Diploma of Health Science

Course code: 3855+ Course abbreviation: DipHSc + Total credit points required: 48 + 1 year full-time+ No intake in 2007

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Peninsula – F/T only)

Course description

The Diploma of Health Science is reintroduced in 2006 as a one-year, full-time program that serves as a general introduction to health sciences. It is a student-centred multidisciplinary course encompassing themes of personal and professional development, foundations for individual and population health, preventive health promotion and research in health sciences. The diploma is offered as an alternate entry pathway into many academic and professional degree courses in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for mature age students and students who made wrong choices in the transition to university. A distinction average in the Diploma will guarantee a place for sucessful students in courses such as Bachelor of Health Science, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Emergency Health and Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Social Work.

Course objectives

A graduate of the DipHSc will demonstrate the generic attributes expected of a Monash University graduate, including a broad and critical understanding of knowledge, intellectual and cultural curiosity, and a range of skills such as computing skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills and general and discipline-specific communication skills. These attributes will be developed in the context of a broad introduction to health sciences and health professions, providing students with a solid foundation for further studies in profession-based disciplines.

The educational objectives have been classified according to the themes of the course, such that, on successful completion of the DipHSc, it is expected that the student will be able to achieve the following:

+ Personal and professional development and communication skills: demonstrate the attributes of professionalism required of individuals working in the healthcare sector, including appropriate communication skills, the ability to assess and reflect on their own performance and the ability to provide constructive feedback to peers; discuss issues related to justice in the healthcare system and the relationship of law and ethics to healthcare practice; understand the theory and practice of simple strategies for enhancing mental health and lifestyle in both personal and professional contexts.
+ Bioscience: demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and function of living cells; understand the components, organisation and function of the human nervous system.
+ Social sciences: appreciate the discipline of psychology as a behavioural science; integrate concepts related to culture with healthcare practice in a multicultural society.
+ Population health and health promotion: evaluate the key determinants that influence and define the health of a population (in general terms and specifically within the Australian context); understand the basis and nature of health care systems and the role professionals have in formulating health care policy; understand the application of basic research methods to health promotion and population health.

Special requirements

Police checks

Organisations that host field/community placements require students to have a current police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the placements in this course. Police checks need to be renewed annually. However in some community partnered programs there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in the healthcare facilities and for the protection of other students, and themselves, students may need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These may consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates that these are appropriate.

Vaccinations

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing this course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Course structure

Students must complete the following course plan (6 core units and one elective unit) of 48 credit points over 12 months full-time to complete the diploma. They are also expected to undertake fieldwork/site visits as a requirement of units in this program.

Course requirements

HSC1031 Foundations of health
HSC1042 Population health and diversity
HSC1051 Working with people
HSC1052 Health and social care systems
HSC1061 Introduction to research in health science
HSC1062 Mind and body
Any one elective from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in a preferred area subject to the approval of the relevant Course Coordinator.

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9904 4466, email: healthsciences@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/healthsciences/

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