Undergraduate - Course4502 - Bachelor of Public Health

This course is a multidisciplinary, flexible degree that provides students with the opportunity to learn key principles in public health, 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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

The Bachelor of Public Health strives 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

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. Refer to the faculty's immunisation and infection riskimmunisation and infection risk (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation) webpage.

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 and major units (114 points)

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

Over the course of the degree students must complete:

• a maximum of eight first-year level units
• a minimum of 36 points at third-year level including those completed in the major
• a total of 24 units.

Electives

Elective units can be chosen from the school 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 elective unit. Suitable units can be identified using the index of units by faculty (school)index of units by faculty (school) (http://www.monash.ac.za/study/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty.html) in the current edition of the Handbook. Note: Some units may require permission from the owning school. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

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
• HSC2111 Treatment and Technologies
• one second-year level elective

Semester two

• HSC2022 Culture, society and health
• HSC2142 Research methods in the health sciences
• HSC2051 Health programme planning
• one second-year elective

Third Year

Semester one

• HSC3011 Contemporary health challenges
• HSC3041 Disease prevention and control
• HSC3061 Health programme evaluation
• one third-year elective

Semester two

• HSC3001 Health, law and ethics
• HSC3002 Health for all in a global world
• HSC3072 Health policy and politics
• HSC3082 Health programme and practicum

Bachelor of Public Health