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Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle)

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BHSc(HlthLifest)

  • Course code

    3007319

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

The World Health Organisation estimates a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 – building the health workforce is a global health priority.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students who wish to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine, or lifestyle medicine.

To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and the Southern Cross University Master of Naturopathic Medicine. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.

This course allows students to develop an understanding of health science, social science, lifestyle medicine, clinical science, scientific enquiry and naturopathic medicine. Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion through undertaking a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.

This degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of naturopathic medicine’s philosophical foundations of preventing ill-health, improving patient health outcomes, supporting a patient’s innate ability to heal and addressing the underlying causes of illness.

This is the only undergraduate Naturopathic Medicine degree in Australia offering Commonwealth Supported places (HECS-HELP).

Course Learning Outcome

Interpret evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks appropriate for contemporary health and lifestyle contexts

Use initiative and problem-solving skills to respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges

Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies

Demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of health and lifestyle philosophies, theories and frameworks in applicable professional contexts

Demonstrate a body of knowledge and skills derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and social sciences

Use reflection to guide professional development and to be a self-directed and life-long learner

Demonstrate and apply well-developed verbal and written communication skills applicable to diverse settings with high academic and professional integrity

Collaborate effectively with a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams

Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings

Display social responsibility to others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting

This course includes a professional placement, with the choice of either a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.

There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional placements.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.

The 24 units of study in this course (including 23 core units and 1 elective unit) centre around three themes:

  • Profession and Principles: professional contexts in naturopathic medicine 1-2; language and learning in your discipline.
  • Practitioner and Practice: exercise physiology; introductory pharmacology; nutritional medicine; botanical medicine; manual and mind-body medicine; clinical studies in naturopathic medicine 1-5; work-integrated health placement (elective); working with Aboriginal communities I (elective).
  • Patient and Population: introduction to science for health professionals; human anatomy; human physiology I and II; biological chemistry and human metabolism; psychology and sociology for health professionals; introduction to evidence for health science practitioners; health promotion and wellness; counselling theory and practice; practice-based health research.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Complementary Medicine Association.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:

  1. satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
  2. completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
  3. a. the IELTS (academic module) minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four components: or
  4. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 59 and a minimum score of 59 in each of the four communicative skills; or
  5. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 79 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 20 listening, 19 reading, 24 writing, and 20 speaking; or
  6. successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Health Science (Heath and Lifestyle), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:

  • 23 single-weighted core units (276 credit points), and
  • 1 single-weighted elective unit (12 credit points).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising the first eight units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
Session1,2,3
Term1,3,5
Location Domestic International
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Melbourne N/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Term1,3,5
Term5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port Moresby N/A
Session1
Term1
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney N/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in SCIN1001 - Nature of Science.
HBIO1001 Human Anatomy
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1,3
Session1,3
Gold Coast
Session1,3
Session1,3
Lismore
Session1,3
Session1,3
HBIO1007 Human Physiology I
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1,2
Session1,2
Gold Coast
Session1,2
Session1,2
Lismore
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites BIO00307 - Human Physiology
HBIO1008 Human Physiology II
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2,3
Session2,3
Gold Coast
Session2,3
Session2,3
Lismore
Session2,3
Session2,3
Pre-requisites HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I OR Students in the 2125150 - Diploma of Health must have completed HLTH1001 - Introduction to Science for Health Professions and have completed or be currently enrolled in HBIO1005 - Intermediate Anatomy and Physiology
Anti-requisites BIO00307 - Human Physiology
PSYC1003 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
BIOL1004 Biological Chemistry and Human Metabolism
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
NATM2004 Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations
Term5
Location Domestic International
Online
Term5
Term5
Enrolment information Students are required to attend scheduled classes and participate in online activities. Students will be required to attend on-campus classes and complete 8 observational clinical placement hours. This unit contains professional experience learning that require students to fulfill certain vaccination and compliance requirements prior to attending. As some of these can take up to 5 months to complete, you must prepare now. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the stipulated Professional Experience Learning which may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.
Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units

Second Year

STAT2001 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Pre-requisites 36 credit points
HLTH2002 Exercise Physiology
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I AND HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Pre-requisites Be admitted to 3007303 - Bachelor of Nursing OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I
NATM2005 Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law

Not currently available

NUTR2001 Nutritional Medicine

Not currently available

NATM2001 Botanical Medicine

Not currently available

NATM2003 Massage and Mind-body Medicine

Not currently available

NATM2002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity

Not currently available

Third Year

PBHL1002 Health Promotion and Wellness
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
N/A
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Gold Coast students must attend weekly on-campus tutorials. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential (8.30 am to 4.30 pm Friday to Sunday inclusive) at either the Coffs Harbour (week 2), Gold Coast (week 3) or Lismore (week 4) campus. A record of attendance will be kept at all tutorials and residentials.
NATM5001 Practice-Based Health Research
Term3,5
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
NATM3001 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems

Not currently available

NATM3002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems

Not currently available

NATM3003 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems

Not currently available

NATM3004 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems

Not currently available

NATM3005 Work-integrated Health Placement

Not currently available

OR
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term1
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core Units
EDUC1001 Language and Learning in your Discipline
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
HBIO1001 Human Anatomy
HBIO1007 Human Physiology I
HBIO1008 Human Physiology II
PSYC1003 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences
BIOL1004 Biological Chemistry and Human Metabolism
NATM2004 Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations
Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units
STAT2001 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
HLTH2002 Exercise Physiology
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
NATM2005 Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law
NUTR2001 Nutritional Medicine
NATM2001 Botanical Medicine
NATM2003 Massage and Mind-body Medicine
NATM2002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
PBHL1002 Health Promotion and Wellness
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
NATM5001 Practice-Based Health Research
NATM3001 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems
NATM3002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems
NATM3003 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems
NATM3004 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems
Elective
Choose one of the following elective units:
NATM3005 Work-integrated Health Placement
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)