Course Overview
The program comprises an articulated program of units at the graduate certificate and graduate diploma level.

Occupational hygiene is concerned with the recognition, evaluation and control of environmental factors associated with the workplace which may cause illness, impaired health and wellbeing, or significant discomfort and inefficiency amongst workers or members of the public.

Environmental factors can be chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial in nature.

The evaluation of the influence of these environmental factors on human beings involves measurement of exposure and dose, use of environmental and biological monitoring techniques and assessment of the physiological response to the dose, reference to exposure standards and use of toxicological principles.

Suitable control methods are then selected to reduce exposure to any adverse environmental factors.

An occupational hygienist usually holds a degree in chemistry, physics, engineering, biology (with some chemistry) or related physical and biological sciences and through special studies can recognise occupational factors that cause illness or inefficiency and understand their effect on human beings; evaluate the magnitude of these factors and of the response of an exposed population to them; and prescribe methods to eliminate, control or reduce the influence of the adverse factors.

Course Rules
Students must complete 8 credit points including four coursework units, project units and a practice unit. The practice units cover areas of advanced occupational hygiene practice and commences with a two-week period of attendance at the Geelong campus for practical work and project-planning workshops. The project consists of two units (SBH733 and SBH734) of 1 credit point each comprising a single project in an approved area of occupational hygiene. If possible the project should be carried out at the student's place of employment.

Course Structure

Level 1

Semester 1

SBH711 Chemical Hazards  

SBH712 Toxicology and Biohazards  

Semester 2

SBH723 Physical Hazards  

SBH724 Human Factors  

Level 2

Semester 1

SBH731 Occupational Hygiene Practice  

SBH733 Occupational Hygiene Project A  

Semester 2

SBH715 Risk Assessment and Control  

SBH734 Occupational Hygiene Project B  

Admission requirements
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.

In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicants previous academic record.

The minimum requirements are:
(i) successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved university or other educational institution or
(ii) successful completion of other equivalent qualifications gained by examination or
(iii) approved professional or industrial experience

English language requirements - Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate applicants to Deakin University must demonstrate their competence in English by providing certified/notarised documentary evidence of one of the following. Certain courses may require a higher level of English proficiency.

(i) Where the applicant’s first language is English and secondary and/or undergraduate studies were conducted in English, a certified/notarised copy of the applicant’s studies record, clearly indicating that English was the language of instruction, must be supplied.
(ii) An overall band score of 6.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (Academic module) conducted by the British Council/IDP Education Australia office, provided that no individual band score is less that 6.
(iii) A score of 237 or better (essay rating 5) in the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
(iv) Satisfactory completion of a post secondary studies program which is at least two years full time or equivalent within the last five years in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment.
(v) A minimum of three years professional practice in English, and satisfactory completion of study in English language leading to certification by the governing body of the profession.
(vi) Successful completion of an English language program at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) or other English language program deemed to be equivalent to this by the Academic Board.
(vii) Satisfactory completion of the DUELI test of English language competence.
(viii) Other evidence of English language competence deemed acceptable by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

University Profile
More than 40 percent of Deakin students study by distance education.

Deakin has many years' experience in using online technologies to support and enhance the learning experiences of distance education students.

Distance education is an ideal choice for people who do not live near a campus to complete a course; or for people who wish to combine study with their job, as you may choose when and where you study.

Teaching and learning
Off-campus courses are the same as on-campus courses – the only difference is that rather than attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes in person, you study using a variety of other methods.

Deakin Studies Online (DSO)
DSO is Deakin University’s online teaching and learning environment. It delivers web-based course material and assessment tasks and facilitates communication and collaboration between staff and students.

DSO is being implemented as the university-wide learning management system.

Deakin's online environment gives you flexible and convenient access to learning resources and will enrich your learning experiences.

Distance Campus Support - Deakin University Student Association
The Distance Student section of the Deakin University Student Association website is devoted to information tailor-fitted to the needs of off-campus students on what DUSA in general and the Distance Campus Committee (DCC) in particular can do.

The DCC is here to represent YOU if you are a student at Deakin studying off-campus: looking out for your needs, putting you in contact with services, representing you to the University and making themselves available for advice.