School of Human Sciences
Discovering what it is to be human
The School of Human Sciences is a large multi-disciplinary School with research and teaching focused on better understanding what it is to be human, from our structure, function, development and genetics, to adaptation, performance and evolution.
Our students are provided with a fundamental interdisciplinary understanding of human function and the manner in which it adapts to challenging and disruptive change. Our graduates become innovative and integrative scientific thinkers, whose careers can be found in fields relating to human structure, development and performance.
As a School, we deliver master's courses in Anatomical Sciences, Biological Arts, Biomedical Science, Clinical Audiology, Exercise Science, Health Science, Human Biology, and Work Health and Safety. We operate majors in Anatomy and Human Biology, Exercise and Health, Sport Science, and Physiology, contributing to other majors in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience, and Medical Science. We also play a key role in delivery of doctorate programs in medicine, dental medicine and podiatric medicine.
23rd in the world for Anatomy and Physiology (QS 2023)
22nd in the world for Sports-Related Subjects (QS 2023)
Our research
Courses
Honours
Students enter the honours program at the beginning of the year. Enrolments are required to be full-time.
Honours is available in these key research areas:
- Honours in Anatomy and Human Biology
- Honours in Physiology
- Honours in Neuroscience
- Honours in Sport Science, Exercise and Health
Under the supervision of internationally recognised school staff, you will:
- gain an introduction to the challenging world of full-time research
- investigate a biological problem at a professional level
- access the vast information related to your topic
- discover the challenges, frustration, routine and inspiration of research
- contribute to the knowledge and technical background of your subject
- appreciate the value of working with academic and technical colleagues
- develop technical, written and verbal skills
Honours and Master Research Projects [PDF, 3MB]
How to apply for Honours
Honours in the School of Human Sciences has an emphasis on completing an original research project.
- UWA Students
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UWA students should contact the School’s Honours Conveners to register their interest as early as possible in the semester prior to the expected commencement.
School applications will open in October 2022 and will close 10 March 2023.
The application process has two parts.
- An End-On Honours Application is made online through studentConnect. Select course Bachelor of Science BH004
- The School’s Honours Application Form (with Supervisor's signature) must also be attached to the on-line application. Honours Application form
Applications are assessed by the Admissions office, who will issue letters of offer and can provide additional information about the application process.
- External Students
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Students external to UWA who wish to enrol for honours in the School should contact Dr Jeremy Smith in advance and submit a School Application Form to ensure the School is happy to accept and supervise you.
A letter from the School to this effect may be provided which, attached to the UWA application form, may facilitate the application process.
Dr Margaret Loman-Hall Honours Scholarships
Scholarships are funded by a bequest from Dr Margaret Loman-Hall for the purpose of encouraging eligible students to undertake a Bachelor of Science (Honours) or Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Human Biology), School of Human Sciences.
Each Scholarship is valued at $7,500 and comprises:
- $,6000 during the honours enrolment as a stipend
- $1,500 during the honours enrolment as a research costs allowance payable to the student’s supervisor
To be eligible for a Dr Loman-Hall Scholarship applicants must:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
- Enrol in a Bachelor of Science (Honours) program in the School of Human Sciences
MLH Scholarship Regulations [PDF, 183KB]
Margaret Loman-Hall Application [PDF, 183KB]
Applications due Friday Week 2 of Semester 1
Frank Pyke Memorial Scholarship (Sport Science Honours)
Janet and Don Pyke, along with their family and friends, have donated funds to The University of Western Australia ('the University') to establish a scholarship in memory of the late Professor Frank Pyke and to honour the contribution he made to the School, the University, and sport science in Australia.
The Frank Pyke Memorial Scholarship (Sport Science Honours) provides assistance to an honours student who has demonstrated academic excellence and other outstanding achievements, abilities, leadership or community involvement in sport or exercise related activities, to complete a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree course in Sport Science, Exercise and Health at the University.
Accreditations
The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is a National University Course Accreditation Program (NUCAP) accredited course. Graduates may apply to Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) within two years of completing the course for credentialing as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP).
News
Major grant to study how heatwaves affect maternal and child health
Researchers at The University of Western Australia have been awarded $3.34 million to explore the impact of heatwaves on health during pregnancy.
Read moreEnglish philosophers thought they had sloughed off the dead weight of history, but history suggests otherwise
Nikhil Krishnan’s intriguing and charming history, A Terribly Serious Adventure: Philosophy at Oxford 1900-60, is organised around anecdotes rather than arguments. Krishnan is interested not only in “what people thought but what they were like”.
Read moreBreakthrough review explores intricate cell-environment connection
A pioneering review article has shed new light on the intricate connection between cells and the environment they exist in, expanding our understanding of the physical aspects of cell biology.
Read moreCentres and groups
- Cardiovascular Research Group
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Our laboratory is an international leader in the development and optimisation of peripheral and cerebral vascular function assessment in humans.
As well as focusing on the function and structure of large arteries (i.e. macrovasculature), we have developed techniques to assess microvascular function and structure in vivo.
Find out more - Centre for Sleep Science
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Research conducted at the Centre for Sleep Science at The University of Western Australia aims to identify the causes of, and investigate therapies for, poor sleep.
The Centre for Sleep Science has five bedrooms with state-of-the-art sleep recording and analysis equipment for laboratory-based research sleep studies. The Centre for Sleep Science is the base for a number of postgraduate sleep training courses offered through the University.
- International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity (IRCOHE.net)
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The IRCOHE.net develops innovative solutions in health education, research and service to address the global challenges in social inequities.
The IRCOHE.net focus is to provide world-class R&D, facilitate improved health in societies across the world, and address the needs of marginalised communities. Its team of 150 Fellows, Students and Collaborators work through ten international regional hubs to advance the joint agenda of equity for all.
Key issues it addresses include health policy and strategy; accessibility; workforce: skills mix, education and distribution; and research oriented to health care needs and prevention.
- Psychology of Active, Healthy Living Group (PAHL)
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The UWA Psychology of Active, Healthy Living (PAHL) Group was formed in 2013 by Dr Ben Jackson and Dr James Dimmock. Ben and James now act as co-Directors of the PAHL group, working with collaborators from all over the world and coordinating over a dozen graduate students based at UWA.
The guiding principle of the PAHL group is to develop rigorous, innovative, and fundable projects that make a difference to people’s lives.
The three main objectives of the group are to:
- Conduct basic (e.g., experimental) work that advances our understanding of health and physical activity
- Develop and implement sustainable and effective health promotion interventions
- Translate our research by ensuring the group’s work reaches and involves the community
Key staff contacts:
- SymbioticA
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SymbioticA is an artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences. SymbioticA is the first research laboratory of its kind, enabling artists and researchers to engage in wet biology practices in a biological science department.
It offers a new means of artistic and cultural inquiry, where artists use the tools and technologies of science, not just to comment about them, but to explore their possibilities. It also hosts residents, workshops, exhibitions and symposia.
- UWA Exercise and Performance Centre
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The UWA Exercise and Performance Centre (EPC) is an integrated centre offering exercise and health services using evidence-based, progressive and client centre approaches. Our aim is to promote the restoration of function or optimisation of performance in clients ranging from the general public through to elite or developing athletes and industry.
- UWA Paediatric Living Lab
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Drawing on clinical experience and edidence-based practice, UWA's paediatric lab provides tailored, not-for-profit exercise programs to the wider community to encourage and assist WA kids and teens with physical activity and participation.
Programs include Mini Gym, UniGym, Thriving, UniActive and iFIT.
Facilities
The School of Human Sciences is home to a range of facilities which support world-class research and teaching activities.
Research partners
The School of Human Sciences collaborates with several partners across industry.
Body Donation Program
You can donate your body for medical research through body donation, a program run by the School of Human Sciences at UWA. Your donation allows medical students to study real human bodies, a vital educational step in the process to becoming a professional doctor or other health professional.
