Worldwide the health industry is experiencing ongoing rapid change. There is an increasing demand for skilled graduates who can manage government and private agencies and programs in the context of changing public expectations, an ageing population and a global trend towards a more integrated and multidisciplinary approach to health care. The Bachelor of Health Sciences Program offers a broad education in areas relevant to the health care industry that reflects changing industry and government requirements, and public expectations.

All Health Sciences students undertake core courses in Human Biology, Public Health, Biology of Disease and Pharmacology during first and second year, and elective courses that fit with individual interests and career aspirations can be chosen from a variety of other areas. Depending on the choice of stream within the program, graduates will have the capacity to work in a variety of health settings including government, academia, industry, business and the community, in a range of areas such as laboratory or community-based research, provision of health services, surveillance and education, health promotion and policy.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences program equips graduates with skills appropriate for lifelong learning and provides a firm foundation for employment in a range of positions in the health care industry. The program also provides further oppurtunity for postgraduate study in health disciplines such as Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dietetics and Nutrition, and Paramedics.

The program provides for a study of the health sciences with various options. It is structured so that students can pursue pathways oriented towards public health, biomedical sciences, including neuroscience and reproductive health, exercise science and/or behavioural sciences. All students undertake the level I courses in Human Biology and Public Health and the level II courses; Biology of Disease II, and Drugs, Chemicals and Health. These courses provide core knowledge in the areas of human biology, social analysis, public health, basic pathology of disease and prevention and therapeutic management of disease and provide the basis for study of majors in selected areas of specialiation at level III of the program. The Honours degree of the Bachelor of Health Sciences requires an extra year of full-time study in a single area of specialisation.

• Medical Sciences: Anatomical Sciences, Pathology, Pharmacology, Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Physiology, Neuroscience
• Population Health: Epidemiology, Health Promotion, Indigenous Health
• Psychology
• Sciences: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics

Employment prospects across the health sector are strong with above average growth and remuneration, and below average unemployment in many of the areas in which health sciences graduates find work. We support students to develop their work readiness by providing career focused activities in each year of the degree.

Students may also elect to study a specialised course in communication for the health sciences at the end of their first year of study. Students choosing Population Health majors have the option of undertaking a work-integrated learning experience (internship) and we encourage and work with students to undertake overseas study experiences through the Global Learning program, and to undertake Vacation Scholarships offered through the Schools of Medical Sciences or School of Population Health to explore the possibilities of a research career.

Bachelor of Health Sciences Graduate Attributes

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Health Sciences Program Information Leaflet
• Current Bachelor of Health Sciences Students Resources
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• University Contact Centre enquiry form