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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.

194805 v.5 Graduate Diploma in Public Health

GradDipPubHlth(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 080069E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1 Year


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 provides those currently working in the health field with advanced coursework in public health that is specifically designed to broaden individual knowledge, competence and skills. It attracts health professionals including doctors, health educators, health administrators, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dentists, podiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, radiographers, audiologists, speech therapists, environmental health scientists and educators.


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 an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from a tertiary institution preferably in a health science area, education, behavioural sciences, social sciences or management.


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 Public Health


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 Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.



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.


In the first and second semester students complete core units. Part-time students should discuss their study plan with the course coordinator. Students should check for availability of units in the online handbook as they may change.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply a systematic and coherent body of knowledge to a range of public health contexts

2. think critically to generate and evaluate complex ideas and propose possible solutions

3. critically analyse and evaluate information drawn from multiple public health data sources

4. use appropriate skills and tools to transfer complex knowledge to a variety of audiences

5. use current technologies applicable to public health

6. ability to transfer knowledge from one context to another within public health

7. analyse the effects of environment, culture and economic development on public health outcomes

8. apply theories of social justice to issues of inequity and social disadvantage as they impact on individuals and communities

9. demonstrate well developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a public health practitioner


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is available both an internal and external study mode and is one year full-time or equivalent part-time study, although the majority of students study part-time. Where possible, classes will be scheduled in the evening to accommodate students already employed. International onshore students on student visas are not permitted to study this course externally. This course is also available to international offshore students.


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 Semester 1
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
13154 v.3   Health Policy 681 3.0 25.0
13157 v.4   Health Promotion Planning 681 3.0 25.0
13230 v.3   Foundations of Public Health 681 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
13162 v.3   Public Health Nutrition Principles 682 3.0 25.0
308419 v.1   Environmental Health Management 683 3.0 25.0
314752 v.1   Public Health Response to Climate Change 682 4.0 25.0
6103 v.9   Epidemiology and Biostatistics 682 4.0 25.0
  100.0



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.