Health Sciences

Students who enrol in this course to commence 2021 will be able to choose a health data specialisation in their second year. The specialisation will provide the opportunity to acquire skills in the exciting and growing field of digital health and data analytics.

This course is multidisciplinary, giving you a solid grounding in public health. You can use the degree to work in the area of public health or as a pathway into other health degrees such as speech pathology, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Public health practitioners work to achieve better health through the prevention of disease and disability. Rather than working with individual clients, public health practitioners work at the community or whole population level. They pay special attention to how social, economic and environmental factors affect health and wellbeing.

Optional units allow you to pursue your interests in other health areas or choose one subject for in-depth learning. You may select a practicum unit in your third year of study.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information. 

Why study

• Flexible, well-rounded degree you can tailor to suit your specific interests in health sciences.
• This course is an established pathway into other undergraduate and postgraduate degrees into other health sciences degrees.

Student profile

View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Professional recognition

You can gain professional membership of the Public Health Association of Australia; and the Australasian Epidemiological Association.

Career information

Careers

• Administrative officer
• Community development officer
• Project officer
• Research officer.

Industries

• Health research
• Local and state government
• Non-government organisations.

What you'll learn

• apply discipline knowledge, understand its theoretical underpinnings and ways of thinking; extend the boundaries of knowledge through research
• apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions
• decide what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources
• communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose
• use appropriate technologies recognising their advantages and limitations
• use a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; know how to continue to learn as a graduate
• think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply international standards and practices within a discipline or professional area
• respect individual human rights; recognise the importance of cultural diversity particularly the perspective of Indigenous Australians; value diversity of language
• work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership, professional behaviour and ethical practices