Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Science offers students the skills, knowledge and key theoretical insights required to work in a range of professional scientific environments and build a career promoting health and wellbeing. Access laboratories and testing facilities equipped with the latest technology and Swinburne is the only university in Australia with MRI and MEG labs on campus. Explore Australian and international health challenges.

Examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings. A distinctive feature of the course is the practical application of knowledge through project-based units of study. Tailor your degree and develop a unique range of interdisciplinary skills. Learn about contemporary issues in health science, such as biomedical testing or health communication, and how to address them.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science graduates will be able to:

• apply health sciences concepts, practices, theories and evidence across a range of health-related issues
• retrieve, critically evaluate and communicate information about local and global health sciences issues from a variety of perspectives
• find and integrate information from a variety of sources using a range of technologies
• apply knowledge and skills associated with health sciences to a range of health-related activities, working independently and in teams
• apply innovation and technology to extend the boundaries of knowledge and research in health sciences
• demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours
• reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, and plan ongoing personal and professional development
• promote and optimise the health and welfare of individuals and/or populations.
   

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to:

• articulate the methods of science, explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and explain the role and relevance of science in society
• exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one science disciplinary area
• critically analyse and solve scientific problems by evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and theoretical techniques for that investigation and collecting, recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data
• effectively communicate science by presenting information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes using a variety of modesadopt ownership of their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to the disciplinary area and practising ethical conduct.

Career opportunities

Future career opportunities for graduates in this degree may include medical researcher, hospital scientist, clinical physiologist, forensic scientist, pathologist, sustainability analyst and more.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Science, students must complete 400-500 credit points comprising:

• eight [8] core Health Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] core Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Health Science discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points)
  or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points)
  or 16 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from one of the following Science majors: Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics (100 credit points)

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

Please note that due to government regulations, international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Note:

• Students selecting the Psychology and Forensic Science Major will be required to complete 450 credit points in this course
• Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major will be required to complete 500 credit points in this course.

Due to government regulations, international students holding an international student visa are not able to undertake the Psychology and Forensic Science major or the Psychology and Psychophysiology major.

Students must not complete more than 200 credit points (normally 16 units) at Introductory level.

A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative. Where there are no available units, students will be required to complete an alternative approved cognate unit.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 500 credit points comprising:

• eight [8] core Health Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] core Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Health Science discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points)
  or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points)
  or 16 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from one of the following Science majors: Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics (100 credit points)
• four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement co-major (100 credit points)
   

Note:

• Students selecting the Psychology and Forensic Science major will be required to complete 550 credit points in this course
• Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology major will be required to complete 600 credit points in this course.

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 450 credit points comprising:

• eight [8] core Health Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] core Science units of study (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Health Science discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points)
  or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points)
  or 16 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Science discipline major in one of the following: Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics (100 credit points)
• two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement minor (50 credit points)
   

Note:

• Students selecting the Psychology and Forensic Science major will be required to complete 500 credit points in this course
• Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology major will be required to complete 550 credit points in this course.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Science is 200 credit points (normally 16 points), 100 credit points maximum from each discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.