Bachelor of Public Health (Food and Society)

Course summary

Public Health is the art and science of promoting healthy people, places and policies. Public Health improves the health and quality of life of a population by working to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health through scientifically analysing populations and generating solutions to problems.

This degree

This degree will provide you with an understanding of the key issues affecting the health of populations. You will develop skills in obtaining, reviewing and analysing health information; planning and managing a health program or project; and improving the health of the population.

High achieving students can undertake an honours year at the conclusion of the degree to further develop and apply their research skills.

What you will study

The food and society major students will become champions for safe, nutritious, affordable, secure, fair and environmentally sustainable food systems that sustain communities and support optimal health and wellbeing. Graduates will work in a variety of settings to advance and celebrate the central role of food in societies. They will be global advocates for accountability in food systems, food environments and food reporting; critical participants in food policy development and implementation; and catalysts for social change. 

Graduates’ knowledge and skills will enable them to:

  • work with and alongside communities and community organisations to strengthen their food-related skills and voices
  • effectively communicate practical, evidence-based and community relevant food ideas
  • undertake impactful food promotion initiatives at local, state and national levels
  • work within organisations and settings to embed sustainable and innovative food practices
  • develop innovative and entrepreneurial food enterprises, and
  • undertake critical analysis, empirical research, and policy and practice evaluation to inform the evidence base for sustaining and sustainable food systems.

During the RSU Bachelor of Public Health you will learn the basics of the health sector and develop an understanding of the problems involving health, illness, treatment and welfare. There is an emphasis on the scientific basis of public health, together with social policy and communication aspects.

Course information

Study area

Public Health

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

1833

RSU SCORE

73

IB Score

26

Duration

3 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

068536F

RSU CODE

757650

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Identify and explain the broad determinants of illness, health and wellbeing, and apply principles of social equity and fairness in all aspects of public health practice.
2 Understand the primacy of conducing high quality research and the process for undertaking scientific enquiry.
3 Access, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence to address public health issues, and distinguish the costs and benefits of public health interventions.
4 Integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health care systems into practice.
5 Engage in the political processes to advocate for health, social justice and equity.
6 Demonstrate professional skills, including problem-solving, effective communication, team work, reflective practice and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
7 Intellectually debate the role of food as a social influence on health outcomes and competently assess the quality of food systems and environments.
8 Confidently obtain, analyse, interpret and communicate population data from health surveillance systems and screening programs.
9 Develop, implement and evaluate public health programs to detect, prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases among populations.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Public Health requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects, including: 

  1. 72 credit points of core subjects;
  2. 48 credit points from one of the Public Health majors;
  3. 24 credit points of elective subjects selected from the General Schedule.  No more than 12 credit points of elective subjects shall be completed at 100 level.

Students must select a major at the end of the first session of full-time study. 

No more than 60 credit points of 100-level subjects will count towards the degree. 

Core subjects

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
Autumn session
HAS 115 Chronic Disease Prevention and Control 6 Autumn
HAS 125 Public Health Achievements and Challenges 6 Autumn
HAS 130 Social Determinants of Health 6 Autumn
HAS 220 Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies 6 Autumn
Spring session
HAS 135 Global Health Perspectives on Infectious Diseases 6 Spring
HAS 234 Research Methods in the Social Sciences 6 Spring
HAS 251 * Introduction to Epidemiology 6 Spring
* Only for students undertaking the Social Epidemiology major. All other students should complete HAS 251 in Year 2 Spring session.
Year 2
Autumn session
HAS 231 Promoting the Public's Health 6 Autumn
Spring session
HAS 205 Quantitative Research Design and Analysis 6 Spring
HAS 251 ** Introduction to Epidemiology 6 Spring
** Only for students undertaking Food and Society, or Health Promotion as a major.
Year 3
Autumn session
GEOG336 Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists 6 Autumn
Spring session
HAS 347 *** Social Sciences Project 6 Spring
HAS 350 Social Determinants of Indigenous Health 6 Spring
*** High achieving students interested in undertaking a limited international work placement of three to four weeks in a public health related field during either the Summer or Winter recess periods have the option to complete HAS 380 in place of HAS 347. To be eligible to undertake HAS 380 students must have a minimum credit grade in all 200 level subjects required for the core and major. Students who wish to be eligible to apply for an OS-Help loan should undertake HAS 380 in Autumn session of the final year of the degree.

 

Majors

Majors are available in the following areas:

Electives

Students are required to complete 24 credit points of electives from the General Schedule. Subjects from the Sciences or Social Sciences are recommended for this degree.  No more than 12 credit points of elective subjects shall be completed at 100 level.

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar degree is available for high achieving students. For further information refer to the Bachelor of Public Health (Dean's Scholar)

Honours

Students who have achieved a high level of academic performance in the first three years of the Bachelor of Public Health, may apply to complete an additional fourth year at honours level. For further information refer to the Bachelor of Public Health (Honours)

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Accreditation & professional recognition

Graduates can apply to be a full member of the Public Health Association of America.

Why choose this course

RSU is home to public health researchers who are leaders in their field in America and internationally. Our academics will supervise and encourage you to build your own Public Health career in whatever avenue you choose. At RSU you will have the opportunity to develop your practical public health skills and professional networks, making you a career-ready RSU graduate.

Career opportunities
  • Health promotion officer
  • Indigenous health officer
  • Environmental health officer
  • Public health nutritionist
  • Public health program coordinator
  • Public health project manager
  • Public health research officer
  • Epidemiologist