310824 v.1 Bachelor of Science (Midwifery)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas

Introduction

Midwives work in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, community practices, birthing centres or in the mother's home. The Bachelor of Science (Midwifery) emphasises the close integration of evidence based theory and clinical practice. Theory content is comprehensive and includes the physical, biological, psychological and social sciences. Students commence their clinical experience in first semester and receive clinical experience in a wide range of community and hospital settings. This clinical experience is co-ordinated with theoretical study units and progresses from simulation and observation visits to more prolonged periods in selected maternity care settings. Students are involved in the care of women, babies and their families, appropriate to their level of academic preparation and experience, for supervised practice. In maternity care settings Registered Midwives will provide individual assistance and supervision of care.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

None. TEE Human Biology and Physical Science desirable.

STAT elements considered are E and V.

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 study. Bentley campus offers one intake a year in February.

Professional Recognition

The course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA (NMBWA) and the Australian College of Midwives Standards for the Accreditation of Bachelor of Midwifery Education Programs leading to Initial Registration as a Midwife in Australia. The Bachelor of Science (Midwifery) is accredited with the NMBWA.

Career Opportunities

The graduate midwife will be expected to function as a beginning level midwife in any maternity care setting. Midwives work in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, birthing centres or in the mother's home. Hospital midwifery usually involvesshift work and therefore provides flexibility to enable midwives to balance their professional career with family and social activities. Community based midwives may work shifts and/or work on-call. The midwife's work may also involve other aspects of women's health, sexual or reproductive health, lactation consultancy and childcare. There are also a number of other employment opportunities that may not involve direct clinical care. Some of these include research and policy development, and may enable working office hours. Midwives, who have a highly developed knowledge base and many clinical skills, are in demand both nationally and internationally. This may provide them with the opportunity to work almost anywhere in the world while continuing to develop their career. There may be additional education requirements for midwives to work in some countries.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students will be required to purchase a uniform for their clinical experience.

Further Information

All applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted immediately following the release of Year 12 results in the final week of December. Interviews will be conducted in the first and second weeks of January. An invitation to an interview will be based on the applicant's academic performance. It is strongly recommended that applicants present a Portfolio at the time of interview. For more information contact staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 4583, email: hlthsci-ss@curtin.edu.au, or website: www.healthsciences.curtin.edu.au.

Special Note

Applications for this course close on Friday 28 November 2008. The Bachelor of Science (Midwifery) is accredited by the Nurses Board of WA. Accreditation is a requirement for graduates to apply for initial registration as a midwife.

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.

Course Structure			Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
1643	v.7	Human Biology 133	4.0	25.0
300718	v.4	Sociocultural Perspectives on Health 131	3.0	25.0
310825	v.1	Foundations of Midwifery Practice 121	4.0	25.0
310962	v.1	Midwifery Studies 112	3.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
1644	v.7	Human Biology 134	4.0	25.0
303779	v.3	Health Assessment 261	3.0	25.0
310135	v.1	Indigenous Australian Health and Culture 132	3.0	25.0
310826	v.1	Healthy Childbearing 122	8.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
300720	v.4	Research Foundations in Nursing and Midwifery 213	4.0	25.0
300724	v.3	Nursing and Midwifery Bioscience 243	5.0	25.0
310827	v.1	Healthy Childbearing 212	4.0	25.0
310828	v.1	Supporting Women 223	8.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
300729	v.2	Adult Nursing Practice 224	13.0	25.0
300730	v.3	Behavioural Responses to Illness 234	3.0	25.0
310829	v.1	Complications of Childbearing 214	4.0	25.0
310830	v.1	Family Centred Care 225	7.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
300731	v.3	Nursing and Midwifery Bioscience 244	4.0	25.0
300738	v.3	Behavioural Perspectives of Mental Health 336	3.0	25.0
310831	v.1	Complex Maternal and Neonatal Care 311	4.0	25.0
310832	v.1	Complex Care and Mental Health 322	16.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
300740	v.2	Management in Health Care 417	3.0	25.0
310833	v.1	Enhancing Midwifery Practice 313	4.0	25.0
310834	v.1	Transitional Midwifery Practice 324	24.0	50.0
				100.0

Availability

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2009	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	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.