Health Sciences
Qualifications
BA, BSc, BHSc, MHealSc, PGCertCT, PGCertHealSc, PGCertPC, PGDipHealSc
Introduction
Health Sciences at UC provides students with a multidisciplinary introduction to a range of health issues: from genetics, to the health of populations, to health policy and politics. Health Sciences is enhanced through collaborative teaching and research between the members of different departments. A wide range of study options is available, including the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) non-clinical degree. Health Sciences courses introduce students to important health issues in New Zealand such as health promotion and evidence-based health. All health sciences courses may be taken as part of the BHSc or included in a BA or BSc. Academics across most faculties provide teaching expertise for the health sciences programme and more than 20 academics in the School of Health Sciences contribute to the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
100-level courses
- HLTH 101 Introduction to Health Studies
- HLTH 106 Nga Take, Te Wero: Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
- HLTH 110 Epidemiology
- HLED 121 Introduction to Health Education
- HLED 122 Building Resilience
- HLPA 131 Physical Activity in Health Across the Lifespan
- HLPA 132 Human Response to Physical Activity
Students enrolling in a BHSc must complete core Health Sciences courses, as well as other core courses, and a major selected from: Environmental Health, Health Education, Māori and Indigenous Health, Physical Activity Promotion, Psychology, Public Health, and Society and Policy. Double majors are possible for some majors. Individual HLTH courses may also be taken for inclusion in a BA or a BSc.
200-level and beyond
Students can continue to study health-related courses at 200, 300 and postgraduate level.
For students who are not enrolled in the BHSc and wish to continue examining national and international health issues, they can see the departmental advisor for advice on which courses they can include in their degree.
Further study
Postgraduate students in Health Sciences come from a range of backgrounds. The programme is interdisciplinary and it is not necessary to have studied Health Sciences at undergraduate level to be accepted into the programme. Students with an interest in the health sector and a good bachelor's degree, or health professional qualification, may apply for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences and Master of Health Sciences programmes. Endorsements are available in: Health Behaviour Change, Early Intervention, Health Information Management, Environment and Health, Men's Health, Palliative Care. With the appropriate pre-requisites students may also take a postgraduate programme of study specialising in Clinical Teaching, Counselling, Child and Family Psychology or Specialist Teaching.
Career opportunities
The health sector is one of New Zealand's biggest employers with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical career opportunities. There are also health-related career opportunities in local government, the voluntary sector, industry and research. In New Zealand's increasingly diverse and aging society, health needs and health workforce career opportunities will continue to expand.
The health workforce includes a wide variety of clinical roles defined by legislation. There are also many non-clinical roles which make up about one third the total health workforce. The undergraduate Health Sciences courses will provide an essential foundation for those seeking non-clinical health sector roles. These courses will also help those who already have clinical or other health-related qualifications to extend their knowledge and skills and to prepare for new career opportunities. Depending on the major(s) taken, an interdisciplinary non-clinical health sciences background has high prospects of employment in such areas as health promotion, early intervention, environmental health, health and safety, health psychology, community health, Māori and iwi health, behaviour change, health policy, administration, health education, health technology assessment and health research.
For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Contact
School of Health Sciences
Telephone: +64 3 364 2987 ext 8691
Email: healthsciences@canterbury.ac.nz