Students will explore the nature of language: introduction to phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and orthographic systems, , with a clinical focus. Particular emphasis on grammar, phonetics and articulation assessment and intervention. Analysis of language for clinical purposes (especially grammar transcription and phonetic transcription skills). This unit of study prepares students with the necessary background knowledge to undertake phonology, language and clinical units later in the course.

This unit of study considers the important bio-psycho-social and functional changes that occur across the lifespan. Understanding bio-psycho-social factors associated with healthy human development is important for addressing our major national health priority areas. Areas discussed include healthy child development, the families impact on health, adolescent risk taking behaviour, mental health, social relationships and social support, dementia, healthy ageing and chronic diseases across the lifespan.

This unit will develop students' broad understanding of the different approaches to health (e.g. biomedical, psychological, sociological). This would include understanding the different factors which impact health; how different approaches may lead to different strategies for developing and evaluating health solutions; and different ways of measuring health. Students are then enabled to consider how these different approaches to health are reflected in health systems both locally and internationally. Students would explore the different healthcare systems and engage with current and future challenges for health systems and health policy in Australia and abroad.

In the first half of the unit, students will examine the main social determinants of health and the meaning of health for different populations. In the second half of the unit, students will consider how health is delivered and by whom. This includes the breadth of the health workforce (both paid and unpaid) and health consumers. Embedded in this unit will be considerations of ethics and legal concerns for health professionals, cultural awareness and interdisciplinarity.

Digital technologies are changing the health landscape from consumers having access to Dr Google to clinicians using virtual reality as part of treatment. This unit of study explores the impact of digital technologies on our health and wellbeing and includes consideration of how these devices and software interact with the healthcare system, affect attitudes towards health and healthcare providers, and change the discussions about health ethics, and health equity. Students will engage in practical, hands-on learning experience and complete authentic assessments such as designing innovations, creating an ePortfolio, and applying for a job.