Bachelor of Health Science
with a major in Psychology and Forensic Science
The Bachelor of Health Science is designed to equip students for careers promoting health and wellbeing.
Access laboratories and testing facilities equipped with the latest technology - Swinburne is the only university in Australia with MRI and MEG labs on campus.
Explore Australian and international health challenges. Examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings. Learn about contemporary issues in health science, such as biomedical testing or health communication, and how to address them. Apply your learning in a professionally focused, multidisciplinary project during your final year of study.
Discover a career in counselling, community development, health communication, disability, social welfare or medical research. Graduates may also progress to postgraduate study in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or nursing.
Selected major: Psychology and Forensic Science
Gain specialist knowledge about the application of psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science, as well as statistical skills relevant to forensic issues. Complete research projects, specialist units in research design and project units related to forensic psychology. The three-year undergraduate major in psychology is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Graduates who complete this major are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
- Semester 2 - 2 August 2021
VTAC codes
- 3400210971 (CSP)
- 3400210973 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Arts and Design
Health sciences at Swinburne
Learn how to improve the wellbeing of communities and groups across Australia through a degree in health sciences at Swinburne.
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Course details
- Description, course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.
Course 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.
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 Behaviour | 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 is 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 is only available to students enrolled in these majors. | PSY30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Psychology and Forensic Science
Gain specialist knowledge about the application of psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science, as well as statistical skills relevant to forensic issues. Complete research projects, specialist units in research design and project units related to forensic psychology. The three-year undergraduate major in psychology is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Graduates who complete this major are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Forensic Science | CHE10007 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Forensic Psychology | FOR10001 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Psychology | PSY10008 | 12.5 |
| Cognition and Human Performance | PSY20006 | 12.5 |
| Developmental Psychology | PSY20007 | 12.5 |
| Analysis of Variance and Regression | STA20006 | 12.5 |
| Statistics for Forensics | STA20008 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology * | FOR30001 | 12.5 |
| Social Psychology * | PSY20016 | 12.5 |
| Psychology of Personality * | PSY30008 | 12.5 |
| Abnormal Psychology * | PSY30010 | 12.5 |
| History and Philosophy of Psychology * | PSY30013 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
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).
- 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 description
The Bachelor of Health Science is designed to equip students with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attributes for careers promoting health and well-being. Students will receive grounding in core sciences and then choose specialised studies in one of nine major areas: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Psychology and Forensic Science, Psychology and Psychophysiology.
The course has a multi-disciplinary and applied focus, which ensures students receive a comprehensive undergraduate education. It engages students with contemporary issues in health science and develops the skills needed to address them by examining the challenges confronting individuals and communities within Australia and internationally.
The course also develops competency in technologies and approaches to innovative health science practice.
Course 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.
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 monthsProfessional 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 Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
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.
Fees
- Fees for 2020.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2020 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) |
$28,581 | $9,527 | 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.