Health Social Sciences

Students specialising in Health Social Science will acquire knowledge and skills in both the theory and methods of the social sciences as applied to public health. The social sciences make a significant contribution to our capacity to both understand public health problems, and to offer novel solutions. Students will have the opportunity to develop higher order skills in social theorising with an emphasis on critical analysis, and written and verbal communication. Students who undertake a research project will also develop knowledge and skills in social science research methods, and their application to health. The social and political dimensions of illness and suffering and the cultural differences in the understanding of health care delivery present important challenges, not only to practitioners, but also to administrators and planners. This specialisation incorporates subjects from health ethics, sociology of health and illness, medical anthropology and the history of health care, providing students with a social science ‘toolkit’ for their public health careers. Examples of complex health issues will be used to demonstrate the application of the social sciences to public health, for example; stem cell research, alcohol use, contraception and abortion and the development of culturally sensitive population health programs.

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Standard 200 Point Program (no Advanced Standing):

FIVE core subjects and TEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
FIVE core subjects, NINE elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

Students granted 25 Credit Points Advanced Standing:

FIVE core subjects and EIGHT elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
FIVE core subjects, SEVEN elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

Students granted 50 Credit Points Advanced Standing:

FOUR core subjects and SEVEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
FOUR core subjects and EIGHT elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

Core Subjects

Student must complete POPH90217 unless they have been granted 50 points Advanced Standing (150 point program) or an exemption has been granted.

Highly Recommended Electives

Other Electives

Pre-requisite Subjects for the Research Project Option

Research Project

Students may apply to enrol in a Research Project in Health Social Sciences. Students entering the Master of Public Health from 2011 must have a weighted average mark of at least 70% for all relevant subjects to be eligible to enrol in the research project. Successful research project applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit.

Those students who do undertake (or are currently enrolled in) the Research Project please note the following important information:

• Students who have already completed one semester of their Research Project will be completing their project over two semester’s (12.5 points per semester) so please enroll in the remaining semester.
• Students who have not commenced their Research Project have the option of applying to enrol in a year-long research project or a semester-long research project.