Evaluation in Primary Health Care (4.5 units)
ENVS2741 Zombie Apocalypse: Microbes and Toxins (4.5 units)
INTR2012 Food, Frontiers and International Relations (4.5 units)
PHIL2604 Environmental Philosophy (4.5 units)
PHCA3511 Epidemiology for Practice (4.5 units)
Students must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5 or better in the 108 units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in order to progress to the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health Practice.
Core - Year 4 topics
31.5 units comprising
ENVH7711 Environmental Health Concepts (4.5 units)
ENVH9712 Environmental Health Policy, Management and Administration (4.5 units)
ENVH9721 Human Systems in Environmental Health (4.5 units)
ENVH7722 Food Safety (4.5 units)
ENVH7731 Sustainable Development - Health Issues (4.5 units)
ENVH9732 Legislation Relevant to Environmental Health (4.5 units)
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (4.5 units)
Plus one of:*
MMED8904 Health Sciences Research Methods
PHCA9507 Health Promotion in Public Health
REMH8001 Context of Remote & Indigenous Health Practice
*Or any other semester 1 topic at 7000 or above as approved by the course coordinator.