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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

GA1: Intellectual rigour

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

GA2: Creativity

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

GA3: Ethical practice

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

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

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

GA5: Lifelong learning

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

GA6: Communication and social skills

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

GA7: Cultural competence

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
Gold Coast Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Lismore Term 1 , 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.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score or equivalent6.5
Reading6.5
Writing6.5
Listening6.5
Speaking6.5

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 core units (276 credit points), and
  • 1 option 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.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details. 

 

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

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in SCIN1001 - Nature of Science.
PSYC1009 Introducing Health Psychology
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,4
Term2,4
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,5
Term2,5
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Lismore
Term2,5
Term2,5
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7. Details will be provided closer to the time.
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy AND HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I; OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
NATM2004 Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
N/A
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.
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Pre-requisites HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II OR HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units

Second Year

NUTR2001 Nutritional Medicine
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
Pre-requisites BIOL1004 - Biological Chemistry and Human Metabolism OR BIOL2007 - Biochemistry OR be admitted to course: 1209350 - Master of Naturopathic Medicine OR 1209310 - Master of Integrative Medicine
Enrolment information On-campus students will be required to attend workshops online, and tutorials on-campus. Online students will be required to attend workshops and tutorials online. Students must have access to a computer and the internet to participate in online activities.
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
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
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
Enrolment information Students are required to attend on-campus classes and participate in online activities.
NATM2001 Botanical Medicine
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term5
Term5
Pre-requisites PHAR2001 - Introductory Pharmacology OR Admitted to 1209350 - Master of Naturopathic Medicine OR 1209310 - Master of Integrative Medicine
Enrolment information Online enrolment is only available for students admitted to the Master of Integrative Medicine. All other students must enrol into Lismore or Gold Coast classes. Students are required to attend on-campus classes and/or participate in online activities. Prior knowledge of chemistry and pharmacology is desirable.
HLTH2002 Exercise Physiology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
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.
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites 36 credit points
NATM2002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Pre-requisites NUTR2001 - Nutritional Medicine AND NATM2001 - Botanical Medicine
Enrolment information Students are required to attend on-campus classes and participate in online activities. Prior knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is desirable.
NATM2003 Massage and Mind-body Medicine
Term5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Pre-requisites HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy AND HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II; OR HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
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. Students will be required to attend on-campus practical classes, and complete 80 hours of supervised massage therapy practice. This unit contains professional experience learning that require students to fulfil 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.

Third Year

PBHL2002 Health Promotion
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites 288 credit points in 3007224 - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy OR 3007306 - Bachelor of Speech Pathology; OR 192 credit points in any other course
NATM5001 Practice-Based Health Research
Term5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term5
Term5
Pre-requisites Admitted to 1207235 - Master of Osteopathic Medicine OR 1209240 - Master of Advanced Naturopathic Medicine OR 1008440 - Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine; OR 192 credit points in 3007319 - Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) OR 3007229 - Bachelor of Midwifery; OR 96 credit points in 1209350 - Master of Naturopathic Medicine
NATM3001 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems
Term5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Pre-requisites NATM2002 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
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. Students are required to attend on-campus classes and participate in online activities. Prior knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is desirable.
NATM3002 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites NATM2002 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
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. Students are required to attend on-campus classes and participate in online activities. Prior knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is desirable.
NATM3003 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites NATM2002 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
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. Students are required to attend on-campus classes and participate in online activities. Prior knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is desirable.
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
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.
NATM3004 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems

Not currently available

12
NATM3005 Work-integrated Health Placement

Not currently available

12
OR
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
OR
PBHL3001 Health Promotion Project
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PBHL2002 - Health Promotion
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.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core Units
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
PSYC1009 Introducing Health Psychology
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
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 Foundations of 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
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
NATM5001 Practice-Based Health Research
NATM3001 Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems
PBHL2002 Health Promotion
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
Choose one of the following option units:

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
NATM3005 Work-integrated Health Placement
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
PBHL3001 Health Promotion Project