173799 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health)

Introduction

Environmental Health is concerned with those factors in the environment that exert a harmful effect on health and quality of life. Public concern regarding the quality of the environment has led to a demand for professionally trained personnel to plan and implement prevention, management and control programs and to administer statutory provisions. This course combines the scientific, technical and humanitarian skills required to be competent professionals in the field of environmental health.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

None. One TEE Science subject and one TEE Maths subject desirable.

Specific Requirements

STAT elements considered are E and Q.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

The course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation

Offers a broad science base incorporating units in microbiology, human biology, chemistry, and physics leading to specialised environmental health units including food science, safety and hygiene, environmental systems, water and air pollution, waste management, epidemiology and communicable diseases, environmental noise and law. In addition to traditional lectures, laboratory and fieldwork, the students attend professional placements and tutorials with Environmental Health practitioners during the second and third year of the course. A limited number of cadetships are also available. Additional completion criteria required of one week full-time work experience with approved country or remote regional training agencies. This component must be completed during semester break immediately following the completion of five semesters of study. This component will be coordinated by the Department of Environmental Health, Curtin University and will be stipulated as a condition for graduation. Accumulating the required professional training hours is essential to meet the approval requirements of the executive Director of Public Health, Department of Health, Western Australia for appointment as an Environmental Health Officer.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health.

Career Opportunities

There is a continuing high demand for graduates, with the majority entering State Government Departments, Local Government Authorities and industry as Environmental Health Officers or Scientific Officers. Many graduates also find work interstate or overseas. This is the only course in Western Australia recognised for appointment as an Environmental Health Officer.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Availability

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.