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 Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Guide to courses [PDF]

The Faculty comprises the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Science, the School of Physiotherapy, the School of Behavioural Science, and the School of Postgraduate Nursing, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs and continuing education courses.

The School of Medicine was the first medical school established in Australia. It opened in 1862, seven years after the University formally opened.

Today it enrols approximately 250 new medical students each year, with males and females approaching equal proportions. Students come from all social and cultural backgrounds, providing a social mix which reflects Australian society at large and also includes students from many overseas countries.

Over 200 academic staff teach either on campus or in the School's many affiliated hospitals and research institutes with the assistance of a large number of experienced part-time teachers who are actively involved in general or specialist medical practice.

The following major hospitals are affiliated with the School of Medicine:

The School of Medicine is also affiliated with a wide range of research institutes and research centres which are listed on the Faculty web site http://www.medfac.unimelb.edu.au/med/.

Recent years have seen significant increases in outside research funding, research staff, and medical and science graduates studying for higher degrees at the School and its affiliated institutes.

The School's very strong research capability plays a key role in postgraduate education and training and in fostering the highest quality undergraduate medical education.

The School of Medicine introduced a new course structure and selection requirements for entry to the medical course in 1999. The dual undergraduate/graduate entry program comprises approximately two-thirds school leavers and one-third graduate entry students, and it is hoped this dual entry program will broaden the range of people undertaking the medical course and enrich the study environment.

To be registered as a legally qualified medical practitioner by the Medical Practitioners' Board of Victoria, medical graduates undertake an additional year's training as an intern on the staff of an approved general hospital. Most graduates continue to gain experience, knowledge and special skills in teaching hospitals for between two and five years.

Some of this further training is provided by members of University clinical departments. Much of it is under the guidance of specialist colleges such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RACOG), Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Royal Australasian College of Radiologists (RACR), and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

The School of Dental Science traces its origins back to 1884 when the Odontological Society of Victoria sought to establish a college and hospital for the training of students in dentistry.

Establishment of the Australian College of Dentistry followed in 1892. The College was affiliated with the University of Melbourne in 1904 and the first Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) degree was conferred in 1906.

The School has a major commitment to undergraduate dental teaching and the training of dental therapists and dental hygienists. It offers two undergraduate qualifications: the Bachelor of Dental Science and the Diploma in Oral Health Therapy.

The BDSc course is a fixed, five-year program which enrols approximately 60 new students each year. Graduates qualify for registration with the Dental Board of Victoria as legally qualified dentists. In 2000, the School introduced a new BDSc curriculum.

The Diploma in Oral Health Therapy is a fixed, two-year full-time course of study, with two vocational outcomes: hygiene or therapy. Graduates apply for registration with the Dental Board of Victoria as either dental therapists or dental hygienists. The course enrols 12 new students each year: six in the dental therapy stream and six in the dental hygiene stream.

The diverse range of Australian and international students from many social and ethnic backgrounds provides a stimulating intellectual environment which enhances the learning experience for all students at the School.

The School's ever-strengthening research capabilities play a major role in both undergraduate and postgraduate education and training, and in the development of the highest quality teaching and facilities.

Teaching is provided by full-time academic staff and part-time general and specialist dental practitioners.

The School of Dental Science shares space with the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne in a building which is jointly owned by the Hospital and the University of Melbourne.

The School of Physiotherapy was established in the Faculty in 1991 and the first intake of students graduated at the end of 1994. However, the clinical science of physiotherapy commenced its association with the University in the 1890s and physiotherapists have undertaken medical science subjects at the University since that time. The School is located in Berkeley Street, close to the Medical Sciences building and the Brownless Biomedical Library.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a four-year degree awarded at honours or pass level. Approximately 90 students enrol each year. The undergraduate program provides students with a strong scientific foundation to physiotherapy and the opportunity to develop high quality clinical physiotherapy and research skills. The course is renowned for its development of a wide range of generic skills. In first year physiotherapy students begin clinical placements in hospitals of the clinical schools associated with the University. Students pursue their physiotherapy science and clinical subjects in an integrated mode throughout the course. Elective studies within Australia and overseas provide students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of international health systems and their management, and further develop clinical practice and management skills. Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the School's research programs under the guidance of clinical physiotherapists and other researchers.

Many physiotherapists undertake further study and the School offers postgraduate studies in research at PhD and masters level. The Master of Physiotherapy by coursework may be undertaken in the following clinical areas: manipulative, sports, cardiothoracic, neurological and paediatric physiotherapy and upper limb rehabilitation.

The School of Behavioural Science: In January 1992 the Department of Psychology became the fourth school (The School of Behavioural Science) within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Today there are over 1500 undergraduates enrolled in the School. Teaching is provided by around 40 academic staff and over 50 associates.

The School offers a pass major in Psychology in either Arts, Science, Commerce, a fourth year honours course in Arts or Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology through the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and many combined degrees.

A Graduate Diploma in Psychology is offered to graduates of another discipline to allow them to commence a career in Psychology by completing an undergraduate major.

The School has an active graduate program with a wide range of course options. Doctor and Master of Psychology degrees are offered in organisational and industrial psychology, clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychology (a child speciality is also offered in the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)). A Doctor of Psychology (Forensic) is offered in conjunction with the Department of Criminology. In addition, a Doctor of Psychology in Health Psychology was introduced in 1999.

The School also offers research higher degrees in the Master of Arts or Master of Science by research and the PhD program. A combined Master of Psychology/PhD was also introduced in 1999.

The School of Postgraduate Nursing was established in January 1996. Its purpose is to provide postgraduate education to registered nurses which is academically based, but which has a strong clinical focus. Courses are conducted at postgraduate, masters and PhD level.

Areas of Study

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Status:                   Official 2001
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