Bachelor of Health Sciences - 2019

The Bachelor of Health Sciences will provide you with a sound foundation in health science and a broad overview of health care, and with skills in identifying, investigating, analysing and assessing health issues. This foundation provides the opportunity for you to tailor your degree to pursue a variety of career paths in the health sciences. The course is suited to those who wish to have flexibility in determining which area of the health sciences they wish to progress. The common thread is the commitment to an evidence- based approach to delivering quality health care efficiently and effectively.

You will apply scientific approaches to the study and improvement of health, considering physiological, behavioural, developmental, social and environmental aspects of human health and disease. At the conclusion of the first semester of second year, you will have the opportunity to map your own course and focus your studies on a particular area within the health sciences.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. apply knowledge of human health, disease and promotion to a range of professional contexts
2. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of biomedical science, population health, preventive medicine, cultural diversity and social systems
3. demonstrate knowledge, understanding, skills and applications in areas of chosen emphasis through elective studies
4. develop, apply, integrate and generate health science knowledge in professional contexts
5. collect, organise, analyse, interpret and report health data
6. communicate effectively with diverse audiences and in a variety of formats
7. work and learn in both independent and collaborative inter-professional teams
8. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

The course develops through themes: Part A. Personal and professional development; Part B. Population, communities, health and illness; Part C. Scientific basis of health care practice; Part D. Free elective study.

Part A. Personal and professional development

These studies will develop your understanding of the roles, responsibilities and expectations of health professionals and the personal and professional attributes you will need in the workplace. These include communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork, critical thinking, ethical and legal issues, and reflective practice. You will also learn about research methodologies and the application of research to the field of health.

Part B. 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 C. Scientific basis of health care practice

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

Part D. Free elective study

Elective study will enable you to further develop your knowledge of health science or to select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

This course comprises 144 points, of which 12 points are foundation studies, 72 are health science units and 60 points are available for free electives.

The course develops through themes: Part A. Personal and professional development; Part B. Population, communities, health and illness; Part C. Scientific basis of health care; Part D. Free electives.

Units are clustered under themes that show the main emphasis of the unit, however, most units address more than one theme and almost all address theme Part A.

Elective units may be at any level, however, no more than 10 units (60 points) at level 1 may be credited to the course.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-m2014.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Foundation studies (12 points)

You must complete:

• BMA1011 Foundation of anatomy and physiology for health practice 1
• BMA1012 Foundations of anatomy and physiology for health practice 2

Health sciences study (72 points)

You must complete:

• HSC1100 Introduction to research and evidence
• HSC1200 Introduction to public health
• HSC1300 Human health and disease
• HSC1400 The Australian healthcare system
• HSC2100 Emerging challenges in health
• HSC2200 Health and the human lifespan
• HSC2300 Health promotion and disease prevention
• PBH2001 Foundations of epidemiology
• FOR3001 Principles of forensic medicine
• PBH3002 Disease prevention and control
• PBH3005 Social and behavioural sciences in public health
• PBH3012 Translating research into practice

Free elective study (60 points)

These units may be chosen from across the faculty or from across the University, including to complete a minor from another course, if you have the required prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment.

Elective units may be chosen from any discipline across Monash University as long as the required prerequisites, co-requisites and any other restrictions are met. No more than four level one elective units (24 points) may be completed.

Free electives can be identified using the browse units tool and indexes of units in the current edition of the Handbook. 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. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.