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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.

156799 v.6 Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion)

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 003779B
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 combines the scientific understanding of the human body with the knowledge and skills for addressing health issues and promoting health in individuals and the community, ensuring graduates obtain the skills to be competent professionals in the field of health promotion. The course content lends itself to innovative teaching methods and fieldwork is incorporated in the second and third years. The School of Public Health is affiliated with the WA Centre for Health Promotion Research. Through the major grants it attracts, it offers staff and students the opportunity to participate in ground breaking health promotion research.


Professional Recognition

Students and graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association.


Career Opportunities

Health promotion graduates possess practical and theoretical skills which are highly sought after by employers. The degree prepares students for careers as health promotion practitioners working in community, school, workplace, media and international settings with both government and non-government organisations. Employers can include the National Heart Foundation, Asthma Foundation, WA AIDS Council, Cancer Council, the Department of Health and many more. Some graduates go on to work overseas in developing countries and you can structure your studies to reflect this interest. The program attracts students from countries and regions including South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands, Japan, Europe and the United States, who then return to work in their countries of origin.


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.


Desirable: At least one science course from the following list: Biological Sciences 2A/2B, Chemistry 2A/2B, Earth and Environmental Science 2A/2B, Human Biological Science 2A/2B, Integrated Science 2A/2B, Physics 2A/2B or Psychology 2A/2B. 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 Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearances sections of the Faculty website



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.


The course is designed to develop appropriate knowledge and skills in the principles and the processes of planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion programs in various settings including clinical, school, worksite and the community. As well as specialist health promotion units in planning, methodology and evaluation, students complete studies in the multidisciplinary areas that underpin the practice of health promotion. Core studies are in human biology, behavioural sciences, epidemiology and health content areas. In addition, professional practice and research project studies are part of the course. There is one optional unit.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply health promotion concepts and practice to enhance the health and well-being of populations. Demonstrate an understanding of human health, illness and wellbeing from a biological and social context.

2. critically analyse issues relevant to health promotion. Think creatively to generate innovative solutions to promote health

3. access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information to develop sustainable health promotion programs

4. communication with professional and community members to promote health using effective written and oral communication. Communicate with individual and groups to advocate for improved health. Emphasise the significance of health promotion research to the scientific community using effective methods of communication

5. effectively use new and existing technologies to gather information, analyse data and communicate

6. take responsibility for own learning and professional development in the health promotion field

7. apply international perspectives and principles to healthy promotion

8. demonstrate understanding and respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity

9. work professionally and ethically across a range of settings. Demonstrate independence and leadership in project management


Duration and Availability

This course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study. This course is available both internally and online.


Location and delivery Mode


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



Combined Degree Information

Health Promotion may be combined with Health and Safety, Nutrition.



Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
307195 v.2   Practice of Public Health 180 4.0 25.0
313391 v.3   Human Structure and Function 100 4.0 25.0
313392 v.2   Introduction to Psychology 100 3.0 25.0
313394 v.3   Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
312649 v.4   Indigenous Cultures and Health 130 2.0 12.5
313398 v.3   Imagining Health in Social and Cultural Contexts 100 3.0 25.0
313461 v.2   Physical Activity Promotion and Injury Prevention 182 4.0 25.0
314510 v.1   Health and Health Behaviour 130 3.0 12.5
314512 v.1   Evidence Informed Health Practice 130 2.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
8700 v.7   Health Promotion Planning 281 4.0 25.0
300885 v.3   Cancer Control 281 3.0 25.0
7685 v.6   Mental Health Promotion 281 4.0 25.0
8857 v.9   Alcohol and Other Drugs 281 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
311440 v.1   Epidemiology 286 4.0 25.0
12479 v.5   Health Promotion in Action 282 4.0 25.0
3952 v.9   Health Promotion Methods 282 4.0 25.0
7378 v.7   Fundamentals of Public Health Nutrition 282 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
301808 v.7   Health Partnerships, Politics and Power 382 3.0 25.0
311351 v.1   Applied Research and Biostatistics 381 8.0 25.0
312198 v.1   Professional Practice in Public Health 383 2.0 25.0
9818 v.10   Health Promotion in Challenging Contexts 381 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
10642 v.6   Evaluation of Health Promotion 382 3.0 25.0
313088 v.1   Health Promotion in Action 382 4.0 25.0
8701 v.9   Health Promotion, Media and Advocacy 382 4.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 3 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
307196 v.3   Organisation of Health Care Systems 201 3.0 25.0
313093 v.1   Research Project 383 6.0 25.0
7833 v.9   Sexology Attitudes and Values 280 3.0 25.0
312755 v.2   Refugee and Migrant Health 300 3.0 25.0
13196 v.5   Working in Indigenous Australian Contexts 300 3.0 25.0
313460 v.1   Foundations of Psychology 124 3.0 25.0
313397 v.2   Interpersonal Communication Skills in Health 100 3.0 25.0



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.