Health, Safety and Environment

Protect the community

This course is designed to broaden your employment opportunities in the rapidly expanding area of health, safety and environment, while still allowing you to specialise in either environmental health or health and safety.

You will complete an interprofessional first year consisting of public health and science subjects, and select a major in either environmental health or health and safety in second year. The course has a strong science base underpinning the development of required professional competencies and skills such as critical thinking, information literacy and competency in using technology. You will also have the opportunity to interact and undertake simulated real work problem solving exercises with students from other disciplines such as health promotion and psychology.

Specialist units will be balanced throughout second and third year with topics in occupational hygiene, safety and environmental health law, risk assessment and management, toxicology and environmental health. 

Your studies will be complemented with laboratory work, fieldwork and professional placements.

Environmental health

Contemporary environmental health focuses on protecting the community by bringing together the disciplines of public health practice, science, law and technology. It offers a range of interesting and rewarding careers, from human vulnerability to local and international environmental risks concerning issues such as air and noise pollution, waste management, food hygiene and safety, water, and pest control.

This major combines the scientific, technical and humanitarian skills required by environmental health professionals. In it you will focus on topics such as environmental systems, environmental noise, food science, hygiene and safety, environmental toxicology, managing the built environment, health education and promotion, management of community waste and public health law.

Health and safety

Occupational injuries and diseases have a major impact on the work environment in Western Australia and elsewhere with many physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial or organisational hazards which can cause injury, death or disease in the workplace.  

This major builds on nearly 30 years experience to offer you a contemporary, multidisciplinary approach to health and safety education. In this major you will relate concepts and principles to workplace practice and complete workplace duties under the supervision of supportive and experienced teaching staff.

This major uses a practical, industry-based approach, but will also help you develop other important skills such as critical thinking, information literacy and competence in using technology. You will study topics in subjects such as occupational health, occupational safety and health management, risk assessment, risk control and management, safety technology, occupational hygiene, toxicology and ergonomics.

Scholarships

The Bachelor of Health, Safety and Environment currently offers a three-year scholarship. For more information please visit the Scholarships Office.

Why Health, Safety and Environment?

• The majority of our students gain employment prior to graduation.
• This course will give you a strong science base and help you build solid environmental health (EH) and occupational health and safety (OHS) skills.
• Our students gain strong industry links to both EH and OHS professionals through professional practice in workplaces and frequent off-site, practical fieldtrips.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Environmental Health major are eligible for membership with Environmental Health Australia.

Health and Safety graduates are eligible for membership with the Safety Institute of Australia and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (UK).

Credit for previous study

If you have previously worked or studied in this field, you are encouraged to contact the Faculty to discuss eligibility for recognition of prior learning.

Try our RPL search to find out what credit you might be eligible for.

• Australian & NZ students
• International students