UWA Handbook 2026

Extended Major Overview

Description

The Medical Science - Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing extended major will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge that will prepare them for a broad range of careers in health- and biomedical science-related fields. The Level 1 and 2 units focus on preclinical disciplines. These disciplines will be integrated within the two Level 3 Body Systems units which will have a strong focus on functional human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major, including aspects of Australian society and Aboriginal health. The structure of the Major provides for a broad, pre-clinical, pan-discipline education, while accommodating a single discipline focus.

The Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing focus will provide students with a solid grounding in the multiple determinants that influence the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples, families and communities in Australia. Students will gain a broad introduction to Aboriginal health and wellbeing from an Aboriginal perspective; an understanding of the underlying issues that influence health and wellbeing from historical, cultural, environmental, political and spiritual perspectives; an understanding of particular health problems within Aboriginal communities and their impacts; knowledge of the strategies, policies and practices that have been implemented to improve health and wellbeing with a particular focus on Aboriginal community-led initiatives; and practical experience in Aboriginal health settings.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

1. articulate a broad knowledge of the structure, function and physiology of the human body at a molecular, cellular, organ and body system level
2. demonstrate an understanding of communicable and non-communicable disease processes and health interventions based on knowledge of human body functions and pharmacological principles
3. communicate biomedical concepts and knowledge to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways
4. evaluate and adopt research methodologies including research design and the analysis and interpretation of health and medical data
5. demonstrate high level academic and interpersonal skills
6. explain Aboriginal health and wellbeing from the perspectives of Aboriginal peoples
7. demonstrate an understanding of the underlying issues that influence health and wellbeing from historical, environmental, cultural, political, and spiritual perspectives
8. identify specified health problems within Aboriginal communities and their impacts
9. demonstrate knowledge of the strategies, policies and practices that have been implemented to improve health and wellbeing with a particular focus on Aboriginal-community-led initiatives; (10) demonstrate a strong fundamental knowledge of human biology assisting in evaluating the biological evidence about disease mechanisms; and (11) integrate this biological knowledge with their understanding of Aboriginal ways, health and disease in formulating effective strategies required to address health issues.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

ATAR Chemistry or equivalent.

ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent.

Incompatibilities

None

Courses

Medical Science - Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

• BP056 Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised)
• BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Units