Public Health
Qualifications
Overview
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, and an understanding of values and ethics in health. Graduates will have 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. This 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.
- UC is ranked first in Aotearoa New Zealand for research in Public Health (Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission 2018 PBRF assessment).
The Bachelor of Health Sciences requires 360 points of courses in total, including compulsory Health Sciences courses (135 points), courses towards your major (90 points), and the remaining courses in Health Sciences or from other degrees at UC.
You can also choose to do a double major in Public Health and another major subject in the BHSc. Contact a Student Advisor for help planning your study.
100-level courses
The following compulsory courses are taken by all BHSc students:
- HLTH 101 Introduction to Health Studies
- HLTH 106 Ngā Take, Te Wero: Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
- HLTH 110 Epidemiology
- BIOL 116 Human Biology
Plus this course specific to Public Health:
Plus another three 15-point courses at 100-level from Health Sciences or other degrees.
200-level courses
The following compulsory courses are taken by all BHSc students:
- HLTH 201 Health Promotion
- HLTH 202 Health and Society: Applied research for Aotearoa
- MAOR 270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives
Plus these courses specific to Public Health:
Plus one 15-point course at 100-level (or above) and two 15-point courses at 200-level from Health Sciences or other degrees.
300-level courses
The following compulsory course is taken by all BHSc students:
Plus these courses specific to Public Health:
Plus another two 15-point courses at 200-level (or above) and one 15-point course at 300-level from Health Sciences or other degrees.
Students with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health will be able to work effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams in the health sector. Examples of career pathways include community development roles in public health units, district health boards, non-governmental organisations, local government, health promoters, public health analysts, and a research career in public health.
Graduates might also go on to postgraduate study to further their specialisation in the field.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Health Sciences.
Contact us
School of Health Sciences | Te Kura Mātai Hauora
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email education@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Rehua building – see the School's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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