Major - Health Studies

To be read in conjunction with the course rule requirements of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) .

• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Health by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

Course aims

The Health major aims to prepare students for a variety of roles within the health care context, particularly in the professions of Health Education/Promotion where health behaviors are a key focus for public health.  The topics focus on understanding the social determinants of health. 

This includes the structural determinants as well as the role of human behaviour in tackling the social determinants.  It is designed to develop graduate's abilities to contribute to the development of socially, ethically and culturally sensitive solutions to complex problems linked to the Social Determinants of Health. 

It aims to develop graduates to work effectively within a variety of health professional roles and multi-discipline team environments and improve their practice through critical reflection and learning.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course graduates should be able to:

• apply a strong contextual social health perspective
• understand social, behavioral and psychological theories and implications for profession practice
• use critical analysis and problem solving skills to develop, plan and implement innovative solutions within a diverse range of health promotion context
• demonstrate social and psychological theory underpinning health science research
• synthesise information and communicate effectively, succinctly and sensitively with the health profession community, co-workers, government agencies, and the broad public
• apply judgment and initiative to propose and prioritise work strategies in consultation with co-workers to achieve timely completion of a project
• work in a multidisciplinary team and incorporate the views of all stakeholders including Indigenous groups
• use self-awareness and consultation to understand their role within a group and how they can best contribute to the group
• inform society of impending social health developments and take and advocacy role
• incorporate an understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health on the health status of Indigenous Peoples
• incorporate an understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health on the health status of other communities' religious beliefs and culture.

Program of study

36 units comprising 

Core - Year 1 topics

 HLTH1012  Indigenous Health for Health Sciences  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1306  Contemporary Health Issues in Australia  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics 

 HLTH1101  Health Promotion for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2101  Critical Social Analysis of Health  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2105  Health: A Psychological Perspective  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

 HLTH1003  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2106  Project Management for Health Promotion  (4.5 units)
 HLTH3102  Qualitative Methods in Social Health Research  (4.5 units)