| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-02-01 | - |
| 2024-06-01 | - |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Diploma of Health Sciences is a two-year program that provides a foundation in health and human services. Students will study core units in academic integrity, professional practice, human biosciences, individual determinants of health, research and evidence in practice, and understanding health and wellbeing. Electives are also available in learning in health science, introduction to nursing, chemistry foundations, applications of chemistry, introductory psychology: brain and mind, and introductory psychology: people and culture. Upon completion, graduates can pursue careers in health promotion, health and medical sciences, public health, rehabilitation counseling, health wellbeing and performance, food and nutrition, nursing, occupational therapy, orthoptics, paramedic practice, physiotherapy, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, and speech pathology.
Program Outline
Outline:
Core Units:
Throughout your Diploma of Health Sciences, you’ll study six core units along with two electives, for a total of eight units before graduation.
LTM1AIM Academic Integrity Module
(online, zero credit point unit, all students must complete this unit in their first trimester) This subject introduces students to the principals of academic integrity in the context of La Trobe University’s values and policy. Students learn what their responsibilities are in relation to maintaining ethical standards in all aspects of academic work and the potential ramifications for academic misconduct according to the Academic Integrity Policy. Activities and quizzes are provided, which are designed to develop and understanding of the concepts of cheating, plagiarism and collusion. Topics include an explaining of how the text-matching tool ‘Turnitin” is used at La Trobe, and where to get help and where to go to develop referencing skills. Assessment: Final Quiz (must achieve 8/10 to pass), Statement of Student responsibility (must achieve 10/10 to pass)
HHLT1IPP Introduction to Professional Practice
HHLT1IPP Introduction to Professional Practice will introduce you to the health care system; as a consumer participant, as a health and human services practitioner and as part of a health care team. This subject also offers you the opportunity to reflect on your own experiences within the health care system, and to use this to analyse and develop your understanding of health and human services. Topics included in this subject:
- The structure and function of the Australian Health Care System
- Issues of access and equity in the Australian Health Care System
- Working in teams, as students and as health care practitioners
- Person and family centred care
- Clinical decision making
- Communication and Health Information
- Legal and ethical aspects of practice Assessment: Autobiography (5%), Online Test (20%), Written Case Studies Report (25%), Extended Response Task (30%), Online Test (20%)
HHBS1HBA Human Biosciences A
In this subject, students will be introduced to the anatomical organisation of the body and the basics of cell structure and function. The fundamentals of the nervous and endocrine systems will then be explored in the context of mechanisms of physiological control. This information will provide the foundation for the study of the major organ systems of the body, which include the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, digestive, reproductive systems and metabolism. Underpinning these studies will be the concept of homeostasis and how it is maintained by integration of organ system functions. In addition, students are required to engage in guided, independent learning throughout the semester to extend their level of knowledge in the topic areas described above. Assessment: Workshop Quiz Online x10 (10%), Online Tests x2 (50%), Final Exam A and B (40% total)
HPHE1IDH Individual Determinants of Health
In this subject, students will develop the foundation knowledge for working with individuals in health and human services settings. Students will learn how particular characteristics and actions of an individual impact on health and welfare outcomes. Students will be: (i) presented with frameworks, including a developmental perspective, for understanding how the characteristics and actions of individuals impact on health outcomes; (ii) provided with foundation knowledge for understanding how individuals present in, and progress through, health settings; and (iii) reviewing theoretical approaches to producing individual change in health and wellbeing settings. Assessment: Quiz (5%), Enquiry 2 - Individual Conference Poster (35%), Enquiry 3 - Individual Reflection (30%), Exam (30%).
HHLTRAE Research and Evidence in Practice
This subject is an introduction to the use of research-based evidence in professional health care practice. Working in interprofessional teams and using a range of case scenarios, students will develop research skills in areas relevant to their field of practice. Through online activities and workshops, students will learn about the role of evidence-based practice in health. Areas of study include systematic approaches to acquiring evidence, critical appraisal of the literature, interpretation of research design, descriptive and inferential statistics and assessment of research outcomes. Students will learn how an evidence-based approach in health informs clinical practice. Students will develop research skills to determine the most appropriate intervention techniques for application in a given clinical population, while understanding the complex interaction between social, economic and environmental influences that contribute to sustainability thinking in health research. Assessment: 15 Minute Online Test x2 (10% total), 30 Minute Online Test x2 (20% total, Article Summary (15%), Academic Essay 1500 words (30%), Research Report 600 words (25%)
HHBS1HBB Human Bioscience B
In this unit, students will continue with the study of anatomy & physiology and apply the concepts of human structure and function and homeostasis introduced in HHBS1HBA, to the musculoskeletal, nervous and endocrine systems. Anatomical principles and terminology will be applied to relevant body systems and the concept of integrated function of multiple systems in one body region will be introduced. Integrated whole body responses to homeostatic challenge will be included. Assessment: Summarative Quizzes x5 (25% total), Enquiry 1 and 2: Team Report (20%), Enquiry 3 (30%), Exam (35%)
HPHE1UHW Understanding Health and Wellbeing
In this subject, you will develop a broad understanding of health and wellbeing, examining key theories that underpin concepts in contemporary health and wellbeing. You will investigate the complex range of interactions that influence the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations. As health is a dynamic concept, you will further examine the social, environmental, and biomedical determinants of health and wellbeing within an Australian and global context. Assessment: Early assessment Piece (5%), 3 x Tests (30% = 10% each), Media Analysis (25%), Health and Wellbeing Plan Review (40%)
Electives
HHLTLHS Learning in Health Science
Recommended Elective This unit will provide students with an introduction to learning at University with a focus on the academic skills needed to engage successfully in the diploma and further study in Health Sciences. Students will be introduced to information literacy resources, the learning management system and a range of online learning support materials. They will use Enquiry Based Learning process to explore the skills and concepts required to fully participate and learn in teams. The unit focuses on extending students’ engagement with the content in the other diploma units with a particular focus on scientific knowledge, effective reading and independent study strategies. Assessment: Profile Page (5%), Online Tests x2 (40% total), Research Essay (30%), Team Presentation (25%)
HNSG1ITN Introduction to Nursing
Recommended for students in the Nursing pathway This subject introduces you to fundamental nursing knowledge, skills and reasoning that you will use every day of your nursing career. Through lectures, online activities, workshops and clinical skills laboratory sessions you will develop the capacity to practice nursing with the patient at the centre of care. This will require mastery of basic patient assessment, basic patient care and effective communication techniques with patients across their lifespan. You will progress towards the development of basic care planning for complex patients. This will be achieved by the integration of the patient assessment skills you learn with the application of clinical reasoning that is, thinking like a nurse to achieve the best for your patients. Within the 12 week trimester you will be expected to attend a range of face to face activities so you can achieve a level of basic nursing skills. This will also require practice of skills in your own time and with peers-practice that will inform your clinical decision making. Assessment: Online Quizzes (15% total), Clinical Skills Assessment (50%), Written assessment (35%)
SCHE1CHF Chemistry Foundations
Required for students in the Food and Nutrition pathway Chemistry Foundations is a subject designed for students who have no or little previous experience or study in chemistry. Students will learn concepts, knowledge and skills that will enable them to apply chemical principles and practice during their university degree and future employment. Assessment: Workshop and Online Quizzes (25%), Laboratory Report (25%), Exam (50%)
SCHE1APL Applications of Chemistry
Recommended for students in the Food and Nutrition pathway Applications of Chemistry will continue exploring the core concepts in chemistry and build upon the knowledge from SCHE1CHF. Students will learn concepts, knowledge and skills that will enable them to apply chemical principles and practice during their university degree and future employment. Assessment: Workshops Tests and Online Quizzes (25%), Laboratory Reports (25%), Exam (50%)
PSY1BAM Introductory Psychology: Brain And Mind
In this subject you will discover how your brain works in creating your behaviour, how your brain and behaviour change across the lifespan, how, why and in what way you are different from other people. You will learn about how you sense the world and how you process and understand the information that arises from your senses. Assessment: EAP Quiz (5%), Group Oral Presentations (15%), Individual Major Essay (30%), Online End-of-Trimester Exam (50%)
PSY1PAC Introductory Psychology: People and Culture
In this subject you will be introduced to key areas of psychology with a socio-cultural perspective. People share knowledge with others in society. The shared knowledge (i.e., culture) gives meanings to people’s lives as well as influencing their everyday behaviour, the sense of who they are, their personal relationships and psychological wellbeing. We will discuss psychology of individuals in diverse contexts to understand how personal experiences, including emotions, motivation, intimacy with others and health behaviours are shaped by cultural understanding and social expectations in those contexts. Assessment: Self-Reflection Questionnaire (3%), Self-Reflection Video Assessment (12%), Major Essay (25%), Online Quizzes x3 (60% total)
Assessment:
LTM1AIM Academic Integrity Module:
Final Quiz (must achieve 8/10 to pass), Statement of Student responsibility (must achieve 10/10 to pass)
HHLT1IPP Introduction to Professional Practice:
Autobiography (5%), Online Test (20%), Written Case Studies Report (25%), Extended Response Task (30%), Online Test (20%)
HHBS1HBA Human Biosciences A
Workshop Quiz Online x10 (10%), Online Tests x2 (50%), Final Exam A and B (40% total)
HPHE1IDH Individual Determinants of Health:
Quiz (5%), Enquiry 2 - Individual Conference Poster (35%), Enquiry 3 - Individual Reflection (30%), Exam (30%).
HHLTRAE Research and Evidence in Practice:
15 Minute Online Test x2 (10% total), 30 Minute Online Test x2 (20% total, Article Summary (15%), Academic Essay 1500 words (30%), Research Report 600 words (25%)
HHBS1HBB Human Bioscience B:
Summarative Quizzes x5 (25% total), Enquiry 1 and 2: Team Report (20%), Enquiry 3 (30%), Exam (35%)
HPHE1UHW Understanding Health and Wellbeing:
Early assessment Piece (5%), 3 x Tests (30% = 10% each), Media Analysis (25%), Health and Wellbeing Plan Review (40%)
HHLTLHS Learning in Health Science:
Profile Page (5%), Online Tests x2 (40% total), Research Essay (30%), Team Presentation (25%)
HNSG1ITN Introduction to Nursing:
Online Quizzes (15% total), Clinical Skills Assessment (50%), Written assessment (35%)
SCHE1CHF Chemistry Foundations:
Workshop and Online Quizzes (25%), Laboratory Report (25%), Exam (50%)
SCHE1APL Applications of Chemistry:
Workshops Tests and Online Quizzes (25%), Laboratory Reports (25%), Exam (50%)
Careers:
Bachelor of Health Sciences (multiple majors)
Majors in: health promotion, health and medical sciences, public health, rehabilitation counselling, Health wellbeing and performance
Progression:
- The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Food and Nutrition:
- Progression: The degree will take 4 years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
Bachelor of Nursing:
- Progression: The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours)
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours)
BENDIGO CAMPUS ONLY
- Progression: Students will receive credit towards their La Trobe University degree, the duration of the degree will still be standard, and students will have a less than full-time course load in their first year of the course.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
- Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
- Progression: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences. Strict quotas and minimum weighted average mark (WAM) requirements apply for some programs at La Trobe University. Check the number of places available, WAM requirements and credits for these programs on the Transferring to La Trobe University page. Please be aware that you may be required to take additional first year subjects when you transfer to La Trobe University.
