Bachelor of Health Sciences

2014 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Course rules
• Major sequences
• Details of major sequences

Course overview

Deakin’s Bachelor of Health Sciences provides a range of exciting opportunities and equips graduates with the skills needed to work in a variety of valuable settings within the Health Sector.

The course allows you to concentrate your studies on two specialised health-related areas and explore complementary study areas that appeal to your interests and career aspirations. Thus you are provided with both specialist knowledge and transferable, generic industry skills. You can also diversify your employment opportunities by undertaking elective units from any area of the University. This flexible degree is an excellent option for those looking to discover their passion in the health sector and also provides a pathway to further professional studies in the discipline.

Course rules

The course consists of 24 credit points. At least 16 credit points must be selected from units offered by the Faculty of Health. These must include HBS107 Understanding Health, HBS108 Health Information and Data, plus at least two major sequences of study (see below). Students enrolled in H300D must take two of the majors offered in Dandenong. Students may take a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1. At least 14 credit points must be studied at level 2 or higher and at least four must be at level 3. A maximum of 8 credit points may be selected from units offered by other faculties.

Major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Please note that availability of majors at each campus varies. Refer to the details of each major for campus availability.
Environmental Health
Exercise Science
Family, Society and Health*
Food Studies
Health Promotion*
Health and Sustainability
Medical Biotechnology
Nutrition
People, Society and Disability*
Physical Activity and Health
Psychology
Sport Coaching
*Majors available to students enrolled in H300D at Dandenong

Details of major sequences

People, Society and Disability - unit set code MJ-H000025

Burwood (Melbourne) and students enrolled in H300D. Also available in Cloud (online)

Completion of this major will give students an opportunity to expand their job opportunities by being better informed about positive options and techniques to assist and support the one in five members of the Australian population who has some form of disability. Students undertaking this major should note that new units will be introduced progressively and will replace existing units in second and third level.

Details of major sequences

Environmental Health - unit set code MJ-S000059

Burwood (Melbourne)

Focusing on healthy environments and healthy people, this major is recommended for students interested in working in public health policy, environmental health and related areas.

Details of major sequences

Health and Sustainability - unit set code MJ-H000013

Burwood (Melbourne)

This major will enable students to identify and predict the impact of human behaviours on natural systems and ecological sustainability and propose strategies that apply the principles of environmental sustainability and health promotion.

Details of major sequences

Medical Biotechnology - unit set code MJ-H000032

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

Medical Biotechnology uses cells and cell materials to produce pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that help treat and prevent human diseases. This major provides students with a sound understanding of the core sciences underpinning biotechnology for medical advancement.

Details of major sequences

Health Promotion - unit set code MJ-H000004

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool and students enrolled in H300D. Also available in Cloud (online)

This major will equip students with a sound knowledge of the causes of health and illness and of effective strategies for prevention of the latter, as well as practical skills in health education and communication, health planning and management.

Details of major sequences

Food Studies - unit set code MJ-H000003

Burwood (Melbourne)

This major provides knowledge of food, ranging from the science of food composition to community issues such as genetically modified foods and food law. This understanding will be useful for a range of careers, including those in industry, health services, business and the mass media.

(Major sequence below is for students that commenced H300 in 2011 onwards only. Students who commenced prior to 2011 must consult their course enrolment officer for unit selection options.)

Trimester 3 elective:

Recommended elective (offered in Trimester 2)

Details of major sequences

Family, Society and Health - unit set code MJ-H000002

Burwood (Melbourne) and students enrolled in H300D

This major focuses on the household and family as a setting for public health. It explores the issues facing households and families, such as the link between healthy human development and healthy households, economic wellbeing and health, and the need for supportive environments. It is ideal for students wishing to work in welfare, health promotion, or with organisations offering support services and resources for families.

Details of major sequences

Exercise Science - unit set code MJ-H000016

Burwood (Melbourne) and Waurn Ponds (Geelong). Also available in Cloud (online)

Note: For Cloud (online) some units will require compulsory attendance at Burwood (Melbourne) for a limited period during the trimester.

This major provides students with a sound understanding of the core sciences underpinning both competitive sport and recreational physical activity. A variety of learning approaches is adopted, allowing students to integrate their sporting interests with their studies, as well as to match these with their employment objectives.

Details of major sequences

Nutrition - unit set code MJ-H000007

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Warrnambool. Some units available in Cloud (online)

Students taking a nutrition major will gain a sound knowledge of the biological basis of human nutrition and the relationship between diet, health and disease.

Trimester 3 elective:

Details of major sequences

A major sequence in the Faculty of Health consists of a minimum of 6 credit points in a particular discipline area, including at least 2 credit points at each of levels 2 and 3. Students enrolled in other courses and faculties may take these sequences, or take minor sequences (4 credit points, 2 each at two level levels) or individual electives from these discipline areas, subject to meeting the prerequisites.

Individual units cannot be counted towards more than one major. Where the units in one major have already been counted towards another, students must take additional units in the second discipline area. For example, HBS109 is one of the units in Nutrition, as well as being part of the Exercise Science major sequence. Students wishing to combine these two majors must take an additional unit, either in Exercise (HSE) or in Nutrition (HSN).

Faculty of Health major sequences are described below. Each unit is worth 1 credit point (cp), unless otherwise specified. Unit offerings are subject to resources and demand.

Physical Activity and Health - unit set code MJ-H000023

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Warrnambool. Some units available in Cloud (online)

This major provides students with an understanding of how behaviour influences health, with a particular emphasis on the relationships between physical activity and health.

Psychology - unit set code MJ-H000008

D391 Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Arts students must enrol in unit set code MJ-AH00008

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Warrnambool

Individual units may not be available on every campus. Also available in Cloud (online)

This sequence develops students′ understanding of a range of topics in psychology, which is the science concerned with unravelling questions about human behaviour and mental processes. This six unit major is not intended for the purpose of registration as a psychologist.

To obtain the six unit major students must complete HPS111 and HPS121 plus
Any two level 2 units from the list below.
Any two level 3 units (for which the prerequisite units have been completed) from the list below.

Students intending to become psychologists must complete four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study, including ten units of psychology, plus either an Honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology).

To obtain the ten unit undergraduate psychology sequence students must complete all the units listed below.

Sport Coaching - unit set code MJ-H000011

Burwood (Melbourne)

This major will enhance students′ job opportunities, as they will be better informed about sport coaching and techniques to assist and support the athletes and teams in a variety of settings.

Students who commenced this major in 2009 or prior must seek clarification on units with their enrolment officer.

*As part of this major sequence, students are not required to do HSE204 if they have completed HSE206.