Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health)

Description

The Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health) is a professionally accredited 3.5 year program that is designed to produce graduands who will work as Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in State and Local Government. EHOs are responsible for implementing public health legislation, monitoring and maintaining many environmental health standards and dealing with a broad range of issues including food safety, air and water quality, water and solid waste management, health promotion, epidemiology, communicable diseases prevention and control, noise pollution and the use of hazardous substances. Graduands will also be involved in environmental health risk assessment and risk management, local government health planning and advising state and local governments on legislative policy. Years 1 and 2 of the degree are taught at the School of Human Life Sciences at the Launceston campus of the University of Tasmania. Year 3 and 4 units are taught largely by distance, requiring minimal days on campus in year 3 and 4, with some units taught using full day face to face sessions.

A police check and agreement for drug testing may be required at some local government agencies prior to undertaking placements. Hepatitis B vaccination may also be required depending on where a placement is undertaken.

Graduates will be eligible for membership to the Australian Institute of Environmental Health and be recognised as Environmental Health Officers, employable by all levels of Government and in the defence forces. In addition many graduands will find their way into associated work areas in private industry where the skills of the EHO have proven valuable. Others become consultants across a wide range of related areas.

Requirements

Minimum University requirements, including Physical Sciences TQA3 or equivalent. An additional pre-tertiary science subject or mathematics is preferred. An ITI score of 70 is normally required.



It is anticipated that, in some cases, students with a higher ITI score but without both of the subject prerequisites listed above may be considered on a case by case basis.

Entry into and advanced standing in the program is available to students who have successfully completed other tertiary and TAFE qualifications
In order to commence workplace learning outside of the University of Tasmania (including clinical placements and visits) students are required to demonstrate compliance with the Faculty of Health Science and the School of Human Life Sciences policies relevant to workplace based learning. These include the Police Check Policy and Procedures, Infectious Disease Policy, Code of Conduct and Student Placement Agreement. Students who do not comply with these policies will not be placed or will be removed from placements and therefore will not be able to complete this course. Students who have not complied or are unsure of the policies should seek guidance from the School.

Notes

The Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health) will be accredited by the Australian Institute of Environmental Health and graduands will be eligible for membership. In Tasmania the qualification will be recognised by the Director of Public Health as sufficient to become an "Authorised Officer" under the Public health Act 1997 and Food Act 2003. As the course is being accredited by the AIEH, other states will similarly recognise the qualification for statutory purposes.

Some units and practicum requirements will be outside normal university semesters. A quota may apply due to the practicum component.

A police check and agreement for drug testing may be required at some local government agencies prior to undertaking placements. Hepatitis B vaccination may also be required depending on where a placement is undertaken.