173799 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health)

BSc(Curtin)

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.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

10009 v.3 Chemistry 127 6.0 25.0

1643 v.6 Human Biology 133 4.0 25.0

303168 v.2 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 180 2.0 12.5

307195 v.1 Practice of Public Health 180 3.0 25.0

7713 v.7 Health Science Communication 180 2.0 12.5

100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

1644 v.7 Human Biology 134 4.0 25.0

302467 v.2 Introduction to Microbiology 132 3.0 12.5

303091 v.1 Epidemiology 186 3.0 25.0

7054 v.5 Physics 113 5.0 12.5

8686 v.5 Chemistry 128 6.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 1

11356 v.3 Health and Safety 282 4.0 25.0

304652 v.1 Food Science Specialisation 201 5.0 25.0

304657 v.1 Public Health Law 284 6.0 25.0

304711 v.2 Environmental Health Microbiology 231 5.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 2

304647 v.1 Built Environment 283 7.0 25.0

304656 v.1 Food Science Specialisation 202 8.0 25.0

304714 v.2 Environmental Health Microbiology 232 5.0 25.0

8420 v.7 Professional Practice (Community) 284 6.0 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Semester 1

304660 v.1 Environmental Health Specialisation 303 6.0 25.0

306827 v.1 Environmental Health Specialisation 321 5.0 25.0

9319 v.9 Principles of Research 381 5.0 25.0

9441 v.7 Professional Practice (Community) 383 7.0 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Semester 2

301160 v.3 Environmental Impact Assessment 302 3.0 12.5

304661 v.1 Environmental Health Applied Research 384 6.0 25.0

304663 v.2 Food Systems Safety 384 5.0 25.0

305542 v.1 Sustainable Production and Consumption 311 2.0 12.5

9442 v.7 Professional Practice (Community) 384 6.0 25.0

100.0

Availability

Year Location Period Internal External
2004 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y
2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations that students are eligible to be offe red and admitted to this course for the first time only.