General Information

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.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400-500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Anatomy and Physiology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10004
Introduction to Health Sciences
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA10001
Digital Health Foundations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA10004
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Health and Disease Across the Life Course
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20004
Research Methods for Health Sciences
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Non-psychology majors only
HEA20007
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only
PSY10005
Core units
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART10002
Concepts of Biology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10001
Chemistry 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10001
Introduction to Chemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10004
Preliminary Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH00007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Digital and Data Systems
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ENG10004
Essential Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10010
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10012
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10013
Sustainability Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS10003
Energy and Motion
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10001
Introduction to Physics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10002
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART20003
Societal Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS20011
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30004
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30005
Grand Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS30004
Units of study Unit code
Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10008
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20002
Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR20003
Infections and Immunology in Health Sciences
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20005
Genes and Genomics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30006
Body Function and Structure for Health Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30007
Pathophysiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30008
Units of study Unit code
Neurophysiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20006
Technology and Data Acquisition
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP10001
Measurement and Instrumentation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP20010
Medical Imaging Systems
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP20009
Physiological Signals
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP30007
MedTech Design and Innovation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BME30001
Biomedical Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP30003
Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MBP30009
Units of study Unit code
Neuroscience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU10002
Neurophysiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20006
Neuroimaging
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20007
Sensation and Perception
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20005
Developmental and Molecular Neuroscience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20008
Higher Cortical Functions
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30004
Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30007
Neuropsychopharmacology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30009
Units of study Unit code
Chemistry 1
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10001
Introduction to Nutrition
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR10001
Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR20003
Nutrition Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR20001
Nutrition in the Life Course
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR20002
Nutrition and Disease Prevention
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR30001
Public Health Nutrition
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR30004
Nutritional Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR30005
Units of study Unit code
Introduction to Forensic Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10007
Fundamentals of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
FOR10001
Developmental Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Statistics for Forensics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20008
Psychology of Personality
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
FOR30001
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30016
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30013
Units of study Unit code
Neuroscience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU10002
Fundamentals of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Neurological Monitoring
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20004
Neurophysiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20006
Developmental Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Sensation and Perception
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU20005
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Psychology of Personality
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
Sleep and Attention
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30002
Higher Cortical Functions
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30004
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30016
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30013
Abnormal Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30010
Psychophysiological Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NEU30006
Units of study Unit code
Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
SOC10005
Physical Activity, Health and Technology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
SPH10013
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
HEP20002
Epidemiology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20009
Indigenous Health
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA20006
Health Communication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
HEP30003
Public Health Nutrition
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
NTR30004
Leadership and Innovation in Health Promotion
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA30010
Units of study Unit code
Matrices, Vector Calculus and Complex Analysis
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH20014
Modelling Nature’s Non-Linearity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH20015
Series and Transforms
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH20012
Quantitative Prediction
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH20016
Differential Equations
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH30002
Optimisation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH30006
Stochastic Modelling
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH30001
Numerical and Computational Mathematics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH30003
Units of study Unit code
Concepts of Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10003
Chemistry 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10002
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20002
Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20001
Advanced Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH30003
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30001
Computational and Advanced Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30006
Molecular Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30004
Units of study Unit code
Concepts of Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10003
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20002
The Microbial World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20002
Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20001
Microbes in the Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30005
Advanced Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH30003
Applications of Bioinformatics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30009
Molecular Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30004
Units of study Unit code
Chemistry 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10002
Analytical and Forensic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE20006
Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE20009
Investigative Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE20008
Inorganic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30010
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30005
Surface and Colloid Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30009
Computational and Advanced Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30006
Units of study Unit code
Consumer Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10005
Built and Sustainable Communities
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20004
The Microbial World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20002
Environmental Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30003
Food Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20002
Water Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20006
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30001
Microbes in the Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30005
Units of study Unit code
Electronics and Electromagnetism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10004
Discovering the Universe
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AST10001
Optics, Relativity and Subatomic Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY20004
Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY20007
Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY20008
Physics Research Laboratories
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY30005
Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY30003
Quantum, Atomic and Optical Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY30004

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.

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Entry requirements

A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)

ATAR

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 65 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course. 

Selection rank adjustments 

Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne

Subject Adjustments 

A study score of 25 in Health and Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education, any Science or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.

Meeting course prerequisites 

VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent. VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any Mathematics or equivalent.

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2024

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors
Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer <5 <5
Median rank to receive an offer <5 <5
Lowest rank to receive an offer <5 <5

Notes: "<5" - indicates less than 5ATAR-based offeres were made

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.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Semester 1, 2024
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 0 0%
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study 0 0%
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) 0 0
(D) Recent secondary education:    
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) <5 <5
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) N/A N/A
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) <5 <5
International students 0 0%
All students 6 100%

Notes: "<5" - the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.

Interested in the Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Science

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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