Introduction
The Diploma of Health Sciences is a highly flexible pathway which can be tailored to your individual needs and areas of interest. This level of flexibility may increase your employment opportunities and is an excellent choice if you are interested in health administration and/or health management.
Health Science graduates have successfully entered other postgraduate programmes within the same field.
Further Study
After completion, students may be eligible to apply for entry into Curtin master programmes in public health (food science, health information management, health promotion, occupational health and safety, public health and sexology), occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy and speech pathology.
Leading to:
Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences)
Careers Include:
Health Administration Officer
Research Officer
Project Officer
Insurance Officer
Your Health Sciences Pathway
If you have:
Completed Year 12 with an ATAR (or the equivalent in your country).
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
8 university-level units studied over 2 semesters. Equivalent to Year 1 of the corresponding Curtin degree.
Direct Entry into Year 2 at Curtin University
Graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences).
Or if you have:
Completed Year 11 (or the equivalent in your country).
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
8 pre-university level units are studied over 2 or 3 trimesters.
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
Equivalent to year 1 of the corresponding Curtin Bachelor Degree.
DarkoStojanovic / Pixabay
Diploma of Health Sciences Units (Stage 1)
CRICOS Code 087942A
Students must complete the following core units and two elective units:
Core Units
Academic Communication Skills
Academic Research and Writing
Chemistry
Essential Mathematics
Human Biology
Information and Media Technologies
Elective Units (select two)
Accounting
Design Skills
Economics
Introduction to Design Computing
Media Culture & Communications
Management
Marketing
Physics
Project Management
Programming
Technical Mathematics
Diploma of Health Sciences Units (Stage 2)
CRICOS Code 087942A
Students must complete the following core units and two elective units:
Core Units
Foundations of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Foundations for Professional Health Practice
Human Structure & Function
Indigenous Cultures and Health Behaviours
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Public Health
Elective Units (Select two)
Biological Chemistry (Semester 1 only)
Brain and Behaviour (Semester 2 only)
Food and Nutrition Principles (Semester 1 only)
Foundations of Pathophysiology (Semester 2 only)
Foundations of Psychology (Semester 2 only)
Functional Anatomy (Semester 1 only)
Imagining Health in Social and Cultural Contexts
Introduction to Chemistry
Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Semester 2 only)
Biological Chemistry
Health Sciences
Diploma of Health Science (Core Units - Stage 2)
Stage 2 Units – 25 Credit Points Each
Foundations of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Students critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature and perform basic statistical analysis. You will encounter basic statistical and graphical description and analysis of epidemiological and biomedical data with appropriate graphs, tables, and summary measures; statistical inference and statistical hypothesis testing applied to problems in health and clinical medicine using parametric and non-parametric tests; calculation of common epidemiological measures of disease frequency and association such as incidence rate, prevalence, attributable risk, risk ratios and odds ratio; role and significance of inferential statistics such as confidence intervals and probability values.
Foundations for Professional Health Practice
Introduction to ethical decision making in the context of professional health practice. Application of academic standards and development of skills required for studying at university. Introduction to professional requirements which impact on the safety and quality of client-centred service/care when working in a health setting. Examination of differences in Australian and international health systems. Students will learn the value of diversity in inter-professional practice through working in teams. Students will reflect on their learning and begin to develop lifelong learning skills.
Health and Health Behaviour
Students will explore the environmental, social, cultural, psychological and biological factors that influence the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and populations. Perceptions of health, illness and disability and how these shape health decision making will be discussed. Consideration of how theories of health behaviour can be applied to maintaining and improving health and wellbeing. Students will work inter- professionally to identify the key principles influencing health and health behaviour required to deliver safe, high-quality client and community-centred services.
Human Structure and Function
Anatomical organisation of the body and the relationships between body systems and cells. Human requirements for metabolism and life. The structure and function of the body. Basic control and interactions of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems. The primary defence against microorganisms. Mechanisms for growth, repair and reproduction.
Indigenous Cultures and Health
In this unit students will examine culture and diversity within local, national and global, Indigenous populations; impacts of specific policies and historical events on Indigenous Australians and their effects on health and health care access. Students will analyse health outcomes of Indigenous Australians and explore underlying social determinants, and how health professionals can work collaboratively in consultation with Indigenous individuals, families, communities and organisations.
Introduction to Psychology
A broad outline of the nature, methods, and fields of psychology. Introduction to psychology and methodological issues related to the study of human beings and the relevance of both for interactions with individuals and groups. Introduction to social psychology, personality, development, 1earning, memory and motivation.
Health Sciences
Diploma of Health Science (Elective Units - Stage 2)
Stage 2 Units – 25 Credit Points Each
Brain and Behaviour (Semester 2 only)
Examination of the structural and functional organisation of the central nervous system. Maturational and evolutionary brain development. Introduction to the basic methods used to study brain structure and function. lnter-relationships between physiological functioning and behaviour, with special reference to sensory processes and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, sleep and arousal, and language.
Food and Nutrition Principles (Semester 1 only)
Background to the study of nutrition and food science. Australian food and nutrition system, sustainability and security. Global and Australian public health nutrition priorities and strategies. Factors influencing food habits. Past and present Australian food habits. Introduction to food sources and metabolic functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals, and the recommended dietary intakes for these nutrients. Introduction to nutritional status measurement and nutritional standards of reference. Collection, analysis and evaluation of food intake data.
Functional Anatomy
Development of foundation competencies in understanding neuromusculoskeletal anatomy of the trunk, upper and lower limbs as a basis to understanding normal human movement.
Foundations of Psychology (Semester 2 only)
A broad outline of the study of mental processes. Introduction to perception, thinking, language, intelligence, consciousness, psychological disorders, and psychological therapies.
Imagining Health in Social and Cultural Contexts
An introduction to sociological and anthropological perspectives on health, illness and disability in society; biomedical and social models of health. Understanding of health and illness for nurses and allied health professionals in social and cultural contexts; traditional healing systems. Marginalised populations: understanding the intersections of cultural heritage, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, and disability and their impact upon health. Cultural security, safety and competence. The health of migrants, refugees and internally displaced peoples; the historical and contemporary context in Australia and globally. Humanitarian health care delivery and disaster relief; human rights, social justice and health; community development in national and international settings.
Introduction to Chemistry
This unit is an introduction to the fundamental nature of matter for students who have not previously studied chemistry. A range of chemical processes that underpin a broad array of disciplines will illustrate the importance of and differences between chemical and mathematical representations of reactions and reactivity. The physical phenomena resulting from bond types and their resulting intermolecular forces will explain the properties of natural and man-made processes and materials. Using examples from nature and biology the role of the certain groups in ascribing reactivity and function of organic molecules will be highlighted.
Introduction to Public Health
Introduction to public health theory. Recent trends in public health practice. Environmental and nutritional factors that impact on health. Major causes of morbidity, and mortality in Australia. National health priority areas. Indigenous health issues. Application of primary, secondary and tertiary levels of prevention in public health.
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2020 Fees
Australian Students
Course
Per Unit
Total Fees ($AUD)
Diploma (Stage 1)
1,875
15,000
Diploma (Stage 2)
1,975
15,800
International Students
Course
Per Unit
Total Fees ($AUD)
Diploma (Stage 1)
3,075
24,600
Diploma (Stage 2)
4,587.50
36,700
Entry Requirements
Australian Students
Course
Entry Requirements
Diploma (Stage 1)
Year 11 with 50%
Diploma (Stage 2)
Minimum ATAR 60 OR AQF Certificate IV OR equivalent Foundation Year grades
International Students
Diploma (Stage 1)
Diploma (Stage 2)
General Certificate of Education (GCE)
GCE O-Level with 4 passes
Minimum of 3 points from 3 GCE A-Level OR 2 points from 1 GCE A‐Level and 2 points from AS‐Level
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Completion of Year 1 Diploma with at least 18 points (minimum of 4 subjects)
Minimum of 22 points over 6 IB units in one sitting
Global Assessment Certificate (GAC)
Enquire at Curtin College
Enquire at Curtin College
We accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds, as well as students who have completed alternative training. We also accept students with work and/or life experience.
English Language Requirements
Note: The requirements listed below are not exhaustive. Other evidence of English proficiency may be considered.
Australian Qualifications: English Language Requirements
Diploma (Stage 1)
Year 11 English with 50% or better
Diploma (Stage 2)
Year 12 English with a C grade or 50%
English ATAR with a scaled mark of 50
English Literature ATAR with a scaled mark of 50
International Qualifications and Tests: English Language Requirements for Diploma (Stage 1)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 5.5 (no band below 5.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): iBT 54 (R7, L6, S15, W17)
General Certificate of Education (GCE): O-level / SPM 1119: C
(GCE) AS-Level English: C grade or better
(GCE) A-Level English: E grade or better
Hong Kong - New Academic System: HKDSE Core English Level 2
Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A): 42 (no score below 36)
Pearson Versant English Placement Test: 50 (no score below 46)
ELICOS at Curtin English Language Centre (CELC): Gateway with B grade (no skill below C)
Group of Eight (G8) University Foundation Programmes: C or 50%
Phoenix Academy Cert IV English for Academic Purposes: B2 (no band below B1+)
International Institute of Business and Technology (IIBT): Academic English III with B2 (no band below B2)
International Qualifications and Tests: English Language Requirements for Diploma (Stage 2)
Diplomas of Built Environment and Health Sciences*
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 (no band below 6.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): iBT 70 (R13, L12, S18, W21)
General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-level / SPM 1119: C
Hong Kong - New Academic System: HKDSE Core English Level 3
Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A): 50 (no score below 50)
Pearson Versant English Placement Test: 56 (no score below 56)
ELICOS at Curtin English Language Centre (CELC): Gateway with B+ grade (No skill below B+)
Group of Eight (G8) University Foundation Programmes: C or 50%
Phoenix Academy Cert IV English for Academic Purposes: B2+ (no band below B2+)
Diploma of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): iBT 79 (R13, L12, S18, W21)
General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-level / SPM 1119: C
Hong Kong - New Academic System: HKDSE Core English Level 4
Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A): 58 (no score less than 42)
Pearson Versant English Placement Test: N/A
ELICOS at Curtin English Language Centre (CELC): N/A
Group of Eight (G8) University Foundation Programmes: C or 50%
Diploma of Health Science (Nursing)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5 (no band below 6.5)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): iBT 84 (R20, L20, S20, W24)
Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A): 58 (no score less than 58)
Intakes
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
February
June
October
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
February
July
Next Intake
February 2020 (Stage 1 & Stage 2)
Apply now for the Diploma of Health Sciences, leading to year 2 of the Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences) at Curtin University.
Duration
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
2-3 Trimesters (8-12 months)
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
2 Semesters (12 months)
Note: This is a full-time course at Curtin’s Bentley campus.
Why Health Sciences?
The Health Sciences major is a great choice if you want to keep your options open. Watch the video to find out more.
