Bachelor of Health Science
Course handbook
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Hawthorn campus
Semester 1:
27 February 2023
Semester 2:
31 July 2023
BA-HSC1
3400210971 (CSP)
3400210973 (IFP)
077669G (CRICOS)
General Information
Overview
Our Bachelor of Health Science leads to a range of rewarding jobs in the fast-growing health industry.
You’ll prepare for a real career with cutting-edge, industry-relevant tech in our campus labs, or lay the foundation for specialised postgraduate study.
Select a major that aligns with your interests and aspirations and study for a career that champions good health for all.
Double degree options
You can also study Health Science in a double degree with Applied Innovation, Arts, Business, Media and Communication and Science.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
- BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
- HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
- HEA10004 Digital Health Foundations
- PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
- STA10003 Foundations of Statistics
- BIO20004 Health and Disease Across the Life Course
- HEA20007 Research Methods for Health Sciences or PSY10005 Introduction to Research Methods †
- HEA30001 Health Sciences Project * or PSY30003 Psychology Project *†
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
†PSY10005 and PSY30003 alternative units are required in the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major and the Psychology and Forensic Science Major and are only available to students enrolled in these majors
Biomedical Science major units
- BIO10008 Musculoskeletal Anatomy Across the Lifespan
- CHE10004 Introduction to Chemistry
- CHE10001 Chemistry 1
- BCH20002 Introduction to Biochemistry *
- BIO20005 Infections and Immunology in Health Science *
- BIO30006 Genes and Genomics *
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Sciences *
- BIO30008 Pathophysiology *
- NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Clinical Technologies major units
- MBP10001 Technology and Data Acquisition
- MBP20009 Medical Imaging Systems *
- MBP20010 Measurement and Instrumentation
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology *
- BME30001 MedTech Design and Innovation
- MBP30003 Biomedical Project *
- MBP30007 Physiological Signals *
- MBP30009 Cardiopulmonary Physiology *
Neuroscience major units
- NEU10002 Neuroscience
- NEU20005 Sensation and Perception *
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology *
- NEU20007 Neuroimaging
- NEU20008 Developmental and Molecular Neuroscience
- NEU30004 Higher Cortical Functions *
- NEU30007 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience *
- NEU30009 Neuropsychopharmacology *
Nutrition major units
- CHE10001 Chemistry 1 or CHE10004 Introduction to Chemistry†
- NTR10001 Introduction to Nutrition
- NTR20001 Nutrition Science
- NTR20002 Nutrition in the Life Course *
- NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences *
- NTR30001 Nutrition and Disease Prevention *
- NTR30004 Public Health Nutrition *
- NTR30005 Nutritional Biochemistry *
†Choose CHE10004 for students who have not attained at least 20 in VCE units 3 and 4 Chemistry
Psychology and Forensic Science major units
- CHE10007 Introduction to Forensic Science
- FOR10001 Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology
- PSY20006 Cognition and Human Performance
- PSY20007 Developmental Psychology
- PSY20016 Social Psychology
- STA20006 Analysis of Variance and Regression
- STA20008 Statistics for Forensics
- FOR30001 Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
- PSY30008 Psychology of Personality
- PSY30013 History and Philosophy of Psychology
- PSY30016 Mental health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment
Psychology and Psychophysiology major units
- NEU10002 Neuroscience
- PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology
- NEU20004 Neurological Monitoring
- NEU20005 Sensation and Perception
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology
- PSY20006 Cognition and Human Performance
- PSY20007 Developmental Psychology
- PSY20016 Social Psychology
- STA20006 Analysis of Variance and Regression
- NEU30002 Sleep and Attention
- NEU30003 Abnormal Psychophysiology
- NEU30004 Higher Cortical Function
- NEU30006 Psychophysiology Project
- PSY30008 Psychology of Personality
- PSY30013 History and Philosophy of Psychology
- PSY30016 Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment
Public Health and Health Promotion major units
- SOC10005 Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions
- SPH10013 Physical Activity, Health and Technology
- HEA20006 Indigenous Health
- HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- STA20009 Epidemiology
- HEA30010 Leadership and Innovation in Health Promotion
- HEP30003 Health Communication
- NTR30004 Public Health Nutrition
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
A second major can be chosen in addition to your first major and will be named on your testamur certificate. Please note you cannot choose the same major as your first major. To see specific units for the second major go to major units accordion.
- Biomedical Science
- Clinical Technologies
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Public Health and Health Promotion
A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.
- Advertising
- Biotechnology
- Business Analysis
- Computer Science
- Data Analytics
- Data Management
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Sustainability
- Games and Interactivity
- Indigenous Studies
- Information Systems
- Journalism
- Management
- Marketing
- Media Industries
- Professional Writing and Editing
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Social Media
Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Data Analytics
- Data Science
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Health Statistics
- Health Societies
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Studies
- Innovation
- Management for Health
- Marketing
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Physics
- Social Impact
- Social Media
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.
Biomedical Science major
- ART10001 Academic Literacies: Situating University Knowledge
- BCH20001 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- CHE10002 Chemistry 2
- ENT10001 Entrepreneurship and Opportunity
- HEA10006 Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science
- INF10026 First Year Industry Project
- INS10001 Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
- LIT20001 Reading, Writing and Criticism
- MBP20009 Medical Imaging Systems
- MBP30009 Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology
- MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
- MGT10009 Contemporary Management Principles
- MTH00007 Preliminary Mathematics
- NEU10002 Neuroscience
- NEU20005 Sensation and Perception
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology
- NEU20007 Neuroimaging
- NEU20008 Developmental and Molecular Neuroscience
- NEU30002 Sleep and Attention
- NTR20001 Nutrition Science
Clinical Technologies major
- BIO10003 Concepts of Biotechnology
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- BME40004 Medical and Regulatory Practice
- BME40005 Advanced Medical Imaging Systems
- CHE10001 Chemistry 1
- COS10009 Introduction to Programming
- COS20007 Object Oriented Programming
- COS30045 Data Visualisation
- DES20057 Toolbox for Prototyping and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- DES30066 Innovation Challenge Project
- HEA20005 International Internship - Health (Extended)
- MTH10010 Essential Mathematics
- NEU20005 Sensation and Perception
- NEU20007 Neuroimaging
- NEU20008 Developmental and Molecular Neuroscience
- NEU30002 Sleep and Attention
- PHI10007 What is Power?
- PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
- SWE20004 Technical Software Development
Neuroscience major
- ACC10007 Financial Information for Decision Making
- BCH20001 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
- BCH20002 Introduction to Biochemistry
- BIO10008 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- BIO20002 The Microbial World
- BIO30004 Molecular Biotechnology
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- CHE10001 Chemistry 1
- LIT20001 Reading, Writing and Criticism
- MGT10009 Contemporary Management Principles
- MTH00007 Preliminary Mathematics
- NEU30002 Sleep and Attention
- NTR10001 Introduction to Nutrition
- NTR20001 Nutrition Science
- PHI10007 What is Power?
- PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
- SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
- SPO10002 The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity
- STA10003 Foundations of Statistics
- STA20006 Analysis of Variance and Regression
Nutrition major
- BCH20001 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
- BCH20002 Introduction to Biochemistry
- BIO10001 Concepts of Biology
- BIO30006 Genes and Genomics
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- BIO30008 Pathophysiology
- CHE10002 Chemistry 2
- CHE10005 Consumer Chemistry
- DCO20001 Brand and Identity Design
- HEA10006 Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science
- HEA30010 Leadership and Innovation in Health Promotion
- HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- HEP30003 Health Communication
- MBP30003 Biomedical Project
- MBP30008 Clinical Practicum 2 - Cardio
- MGT10009 Contemporary Management Principles
- MKT10009 Marketing and the Consumer Experience
- MKT30018 Marketing Insights
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology
- PSY30001 Psychology of Health
- SPO10001 The Sports Industry
- SPO20001 Building Sport Brands
- SPO20003 Sport Business Analytics
- SPO30001 Leading Sport Organisations
- SPO30003 Future of Sport
Public Health and Health Promotion major
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- CRI10002 Fundamentals of Criminology
- CRI30010 Youth Justice and Crime
- DCO20003 Information Design
- DCO20004 Web Design
- DDD10007 Introduction to Design Principles and Processes
- MKT10009 Marketing and the Consumer Experience
- NTR10001 Introduction to Nutrition
- NTR20002 Nutrition in the Life Course
- NTR30004 Public Health Nutrition
- POL10001 Australian Politics
- POL30010 The Politics of Public Policy
- PSY20016 Social Psychology
- PSY30001 Psychology of Health
- PSY30011 Psychology of Wellbeing
- PUB20004 Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication
- PUB30001 Events Management
- SOC20003 Technology, Intimacy and Family Life
- SOC20013 Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Psychology and Forensic Science major
- ACC10007 Financial Information for Decision Making
- BIO30007 Body Function and Structure for Health Science
- CRI10002 Fundamentals of Criminology
- CRI20001 Policing: Systems and Practice
- CRI20002 Global Crime
- CRI30002 Corrections: Systems and Practice
- HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- MGT10009 Contemporary Management Principles
- NEU10002 Neuroscience
- NEU20006 Neurophysiology
- PHI10007 What is Power?
- PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
- PSY20008 Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood
- PSY20009 Dimensions of Human Sexuality
- PSY20011 Human Factors Psychology
- PSY30014 Applied Social Psychology
- SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
- SOC20020 Deviance, Difference and Conformity
- STA20009 Epidemiology
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- apply health sciences concepts, practices, theories and evidence across a range of health-related issues
- retrieve, critically evaluate and communicate information about local and global health sciences issues from a variety of perspectives
- find and integrate information from a variety of sources using a range of technologies
- apply knowledge and skills associated with health sciences to a range of health-related activities, working independently and in teams
- apply innovation and technology to extend the boundaries of knowledge and research in health sciences
- demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours
- reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, and plan ongoing personal and professional development
- promote and optimise the health and welfare of individuals and/or populations.
Career opportunities
Future career options for graduates of this degree may include medical researcher, community worker, health policy developer, clinical technologist, hospital scientist, healthcare consultant, health communication officer, nutritionist and more.
Graduates who intend to pursue psychology as a career must follow a sequence of education and training in psychology as required by the Psychology Board of Australia.
The Psychology and Psychophysiology and Psychology and Forensic Science majors within the Bachelor of Health Science course are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). To be eligible for registration as a provisional psychologist, students must go on to complete the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program.
Those seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must subsequently successfully graduate from an accredited postgraduate program such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology).
For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Health Science, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a Health Science discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points), or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points), or 16 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
- Other Studies comprising a second major, minor/s and/or electives as applicable (0 to 100 credit points)
Note: Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major will not need to undertake Other Studies.
Domestic students have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement. Due to government regulation international students holding a student visa cannot undertake professional placement in this course and will need to transfer to another course if eligible.
Professional placements
Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be required to change courses in order to complete a placement and should consider visa and extended study duration prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 to 400 credit points comprising:
8 core units of study (100 credit points)
8 units of study from a health sciences discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points), or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points), or 16 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
Other Studies comprising a second major, minor/s, and/or electives as applicable (0 to 75 credit points)
Note: Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major will not need to undertake Other Studies.
Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 to 350 credit points comprising:
8 core units of study (100 credit points)
8 units of study from a health sciences discipline major in one of the following: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition (100 credit points), or 12 units of study in the Psychology and Forensic Science major (150 credit points), or 18 units of study in the Psychology and Psychophysiology major (200 credit points)
2 units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points)
Other Studies comprising a second major, minor/s, and/or electives as applicable (0 to 87.5 credit points)
Note: Students selecting the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major will not need to undertake Other Studies.
Students must not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative. Where there are no available units, students will be required to complete an alternative approved cognate unit.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Health Science is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Entry requirements
A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 60 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.
Selection rank adjustments
Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.
Subject adjustments
A study score of 25 in Health and Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education, any Science or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.
Meeting course prerequisites
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2023
| ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds | ATAR Excluding adjustment factors |
Selection Rank ATAR + any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 98.1 | 99.05 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 65.35 | 71.45 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 51.8 | 58.9 |
B. Applicants with higher education study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
D. Applicants with work and life experience
Entire academic record
This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
| Semester 1, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
| (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 43 | 21% |
| (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | 15 | 7% |
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) |
<5 |
<5 |
| (D) Recent secondary education: | ||
| Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 50 | 24% |
| Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | N/A | N/A |
| Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | N/P | N/P |
| International students | 89 | 43% |
| All students | 207 | 100% |
Notes:
"<5” – the number of students is less than 5.N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Interested in the Bachelor of Health Science?
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