The Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences is a three-year degree. In the first year students will learn the fundamentals of human anatomy and public health, and there is a focus on the development of communication and learning skills. In the second year students will gain in-depth knowledge in selected subject areas including pathology, physiology, pharmacology, health promotion and epidemiology and students will develop problem solving and group work skills by investigating global health challenges. In the third year students will gain extensive hands-on and workplace experience by completing a major in their chosen field.
The Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences is the only degree in South Australia that draws on all disciplines within health sciences including Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology and Public Health, so students have the flexibility to select one of seven different majors spread across two different streams: Medical Health or Lifespan Health.
The Medical Health stream offers majors in:
- Clinical Trials
- Medical Sciences
- Neurosciences
The Lifespan Health stream offers majors in:
- Nutritional Health
- Public Health
- Reproductive and Childhood Health.
This degree structure facilitates students concentrating on one specialised health-related area, as well as facilitating study in complementary areas through broadening electives, and provides an opportunity for an international study component.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Areas of Specialisation
Students have the flexibility to select one of seven different majors spread across two different streams: Medical Health or Lifespan Health.
Medical Health majors
Clinical Trials
Are you interested in working with patients to advance human health? Clinical research is the process by which new therapies (medications, biological agents, and devices) are tested with patients prior to approval and marketing. The Clinical Trials major will allow you to acquire the expertise needed to design, develop, lead and conduct clinical trials in hospitals, research organisations/institutes and pharmaceutical companies.
Medical Sciences
Are you keen to learn how our bodies work? Our bodies are complex but amazing biological machines. The Medical Sciences major will enable you to understand how the human body functions in health and disease, and how treatments for disease are developed. You will gain an understanding of the fundamental medical science disciplines of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Neurosciences
Are you fascinated by the inner workings of the brain? Neuroscience is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that explores how our 100 billion plus nerve cells grow, connect and function. The Neurosciences major will equip you with an understanding of how the nervous system regulates the body and behaviour with a view to finding ways to prevent or cure neurological disorders.
Lifespan Health majors
Nutritional Health
Are you passionate about nutrition, diet and healthy eating? Consuming the right food can promote good health and impact on the development of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The Nutritional Health major will explore our body’s mechanical and physiological responses to food including how we use energy and nutrients from the food we eat.
Public Health
Are you keen to promote optimal health through individual and community change? In the Public Health major, you will learn how to measure the health of populations, understand how social, cultural and economic factors influence contemporary health problems in Australia and internationally, and develop practical skills in health promotion and health educational strategies.
Reproductive and Childhood Health
Are you fascinated by the creation of new life? Reproduction is a fundamental process of life, but reproductive success (the birth of a baby that will enjoy a long and healthy life) is a multistep process that begins well before fertilisation. The Reproductive and Childhood Health major will equip you with knowledge about fertility, conception, pregnancy and birth. You will also learn about key health issues that affect children and adolescents.
