Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

The Bachelor of Public Health is a multidisciplinary three year degree that provides students with opportunities to choose pathways in public health promotion, programs and policy, and clinical and public health sciences, leading to a wide range of careers. It also provides a pathway to graduate entry and postgraduate clinical programs (for example medicine, social work, nursing and allied health) as well as honours and higher degrees by research

The Bachelor of Public Health strive to graduate entry-level practitioners in the fields of public health programs, policy and/or research who can:

• demonstrate the knowledge, skills and technical competency relevant to their public health pathway
• access, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence to address public health issues
• use relevant knowledge and skills to optimise the allocation and utilisation of public health resources
• recognise and critique the relationship between public health, policymaking, sectoral interests and health and social care systems
• demonstrate the capacity to work in local, regional or global health contexts
• articulate the relationship between health, equity, human rights and social justice and advocate accordingly.
• communicate effectively in a professional context and demonstrate cultural and ethical competence.

Credit may be granted for formal learning, such as a course offered by a professional body, enterprise, private educational institution, or by any other accredited provider recognised by Monash South Africa.

Students may be granted credit on the basis of recognition of prior learning where they can demonstrate experience of approximately three to five years working within the industry.

Immunisation and health requirements

Up-to-date immunisation schedules are required. Specific health requirements will pertain to some local and international placements.

Site visits and placements will be included in some units

The Bachelor of Public Health is accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC)

This course comprises:

(a.) health science core units (78 points)

(b.) units in a health science major sequence (36 points)

(c.) electives at first, second and third-year level (30 points)

(d.) a maximum of eight first-year level units (48 points)

(e.) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level including those completed in the major

(f.) a total of 144 points (24 units).

Health science major

Majors are available in:

• clinical and public health sciences
• health programs and policy.

Electives

Electives may be taken from the lists of major sequence units provided and/or from anywhere in the University. Electives must be taken at first, second and third year. A maximum of 12 points from electives outside of the faculty is permitted.

Core units

First year

Semester one

• HSC1061 Data evidence and critical thinking in health
• HSC1081 Foundations of public health
• HSC1101 Biological bases of health and disease 1
• one first-year level elective

Semester two

• HSC1052 Health and social care systems and policy
• HSC1102 Biological bases of health and disease 2
• HSC1112 Global health: Opportunities and challenges
• one first-year level elective

Second year

Semester one

• HSC2141 Analysing patterns of health and disease
• HSC2101 Health promotion: Global and local
• one major sequence unit
• one second-year level elective

Semester two

• HSC2022 Culture, society and health
• HSC2142 Research methods in the health sciences
• one major sequence unit
• one second-year level elective

Third year

Semester one

• HSC3001 Health law and ethics
• HSC3041 Disease prevention and control
• one major sequence unit
• one major sequence unit or one third-year level elective

Semester two

• HSC3002 Health for all in a global world
• two major sequence units
• one major sequence unit or one third-year level elective*

* Students compete the major or elective unit not undertaken in semester one.

Major sequences

Students select six units from one of the following streams.

Health programs and policy

• HSC2032 Health program planning*
• HSC2052 Health and social care systems and policy 2
• HSC2062 Communicating health *
• HSC2092 Community development and partnerships
• HSC3011 Contemporary health challenges
• HSC3052 Health promotion in primary and clinical settings
• HSC3061 Health promotion evaluation *
• HSC3072 Health policy and politics*
• HSC3082 Health program and practicum*

* This unit is compulsory in a health programs and policy major.

Clinical and public health sciences

• BIO1011 Biology 1
• BIO1022 Biology 2
• HSC2102 Introduction to clinical research
• HSC2111 Treatments and technologies**
• HSC3102 Environmental determinants of health and disease**
• HSC3122 Statistical modelling for health science research and practice
• HSC3131 Quantitative research design and analysis **
• HSC3132 Research/practical project
• HSC3141 Fundamentals of health service management
• HSC3142 Health economics
• MTH2222 Mathematics of uncertainty
• PHY2021 Body systems physiology
• one or more of MTH1010 Functions and their applications, MTH1020 Analysis of change, MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• one second-year level unit from the health program and policy major
• one third-year level unit from the health program and policy major

** This unit is compulsory in a clinical and public health sciences major.

Minimum grade for course completion

Students must complete 144 credit points for the award.

Bachelor of Public Health