Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Subject details
ABZOO Knowledge Thought and Computers
10.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: three hours
An optional non-computing subject available to students of
the Bachelor of Information Technology degree.
Subject aims
The subject aims to develop skills in critical and creative
thinking, and to develop an understanding of the conceptual
and ethical aspects of advanced computer technology,
including the ways in which computers are transforming our
conception of ourselves and our relationship to the
environment.
Subject description
Reasoning and argument, philosophical logic, logic and
language. Traditional and contemporary theories of
knowledge and their relevance to knowledge engineering.
2. Mind and machines: computation as a model for thinking
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about (human) thinking - and vice versa.
Ethical questions arising from the above.
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Enquiries about this subject should be directed to the Faculty
of Arts.
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AB31 o Behavioural Studies and
Communication
5.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: two hours
A second-year subject of the degree course in environmental
health.
Subject description
The course examines Australian society from the point of
view of the self, the primary group, the formal organisation
and the institution. It uses sociological concepts to examine
the behaviour of people in groups and society at large, and
psychological concepts to examine personality and the way
in which the individual initiates action or responds to othen.
These concepts provide the theoretical basis for an understanding
of the practical processes involved in industrial
relations including negotiation, conciliation, handling conflict
and hostility at an organisational level, etc.
ABZlOO Behavioural Studies and
Communication
5.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: two hours
A first-year subject of the degree course in environmental
health.
Subject description
The emphasis in this course will be on interpersonal
communication/skills and stress management. Topics in
communication will include: non-verbal and verbal communication,
one-to-one communication skills, coping with conflict
at an interpersonal level, personality influences in
communication and psychological aspects of communication.
Topics in stress management will include: principles of
behavioural psychology, relaxation, nutrition and mental
health.
BCl lo
Accounting
Please see Faculty of Business subject details for
further information.
BS 141 Introductory Law
5.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: two hours
A first-year subject of the degree course in environmental
health.
Subject description
Sources of law, problems with the law, the tiers of Australian
Government: Commonwealth, State, Local Government. The
Parliamentary Process. Constitutional constraints affecting
environmental and public health legislation.
Delegated legislation:
(a) relevance to environmental health officers,
(b) advantages and disadvantages,
(c) reviewing through Parliament and the courts.
The Australian court system, court personnel and tribunals
with specialised jurisdictions. The civil and criminal trial
process.
Judges as a source of law - precedent and legal reasoning.
Case studies of particular relevance will be examined:
negligence (consumer protection); nuisance (environmental
controls); and strict liability (hazardous materials).
Judges as a source of law - the main judicial approaches to
statutory interpretation (plain meaning or policy), the context
of words in a statute, the audience, the purpose. Particular
rules; meanings limited to class or association, gaps in a
statute, inconsistent provisions, conflict with property rights,
penal provisions.
85428 Administration and Management
4.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: two hours
A fourth-year subject of the degree course in environmental
health.
Subject description
Introduction to management techniques with particular
references to Gowrnment agencies. Study of the
environmental health officer's role within structured
frameworks of Government agencies.
Consideration of financial and resource management with
particular reference to Government agencies.
Data processing, information management, use of statistics
and other administrative processes.
Overview of practices and procedures necessary to support
the occupational framework of environmental health officers.
85447 Administrative Law
5.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: two hours
A fourth-year subject of the degree course in environmental
health.
Subject description
To consider efficient internal administratiw procedures to
ensure against liability for negligent advice.
Regulatory controls - Commonwalth lmpact Statements,
State Environment Effects Statements, Planning Effect
Statements, Health lmpact Statements.
The role of the Ombudsman and Committees of Enquiry.
The Administrative Law Act and review by courts and
tribunals of the administrative process, the application of the
rules of natural justice, notice and fair hearing, the duty to
give reasons, impartiality and bias.