150604 v.4 Master of Occupational Health and Safety

Introduction

This course will produce occupational health and safety professionals with strong theoretical and practical occupational health and safety (OHS) skills in a range of disciplines. There is an emphasis on industry based assessment and the development of practical skills. Units are offered in the external mode with a short intensive on campus requirement for development of technical hands-on skills in occupational hygiene and ergonomics as well as to foster opportunities for networking and teamwork. This course attracts students from a wide variety of professions and industries from those who are already working in OHS and wish to gain formal qualifications to those intending to work in OHS including engineers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physical education/human movement science graduates, environmental health officers, teachers, chemists and many other occupations. The course aims to develop research skills and encourage graduates to discover new knowledge and novel ways of solving problems. Research skills will be demonstrated through the completion of an original research project in the field of OHS.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A bachelor of science degree which may include health sciences, engineering, medicine or similar and a minimum of two years' relevant work experience. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety can apply for admission.

Specific Requirements

Regular access to a computer and the internet will be required to undertake all units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

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

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is three semesters' full-time or equivalent part-time study. Full-time study is subject to availability of units. This course is only available online and can be taken by domestic students studying externally and also international students studying online from their own country.

Intermediate Awards 1

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 award(s) approved for this course are:

Intermediate Award II

Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Management; Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

Course Organisation

This course builds on the graduate diploma to provide students with strong theoretical and practical occupational health and safety (OHS) skills. It is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Studies emphasise industry-based assessment and the development of practical skills. Students will develop strong research skills and discover new knowledge and novel ways of solving problems. In the final semester students complete an original research project.The course consists of eight core units and selection of three optional units. It is recommended that Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 and Risk Management and Safety Technology 582 are completed first. Research Project 650 is the final unit of the course. Other units can be completed in any order. The optional units provide the opportunity to specialise in specific areas of occupational health and safety. Students are provided with an opportunity to specialise and undertake research in occupational health, occupational hygiene, safety and risk management, ergonomics, occupational medicine or other related areas. Those demonstrating excellence in research will have the opportunity to continue to doctoral studies.

Professional Recognition

The course is recognised by several professional bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, as fulfilling partial assessment requirements in their training curriculum.

Career Opportunities

Employment prospects are excellent, with graduates often learning moderate salaries. Graduates gain employment in a variety of industries including mining, oil, gas, manufacturing and construction. There is also demand for graduates in corporate, government, health and academic sectors. With the stringent legislative requirements for health and safety in the workplace and the increase in resources and commodity prices expected to continue, future demand for tertiary qualified occupational health and safety professionals is expected to be high.

Additional Course Expenses

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

Further Information

Although fully online, assessments for some units may require sitting a final exam at a nominated venue approved by the University.

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.

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.