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The faculty comprises the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Science, the School of Physiotherapy, the School of Behavioural Science, the School of Nursing, the School of Population Health and the School of Rural Health, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Over 200 academic staff teach either on campus or in the faculty'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 faculty:

The faculty is also affiliated with a wide range of research institutes and research centres which are listed on the faculty web site at http://www.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au.

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

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 has a dual undergraduate/graduate entry medical course which comprises approximately two-thirds school leavers and one-third graduate entry students. This dual entry program has broadened the range of people undertaking the medical course and enriched 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 also offers a range of postgraduate coursework and research programs. Further information is available on the School of Medicine web site at http://www.medicine.unimelb.edu.au.

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.

In 1996 with the introduction of the Diploma in Oral Health Therapy, the school became the first institution to provide training for dental therapists and dental hygienists in Victoria. Prior to that time, there was no training available in Victoria for dental hygienists and the training of dental therapists in Victoria had been undertaken by the Dental Therapy School.

The school is the only dental school in Victoria and offers two undergraduate qualifications: the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) and the Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH).

The Bachelor of Dental Science course is a fixed, five-year program which enrols approximately 68 new students each year. Graduates qualify for registration with the Dental Practice Board of Victoria as legally qualified dentists. The first BDSc degree was conferred in 1906.

The Bachelor of Oral Health is a new course, commencing for the first time in 2005. (It replaces the two year Diploma in Oral Health Therapy which had its last intake in 2004). It is a fixed, three-year full-time course with a curriculum reflecting the latest developments in oral health. The course has two vocational outcomes: hygiene or therapy and will enrol 20 new students each year. The first graduates (in 2007) will qualify for registration with the Dental Practice Board of Victoria as either dental therapists or dental hygienists.

The school's internationally recognised 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 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 100 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: musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic, neurological, sports, continence and women's health, paediatric physiotherapy, upper limb rehabilitation and general physiotherapy. The school also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy as well as a number of postgraduate certificates.

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 1600 undergraduates enrolled in the School. Teaching is provided by around 45 academic staff and over 100 associates.

The School offers a major in psychology in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, or many combined degrees. It also offers a fourth-year honours course in the BA or BSc, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology through the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

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. Master and/or Doctor of Psychology degrees are offered in organisational/industrial psychology, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology and clinical psychology (a child speciality is also offered in the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)).

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

The School of Nursing was introduced within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences in 1996. It was established on the philosophy that clinical practice and practice-based research are integral to the educational preparation of nurses within various fields of specialty practice. The School is committed to becoming a centre of excellence for undergraduate and postgraduate education and evidence-based research in advanced clinical practice; and to establishing strong collaborative teaching, practice and research nationally and internationally. Since its inception, the School has responded to market demand for flexible course delivery involving multimedia on-line courses and is committed to developing internet-based education and training programs that add educational value, rather than merely breaking new ground technologically. The Bachelor of Nursing Science articulates with the postgraduate courses offered by the School. The School also offers an honours program, higher degree programs and a PhD. The School encourages students to think of their education as an ongoing endeavour, rather than a one-off experience of formal training.

The School of Population Health offers a unique and exciting range of postgraduate professional education and research training opportunities. The School of Population Health is a single-department school consisting of the Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health brings together seven centres and units. The school is unique in Australia, with a population health focus on urban and rural health issues, on indigenous and international health, on the links between genomics and public health, and a solid commitment to rigour in scientific methods, be they in quantitative or in qualitative traditions.

The School of Population Health has considerable strengths in traditional public health sciences as well as in social sciences, ethics and medical humanities, and in newer molecular and genetic epidemiologic disciplines.

The School of Rural Health comprises the Department of Rural Health and the Rural Clinical School. Located in Shepparton, the school promotes research, education and community strategies in rural health. Its purpose is to improve the health and well-being of rural and indigenous communities by providing leadership and excellence in collaborative, multidisciplinary and culturally sensitive research and education.

Areas of Study

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