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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.

311517 v.2 Master of Public Health

MPH(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 064462G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


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 is a multidisciplinary health course designed for public health practitioners and others wanting to develop skills and knowledge in public health. Students undertake a number of core units covering a broad range of public health issues combined with specialist knowledge in one of the following stream: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Health Policy and Management; Health Promotion; Public Health. There is a choice of undertaking either a dissertation or a smaller research project combined with further coursework.


Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course work in a variety of settings. They may be employed in research, the public sector, non-government organisations and international companies. Graduates with a course weighted average above 70 per cent are eligible to apply for admission into the PhD program at Curtin.


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 an undergraduate degree 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; Graduate Diploma in Public Health


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral 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

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.


In this course students complete units covering a broad range of public health issues before choosing a major in which to specialise. The first year is an introduction to public health, its origins and development, and the foundations of health research, health promotion, epidemiology and biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and economics and public health nutrition. The following specialist streams are available: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Health Policy and Management; Public Health; Health Promotion.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply research based specialised knowledge including recent developments in public health together with applicable research principles and methods

2. reflect critically on theoretical knowledge, public health scholarship, advocacy and professional practice

3. investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information and problems that impact directly or indirectly on public health outcomes

4. interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non specialist audiences

5. evaluate the applicability of existing and emerging technologies for public health practice

6. apply knowledge and skills to new situations in the course of public health practice leading to further learning

7. critically evaluate the impact of environmental and geographical context, local institutions and culture on public health outcomes

8. articulate, defend and apply a theoretical understanding of social justice implicit in public health practice

9. demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability when interacting with diverse individuals, communities and organisations as an advocate/champion of public health


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course available in both internal and external study modes is of four semesters full-time or equivalent part-time study. 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
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
13162 v.3   Public Health Nutrition Principles 682 3.0 25.0
308419 v.1   Environmental Health Management 683 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
13179 v.3 *   Research Project 650 8.0 50.0
  OR  
13151 v.4   Research Dissertation 600 16.0 50.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  75.0
Year 2 Semester 2
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  25.0
Year 2
314822 v.1   Health Policy and Management Stream (Master) 100.0
  OR  
314823 v.1   Health Promotion Stream (Master) 100.0
  OR  
315433 v.1   Global Public Health Stream (Master) 100.0
  OR  
314826 v.1   Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics Stream (Master) 100.0
  OR  
314825 v.1   Public Health Stream (Master) 100.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
313447 v.1   Professional Practice of Public Health 683 4.0 25.0
311908 v.2   Sexology Attitudes and Values 680 4.0 25.0
11938 v.3   International Health 581 4.0 25.0
13149 v.3   Epidemiology 683 4.0 25.0
13182 v.4   Mental Health Promotion 681 3.0 25.0
311874 v.2   Leadership in Health Care 682 3.0 25.0
303682 v.3   International Nutrition 600 8.0 25.0
13169 v.4   Health Promotion Methods 681 3.0 25.0
13359 v.3   Research Dissertation 601 16.0 50.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
313447 v.1   Professional Practice of Public Health 683 4.0 25.0
305042 v.2   Health Impact Assessment 680 5.0 25.0
13170 v.5   Health Promotion, Media and Advocacy 682 4.0 25.0
13359 v.3   Research Dissertation 601 16.0 50.0
11099 v.2   Health Planning and Evaluation 582 3.0 25.0
308422 v.1   Environmental Health Risk Assessment 682 5.0 25.0
13150 v.4   Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 681 4.0 25.0
306308 v.2   Health Research Methods 781 4.0 25.0
309594 v.5   Health Partnerships, Politics and Power 681 3.0 25.0

*    Students who select Research Project 650 must select two optional units NOT including Research Dissertation 601




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.