Public Health

The School of Health Sciences’ range of Public Health courses provide students with skills to obtain, review and analyse health information, and to plan and manage health projects and programs that improve the health of populations. Highly useful skills are developed such as analysing information, researching with people, developing policy, project management and writing for a range of purposes such as report writing and writing for the media. We currently offer:

Undergraduate Programs
Postgraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Public Health

The Bachelor of Public Health is a flexible program for those interested in a career that enhances the health of the community. Students learn to understand key issues affecting the health of populations. They develop skills in obtaining, reviewing and analysing health information. Planning and managing a health program or project as well as improving the health of the population are other areas covered.

Graduates are frequently employed in local, state and federal government health departments. They may also gain employment in health and medical research, community health promotion, occupational and environmental health and disease prevention and research. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

MAJORS

INDIGENOUS HEALTH
To ‘close the gap’ between health outcomes for indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Australia needs population health strategies to improve the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This major explores indigenous populations’ health; obtaining, reviewing and analysing health information; planning and managing a health program or project; and health promotion and indigenous community development.

HEALTH PROMOTION
This major is a foundation area of study for work and research that identifies health needs, targets and strategies at an individual, community and population level. Job opportunities include health promotion officer with government or non-government organisations.

EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology is investigating the causes and determinants of disease, and is an important part of public health. Graduates are sought after in health data management systems, research and health related services to help describe, analyse and use health and disease data to identify health problems and provide information to plan health strategies

HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
The provision of health services, - and the policies that support them, - requires complex organisational and administrative structures. This major provides the skills and knowledge for a career in this specialised field of administration.

POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT
This stream will have growing importance in an era where we are increasingly aware of the need for issues considering population health and sustainability. Job opportunities include environmental health and community health projects.

HEALTH COMMUNICATION & MARKETING STRATEGIES
The Health Communication & Marketing Studies stream is an important area of public health, growing in prominence as the value of social marketing and health communication is further investigated. Job opportunities include media and communication advisers e.g. with non- government organisations such as the Cancer Council. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

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Bachelor of Public Health (Honours)

High achieving students will be eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Public Health (Honours), which is designed as an additional fourth year of study to provide students with skills to demonstrate excellence in research with a clear understanding of the research question. Entry into the Bachelor of Public Health (Honours) requires the student to have attained at least a credit average in subjects undertaken during their undergraduate degree. The School of Health Sciences Honours Coordinator together with the prospective supervisor will determine whether a student's 300-level subjects are appropriate for entry into the Honours program. In addition, admission to the Bachelor of Public Health (Honours) will be dependent upon the availability of an appropriate supervisor, who must be identified by the applicant before applying for entry. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition

Diet and nutrition have become increasingly important for the Australian population and public health. The Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition meets the needs of students who are interested in working in health promotion , especially the development, management and evaluation of community-based nutrition and food policy programs. It combines public and population health approaches with a sound understanding of the science of nutrition. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition (Honours)

High achieving students will be eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition (Honours), which is designed as an additional fourth year of study to provide students with skills to demonstrate excellence in research with a clear understanding of the research question. Entry into the Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition (Honours) requires the student to have attained at least a credit average in subjects undertaken during their undergraduate degree. The School of Health Sciences Honours Coordinator together with the prospective supervisor will determine whether a student's 300-level subjects are appropriate for entry into the Honours program. In addition, admission to the Bachelor of Public Health Nutrition (Honours) will be dependent upon the availability of an appropriate supervisor, who must be identified by the applicant before applying for entry. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

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Postgraduate Programs

Doctor of Public Health

The Doctor of Public Health is a professional doctorate degree granted on successful completion of an approved program of coursework, in addition to an independent and original investigation of a significant problem in public health, and the presentation of the research as an acceptable thesis. This degree prepares students for leadership positions in the health sector that require advanced analytical or conceptual capabilities. Students should consult the information under the Doctor of Philosophy for information about the School's research areas. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health is designed to give students a broad introduction to public health. It also enables students to develop knowledge and skills in one of four specialist areas in which the University excels: health promotion, public health nutrition, occupational health and safety, and social marketing in health. The University has a strong teaching tradition which supports students to study part or full time, on-campus or off-campus. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Master of Public Health Advanced

The Master of Public Health Advanced is designed to give students a broad introduction to public health. It also enables students to develop knowledge and skills in one of four specialist areas in which the University excels: health promotion, public health nutrition, occupational health and safety, and social marketing for health. The University has a strong teaching tradition which supports students to study part or full time, on-campus or off-campus.
In addition to completing the MPH program, students in the MPHAdv complete a 24 credit point research project which provides them with an opportunity to undertake independent study in an area of interest. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Graduate Certificate in Public Health

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health provides a basic introduction to key public health concepts and issues, including social determinants of public health, statistical analysis and epidemiology – the study of patterns of health and illnesses. These subjects provide insight into the challenges involved in system level change to improve health of our vulnerable communities and also the range of career opportunities available in public health. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion

The Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion provides students with the knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs efficiently, effectively and appropriately to improve the health and well being of populations. Guiding principles articulated in the action areas of the Ottawa and Bangkok Charters for Health Promotion are covered in the subjects Health Promotion and Public Health Policy. This theoretical base is complemented by extended opportunities to consolidate skills in Health Promotion Competencies and Health Research Methodology. Successful completion of the Health Promotion stream will enable graduates to confidently work with communities for change and contribute to effective and sustainable health promotion practice nationally and internationally. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Graduate Certificate in Public Health Nutrition

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health Nutrition has a focus on workforce development and leadership. The program enables graduates to: analyse factors affecting the food and nutrition system; advise on and negotiate effective and feasible food and nutrition policy; implement and evaluate evidence-based public health food and nutrition strategies; and systematically monitor the food and nutrition system. These skills are of central importance in preventive health strategies. In addition, food production and food choice is integrally linked with ecological sustainability and is affected by rising levels of social inequity, while remaining core to our social and cultural identities. Please see Course Handbook for full details.

Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety has been developed in concert with industry, regulators and professional organisations and is under a process of constant review and improvement to reflect the ever-changing OHS environment. One of the strengths of the OHS academic programme at UOW is a focus on developing students who have a sound theoretical base in OHS topics together with skills in their practical application. To ensure these skills are developed, the majority of subject co-ordinators have a strong industry or government regulatory background and a willingness to share their experiences with students. This Graduate Certificate is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) in the United Kingdom. There is no equivalent accreditation scheme currently available in Australia. Please see Course Handbook for full details.