150604 v.4 Master of Occupational Health and Safety
MOccHlthSfty(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Course Overview
Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
This course will produce occupational health and safety professionals with strong theoretical and practical occupational health and safety (OHS) skills in a range of disciplines. 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, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physical education/human movement science graduates, environmental health officers, teachers, chemists and many other occupations. The course aims to develop research skills and encourage graduates to discover new knowledge and novel ways of solving problems. Research skills will be demonstrated through the completion of an original research project in the field of OHS.
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.
Career Opportunities
Employment prospects are excellent, with graduates often earning moderate salaries. Graduates gain employment in a variety of industries including mining, oil, gas, manufacturing and construction. There is also demand for graduates in corporate, government, health and academic sectors. With the stringent legislative requirements for health and safety in the workplace and the increase in resources and commodity prices expected to continue, future demand for tertiary qualified occupational health and safety professionals is expected to be high.
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. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
Specifically, applicants require a bachelor degree with a health, science or management-related background and a minimum of 18 months post-bachelor degree work experience in occupational health and safety. Work experience is assessed on the basis of level of seniority and responsibility, job description, work-based referee report, publications or other written reports, short courses or conference attendance. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety can apply for admission.
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; Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Organisation
Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.
This course builds on the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to provide students with strong theoretical and practical occupational health and safety (OHS) skills. It is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Studies emphasise industry-based assessment and the development of practical skills. Students will develop strong research skills and discover new knowledge and novel ways of solving problems. Students should enrol in Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 and Risk Management and Safety Technology 582 first. The optional units provide the opportunity to specialise in specific areas of occupational health and safety. Students are provided with an opportunity to specialise and undertake research in occupational health, occupational hygiene, safety and risk management, ergonomics, occupational medicine or other related areas. After passing all course-work units, students must complete an original research project. After completing 200 credits, students can choose one of two pathways. The first is to complete an additional two optional units (50 credits) and Research Project 650 (50 credits). The second is to complete Research Dissertation 600 (50 credits) and Research Dissertation 601 (50 credits).
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 three semesters' full-time or equivalent part-time study. Full-time study is subject to availability of units. This course is only available online and can be taken by domestic students studying externally and also international students studying online from their own country.
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 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 | |
| 11519 | v.4 | Occupational Hygiene and Chemical Safety 596 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310577 | v.1 | Risk Management and Safety Technology 582 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310578 | v.1 | Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 11516 | v.5 | Compensation and Injury Management 593 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 13152 | v.3 | Health Research Methods 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310582 | v.1 | Health and Safety Economics and Management 582 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 25.0 | ||||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 13179 | v.3 # | Research Project 650 | 8.0 | 50.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| 13359 | v.3 ## | Research Dissertation 601 | 16.0 | 50.0 | |
| 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 | |||
| 304965 | v.3 | Mine Management 532 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 305042 | v.2 | Health Impact Assessment 680 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 308419 | v.1 | Environmental Health Management 683 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 308421 | v.3 | Health, Safety and Environmental Law 682 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 308422 | v.1 | Environmental Health Risk Assessment 682 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
| 11518 | v.5 | Occupational Diseases 585 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 13151 | v.4 | Research Dissertation 600 | 16.0 | 50.0 | |
| 12580 | v.5 * | Socio-Environmental Aspects of Mining 531 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 5467 | v.6 | Occupational Health and Safety Project/Practicum 590 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
# Research Project 650 has a pre-requisite of Health Research Methods 681. This should be the final unit taken in this course.
## Students who select Research Dissertation 601 must also select Research Dissertation 600
* # Students who select Research Dissertation 601 must also select Research Dissertation 600
** All 25 credit units have an estimated time commitment of eight to ten hours of study per week
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.
