Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The purpose of this new Honours degree is to provide students with a pathway from their undergraduate studies in Health Sciences into a more intensive, specialised program related to their major. It also provides potential candidates with the foundation for doctoral training in their chosen field.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program includes the following specialisations: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Psychophysiology, Nutrition, Psychology and Forensic Science, Health Promotion and Neuroscience.
The program is designed to equip students with the necessary theory and skills advantageous for employment and research training in the Health Sciences. Students will gain experience in project management, research skills, writing for research publication, oral seminar presentation and working in teams.
Please note that this Honours program does not have accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and does not allow students to practice as a professional psychologist. Students who wish to become a professional psychologist should complete the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
An honours year can improve your job prospects or provide a pathway to postgraduate study.
Register your interest to find out more.
Duration
1 Year/s
Full-time
CRICOS code
088687C
Fees
A$35960 (annual for 2023)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
From psychosis to sports science, we cover a range of fields in health science. Find a supervisor who specialises in your chosen area.
Course learning outcomes
The Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree produces graduates with the ability to:
- demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in health sciences for professional or highly skilled work and/or further learning
- formulate advanced theoretical and technical arguments in one or more disciplines or areas of practice in health sciences
- demonstrate advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills associated with health sciences to select and apply methods and technologies to analyse critically, evaluate and transform information to complete a range of activities
- demonstrate advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills associated with health sciences to select and apply methods and technologies to analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems
- apply advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills associated with health sciences to select and apply methods and technologies to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to others
- apply knowledge and skills associated with health sciences to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Health Science (Honours), students must complete 100 credit points comprising:
- 2 core coursework units (2 x 12.5 credit points) - one research methods unit and one data management unit
- 2 project units (75 credit points)
All units allow students to focus on a topic from one of the following discipline areas: Applied Statistics and Epidemiology; Biomedical Science; Health Across the Life Span; Health Communication; Cognitive Neuroscience; Nutrition; Clinical Trials; Psychophysiology; or other health-related specialist areas.
Honours merit calculation
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of four units – HEA40002 (25 credit points), HEA40003 (50 credit points), one of NEU40002 or HEA40001 or NEU40001 (12.5 credit points) and one of STA60001 or STA60004 or PSY40001 (12.5 credit points)
- BHSc (Hons) with First Class Honours (H1); for students who achieve 80%-100%
- BHSc (Hons) with Upper Second Class honours (H2A); for students who achieve 70% – 79%
- BHSc (Hons) with Lower Second Class honours (H2B); for students who achieve 60% – 69%
- BHSc (Hons) with Third Class Honours (H3); for students who achieve 50%-59%
Final results are given for the year as a whole. Students will be graded as follows:
- First class Honours (H1) 80%-100%
- Second class Honours Division A (H2A) 70%-79%
- Second class Honours Division B (H2B) 60%-69%
- Third class Honours (H3) 50%-59%
Units of Study
Advanced Research Methods Core units
Students choose one of the following Advanced Research Methods units, according to their chosen academic specialisation:
- HEA40001 Advanced Research Methods in Health Sciences
Recommended for students specialising in: Health Communication; Biomedical Science; Nutrition; Health across the Life Span; or equivalent. - NEU40002 Neuroscience Methods
Recommended for students specialising in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychophysiology or equivalent. - NEU40001 Neuropsychology Methods
Recommended for students with a Psychology/Psychophysiology background.
Data Management Core units
Students choose one of the following Data Management units according to their chosen academic specialisation and prior study:
- STA60001 Statistical Practice 1
Recommended for students without foundation statistics or equivalent (Online unit). Students with previous study in Statistics should enrol into STA60004. - STA60004 Research Design
With an emphasis on Health Statistics this unit is recommended for students having completed at least basic statistics (Online unit). - PSY40001 Advanced Quantitative Methods
Recommended for students with a Psychology/Psychophysiology background who have completed a number of statistics units in their undergraduate degree.
Core outcome units
All students complete the following two units:
HEA40002 Honours Research Training * (25 credit points)
HEA40003 Honours Research Project * (50 credit points)
* Outcome units
Matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Career opportunities
This course equips graduates for careers in a variety of areas including health science professional in a chosen field of expertise, health science researcher, health science administrator.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to apply
Please note that while you are encouraged to speak to staff about project areas and supervision, you do not have to include a detailed description of an honours project. A simple sentence will suffice, providing us with an indication of your interests in general. You will have the opportunity to provide this while completing the online application.
Applicants in their final year of study are encouraged to apply.
Non-Swinburne applicants will need to provide an official academic transcript (and proof of completion if applicable).
All applicants should refer to the Entry Requirements for full details on how to enter this course.
Find out more about how to apply.