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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.

198702 v.4 Doctor of Public Health

DrPH(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 018018J
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Doctoral degrees prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.


This research-based doctorate provides a broad common conceptual and research foundation with an opportunity to undertake advanced study and research in a defined area of public health. Individuals are prepared to assume leadership positions in the field of professional public health practice, teaching and research.


Additional Course Expenses

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


Course Overview Note

The Faculty of Health Sciences provides facilities and benefits for those studying this research course, including access to suitable computer facilities, office space for on-campus students and financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences and towards associated research costs.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards. Applicants require a master degree (research) or bachelor honours degree (first or second class) or a high standard in either a master degree (coursework) or bachelor degree with a graduate diploma (or equivalent). Alternative entry requirements may be considered, details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides.


The most common background will be a Bachelor of Science (Honours), or Masters degree (MSc, MPH) usually with several years of experience in public health. Based on the premise that a student must have at least seven years of study and work experience in the field of Public Health for entry to the Doctor of Public Health a student shall have: a) Master of Science or Master of Public Health degree from the School of Public Health or another equivalent master degree, together with at least two years of relevant work experience in public health OR b) relevant honours degree (normally first or upper second class), together with at least three years of relevant work experience in public health, OR c) superior performance in a School of Public Health Postgraduate Diploma, equivalent to a first class honours degree (Course Weighted Average >70 per cent) as well as three years of relevant work experience in public health, OR d) other qualifications and background which warrant special consideration by the Head of School of Public Health and the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. The University's regulations for Doctoral Degrees apply.


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.



Course Organisation

Doctoral degrees require students to undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination.


This course is studied as a research degree. This means that at least two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. The thesis follows Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research. The content of the degree should be determined in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator, School of Public Health. Students without prior studies in research methods and statistical data analysis will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This will increase the stated course duration.



Duration and Availability

This research course is three years equivalent full-time study. This course is available by distance and some units are available online. Prior to commencement of their thesis, students should have completed most of the coursework component and have submitted their proposal to gain candidacy.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 1   Y   Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 2   Y   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
99172 v.2   Doctoral Thesis - Public Health
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   150.0
  150.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) Hrs/Wk Credit
303066 v.2   Foundations of Public Health 781 3.0 25.0
11547 v.3   Epidemiology 781 3.0 25.0
11549 v.4   Health Promotion Planning 781 4.0 25.0
11550 v.3   Principles and Practice of Public Health 781 3.0 25.0
11548 v.2   Health Policy and Management 782 3.0 25.0
11546 v.2   Environmental and Occupational Health 782 3.0 25.0
11552 v.5   Special Topics in Public Health 781 3.0 25.0
13150 v.4   Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 681 4.0 25.0
13554 v.3   Epidemiology and Biostatistics 782 4.0 25.0
303064 v.2   Health Promotion Strategies and Methods 789 4.0 25.0
10658 v.5   Control of Infectious Disease 682 3.0 25.0
303058 v.3   Evaluation of Health Promotion 787 3.0 25.0
301952 v.4   Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries 600 8.0 25.0
306308 v.2   Health Research Methods 781 4.0 25.0
301948 v.4   International Health and Primary Health Care 600 8.0 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.