Optical science studies, Mātai pūtaiao ōmata

Medical studies is the study of how to prevent, diagnose, care for and treat illness, disease and injury in humans, and maintain general health. It gives you an understanding of diseases, human behaviour, medical ethics, how the human mind and body work, and how to restore and maintain health and control pain.

Nursing and midwifery is the study of how to provide health care for the sick, disabled or infirm, and expectant mothers and babies, and how to assist doctors to diagnose and treat patients. It gives you an understanding of the human mind and body, how to care for patients, how to recognise and treat diseases, and your professional responsibilities.

Pharmacy studies is the study of how to prepare, dispense and administer drugs. It gives you an understanding of how drugs work, how they are made, and how they are controlled and used in the community and in hospitals.

Dental studies is the study of how to diagnose, treat and prevent problems with the teeth and mouth and how to design, make and repair prosthetic and corrective devices. It gives you an understanding of how the teeth and gums are structured, dental health, hygiene, technology, pain control, and how to care for dental patients.

Veterinary studies is the study of how to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries in animals, and provide general animal care. It gives you an understanding of animal development, nutrition, behaviour and reproduction, and veterinary surgical procedures and pain control methods.

Public health studies is the study of how society protects, promotes and restores people's health. It gives you an understanding of the goals of public health, including how to prevent disease, premature death and disease-related problems in the population, and how to assess environmental risks to public health.

Radiography is the study of radiation technologies to provide radiation therapy and take scans, X-rays and other diagnostic images. It gives you an understanding of the theory and practice of radiographic imaging and treatment.

Rehabilitation therapies is the study of how to restore people's health and get them back to normal after an accident or disease. It gives you an understanding of movement and mobility, the musculoskeletal system, rehabilitation activities, and how speech development relates to language and personality development.

Complementary therapies is the study of how to use natural remedies and massage to prevent and treat health care problems. It gives you an understanding of how diet and lifestyle affect health and wellbeing, how to use natural substances and massage to heal disease, and how to use clinical observations to diagnose conditions and select treatments.

Health subjects not listed anywhere else.