Health Science (2024)

Health Science is available as a subject in the Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science (PGCertHSc), Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science (PGDipHSc), and Master of Health Science (MHSc).


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  • Prescriptions for the PGCertHSc

    To complete a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science (PGCertHSc) students must complete 60 points at 500 level from the papers listed below.

    Students do not have to follow a listed pathway; however, the following pathways are available.

    Gerontology pathway

    Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC531.

    Mental Health pathway

    Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC520.

    Primary Care pathway

    Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC561.

  • Prescriptions for the PGDipHSc and MHSc

    To complete a Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science (PGDipHSc) students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including 90 points from the papers listed below.

    To complete a Master of Health Science (MHSc) students must complete 240 points at 500 level, including 210 points from the papers listed below. Students must include HLTSC592, HLTSC593, HLTSC594, or HLTSC508 and HLTSC509.

    Students do not have to follow a designated pathway; however, the following pathways are available.

    Clinical pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level including HLTSC501, HLTSC502.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

    Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC508 and HLTSC507.

    Education pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC540 and HLTSC541.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc.

    Gerontology pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC530, HLTSC531 and HLTSC532.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

    Leadership and Health Management pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC570, HLTSC571, HLTSC572 and HLTSC573.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

    Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC550 and HLTSC551.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

    Mental Health pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC520, HLTSC521 and HLTSC562.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

    Nurse Practitioner pathway

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC503, HLTSC507, HLTSC508, HLTSC509 and HLTSC510.

    Primary Care pathway

    For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC560, HLTSC561 and HLTSC562.

    For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.

  • Prescriptions for the PhD

    The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • Prescriptions for the MPhil

    The [Master of Philosophy] (https://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/higher/mphil) is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • Prescriptions for the DHSc

    The Doctor of Health Science is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time professional doctorate in health science for experienced health practitioners who have a strong academic record and who want to develop their profession through research. Students in this programme complete guided coursework and a thesis. This thesis critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, and displays intellectual independence. It makes a substantial original contribution to the research area and is of publishable quality.

  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    HLTSC501Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Registered Nurses30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    This paper extends the knowledge gained from undergraduate Health Assessment for nurses, to enable registered nurses to autonomously practice health assessment in a clinical setting, integrating physical, cultural, social and psychological dimensions as the basis for care planning and advanced practice decision-making.
    HLTSC502Applied Science30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    This paper extends the undergraduate understanding of pathophysiology and to inform knowledge and clinical judgement when assessing health needs and to provide care and support for people to manage their health and wellbeing. It provides the scientific rationale and understanding of: (i) Health assessment and human biology which is...
    HLTSC503Specialty Knowledge in Nursing Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper builds on foundational knowledge of assessment and clinical decision making to provide students with the opportunity to explore knowledge related to their area of specialty clinical practice. Students will explore issues of relevance to their specialty through literature review and critique, analysis of evidence, critica...
    HLTSC506Special Project30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    This paper will allow students to pursue an individual programme of study in areas where there are not sufficient numbers to make up a class cohort. The paper will be taken under the direction of an academic and will involve a negotiated project.
    HLTSC507Pharmacological Therapy30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    This paper will explore the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used pharmacological agents. It will also explore pharmacological treatment and alternatives to pharmacotherapy.
    HLTSC508Prescribing Practicum30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper provides the student with structured clinical experiences in prescribing practice. This includes clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, articulating a range of prescribing options, and making a prescribing recommendation based on clinical assessment and appraisal of the evidence base for prescribed treatments.
    HLTSC509Advanced Clinical Practicum30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper is designed to prepare nurses for advance practice clinical roles including that of Nurse practitioner. Completion of this paper will assist the student in preparation of a practice portfolio as part of their application to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for Nurse practitioner endorsement. This paper is at Level 9 on...
    HLTSC510Advanced Practice Role Development30.024B (Hamilton)
    This is a self-paced course with two outputs, an analysis of an advanced practice clinical role and a business case for that advanced practice role. The paper will enable Nurse practitioner candidates to research and articulate the basis of their role in population health needs, clinical practice, and contemporary evidence.
    HLTSC511Mātanga Tapuhi (Nurse Practitioner) Prescribing Practicum30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper provides the student with structured clinical experiences in prescribing practice. This includes clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, articulating a range of prescribing options, and making a prescribing recommendation based on clinical assessment.
    HLTSC512New Entry To Practice: Clinical Reasoning and Population Responsiveness30.024A (Block)
    This paper is delivered by Te Whatu Ora – Waikato. HLTSC512 has been established to provide credit for when students enrol in postgraduate study at University of Waikato in the nursing programme. Students who complete this paper will be provided with 30 unspecified credits.
    HLTSC520Mental Health Nursing Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper provides an introduction to the clinical specialty of mental health nursing for nurses new to mental health. The practice builds on foundations provided in preregistration programmes and explores core clinical concepts in mental health and the social context of mental health. Topics include clinical and recovery models, ...
    HLTSC521Psychological Therapies30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper will explore foundational learning in the theory and practice of psychological interventions in health care. Students will be supported to explore the common theoretical traditions of psychological therapies and will explore one therapeutic modality in depth through literature review and guided clinical practice.
    HLTSC530Gerontological Studies30.024B (Hamilton)
    Gerontological studies explores the social, psychological, economic and biological basis for ageing. Recent developments within Gerontology and Elderly Care are reviewed.
    HLTSC531Biological Ageing30.024B (Hamilton)
    The paper systematically addresses anatomical and physiological changes in the ageing mammal and relates these changes to the current beliefs and theories around the ageing process.
    HLTSC532Palliative Care30.024A (Hamilton)
    Excellence in symptom control can go a long way to relieving suffering. However, it is often the more contextual or psychological issues that cause more distress. Neither aspect can be considered in isolation of the other and this paper focusses on the prevention and relief of physical and psychological pain and suffering for indiv...
    HLTSC533Death and Dying30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper is designed to meet the needs of health professionals engaged in the care of terminally ill patients who wish to increase their understanding and knowledge of the disease process. Students will consider the spiritual, psychological, social and physical needs of individuals who are dying and families/whanau within the con...
    HLTSC534Health Leadership30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper enables students to position health leadership within the current and future context of health delivery both in New Zealand and internationally. The paper takes students through the various conceptual frameworks that consider 'self' as leader, 'others' as leaders to 'organisational leadership'.
    HLTSC535Managing People in the Health Sector30.024A (Block)
    This paper is aimed at health professionals and others working in the health sector. The paper will provide students with a set of tools to manage staff through their journey with a health organisation from effective recruitment to ensuring they get the best out of teams through effective use of performance and retention strategi...
    HLTSC540Education and Development for Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper equips health professionals to facilitate learning and application of knowledge to practice using contemporary evidenced based education approaches.
    HLTSC541Supervision and Mentorship30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper introduces students to the roles of supervision and mentorship in professional practice. Students will be engaged in supervision and / or mentorship roles in their clinical practice and the course will support them in developing skills in guiding the development of health professional practice.
    HLTSC550Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Professional Health Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper builds on foundational knowledge of Maori, Pacific and indigenous perspectives of health to provide students with the opportunity to explore the influence of indigenous knowledges, values and ethics on practice. Students will explore practice through literature review and critique and critical analysis of evidence to inf...
    HLTSC551Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Health Leadership30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper builds on knowledge from HLTSC 550 to provide the opportunity for students to explore leadership from Maori, Pacific and indigenous worldviews. This paper will explore leadership issues and the challenges relating to maintaining cultural integrity within current health environment and how to address them.
    HLTSC561Primary Healthcare Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper provides primary care registered nurses with the knowledge, skill and nursing judgement to provide care and support for people to manage their health and wellbeing within the primary healthcare context. The paper provides opportunities for registered nurses to initiate innovative approaches that are responsive to communi...
    HLTSC592Health Science Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton)
    This 60-point research project provides the research component of the honours or the Masters degree.
    HLTSC593Health Science Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
    The 90-point thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 30,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate a health issue.
    HLTSC594Health Science Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    The thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 40,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate a health issue.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    HLTSC900Health Science PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    The doctoral thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 80,000 to 100,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate a health issue, and which makes an original contribution to knowledge.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 7 December 2023 9:06am

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