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://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.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:

1. identify and explain the determinates of illness, health and wellbeing
2. develop, implement and evaluate public health programs
3. 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
4. demonstrate awareness of equity, human rights and social justice in relation to health in Africa and international contexts
5. access, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence to the professional practice of public health
6. conduct ethical research using appropriate paradigms
7. integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into practice
8. 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 requirements

In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that students comply with the faculty's Immunisation and vaccination policy and proceduresImmunisation and vaccination policy and procedures (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). These are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in a health care setting.

This policy, and the associated procedures require that students have certain specified vaccinations, and have their blood borne virus status determined, before they commence a clinical placement. Students who have not complied with this policy may not be able to undertake clinical placement, with the attendant academic consequences.

Prospective students are provided detailed information on the effect of blood borne virus infection on the scope of practice of health care workers. Students who test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.

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 develops through the themes of population, communities, health and illness; the scientific basis of healthcare and professional practice skills.

Part A. Population, communities, health and illness

The focus of these studies is the social, environmental and behavioural contexts of ill health, disease and injury and broad societal issues such as health promotion, the application of epidemiology and statistics in the assessment of health risk in populations, public health, community diversity, population and global health. You will also develop a sound understanding of evidence-based practice.

Part B. Scientific basis of healthcare

These studies provide the foundation scientific knowledge of human systems and technology that you will require to become an expert in public health.

Part C. Professional practice skills

This theme addresses competencies for public health science practice and programs to promote health and prevent disease. The focus will be on the incorporation of the best available research evidence with the clinical reasoning skills of assessment, management, evaluation and health care across the lifespan and across a spectrum of environments and circumstances.

Part D. Elective study

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. Suitable units can be identified using the index of units by faculty (school) 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.

This course comprises 144 points, of which 114 points are from Public Health study and 30 points are available to provide additional depth and breadth through elective study.

The course develops through theme studies in: A. Population, communities, health and illness, B. Scientific basis of healthcare, and C. Professional practice skills etc.

Electives must be taken at first, second and third year levels as appropriate to the course year.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-4502.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated.

PART A. Population, communities, health and illness

Students complete:

• PHH1061 Data, evidence and critical thinking in health
• PHH1081 Foundations of public health
• PHH1052 Health care systems: Global and local
• PHH1102 Biological bases of health and disease 2
• PHH1112 Global health: Opportunities and challenges
• PHH2101 Health promotion: Global and local
• PHH2142 Research methods in the health sciences
• PHH3011 Contemporary health challenges
• PHH3002 Health for all in a global world
• PHH3072 Health policy and politics

PART B/C. Scientific basis of healthcare and Professional Practice skills

Students complete:

• PHH1101 Biological bases of health and disease 1
• PHH2141 Analysing patterns of health and disease
• PHH2111 Treatment and technologies
• PHH2022 Culture, society and health
• PHH2051 Health program planning
• PHH3041 Disease prevention and control
• PHH3061 Health program evaluation
• PHH3001 Health, law and ethics
• PHH3082 Health promotion practicum

PART D. Elective study (30 points)

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) 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.

To be eligible to apply for entry into the Honours degree of Bachelor of Public Health, students must have completed a major within their chosen Honours area of study and obtained a distinction grade average (70 percent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level two and three, of which 18 points must be at level three in the major in which they wish to undertake honours. For some majors, completion of specific units or their equivalent is required for admission to honours. The details are provided with the requirements for each major to which this applies.