Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Media and Communication
with majors in Biomedical Science and Social Media – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Biomedical Science
Use cutting-edge, interactive tech to understand the human body in a range of health and disease states and become a research assistant, lab scientist or tech product specialist.
What is Biomedical Science? It’s the broad study of biological sciences; including anatomy, biochemistry, genomics, immunology, molecular biology, pathology and physiology.
We use the same bioinformatics software as industry professionals, and with a tap of your fingers, you can dissect a virtual cadaver to learn about its body parts in intricate detail. We have recently incorporated contemporary units of study in Pathophysiology, Infections and Immunology and Genes and Genomics units to add depth and greater industry-relevance to your studies.
Our students have completed professional experiences at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent's and GlaxoSmithKline.
Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
Majors for Bachelor of Health Science:
Biomedical ScienceClinical TechnologiesHealth PromotionNeuroscienceNutritionPsychology and Forensic SciencePsychology and PsychophysiologyMajors for Bachelor of Media and Communication:
AdvertisingCinema and Screen StudiesCreative Writing and LiteratureDigital Advertising TechnologyGames and InteractivityJournalismMedia Industries Professional Writing and EditingPublic RelationsSocial MediaThe Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Media and Communication will equip students with a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge and attributes to effectively promote health messages, products and innovations to a wide range of audiences.
You'll explore Australian and international health challenges and examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings.
You'll also gain knowledge about how the media is evolving through an examination of issues such as diversity, the influence of social networking, data, ownership and privacy, automated media and the digital economy.
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this double degree, you’ll work on industry-linked projects relevant to your major areas of study. For example, in the Health Sciences Project (HEA30001), you'll work on a project which addresses a current industry challenge. And in units Digital Marketing Project 1 and 2 (DIG30001 and DIG30002) you'll work in teams on a significant digital advertising or marketing project.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
- Semester 2 - 2 August 2021
VTAC codes
- 3400211051 (CSP)
- 3400211053 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Arts and Design
Course details
- Course structure and work integrated learning.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Media and Communication requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400-450 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology | BIO10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Health Sciences | HEA10001 | 12.5 |
| Digital Health Foundations | HEA10004 | 12.5 |
| Brain and Behavior | PSY10007 | 12.5 |
| Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
| Health and Disease Across the Life Course * | BIO20004 | 12.5 |
| Either Research Methods for Health Sciences | HEA20007 | 12.5 |
| or Introduction to Research Methods - This alternative unit is required in the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major and the Psychology and Forensic Science Major and are only available to students enrolled in these majors. | PSY10005 | 12.5 |
| Either Health Sciences Project * | HEA30001 | 12.5 |
| or Psychology Project * - This alternative unit is required in the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major and the Psychology and Forensic Science Major and are only available to students enrolled in these majors. | PSY30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Communication Practice | COM10007 | 12.5 |
| Media Content Creation | JOU10007 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Media Studies | MDA10001 | 12.5 |
| Global Media Industries | MDA10008 | 12.5 |
+
Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Cultures: Perspectives on Science and Technology | MDA10006 | 12.5 |
| Networked Selves | MDA20003 | 12.5 |
| Digital Communities | MDA20009 | 12.5 |
| The Media in Australia | MDA20010 | 12.5 |
| Sports/Advertising/Media * | MDA20011 | 12.5 |
| Media and Communications Project B * | MDA30007 | 12.5 |
| Researching Social Media Publics * | MDA30012 | 12.5 |
| Media Analytics and Visualisation * | MDA30017 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Biomedical Science
Use cutting-edge, interactive tech to understand the human body in a range of health and disease states and become a research assistant, lab scientist or tech product specialist.
What is Biomedical Science? It’s the broad study of biological sciences; including anatomy, biochemistry, genomics, immunology, molecular biology, pathology and physiology.
We use the same bioinformatics software as industry professionals, and with a tap of your fingers, you can dissect a virtual cadaver to learn about its body parts in intricate detail. We have recently incorporated contemporary units of study in Pathophysiology, Infections and Immunology and Genes and Genomics units to add depth and greater industry-relevance to your studies.
Our students have completed professional experiences at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent's and GlaxoSmithKline.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal Anatomy Across the Lifespan | BIO10008 | 12.5 |
| Either Introduction to Chemistry - Introduction to Chemistry | CHE10004 | 12.5 |
| or Chemistry 1 | CHE10001 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Biochemistry * | BCH20002 | 12.5 |
| Infections and Immunology in Health Science * | BIO20005 | 12.5 |
| Genes and Genomics * | BIO30006 | 12.5 |
| Body Function and Structure for Health Sciences * | BIO30007 | 12.5 |
| Pathophysiology * | BIO30008 | 12.5 |
| Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences | NTR20003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- 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
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science graduates 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.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication graduates will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge, conceptual understanding, technical skills and expertise in the broad field of media and communication
- formulate arguments that draw on and critique the differences between relevant theories and evidence as they pertain to the field of media and communication
- exercise initiative and judgment in planning, problem-solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship, individually and in collaboration with others
- demonstrate critical analysis, creativity and problem-solving in relation to a range of media and communication activities and processes
- recognise and reflect on social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relating to media and communication industries in local and international contexts
- apply a broad understanding of an audience through interpreting and communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a range of media and communication contexts and formats, using the English language
- reflect critically on their performance and/or scholarship and use this to improve their own creative and productive outcomes
- apply research methodology relevant to the field of media and communication.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Health | HEA20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication | MDA20017 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 25 |
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$44,900 | $11,225 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.