Endorsed for Occupational Health

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, Endorsed for Occupational Health, Distance Learning
• Master of Health Sciences, Endorsed for Occupational Health, On Campus

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDHealSc) and Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed for Occupational Health are qualifications available at the Dunedin School of Medicine, where specialist papers in Occupational Health and Safety are offered. The PG Diploma is available by distance learning, the master's is an on campus degree.

The postgraduate diploma and degree, and the associated occupational health and safety papers, are designed for health professionals and others who may already be working in the occupational health and safety field or wish to develop their skills in this area. It thus provides people with the opportunity to study occupational health and safety papers and undertake research in this area, which may not necessarily be a major component of their current practice. The courses may be undertaken part time or full time. Students may also undertake single papers if desired.

The Master of Health Sciences degree is complementary to other Master's degrees offered by the Division of Health Sciences, which include:

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Physiotherapy
• Master of Manipulative Physiotherapy
• Master of Bioethics and Health Law
• Master of Dental Surgery
• Master of General Practice
• Master of Medical Laboratory Science
• Master of Medical Science
• Master of Pharmacy and Master of Clinical Pharmacy

Eligibility

Candidates for the postgraduate diploma or degree must either be graduates or hold an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of tertiary study. Admission is always subject to the approval of the Board of the Division of Health Sciences, which will require evidence of ability to undertake advanced academic study.

Structure of the Course for MHealSc (on campus)

The course of study consists of two parts:

1. Papers at 400 level or higher, equivalent to 1 year of full time academic study (120 points). (Candidates for the endorsed degree must include at least two occupational health and safety papers, and an approved research methods paper or papers to the value of 30 points).
2. A thesis embodying the results of the equivalent of one year of full-time supervised research in occupational health/safety. Subject to approval, the second equivalent year of study may consist of two papers at the 400 level and a dissertation.

A candidate whose qualification for entry to the course is a postgraduate diploma or equivalent may be exempted from some of the required papers. A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree. The course of study, the topic of the thesis or dissertation and the supervisors of the research shall be approved by the Board of the Division of Health Sciences.

Structure of the Course for PGDHealSc (Distance learning)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (endorsed for Occupational Health) is designed for those health professionals who wish to study occupational health and safety but do not wish to undertake the research component of the Master of Health Sciences degree. The Diploma consists of the two Occupational Health and Safety papers (OCCX 401 and OCCX 402), an approved research methods paper or papers to the value of 30 points, and one other paper at the 400 level or higher (120 points or one year full-time equivalent study).

Paper descriptions

OCCX 401 Occupational Health (first semester) (Distance learning)
Principles of occupational health, health assessment of the worker, occupational diseases and their management, ergonomics and rehabilitation.

OCCX 402 Occupational Safety (second semester) (Distance learning)
Legislation, hazard identification assessment and control, risk management, occupational hygiene and toxicology, development of an occupational health and safety policy.

Assessment

Assessment for the two papers in occupational health and safety will consist of three assignments contributing 60% of the final grade and a final examination of 3 hours contributing 40% of the final grade.

Further information

For specific information about the occupational health and safety papers for the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Health Sciences endorsed for Occupational Health please contact:

• Occupational Health Secretary
  Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
  University of Otago
  PO Box 56
  Dunedin
  Email occupational.health@otago.ac.nz
  Tel 64 3 479 7202
  Fax 64 3 479 7298

For information about the PGDHealSc or MHealSc in general, including information about course approval and enrolment, you can also contact the Health Sciences Admission Office at the University of Otago or the local coordinator in Dunedin at the addresses below:

• K.C. Wordon
  Postgraduate Programme Administrator
  Division of Health Sciences
  University of Otago
  PO Box 56
  Dunedin 9054
  Email postgrad-health-sciences@otago.ac.nz
  Tel 64 3 479 7421