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

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.

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. 

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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