Public Health

• Bachelor of Health Sciences

The purpose of the major in Public Health is to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in science and health, experience in critical appraisal and scientific investigation, an understanding of values and ethics in health, and the ability to apply these to improving health and well-being through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

The major in Public Health aims to:

• provide students with a strong foundation in health sciences, with detailed knowledge in public health;
• equip students to meet the Aotearoa New Zealand generic competencies for public health, and is endorsed by the Health Promotion forum to provide foundation knowledge and understanding of Ngā Kaiakatanga Hauora mō Aotearoa Health Promotion Competencies for Aotearoa New Zealand;
• provide students with the knowledge and skills to operate effectively in health sector organisations (such as District Health Boards, Primary Care Organisations, Public Health Units, Māori Health Organisations, and non-governmental organisations);
• contribute to the health sector workforce by preparing students to work as effective members of multidisciplinary teams in the health sector;
• contribute to meeting national health workforce development goals;
• provide the required foundation for students who wish to undertake postgraduate study in health-related fields.