Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) is designed for people with a background in complementary medicine to gain advanced-level knowledge in health sciences.

There has been some discussion recently about Complementary Medicine courses being offered by universities in Australia and overseas. Some groups are arguing that universities should not offer these courses, because they are not scientific or evidence-based. Charles Sturt University is keen to recognise these concerns and highlight the difference between our course and many courses offered by other universities.

CSU does not teach homeopathy, iridology, reflexology or any other subjects that are not based on experimental evidence.

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) is designed for people with a background in complementary medicine to gain advanced-level knowledge in health sciences. It is evident in our list of subjects that you will be taught high-level, science-based health and medical subjects, often alongside students from other science or health courses. This course is not designed to teach you to become a complementary medicine practitioner, so there are no subjects that teach specific modalities.

Given the demand for complementary health services from the public, and the growth of providers in the community - of varying standards - CSU's approach is highly responsible, with our graduates emerging with appropriate training in science and evidence-based health service provision.

The health science subjects are drawn from a range of discipline areas, providing students with an understanding of biomedical science, health science and studies in law and ethics applicable to those already working in the area. Students are also provided with extensive training in how to evaluate evidence and read medical or scientific literature to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to assess the information to which they are exposed from a variety of sources. Staff at CSU also do research in complementary medicines in an effort to determine whether there is any evidence base of some practices and to provide a better understanding of why people use complementary medicines and alternative treatments.

Course structure

You will complete the following core subjects (80 points):

BMS191 Human Bioscience 1
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2
BMS291 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology 1
BMS292 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology 2
BMS343 Evidence Based Complementary Medicine (16 points)
IKC100 Indigenous Health
LAW304 Legal and Ethical Issues in Complementary Medicine
NUT201 Food & Health
SOC108 Sociology of Health and Health Care

You will also select eight restricted electives (64 points) from the following:

BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS233 Nutritional Physiology
BMS243 Nutrition, Metabolism and Human Disease
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
BMS256 Exercise Science for Health Practice
BMS323 Infectious Microbiology and Immunology
BMS342 Medicinal and indigenous foods
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
GER102 Gerontology Theory and Research
GER204 Aging and Professional Practice
GER401 Choices and Options in Later Life
HIP302 Understanding Healthy Communities
LES101 Introduction to Leisure and Health
LES102 Leisure Programming with Diverse Populations
LES202 Community Leisure and Health Issues
LES302 Leisure and Social Relations
NRS235 Pain Management
NRS325 Child Health Care and Promotion
NUT220 Food Intake Analysis and Meal Planning
NUT301 Community and Public Health
POD307 Medicine 1 (Rheumatology and Musculoskel Pathology)
POD315 Medicine 3 (Mental Health, Neurol & Vascular Medicine)
PSY214 Health Psychology
RSC301 Asthma Management
SCI301 International Practical Experience

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Credit

Upon admission, all students with a minimum one-year (30-week) Diploma are awarded a credit package of 48 points. Students who have completed one of the following Australian National Health Training Diplomas will receive credit for BMS191 Human Bioscience 1 and BMS192 Human Bioscience 2 (total credit on admission 64 points):

• Diploma of Aromatherapy (HLT51407)
• Diploma of Kinesiology (HLT51507)
• Diploma of Reflexology (HLT51707)
• Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT50307)
• Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies (HLT50207)
• Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedial Massage (An Mo Tui Na) (HLT50107)

Students who have completed one of the following Australian National Health Training Advanced Diplomas will receive credit for BMS191 Human Bioscience 1, BMS192 Human Bioscience 2, NUT201 Food & Health, BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1, BMS292 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2 and one 8 point unspecified elective (total credit on admission 96 points):

• Advanced Diploma of Aromatic Medicine (HLT60907)
• Advanced Diploma of Ayuveda (HLT60707)
• Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy (HLT60507)
• Advanced Diploma of Nutritional Medicine (HLT61007)
• Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine (HLT60107)

Students may be eligible for a further 32 points of credit based on the content of the specific program they have completed (total maximum credit towards the degree is 128 points). Students who have completed other Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

More information about credit and pathways.

Course structure

The degree will comprise the following components:

• 48 points base credit for prior study
• 80 points of core subjects
• 64 points of electives

Core subjects – 80 points

BMS191 Human Bioscience 1
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2
BMS291 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology 1
BMS292 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology 2
BMS343 Evidence Based Complementary Medicine (16 points)
IKC100 Indigenous Health
LAW304 Legal and Ethical Issues in Complementary Medicine
NUT201 Food & Health
SOC108 Sociology of Health and Health Care

Restricted electives – students complete 8 electives/64 points

BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS233 Nutritional Physiology
BMS243 Nutrition, Metabolism and Human Disease
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
BMS256 Exercise Science for Health Practice
BMS323 Infectious Microbiology and Immunology
BMS342 Medicinal and indigenous foods
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
GER102 Gerontology Theory and Research
GER204 Aging and Professional Practice
GER401 Choices and Options in Later Life
HIP302 Understanding Healthy Communities
LES101 Introduction to Leisure and Health
LES102 Leisure Programming with Diverse Populations
LES202 Community Leisure and Health Issues
LES302 Leisure and Social Relations
NRS235 Pain Management
NRS325 Child Health Care and Promotion
NUT220 Food Intake Analysis and Meal Planning
NUT301 Community and Public Health
POD307 Medicine 1 (Rheumatology and Musculoskel Pathology)
POD315 Medicine 3 (Mental Health, Neurol & Vascular Medicine)
PSY214 Health Psychology
RSC301 Asthma Management
SCI301 International Practical Experience

Enrolment pattern

It is not possible to specify an enrolment pattern due to combination of 2 course intakes each year, subjects with multiple sessions of offering and the number of credit packages. Students would normal complete 100 level subjects during their first year of enrolment, following by 200 and then 300 or 400 level subjects. It is student’s responsibility to select subjects based on this advice, subject availability, prerequisites and co-requisites.

Admission requirements

The minimum entry requirement for the course is completion of a one year (30-week) full-time Diploma or Advanced Diploma with at least 200 hours of clinical experience.

Students entering the course will be required to possess an approved and government accredited qualification at the diploma level (or equivalent) in complementary medicine in the following therapeutic modalities:

• acupuncture

• aromatherapy / aromatic medicine

• herbal medicine

• homoeopathy

• kinesiology

• naturopathy

• nutritional science

• oriental therapies

• remedial massage

Qualifications in sport and fitness training do not meet the entry requirement as they are not complementary medicine modalities. 

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2