Courses Handbook 2008

157599 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Health Information Management)

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 000274G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years


Introduction

This course combines the scientific, technical and administration expertise ensuring graduates obtain the skills to be competent professionals in the field of health information management. In addition, staff have strong links with the local health and information professions, ensuring students have extensive hands-on experience in health information management. Health information management is a challenging profession involving the application of clinical knowledge, aspects of information technology, database management and administration. Health records serve as a database for healthcare planning and management decisions, legal and administrative purposes, research, identifying trends for the treatment of disease and for evaluating the standards and quality of patient care. All this must be undertaken with due regard to ethical and legal considerations which emphasise the personal and sensitive nature of the information being collected and processed.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

One TEE mathematics and one TEE science subject. Human Biology desirable. Applications may be considered without these subjects - contact the School of Public Health.

Specific Requirements

STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication. Professional practise is emphasised throughout the program, through project work, visits and exercises. Compulsory field trips and professional practice placements are required and may be undertaken locally, interstate or overseas.

Recognition of Prior Learning

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

Duration and Availability

This course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study and is the only fully external health and safety degree offered in Australia.

Course Organisation

In the first year, students are introduced to human biology, the healthcare system, medical and surgical terminology, computing, health information systems and relevant elements of business practice. In second and third year, there is a greater emphasis on health service management, disease classification, health information systems and other topics that relate to the special characteristics of Health Information Management. All first year and second year units must be completed prior to entry into third-year, unless a waiver is granted by the course coordinator.

Career Opportunities

In hospitals, graduates are working as departmental managers, in the areas of quality improvement, case mix analysis, database management, special projects, clinical classification and as research assistants. Graduates may also be employed as health information consultants, primary care practice managers and in information systems design.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Further Information

Contact staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 4583, email: hlthsci-ss@curtin.edu.au, 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.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
10830 v.5   Business Information Systems 100 3.0 25.0
1441 v.4   Psychology 114 2.0 12.5
  OR
303168 v.3   Epidemiology and Biostatistics 180 2.0 12.5
1675 v.8   Health Record Systems 181 10.0 25.0
7713 v.9   Health Science Communication 180 2.0 12.5
  75.0
Year 1 Semester 2
10848 v.2   Management 100 3.0 25.0
12069 v.5   Nosology 182 4.0 25.0
1644 v.7   Human Biology 134 4.0 25.0
1676 v.9   Health Record Systems 182 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
10852 v.3   Organisational Behaviour 200 3.0 25.0
2871 v.7   Health Record Systems 281 3.0 25.0
303101 v.3   Medical Science 283 3.0 25.0
306314 v.4   Nosology 283 3.0 12.5
306315 v.4   Nosology 284 2.0 12.5
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
2872 v.9   Health Record Systems 282 4.0 25.0
2904 v.7   Health Information Systems 283 3.5 25.0
303091 v.3   Epidemiology 186 3.0 25.0
306316 v.4   Nosology 285 2.0 12.5
306317 v.4   Nosology 286 2.0 12.5
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
13122 v.3   Health Care Systems 385 4.0 25.0
306319 v.3   Nosology 384 2.0 12.5
306320 v.3   Nosology 385 2.0 12.5
3759 v.10   Health Record Systems 381 4.0 25.0
3760 v.9   Professional Practice 381 6.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
303102 v.2   Health Practice Administration 383 3.0 25.0
3762 v.6   Health Record Systems 382 9.2 25.0
6995 v.6   Nosology 382 3.0 25.0
8703 v.7   Epidemiology 382 5.0 25.0
  100.0

Availability

Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2008 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2008 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.



Curtin Search Curtin Site Index