The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a three-year,
full-time programme. It may be taken as a part-time course of study, although students
wishing to apply for medicine must complete
all prescribed first year BHSc courses in an academic calendar year (Semester
One
and Semester Two).
Students begin the degree by taking a series of core courses (generally taken during
the first three semesters of study). This core curriculum is designed to provide
an introduction to many of the different types of disciplines involved in the study
of health.
Although many BHSc students will have a clear vision of their study plans, often this vision changes
as they are exposed to the wide and diverse range of career opportunities in health.
One advantage of the BHSc is the flexibility it provides students in choosing study
options that are best for them.
First year BHSc students take a common group of courses in which they study biological,
physical and social sciences alongside students enrolled in medicine, nursing, pharmacy
and biomedical science. This is known as the faculty's
Overlapping Year One.
Compulsory Overlap Year courses:
|
Course |
Title |
Semester |
Points |
|
POPLHLTH 111 |
Population Health |
One |
15 |
|
POPLHLTH 101 |
Health Systems 1 |
One |
15 |
|
APPROVED ELECTIVE |
|
15 |
|
APPROVED ELECTIVE |
|
15 |
|
MEDSCI 142 |
Biomedical Science: Organ Systems |
Two |
15 |
|
POPLHLTH 102 |
Health and Society |
Two |
15 |
|
HLTHPSYC 122 |
Behaviour, Health and Development |
Two |
15 |
|
|
General Education Elective |
|
15 |
|
NOTE: Students intending to apply for entry to medicine at the
end of their first year must take the following courses as their approved elective
courses:
|
|
CHEM 110 |
Chemistry of the Living World |
|
15 |
|
BIOSCI 107 |
Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes and Development |
One |
15 |
Guidance on elective selection will be provided to successful applicants.
End of Year One – choosing the right path
For most students, the end of year one is the time when they choose their option.
The options available to BHSc students include:
Path A: Bachelor
of Health Sciences
Students who wish to pursue a non-clinical career in health can complete the Bachelor
of Health Sciences degree.
Students begin by completing the core requirements:
- Māori and Pacific health
- Research methods in health
- Health promotion
- Healthcare ethics
- Statistics for social sciences
The core courses provide students with a basic understanding of public health, healthcare and health services in New Zealand and with skills such as critical thinking,
evaluation, qualitative and quantitative research methods and communication (written
and oral). During their last three semesters, it is proposed that students specialise
in one particular area. The purpose of the specialisations is to provide students
with the specific tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in specific segments
of the workforce. In addition, the specialisations prepare students for postgraduate
study in a specific area.
Path B: conjoint degrees
A major strength of the BHSc is that it may be taken as a conjoint degree. This
option allows students to be trained in a specific discipline and acquire specialist
knowledge of health and the health system. Individuals with conjoint degrees may
seek careers in such diverse areas as health psychology, law, medical anthropology,
medical writing, legal aspects of medical practice, ethical aspects of the healthcare industry or managerial positions with financial responsibilities in any health-related
industry.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences degree may be taken as a conjoint degree with
the nursing
programme or programmes in the faculties of
Arts,
Law
or Commerce.
Path C: entry into other clinical programmes
Students who gain a minimum
GPA of 6.0 (B+ average) in their first year of the BHSc degree are eligible for
consideration for entry into medicine for the following year under the
Overlapping Year One category.
In the year of application or the year immediately prior, all applicants are required to sit the
UMAT.
Note that students who plan to apply for medicine must take the
five prescribed BHSc first year papers, Chemistry of the Living World, and
Biology: Cellular Processes as their approved elective courses. Students who complete
year one successfully are also eligible to apply for entry into nursing and
pharmacy
programmes at the faculty.
Five prescribed
BHSc first year papers
