Bachelor of Paramedic Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Paramedic Science

Paramedics are often the first contacts for a patient and provide emergency health care and transport.

Gain a strong foundation in clinical and paramedic sciences. You’ll explore all areas of paramedic practice including human pathophysiology, behavioural health, pharmacology, clinical leadership, and legal and ethical practice.

Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013431
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 13 Rank - 72
UniSC program code
SC395
Commence
Semester 1 only
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Biology; at least one other science subject
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each subtest. Refer to English language requirements
Fee type 2016
  • What will I pay?
Total units
288

Gain a strong foundation in clinical and paramedic sciences. You’ll explore all areas of paramedic practice including human pathophysiology, behavioural health, pharmacology, clinical leadership, and legal and ethical practice.

Our program is delivered by experienced paramedics to provide you with clinical knowledge, skills and practice. Gain hands-on experience through real-life simulations in our specialised paramedic labs. From your first year, you’ll complete 12 weeks of clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service and with an additional 2 weeks of clinical placement in other health care facilities  to give you the extra knowledge and experience to confidently start working on road. You may be required to undertake some of your clinical placements outside the region or in a rural area within Queensland.

Graduate ready to work as an Advanced Care Paramedic or go after opportunities to clinically advance to an Intensive Care or Critical Care Paramedic. Choose to work within aero medical, rescue and retrieval, remote and rural health care and clinical education. You’ll also be eligible to apply for membership of Paramedics Australasia.

Post-admission requirements

To be eligible to commence clinical placement you must provide evidence of having met all mandatory requirements by the Friday of Week 13 of Semester 1. Failure to do so will prevent you from commencing Clinical Placement and will delay the completion of your studies.

Go to the Paramedic Science - Clinical Practicums page to find out more about Clinical Placements and mandatory requirements.

You will be required to purchase the student paramedic uniform which includes shirt, trousers, boots, belt, personal protective equipment and soft shell jacket before going on placement. The approximate cost of the full uniform set is $550. You will also be required to purchase other items of personal medical equipment such as a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer.

Career opportunities

Ambulance paramedic, pre-hospital emergency care, aeromedical, rescue and retrieval, remote and rural healthcare, clinical education.

Membership

Paramedics Australasia; Student Paramedics Australasia (SPA).

Program structure

For students commencing 2016. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (10)

COR109 Animal Ecology Field Course
LFS103 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
LFS112 How Animals Work: Form and Function
LFS122 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
PAR101 Cell Biology
PAR102 Biodiversity and Ecology
PAR103 Science Research Methods
PSY103 Animal Ecophysiology
PUB112 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SCI110 Animal Behaviour

Advanced courses (14)

BIM263 Global-Change Ecology
HLT221 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
HLT301 Animal Habitats
PAR201 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
PAR202 Coastal and Marine Ecology
PAR203 Numerical Techniques in Ecology
PAR211 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
PAR212 Coastal Conservation and Management Project
PAR222 Special Research Project
PAR301 Workplace Learning I
PAR302 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design
PAR311 Qualitative Research Methods
PAR312 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
PAR321 Honours Reading Course for BU401 and BU402

Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • successfully complete all required courses as listed below;
  • successfully complete all Clinical practicum courses.

To undertake Clinical practicum in Queensland with QAS and other health care facilities, you must meet the Mandatory Requirements by Week 13 of Semester 1.

For more information about Clinical practicum and the Mandatory Requirements checklist refer to Paramedic Science – Clinical Practicum.

Program notes
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including case studies, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, clinical scenarios (OSCA’s) and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to paramedic students.
  • Students will be required to cover all additional costs associated with this program. Information outlining the current requirements will be made available to all prospective applicants, and students will be provided more detailed information on starting the program.
  • Some courses within this program must be completed over the Summer and Winter Semesters and require students to commit to full-time unpaid employment.
  • Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.