Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

at University of South Australia - City East Campus Australia

In the new Bachelor of Biomedical Science, you’ll explore the complex world of human health and disease under the guidance of industry experts.

In this three-year program, immerse yourself in biomedical research and gain skills to be used in clinical trials. Develop advanced knowledge in physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics. You’ll get to learn alongside internationally-recognised researchers in cancer biology, vaccine development, genetics and neuroscience.

What you'll learn
Along with fundamental knowledge in biomedical sciences, you can choose pathways into further study in biomedical research and other health professions. Throughout your degree, you’ll:

• Explore the complex world of human health and disease.
• Learn advanced skills in biochemistry, immunology, genetics, pharmacology, cancer biology.
• Learn skills which can be applied to clinical trials research.
• Study core courses in chemistry, biology and anatomy, and develop advanced knowledge in physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics.
• Benefit from a flexible learning environment with face-to-face and online courses.
• Gain research experience, which forms a great foundation for pathways in bioinformatics, genomics, and clinical trials.

This unique degree offers practice-based and theoretical learning to ensure you’re primed for a healthy career.

During the first two years you’ll explore both nutrition and food science topics, gaining a strong understanding of the key elements of each. You’ll complete group work and research on topics, including environmentally sustainable food practice, in the sensory lab. You’ll get to analyse micro-organisms and explore key topics like food contamination in the microbiology lab. 

Your knowledge will be developed in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health in our society
• Human and lifespan nutrition
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• The chemistry of food
• Food quality and safety
• Relationships between food bioactives and health
• Consumer education
• Influences of the senses on consumer food choice
• Food sustainability

In your third year you’ll specialise in either a nutrition or food science stream.

If you choose nutrition, you’ll get to develop:

• Essential communication skills across a variety of platforms
• Skills to promote good health through food and nutrition in the community
• Dietary and exercise plans to manage weight
• Nutrition for sports, exercise and activity
• Sustainable nutrition choices

If you choose food science, you’ll focus on:

• Food microbiology
• Quality assurance in food processing and manufacturing
• Developing safe, nutritionally and environmentally sound foods for the marketplace
• Food and beverage fermentation

This honour's degree is for students who have successfully completed a relevant bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, nutrition and food sciences, natural sciences or laboratory medicine.

You’ll develop and extend your research skills and specialist knowledge. The intensive research experience you’ll get from the Bachelor of Biomedical Research (Honours) will confidently prepare you for a career in research or further studies, such as a PhD.

What you'll learn

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with researchers and contribute to the development of knowledge in your area of specialisation. You’ll learn transferable skills such as research training, reporting, communication and presentation skills, data analysis and high-level project management skills.

During the first six months you’ll explore research methodologies, research hypotheses and proposals. You’ll also gain an awareness of ethical research practice.

During the final six months you’ll be required to analyse, understand and contextualise your research results. You’ll then prepare a written thesis and present your findings during a research seminar.
 

This double degree is for students who want to combine their passion for health and exercise with their interest in nutrition.

Through theoretical and practical learning, you’ll become an expert in all aspects of nutrition and food sciences. Most importantly, you’ll be ready to improve the nutritional and physical health, fitness and wellbeing of the community.

You'll learn from world-class industry experts in an environment full of opportunities for practical learning; and have the opportunity to complete a work placement with valuable industry experience. You can also tailor your degree to align with your career goals by choosing a primary stream in either Health and Physical Education, or Exercise and Sport Science.

What you'll learn

This double degree offers a strong blend of theoretical, practice-based and industry learning.

During your first year of study, you'll develop a strong foundation in: 

• Physiology
• Health and physical activity
• Nutrition and food sciences
• Chemistry
• Motor development and ageing
• Group and team psychology
• Evidence based practice and research methods

From your second year, you can choose to tailor the human movement component of the degree using the electives to suit your career goals, through primary streams in Health and Physical Education or Exercise and Sport Science.

In addition to studying core subjects in your final years, the stream subjects focus on areas like exercise prescription, exercise delivery, fitness and lifestyle management, and outdoor leadership. Alternatively, you can opt not to study a stream, and instead choose to study a broad range of elective subjects to give you a multi-disciplinary perspective. 

Pharmaceutical scientists are experts in the chemistry, biology, and biotechnology required to design and develop medicines. UniSA’s Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is the only degree of its kind in South Australia, equipping you with skills which are globally relevant.

What you'll learn
This degree places a unique emphasis on the development and commercialisation of a range of pharmaceutical products, such as injections, tablets, creams and ointments.

In your first year you’ll develop an understanding of basic sciences. You’ll learn about career development and factors influencing the pharmaceutical industry domestically and internationally.

During the second and third years you’ll focus on:

• Pharmaceutical sciences (including formulation)
• Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
• Drug discovery, development and commercialisation

You’ll also get the opportunity to fine-tune your study to your own personal interests and career aspirations when you choose from a range of specialist courses during your final two years.

You may choose to specialise in areas such as:

• Research and development (including drug discovery)
• Manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemistry (including quality control)
• Drug development (including clinical trials)
• Business (including sales, marketing, legal, regulatory and drug information)

In the only degree of its kind in South Australia you’ll learn to diagnose and treat disorders of the foot and lower limb. If you’re interested in working with people and promoting wellbeing, this is the degree for you.

Healthy feet are an important part of the body’s holistic health, and many of us at some point in our lives will experience foot problems. In the Bachelor of Podiatry, there’s a major focus on practical skills for keeping feet healthy every day, as well the ability to diagnose and manage illness and disability. You’ll get the opportunity to practice these skills within a vast range of industry organisations.

What you'll learn

You’ll gain an advanced understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of podiatry, as well as the physical, biological, and social sciences relevant to working in healthcare. The curriculum covers the scope of a podiatrist’s practice, including paediatrics, diabetes, sports injuries, musculoskeletal problems, treatment of the elderly, and general foot care.

During the first year, you’ll cover topics to give you an introduction to health sciences including:

• human anatomy
• human physiology
• biomechanics
• disease groups and conditions

You’ll develop advanced communication skills and explore the assessment and treatment of common problems. The second year will expand your knowledge in clinical sciences, including skills to enable comprehensive and holistic assessment and management of patient conditions. During your third and fourth years, you’ll work on your clinical practice skills, including surgery (and other orthopaedic management), paediatrics, wound management, high-risk foot management, chronic pain and sporting injuries.

Practical learning is a major focus, so your training will take place in our on-campus podiatry clinics, as well as during external placements in metropolitan and rural South Australia. You’ll also get the opportunity to fine-tune your podiatry skills with 3D printed feet, created as part of a world-first podiatry training initiative.

.As a medical laboratory scientist, your work will have a vital bearing on people's welfare, supporting clinicians in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disease. You’ll perform tests on blood, tissues and other samples, and develop improved methods for disease detection and treatment.

What you'll learn

This honours degree prepares you for a career in all areas of pathology, with training in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, molecular pathology, haematology and histopathology.

During your first two years you’ll study natural and biomedical sciences, and during the third and fourth years you’ll strengthen your knowledge through clinical courses and practical experience.

You’ll learn the theory and develop the skills required to perform a range of diagnostic tests including cross-matching for blood transfusions, identifying the organisms that cause infections and food poisoning, screening for cancer cells and detecting genes responsible for disease conditions. You’ll learn how to examine blood for any changes in its composition or function, and monitor levels of blood chemicals including sugar, electrolytes, pH, metabolites, toxins, drugs, hormones and proteins.

In your third year of study all students will complete 13 weeks of valuable field placements, which is more than what is required by industry to become an accredited medical laboratory scientist with the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).

At the start of your honour’s year, you can choose to undertake Advanced Clinical Practice for 13 weeks or Experimental Research Practice for 13 weeks. In both options, you’ll work as part of a team in a diagnostic or research setting, learning how to manage specimens, perform tests and operate equipment.

Radiation Therapists work alongside Radiation Oncologists and Medical Physicists to plan and deliver radiation treatment, primarily to cancer patients. Using dedicated radiotherapy treatment planning software, Radiation Therapists model radiation dose and operate radiation equipment to accurately deliver high energy ionising radiation treatments.

What you'll learn

Using dedicated radiotherapy treatment planning software, Radiation Therapists model radiation doses and operate radiation equipment to accurately deliver high energy ionising radiation treatments. You’ll learn these techniques and practices through this degree.

During your first year, you’ll focus on basic sciences at the core of the study and practice of medical radiation science. The curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiation physics. These core subjects offer an introduction to medical radiation and the scientific principles surrounding it.

Applying these concepts to professional practice occurs through clinical placements, which begin in your second year and continue through third and fourth years.

You'll learn how to expertly provide midwifery care, along with the legal and ethical responsibilities of midwives. You'll also explore the political, socio-cultural, economic and technological influences on midwifery practice today. 

There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, so much of your learning is done in our clinician-led, simulated hospital environment. Here you'll have the opportunity to practice your skills through real-life scenarios and feel confident and prepared for clinical practice. This simulated hospital environment and community of women is the only one of its kind in South Australia.

All midwifery students will need to complete clinical placements and Continuity of Care experiences in South Australia. They must be completed on a full-time basis, and shift work will be required over a seven-day roster. Due to the on-call nature of 'continuity of care', students may be required to carry these out over more than one study period.

What you'll learn

The Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry) will teach you to assess, treat and prevent human movement disorders across various areas of practice, including sport, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and neurological conditions in people of all ages.

The beginning of the degree will cover topics in evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning skills, professional practice skills, the mechanisms and management of pain; and the theory, assessment, and management for cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological conditions. A central component of this master’s degree in clinical placements, which commence in the second half of your first year of study, in the area of acute care.