Diploma of Health Sciences

Majors in: Health Promotion, Public Health, Allied Health, Psychological Science, Human Physiological Sciences
(Specific subject selections required for each – please contact the College for more information.)

WAM required: 50

Credits: 8

Duration: The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 70 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 70 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.

Credits: 7

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take 2.5 years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 70

Credits: 8

Duration: The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Please note: Students must also meet AHPRA English Requirement; This is a separate declaration/submission from that made at diploma entry.
This course has a strict quota.

WAM required: 75

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 70

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 70

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: Students will receive credit towards their La Trobe University degree, the duration of the degree will still be standard, and students will have a less than full-time course load in their first year of the course.

Please note: This course is only offered at the Bendigo Campus.

WAM required: 80 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 75 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 70

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 80 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 75 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.

Credits: 5

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

WAM required: 80

Credits: 6

Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.

Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

(online, zero credit point unit, all students must complete this unit in their first trimester)

This subject introduces students to the principals of academic integrity in the context of La Trobe University’s values and policy. Students learn what their responsibilities are in relation to maintaining ethical standards in all aspects of academic work and the potential ramifications for academic misconduct according to the Academic Integrity Policy. Activities and quizzes are provided, which are designed to develop and understanding of the concepts of cheating, plagiarism and collusion. Topics include an explaining of how the text-matching tool ‘Turnitin” is used at La Trobe, and where to get help and where to go to develop referencing skills.

This subject introduces students to modern data analytics, visualisation, and statistics. It equips students with the skills required to take advantage of powerful computing for the analysis and visualisation of complex data. These skills are used to solve problems in areas such as the biological sciences, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, nutrition, health sciences, education, and business. Students will become familiar with data visualisation and computing, descriptive statistics, statistical modelling, and data-based decision making. Using statistical computing packages is an integral part of this subject. This subject allows further study in second-year subjects in statistics and data science.

In this subject, students will be introduced to the anatomical organisation of the body and the basics of cell structure and function. The fundamentals of the nervous and endocrine systems will then be explored in the context of mechanisms of physiological control. This information will provide the foundation for the study of the major organ systems of the body, which include the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, digestive, reproductive systems and metabolism. Underpinning these studies will be the concept of homeostasis and how it is maintained by integration of organ system functions. In addition, students are required to engage in guided, independent learning throughout the semester to extend their level of knowledge in the topic areas described above.

This subject is an introduction to the use of research-based evidence in professional health care practice. Working in interprofessional teams and using a range of case scenarios, students will develop research skills in areas relevant to their field of practice. Through online activities and workshops, students will learn about the role of evidence-based practice in health. Areas of study include systematic approaches to acquiring evidence, critical appraisal of the literature, interpretation of research design, descriptive and inferential statistics and assessment of research outcomes. Students will learn how an evidence-based approach in health informs clinical practice. Students will develop research skills to determine the most appropriate intervention techniques for application in a given clinical population, while understanding the complex interaction between social, economic and environmental influences that contribute to sustainability thinking in health research.

In this subject, you will develop a broad understanding of health and wellbeing, examining key theories that underpin concepts in contemporary health and wellbeing. You will investigate the complex range of interactions that influence the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations. As health is a dynamic concept, you will further examine the social, environmental, and biomedical determinants of health and wellbeing within an Australian and global context.

(Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Bachelor of Nursing, and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)

This subject introduces you to the concepts and principles of public health as they relate to various times in history and diverse contexts, populations and health challenges. You will acquire an understanding of the environmental, sociocultural, political, economic, technological, organisational, behavioural and genetic factors that interact to shape the health of communities and populations. You will identify and evaluate the range, strengths and weaknesses of evidence that informs public health policies, programs and practice, along with major ethical considerations. Public health successes and failures, and contemporary approaches to protecting and improving health, preventing and controlling disease and injury, and reducing health inequalities will be explored. These will reveal core functions of public health systems such as surveillance and monitoring.

(Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Nursing, and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)

This subject is concerned with the philosophical, ethical, theoretical and disciplinary foundations of the evolving field of health promotion and effective health promotion action. You will learn about psychological, organisational, social and political theories, models and conceptual frameworks, and the role of these in guiding health promotion practice. You will gain skills in using a theoretically-sound, evidence-informed and ethical approach to design action. These skills include: interpreting the problem to solve or goal to achieve; mapping determinants; assessing current strengths, capacities and needs; identifying potential partners; and using theory, evidence and partners to design appropriate health promotion action. The role of systems thinking in planning and action will be introduced, along with settings-based approaches to prevention and health promotion.

(Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Nursing and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)

In this subject, you will explore the importance of communication as a foundation to your future practice as a health professional. You will examine how personal and cultural factors, values and life experiences may influence professional communication. You will develop a suite of communication skills as a foundation for culturally safe and reflective practice as a health professional. You will study concepts of professionalism, interprofessional collaborative practice and emotional intelligence as it relates to ethical health care practice. You will work in teams to develop an understanding of teamwork that involves individuals cooperating and collaborating towards a shared goal. This subject supports the development of foundation academic skills and information literacy required for university study.

(Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Nursing and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)

In this unit, students will continue with the study of anatomy & physiology and apply the concepts of human structure and function and homeostasis introduced in HHBS1HBA, to the musculoskeletal, nervous and endocrine systems. Anatomical principles and terminology will be applied to relevant body systems and the concept of integrated function of multiple systems in one body region will be introduced. Integrated whole body responses to homeostatic challenge will be included.

PLEASE NOTE: HHBS1HBA Human Biosciences A must be successfully completed before students may enrol in HHBS1HBB Human Biosciences B

Living organisms, with their many intricate and intriguing processes, are composed of lifeless molecules. SBIO1MGC takes a look at how those molecules are organized into the smallest unit of life, cells, across a range of organisms. SBIO1MGC also covers how those cells capture light energy, break down molecules to release energy, synthesize new molecules, communicate with other cells, and how the instructions to perform those functions are stored and passed on to the next generation.

PLEASE NOTE: SBIO1MGC Molecules, Genes and Cells and SBIO1EEB Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity are incompatible to be undertaken concurrently.

(Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Pathway)

Chemistry Foundations is a subject designed for students who have no or little previous experience or study in chemistry. Students will learn concepts, knowledge and skills that will enable them to apply chemical principles and practice during their university degree and future employment.

In this subject you will be introduced to the philosophical, historical, and methodological foundations of the discipline of psychology. You will critically examine how theories are developed and used in psychological science and examine how they are operationalised in experimental contexts. As part of a team, you will propose your own research question in an applied area of psychology and present this enquiry to your class, and as an individual you will analyse, present, and discuss the results in a written report.

In this subject you will be introduced to key areas of psychology with a socio-cultural perspective. People share knowledge with others in society. The shared knowledge (i.e., culture) gives meanings to people’s lives as well as influencing their everyday behaviour, the sense of who they are, their personal relationships and psychological wellbeing. We will discuss psychology of individuals in diverse contexts to understand how personal experiences, including emotions, motivation, intimacy with others and health behaviours are shaped by cultural understanding and social expectations in those contexts.

PLEASE NOTE: PPSY1SFP Scientific Foundations of Psychology must be successfully completed before students may enrol in PPSY1PAC Introductory Psychology: People and Culture

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Nursing after successful completion of Foundation Studies or the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve the required IELTS.

International Student English Proficiency requirements: Please note that to receive a package offer for Foundation Studies or the Diploma of Health Sciences leading to the Bachelor of Nursing, an IELTS of 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) is required. Students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency before progressing to the Bachelor of Nursing.

Domestic Student English Proficiency requirements: Local students must submit a declaration of completion of six years of schooling in English including at least 2 years of secondary school in English in one of the following countries: Australia New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom.

Completed declaration must be submitted by final trimester of diploma. This is a separate declaration from that made at diploma entry.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honors) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter this course.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.

To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.5 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter this course.