Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Media and Communication
with a major in Public Relations
The 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. In this double degree students will develop complementary and cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge hence contributing to their future readiness and innovative abilities in their chosen career.
Selected major: Public Relations
Understand how to influence and manage the public perception of an organisation. Learn to effectively communicate with a chosen target audience through the production of engaging content, targeted messaging and strategic campaigns. Along with writing skills and event management, you will develop an understanding of new media, digital marketing and crisis communication. This degree is professionally accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Majors for Bachelor of Health Science:
Applied StatisticsBiomedical ScienceClinical TechnologiesDigital Health and InformaticsHealth 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 MediaHawthorn Info Evening
Classes will be starting soon, which means time is running out to apply. Find out more about our degrees and double degrees at our Info Evening on 23 January. Register now.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 4 March 2019
- Semester 2 - 5 August 2019
Duration
4 Year/s
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400211051 (CSP)
- 3400211053 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Arts and Design
CRICOS code
093359K
Fees
A$31800 (annual for 2019)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.
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 |
| Psychology 100 | PSY10003 | 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 |
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Selected major: Public Relations
Understand how to influence and manage the public perception of an organisation. Learn to effectively communicate with a chosen target audience through the production of engaging content, targeted messaging and strategic campaigns. Along with writing skills and event management, you will develop an understanding of new media, digital marketing and crisis communication. This degree is professionally accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Business of Media | MDA20001 | 12.5 |
| Global Public Relations Practice * | PUB20001 | 12.5 |
| Public Relations Theory and Practice | PUB20002 | 12.5 |
| Public Relations Writing * | PUB20003 | 12.5 |
| Professional Practice: Client and Agency Management * | COM30002 | 12.5 |
| Events Management * | PUB30001 | 12.5 |
| Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication * | PUB30002 | 12.5 |
| Public Relations Project and Campaign Planning * | PUB30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
0 - 4 units (0 - 50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 0 - 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 |
Note: Some Work Integrated Learning opportunities are not available to international students due to visa restrictions.
Career opportunities
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.
Following completion of an accredited bachelor degree, graduates should apply for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Graduate Entry (or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program) and, on completion, register as provisional psychologists. 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), or undergo a two-year supervised internship program.
For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.
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 and English language requirements.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.