ObjectivesIn this course you will develop a range of theoretical skills, practical knowledge and techniques with which to study and control the effects of environmental agents and hazards. Building on the curriculum of the postgraduate diploma, this course also includes a choice between professional placement and field studies or a research project. If you complete a professional placement and field studies you will be eligible to work as an Environmental Health Officer anywhere in Australia. If you choose to undertake a research project in your final semester, you will be given the chance to supplement your learning with further studies into infectious diseases, nutrition or bioethics.
Entry requirementsA bachelor degree plus relevant work experience. Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of the course, a broad range of degrees are acceptable including environmental science, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, engineering and geology. Applicants without relevant work experience may be admitted following successful completion of a prescribed bridging program.
Academic titleMaster of Environmental Health
Course descriptionMaster of Environmental Health
MEH(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Introduction
Environmental health sciences is a broad, interdisciplinary field with a primary focus on the effects of biological, chemical, and physical environmental agents on man. In practice, activities within this broad field include studies of environmental risk assessment and management (including environmental engineering solutions), epidemiological studies and basic science research to provide mechanistic and toxicologic analyses of the effects of environmental agents and to develop techniques with which to study and control these effects. It provides a range of theoretical skills and practical knowledge to professionals with an interest in environmental health or already working in the field. It would also provide an appropriate postgraduate course for graduates from scientific and other relevant disciplines, who work in agencies with responsibility for environmental health, to upgrade knowledge and skills in the environmental health field. The professional MEH program is intended to provide a complete, professional practice-oriented curriculum leading to immediate employment eligibility following graduation. Graduates from the MEH program will have skills in leadership and be able to articulate for the improvement of health conditions.
Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
A bachelor degree plus some relevant work experience. Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of the course, a broad range of undergraduate or graduate degrees are acceptable. Among these are environmental science, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, engineering and geology. Graduates without relevant work experience may be admitted following successful completion of a prescribed bridging program.
Specific Requirements
Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.
Duration and Availability
This course is three semesters' full-time or equivalent part-time study. It is conducted principally in external mode with some optional units available on an internal basis.
Intermediate Awards 1
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate award(s) approved for this course are:
Intermediate Awards II
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Health.
Course Organisation
Students may be required to participate in workplace professional practice during third semester of the course.
Professional Recognition
The degree is fully accredited by Environmental Health Australia and the Western Australian Environmental Health Officers Professional Review Board.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.
Course Structure Disclaimer Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
13157 v.4 Health Promotion Planning 681 4.0 25.0
13230 v.3 Foundations of Public Health 681 3.0 25.0
308414 v.2 Sustainable Development for Health 681 4.0 25.0
308418 v.1 Environmental Epidemiology and Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0 100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
308419 v.1 Environmental Health Management 683 4.0 25.0
308420 v.2 Food Safety Management 682 4.0 25.0
308421 v.2 Environmental Health Law 682 4.0 25.0
308422 v.1 Environmental Health Risk Assessment 682 4.0 25.0 100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
308423 v.1 Environmental Health Workplace Professional Practice 583 8.0 50.0
308425 v.1 Environmental Health Workplace Professional Practice 584 8.0 50.0
OR
13179 v.3 # Research Project 650 16.0 50.0 100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
10658 v.5 Control of Infectious Disease 682 3.0 25.0
13150 v.4 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 681 4.0 25.0
13162 v.2 Public Health Nutrition 681 3.0 25.0
13186 v.2 Health Services Bioethics 684 3.0 25.0
# If this Research Project 650 is undertaken, two optional units are to be selected.
Availability
Year Location Period All*
2009 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y
2009 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.