Undergraduate - Course4502 - Bachelor of Public Health

This course is a multidisciplinary 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:

• identify and explain the determinates if illness, health and wellbeing
• develop, implement and evaluate public health programs
• recognise social and cultural diversity and the skills and apply the skills and resources required for working across diverse populations in global and African contexts
• demonstrate awareness of equity, human rights and social justice in relation to health in Africa and international contexts
• access, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence to the professional practice of public health
• conduct ethical research using appropriate paradigms
• integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into practice
• demonstrate professional skills such as, critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, working in a team, operating from an ethical framework, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

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.

The maximum amount of credit that can be granted is 72 credit points.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Immunisation and infection procedures

Students must comply with procedures to minimise the risk of cross-infection of communicable diseases, and obtain documentary evidence of relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation.

Health requirements

Specific health requirements will pertain to some local and international placements.

This course requires students in some units to undertake off-campus site visits and clinical placements.

The Bachelor of Public Health is accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC). Graduates of this course are eligible to join the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA).

This course consists of:

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

(b.) units in the available health science major (36 points):

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

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

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

(f.) a total of 24 units.

Electives

Elective units can be drawn from the School of Health Science and other Schools at Monash South Africa. Electives must be taken at first, second and third year levels as appropriate to the course year. Students must complete at least one level 3 electice unit.

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 elective

Semester two

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

Second year

Semester one

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

Semester two

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

Third Year

Semester one

• HSC3001 Health, law and ethics
• HSC3041 Disease prevention and control
• one health science major unit or one third-year level elective*

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

Semester two

• HSC3002 Health for all in a global world
• three major sequence electives

Health science major

Students must complete:

• HSC2051 Health program planning
• HSC2062 Communicating health
• HSC3061 Health promotion evaluation
• HSC3072 Health policy and politics
• HSC3082 Health program and practicum

plus one of:

• HSC2052 Health and social care systems and policy 2
• HSC2092 Community development and partnerships
• HSC3011 Contemporary health challenges
• HSC3052 Health promotion in primary and clinical settings

Bachelor of Public Health