16. Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health
Health Science (Education)
Health Science Education refers to the theory and practice of teaching and learning undertaken by health professionals in a variety of contexts across the health sciences, including undergraduate and postgraduate university teaching and clinical education, staff development and continuing professional education and patient and community health education. Studies in this specialist area have been offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences since 1989.
The Health Science (Education) program is designed to give an additional professional qualification as a teacher facilitating student learning and as a manager of education programs, including curriculum leadership and scholarly inquiry into teaching and learning.
People who enrol in this program are current or aspiring teachers from medicine and the allied health fields including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthoptics, communication disorders, medical radiation sciences, exercise and sports science, social work, pharmacy, podiatry, dental therapy, health information management and the complementary therapies including homoeopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture.
Teachers from across the health professions work as academics and tutors in universities and colleges, educational designers for flexible and distance delivery of learning, clinical teachers and supervisors in rural, remote and metropolitan fieldwork settings, nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists in public and private hospitals and the armed services, managers and training officers in human resource development units and pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, education officers in professional associations, patient educators and community health educators. Some branch out into non-health roles, such as training in the private sector and teaching in technical colleges.
The extent of the interdependence between education and health is illuminated by Tones’ (1987) well known phrase "Education for Health". This succinctly captures why education is congruent with the nature of service delivery and has resulted in the professionalisation of teaching across the health sector. In keeping with the diversity of teaching possibilities, the Health Science (Education) program is designed to enable career portability between the different fields of education; in turn, this promotes common cause amongst educators across the health arena.
The curriculum is conceptualised around a professional practice model of teaching derived from the key roles an educator has in any educational institution or health service organisation, and the competencies required to undertake these roles effectively through scholarship and best practice.
All units of study assume participants will have diverse requirements depending on their teaching role, type of workplace, and likely target population of learners. The curriculum is designed to be inclusive of international contexts whether you are an international student or an Australian national working offshore. The two core units provide a foundation in the theory of adult education and design for effective learning. The electives provide study options across four streams: university and clinical education, in service and continuing education; technology based and distance education; patient and community health education. Assessment in all units is assignment-based and focuses on scholarship, application to authentic contexts and reflective practice. There are no examinations.
Studies maximise flexibility by offering distance delivery using print-based independent learning packages, web-based interaction and web resources and email support from the lecturer. Some optional workshops are offered on the Cumberland campus depending on the number of participants. Students studying offshore through the Singapore Institute of Management have some face-to-face classes for the core units only. Electives available through the Master of Medical Education use web delivery and on-campus workshops on the Camperdown site. There are no residential attendance requirements. Computers, email and reliable web access are essential.
Studies in university teaching for academic staff at the University of Sydney
The Health Science (Education) program in collaboration with the Master of Medical Education offers increased opportunity for teacher development for both new or experienced academics across the faculties that provide education for the health professions at the University of Sydney. While some units of study are directed to practical skill development for promoting student learning in small and large groups, other units consider more complex pedagogical issues, such as teaching clinical reasoning or facilitating problem-based learning. All units engage academics with the process of scholarly inquiry in the pursuit of enhancing quality in student learning.
As part of the cross institution learning initiative, credit is given for units of study completed by academic staff from the faculty of Health Sciences through the Master of Medical Education (Faculty of Medicine). Credit is also available for units of study undertaken as part of the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) (Faculty of Education and Institute of Teaching and Learning).
For further information about graduate studies in Health Science (Education), see www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/bach/future_students.
Structure of the Awards – Health Science (Education)
The Health Science (Education) program is structured as a three stage masters, in which each of the earlier stages offers a linked award. This articulated format enables a participant to enrol in the award that best meets individual needs. Enrolment might be directly into the master's or start with the graduate certificate.
|
Course Award |
Units of study |
Credit points |
|---|---|---|
|
Graduate Certificate |
4 units |
24 |
|
Graduate Diploma |
6 units |
36 |
|
Master's Degree |
8 units |
48 |
|
Honours (Option ) |
10 units |
60 |
Admission requirement
In order to qualify for admission to either the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master's degree, applicants shall:
- hold a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field or other relevant area, or
- have such professional qualifications and/or experience that will satisfy the faculty, and
- have a minimum of one year’s full-time professional experience.
Current or recent experience in teaching is considered desirable. Admission for all students will be contingent on availability of student places. Mid-year enrolment is an option.
Level of entry
Students elect their level of entry according to their study goals. Most students enter at the Master's level. Some students enter at the graduate certificate level and choose the option to articulate to the Master's at a later date. The graduate diploma is available as an early exit option from the master’s program. Participants may enrol directly into this award but note it does not meet the requirements of full-time study as the second semester, requiring only two units of study, is only equivalent to a part-time load.
Articulation to a higher award
Participants wishing to transfer (or articulate) from the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma to the Master's degree should complete a course transfer form and submit this to Student Central by 30 October. Participants with non-graduate entry will need to achieve a credit average to be eligible for articulation from the Graduate Certificate to the Diploma or Master's.
Early exit
A participant who elects to exit early from a higher articulated award must satisfactorily complete the credit point requirements for the lesser award.
Honours
Articulation into the Master of Health Science (Education) Honours course is contingent upon the student achieving an overall credit average and a Distinction in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Education) pass course. Evidence may be required of the applicant's ability to write a critical literature review to a high standard. The dissertation will be deemed to be worth 12 credit points and will normally be completed within one semester. Applicants should contact the course coordinator before applying.
Course outline
The course outline for each award is described in Tables 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.3.1. Education electives available in Semesters 1 and 2 are listed following Table 16.5.1. See Chapter 26 for unit descriptions and for a list of faculty and research electives.
Table 16.1: Graduate Certificate of Health Science (Education)
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SG032: Credit points for award: 24 | |||
| Full-time, 1 semester; part-time, 2 semesters | |||
Full-time mode |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Two electives [12] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Part-time mode |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Students commencing studies in Semester 2 should undertake BACH5001 Adult Learning as their first core unit. |
|||
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
| Students undertake two (2) professional electives of 6 credit points each. Generally these electives are taken from Education List A or List B found in the Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health electives list following Table 16.5.1. | |||
Table 16.2: Graduate Diploma of Health Science (Education)
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SF046: Credit points for award: 36 | |||
| Part-time, 3 semesters | |||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Students commencing studies in Semester 2 should undertake BACH5001 Adult Learning as their first core unit. |
|||
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
| Two electives [12] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
| Students undertake four professional electives of 6 credit points each. Generally these electives are taken from Education List A or List B found in the Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health electives list following Table 16.5.1. | |||
Table 16.3: Master of Health Science (Education) Pass
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC066: Credit points for award: 48 | |||
| Full-time, 2 semesters; part-time, 4 semesters | |||
Full-time mode |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Three electives [18] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Students commencing studies in Semester 2 should undertake BACH5001 Adult Learning as their first core unit. |
|||
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Three electives [18] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Part-time mode |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Students commencing studies in Semester 2 should undertake BACH5001 Adult Learning as their first core unit. |
|||
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| Two electives [12] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
| Two electives [12] (see note) | |||
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
| Students undertake 6 electives of 6 credit points each. Generally these electives are taken from Education List A or List B found in the Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health electives list following Table 16.5.1. | |||
Table 16.3.1: Master of Health Science (Education) Honours
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC082: Credit points for award: 60 | |||
| Full-time, 3 semesters; part-time, 5 semesters | |||
Full-time mode |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
| As per Pass course | |||
Year 2 |
|||
| BACH5263 Dissertation |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Part-time mode |
|||
Years 1 and 2 |
|||
| As per Pass course | |||
Year 3 |
|||
| BACH5263 Dissertation |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Note |
|||
| Students must complete a dissertation, worth 12 credit points. The dissertation should be on a topic covered in one of the units for which the student has earned at least a Distinction grade. Students should contact the course coordinator before enrolling. | |||
Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science)
Note: This course is no longer open to new enrolments. The information below is provided for continuing students already enrolled in the program.
Honours
Articulation into the Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science) honours course is contingent upon the student achieving an overall credit average and Distinctions in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science) pass course.
Course outline
The course outlines for graduate coursework studies in Behavioural Science are presented in Tables 16.4 and 16.4.1. See information following Table 16.5.1 for elective streams. See Chapter 26 for unit descriptions and a list of faculty and research electives.
Table 16.4: Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science) Pass
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC047: Credit points for award: 48 | |||
| Off-campus; part-time, minimum 4 semesters | |||
Part-time mode (no new intake in 2010) |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
| Research elective [6] | |||
| Three electives [18] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
| Four electives [24] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
| Generally electives are taken from the elective list following Table 16.5.1. | |||
Table 16.4.1: Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science) Honours
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC081: Credit points for award: 60 | |||
| Part-time, 5 semesters | |||
Part-time mode (no new intake in 2010) |
|||
Years 1 and 2 |
|||
| As per Pass course | |||
Year 3 |
|||
| BACH5263 Dissertation |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Note |
|||
| Students must complete a dissertation, worth 12 credit points. The dissertation should be on a topic covered in one of the units for which the student has earned at least a Distinction grade. | |||
Master of Health Science (Child and Adolescent Health)
Note: This course is no longer open to new enrolments. The information below is provided for continuing students already enrolled in the program.
Honours
Articulation into the Master of Health Science (Child and Adolescent Health) honours course is contingent upon the student achieving an overall credit average and Distinctions in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Child and Adolescent Health) pass course.
Course outline
The course outlines for graduate coursework studies in Child and Adolescent Health are presented in Tables 16.5 and 16.5.1. See elective streams following Table 16.5.1 for a list of Child and Adolescent Health elective units of study. See Chapter 26 for unit descriptions and a list of faculty and research electives.
Table 16.5: Master of Health Science (Child and Adolescent Health) Pass
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC048: Credit points for award: 48 | |||
| Off-campus, part-time, minimum 4 semesters | |||
Part-time mode (no new intake in 2010) |
|||
Year 1 |
|||
| Research elective [6] | |||
| Two Child and Adolescent Health electives [12] (see note) | |||
| Elective [6] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
| Two Child and Adolescent Health electives [12] (see note) | |||
| Two electives [12] (see note) | |||
| YEAR 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
| Generally electives are taken from the elective list following Table 16.5.1. Students are encouraged to select electives from the Child and Adolescent stream. | |||
Table 16.5.1: Master of Health Science (Child and Adolescent Health) Honours
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SC116: Credit points for award: 60 | |||
| Part-time, 5 semesters | |||
Part-time mode (no new intake in 2010) |
|||
Year 1 and Year 2 |
|||
| As per Pass course | |||
Year 3 |
|||
| BACH5263 Dissertation |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Note |
|||
| Students must complete a dissertation, worth 12 credit points. The dissertation should be on a topic covered in one of the units for which the student has earned at least a Distinction grade. | |||
Behavioural and Community Health Sciences electives
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Elective streams |
|||
| Depending on the degree program, you may be able to choose electives across a number of streams. Electives in all the streams listed below except for those in the Education stream are classed as Behavioural Science electives. | |||
Child and Adolescent Health |
|||
| BACH5063 Therapies for Children and Adolescents |
6 | P BACH5313 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5138 Abnormal Psychology and Mental Health |
6 | A Undergraduate psychology Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5198 Contemporary Issues 1 |
6 | A Previous study of psychology at undergraduate level or BACH5321 Psychology for Graduate Students |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5200 Contemporary Issues 2 |
6 | P BACH5198 Contemporary Issues I |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5309 Assessment of Children and Adolescents |
6 | P Three year undergraduate degree in psychology and BACH5313 Child and Adolescent Psychology |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5313 Child and Adolescent Psychology |
6 | A Previous study of psychology at undergraduate level is assumed |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Counselling |
|||
| BACH5138 Abnormal Psychology and Mental Health |
6 | A Undergraduate psychology Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5139 Behaviour Mod & Cog Behavioural Therapy |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| BACH5143 Counselling |
6 | A Undergraduate psychology Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5323 Advanced Counselling Skills |
6 | A Basic counselling skills P BACH5143 Counselling |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5324 Psychotherapy |
6 | P BACH5143 Counselling C BACH5323 Advanced Counselling Skills |
Semester 2 |
Education |
|||
List A (normally offered in Semester 1) |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5085 Clinical Teaching and Supervision |
6 | A Some knowledge of adult learning theory is useful Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5118 Learning in Groups |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5151 Independent Investigation I |
6 | A Basic principles of adult learning and educational design are useful |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5153 Assessment of Learning |
6 | A Knowledge of adult learning and educational design is useful Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5336 Lecturing and Large Group Teaching |
6 | A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design Broadband internet access is essential |
Semester 1 |
List B (normally offered in Semester 2) |
|||
| BACH5001 Adult Learning |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5002 Educational Design |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5003 Facilitating Learning |
6 | A Some knowledge of adult learning theory and group dynamics useful Broadband internet access is desirable. Access to video equipment is required. |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5007 Curriculum Leadership |
6 | A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5022 Independent Investigation II |
6 | A Basic principles of adult learning and educational design are useful |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5042 Teaching Clinical Reasoning |
6 | A Some knowledge of Adult Learning theory is useful Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5116 Developing eLearning in Health Contexts |
6 | A Basic computer skills and some knowledge of adult learning theory would be useful Broadband internet access is essential |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5284 Learning in the Workplace |
6 | A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 2 |
Improving Health Systems |
|||
| BACH5026 Special Investigation |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5328 Evaluating Health Interventions |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
International Health |
|||
| BACH5196 International Health and Society |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
Research electives |
|||
| BACH5011 Survey Research Methods |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| BACH5253 Intermediate Statistics |
6 | P BACH1143 Designing Health Research, BACH1145 Quantitative Health and Social Research; or equivalent Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5255 Qualitative Research Methods |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| BACH5298 History and Philosophy of Science |
6 |
Not available to Doctor of Health Science students |
Semester 2 |
| BACH5300 Action Research |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
| BACH5302 Epidemiological Research |
6 | A Previous study of research methods at undergraduate level |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5328 Evaluating Health Interventions |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in Health Professions |
6 | N BACH3126 Research Project Development, BACH4047 Developing a Research Project, BACH5268 Developing a Research Project, DHSC7002 Research & Inquiry in Health Professions, DHSC7005 Developing a Research Project |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Other |
|||
| BACH5165 Post Trauma Stress |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| BACH5180 Stress and Illness: Management Issues |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| BACH5186 Professional Development Skills |
6 |
Broadband internet access is desirable |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BACH5224 Organisational Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| BACH5321 Psychology for Graduate Students |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| BACH5338 Cyberpsychology and Online Health |
6 | Semester 2 |
|