Welcome

Welcome from the Dean

On behalf of the staff and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the University of Sydney.

It is an exciting time to be joining the faculty as we embark on a new direction driven by the internationalisation of health and health professional education and focused on building global partnerships that allow our learning, teaching and research to continue to be at the forefront of this change.

The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Health Sciences is recognised throughout Australia and internationally as a world leader in research and education in health, disability, functioning and rehabilitation. Our vision is to be the acknowledged leading global hub of excellence in research and education in health sciences.

We are committed to improving the quality of life of individuals, families and communities worldwide who experience impairment, injury, illness, chronic health conditions or disability, and of course preventative action wherever possible to ensure health and wellbeing for all.

We achieve this through our focus on multidisciplinary research of the highest quality, on research-enhanced learning and teaching in allied health and through workplace learning that advocates holistic patient-centred care.

We also play a leading role in advocating against inequities in the health and social care systems, and take as our underpinning the values embedded in the moral and legal framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Our faculty attracts the best and brightest students from all walks of life and will give you the opportunity to become a future leader in health, not just within Australia, but internationally.

Our learning and teaching programs aim to develop a new generation of allied health practitioners, corporate professionals, academics and researchers who will drive change within the health sector.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences is the faculty’s central program and in many ways epitomises what we stand for. It prepares students to work in corporate leadership roles in health through providing them with a complex understand of the political, social, behavioural, environmental, economic and international contexts of health. The program takes a global perspective so our graduates are well equipped for solving population health and disability issues on a global scale, and to work with the international agencies whose mission it is to address health inequities worldwide.

Whether you are just starting out on your career in health, looking to extend your skills or embarking on a research degree, we invite you to join us and make the most of our stimulating research and teaching environment, the energy and enthusiasm of our staff and the opportunities our global networks can open up for you.

Professor Gwynnyth M Llewellyn
Dean

Introduction

This handbook is the official guide to the courses offered in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. The handbook was prepared in advance of the 2012 academic year to maximise its usefulness as a reference to students, staff and the many associates of the faculty, particularly those who contribute to the clinical education of students.

The charter of the faculty is to provide competent practitioners in the health professions. The aims are for excellence in research, clinical and academic teaching.

The fields encompassed by the faculty at the undergraduate and/or postgraduate level are:

• Behavioural Sciences
• Developmental Disability
• Diagnostic Radiography
• Exercise and Sport Science
• Health Informatics
• Health Sciences
• Hearing and Speech
• Manipulative Physiotherapy
• Medical Radiation Sciences
• Molecular Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Orthoptics
• Physiotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Rehabilitation Counselling
• Sexual Health
• Speech Pathology
• Sports Physiotherapy.

Course outlines

The course outline tables in each academic chapter set out the required units of study to be undertaken by students in each year of their enrolled course. The Faculty of Health Sciences regularly reviews its courses to keep up with and reflect changing contemporary needs in allied health sciences. As a result, there may be one or more course outline tables presented concurrently under a course.

Commencing students should find the table with Year 1 as the first entry and use that table as a guide for their course where applicable. Continuing students should consult the table for the relevant stage of their course. See your course director, year adviser or Student Central if you require clarification on course outlines.

Units of study

The units of study section follows the academic chapters. It sets out, in alphabetical order by unit code (eg AHCD1234, BACH2345), details of units such as description of content, credit points, semester offered and assessment for the units offered in each course for the current academic year.