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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

155599 v.7 Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 003691K
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.


This course allows undergraduate students to combine studies in public health with a wide range of optional units as a Health Sciences Major, or complete a Health Information Management Major (profession specific units). Students who complete the Health Sciences Major will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences) and those who complete the Health Information Management Major will be awarded with a Bachelor of Science (Health Information Management). To undertake the Paramedicine major, students need to be employed as a student paramedic, upon completion of this major graduates will be awarded the Bachelor of Science (Paramedicine).


Professional Recognition

The degree is recognised throughout Australia and overseas, with graduates working across Australia and in the UK, US, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. You may also choose to undertake postgraduate studies in areas such as health administration, accounting, information technology or public health for even greater job diversity.


Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Health Sciences major may be employed in public health, health promotion, health administration or staff development positions in a variety of healthcare settings depending on units selected in their degree. Graduates have successfully entered postgraduate programs in medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, occupational health and safety and public health, as well as developing research careers. Due to a current scarcity of well-qualified health information professionals, the employment rate of graduates from the health information management major is excellent, with many finding positions before graduation. Graduates are employed within health information management or in specialised areas such as clinical classification, health informatics, case-mix, quality and safety or project management in public and private health care facilities. Other areas include research, information system design and primary practice management. Graduates from the Paramedicine Major will receive the scholarly preparation necessary to qualify as an Ambulance Paramedic.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


For Paramedicine: a conditional letter of employment as a student paramedic is required. This is provided by St Johns Ambulance Australia. Desirable: One science course 3A/3B from the following list is desirable: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biological Science, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology. STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


This course has a variety of first year streams. The Health Sciences First Year Stream provides optional units from a range of courses offered within the Health Sciences Faculty and in many instances students can replicate the first year studies for a future desired course. Students who apply to study Health Information Management and Paramedicine will study the relevant first year stream. Completion of the first year of the Pharmacy First Year Stream does not guarantee entry into the Bachelor of Pharmacy course, instead it provides students with the opportunity to achieve the required course pre-requisites, and decide if this course is for them. Those who complete the Paramedicine Stream are required to remain employed as a student paramedic to proceed with the Paramedicine Major.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply discipline knowledge, understand its theoretical underpinnings and ways of thinking; extend the boundaries of knowledge through research

2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions

3. decide what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources

4. communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose

5. use appropriate technologies recognising their advantages and limitations

6. use a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; know how to continue to learn as a graduate

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply international standards and practices within a discipline or professional area

8. respect individual human rights; recognise the importance of cultural diversity particularly the perspective of Indigenous Australians; value diversity of language

9. work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership, professional behaviour and ethical practices


Duration and Availability

This course is three years' full-time or equivalent part-time study. The course is available internally and online (both the Health Information Management Major and the Health Sciences Major). Not all options within the Health Sciences major are available online, however there are enough options to provide choice and flexibility in completing the course online. Not all units within the Paramedicine major are available online, clinical placements are conducted within the course.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
314488 v.1   Health Sciences First Year Stream (BSc - Health Sciences) 200.0
  OR  
314489 v.1   Pharmacy First Year Stream (BSc - Health Sciences) 200.0
  OR  
314493 v.2   Health Information Management First Year Stream (BSc - Health Sciences) 200.0
  OR  
314492 v.1   Paramedicine First Year Stream (BSc - Health Sciences) 200.0
  200.0
Year 2
311752 v.4   Health Information Management Major (Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences) 400.0
  OR  
311753 v.3   Health Sciences Major (Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences) 400.0
  OR  
314479 v.1   Paramedicine Major (Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences) 400.0
  400.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.