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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.

301104 v.4 Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

GradDipOccHlthSfty(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Graduate diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course has an emphasis on practical and theoretical occupational health and safety (OHS) skills with a strong mix of science and management. Core discipline areas include risk management, accident prevention, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, health and safety economics, and compensation and injury management. There is an emphasis on industry based assessment and the development of practical skills. This course attracts students from a wide variety of professions and industries, from those who are already working in OHS and wish to gain formal qualifications to those intending to work in OHS, including engineers, health professionals and managers. Upon successful completion of this course, students may apply for admission into the Master of Occupational Health and Safety.


Professional Recognition

The course is recognised by several professional bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine as fulfilling partial assessment requirements in their training curriculum.


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. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or graduate certificate.


Specifically, applicants require a Bachelor degree, preferably with a health, science or management related background, or a graduate certificate in occupational health and safety, from a recognised tertiary institution.


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.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate diplomas 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 consists of six core units and two optional units. It is recommended that Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 and Risk Management and Safety Technology 582 are completed first. The optional units provide the opportunity to specialise in specific areas of occupational health and safety. Students who plan on continuing to the Masters course should enrol in Health Research Methods 681. All units are offered fully online.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply and integrate the knowledge and principles of occupational health and safety and practical skills required for the prevention of injury and occupational disease in the workplace environment

2. apply logical and rational processes to critically analyse issues relevant to OHS and think creatively in the generation of solutions to problems

3. develop information literacy skills with access, evaluation and synthesis of relevant information and evidence from a range of resources available in the field of OHS and use appropriate information and communication technology practices

4. communicate effectively and function as part of a team and in collaboration with a range of people including community groups, workers, employers, statutory authorities and their representatives and other professionals

5. use scientific and technological methods with an understanding of their advantages and limitations

6. facilitate, educate and promote health and safety in the workplace in relation to individuals, families, the community and environment

7. recognise the global nature of OHS issues and be familiar with appropriate international standards

8. demonstrate an understanding of how culture can influence OHS issues

9. develop appropriate skills and knowledge to provide leadership for the improvement of OHS in the workplace


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one year full time study or equivalent part time study conducted on a fully online basis. Full-time study is available if required, but is subject to availability of units.


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 Organisation Note

Although fully online, assessments for some units may require sitting a final exam at a nominated venue approved by the University



Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
310585 v.1   Ergonomics 594 5.0 25.0
310577 v.1   Risk Management and Safety Technology 582 5.0 25.0
11519 v.4   Occupational Hygiene and Chemical Safety 596 5.0 25.0
310578 v.1   Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
310582 v.1   Health and Safety Economics and Management 582 5.0 25.0
11516 v.5   Compensation and Injury Management 593 5.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
5467 v.6   Occupational Health and Safety Project/Practicum 590 5.0 25.0
308421 v.3   Health, Safety and Environmental Law 682 4.0 25.0
305042 v.2   Health Impact Assessment 680 5.0 25.0
308422 v.1   Environmental Health Risk Assessment 682 5.0 25.0
304965 v.3   Mine Management 532 4.0 25.0
13152 v.3 **   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
308419 v.1   Environmental Health Management 683 3.0 25.0
11518 v.5   Occupational Diseases 585 5.0 25.0

*    All 25 credit units have an estimated time commitment of eight to ten hours of study per week

**    Students intending to apply for the Master of Occupational Health and Safety must select this unit




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.