General information
The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine offers a course leading to the degree of Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. This course is designed to assist clinicians who wish to familiarise themselves with clinical research methodology and to individuals employed in public health related positions who wish to upgrade their skills in epidemiology. The course, which may be completed in one year full-time or over two years part-time, requires the completion of eight units of the present Master of Public Health degree. The content of these units is primarily related to epidemiology and biostatistics. The course aims to provide a detailed understanding of these subjects to a level that enables critical and detailed appraisal of epidemiological literature and the conduct of projects requiring epidemiological and biostatistical expertise.
Candidates must have a university degree or equivalent and have had at least two years, preferably longer, postgraduate work experience in a health-related field before undertaking the course.
Course structure
Compulsory units include MPH1012 (Epidemiology and biostatistics), MPH2002 (Clinical epidemiology), and MPH2013 (Epidemiological research methods). Elective units are chosen from a list of options relevant to epidemiology and biostatistics and currently available within the Master of Public Health program. At present these include MPH2025 (Principles and practice of public health), MPH1003 (Environmental and communicable hazards), MPH2007 (Chronic disease epidemiology), MPH2020 (Medical demography), MPH2009 (Drug epidemiology) and MPH2018 (Infectious disease epidemiology).
Asssessment
Assessment is by written examinations and assignments.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.
Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (by distance education)
General information
The Department of Community Medicine offers a Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine through a distance education mode. The objectives of the degree are to (1) foster general-practitioner critical appraisal skills in reference to the nature of the discipline, its daily practice and its literature and research basis; (2) to provide a course of study for general practitioners wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in areas relevant to general practice, to meet their own personal and professional needs as well as the needs of the patients and the community in which they practice; and (3) to enlarge the pool of potential general practice teachers and researchers which will help enhance the quality and status of general practice teaching and research amongst professionals and in the wider community. Opportunities exist to upgrade the graduate diploma to the masters degree through additional coursework and a minor thesis. The graduate diploma is conducted over two years (part-time). The course is available for graduates with a minimum of two years postgraduate experience who are currently registered by the medical board in their respective State or who have a qualification which is registrable in a State of the Commonwealth. Preference will be given to applicants currently employed in active general practice. This course is particularly suitable for doctors in rural practice anywhere in Australia.
Course structure
The course consists of two compulsory units: MFM2000 (Academic basis of general practice/family medicine) and MFM2006 (Introduction to research methods in general practice/family medicine) and three electives chosen from MFM2007 (Learning and teaching in family medicine), preventive care, musculoskeletal medicine, computers in medicine, palliative care, electrocardiography, rational prescribing, issues in rural health, clinical nutrition, occupational health and safety, dermatology, women's health, child health, practice management, family therapy and counselling skills, community geriatrics and ethics. Further units will be added as the course evolves.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework participation, assignments with occasional special projects and formal examinations from time to time.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Community Medicine, 867 Centre Road, East Bentleigh 3165.
Graduate Diploma in Immunology
General information
The Department of Pathology and Immunology provides a course leading to the degree of Graduate Diploma in Immunology. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course or as a part-time course over two years.
The course is designed to provide training in laboratory immunology as it applies to medical and paramedical problems in hospitals and industrial and other biological laboratories. Candidates may be accepted from medical, dental, veterinary and science graduates with interests in the practical aspects of immunology.
Although the course will include some instruction in research methods, it is not intended primarily as preparation for a research career in immunology, (for which the BSc(Hons) course is more appropriate). Factors which will be taken into consideration when selecting candidates will be their academic record, their career since graduating, and an assessment of their ability to profit from the course.
Course structure
The course comprises three sections. (1) A basic course in general immunology which includes lectures, seminars, practical classes and demonstrations. (2) A concurrent course in applied immunology including laboratory diagnostic work and immunopathology. The candidates are expected to be able to perform the diagnostic and other basic procedures carried out in the various laboratories and to be able to interpret the significance of test results. (3) A supervised project related to a topic studied in section 2, with special emphasis on the design and conduct of an investigation and experience in the use of appropriate techniques rather than its intrinsic interest as a research project. Where possible, the project will be tailored to the candidate's special area of interest.
Assessment
Assessment is by two 2000-word essays, laboratory workbooks for practical classes and laboratory rotations, written examination, practical examination and research project report.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the head of the Department of Pathology and Immunology, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.
Graduate Diploma in Microbiology
General information
The Department of Microbiology provides a course leading to a Graduate Diploma in Microbiology. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course or as a part-time course over two years.
The course aims to provide instruction in current ideas and techniques of microbiology both to graduates whose background is mainly in other subjects and to those with some knowledge of microbiology who wish to undertake further training or retraining. The first group may include persons who have graduated and are following a professional career in some other discipline and need to acquire an understanding of microbiology.
Although the course will include some instruction in research methods, it is not intended primarily as a preparation for a research career in microbiology (for which the BSc(Hons) course or the MSc preliminary course are more appropriate); nor is it intended to be taken immediately after an undergraduate course in microbiology. Factors which will be taken into consideration when selecting candidates will be their academic record, their career since graduating, and an assessment of their ability to profit from the course.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of written papers and assignments.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be made to the head of the Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton 3168.
Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health
General information
The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health, offered by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, is designed to provide broad training in the principles and practice of occupational health, especially the provision of occupational health services. The course is open to medical and non-medical graduates with related science or health background. The course is mainly conducted at the department's Unit of Occupational and Environmental Health at the Caulfield General Medical Centre.
Description of course
The course commences in February with a five-day full-time course in MPH1039 (Occupational epidemiology). Four pairs of units, each pair consisting of one half-day per week over fourteen weeks, are then completed over the next one (full-time) or two (part-time) years. These units are MPH1019 (Legal and management aspects of occupational health); MPH1008 (Diseases of occupation); MPH2014 (Ergonomics); MPH2010 (Disease prevention and rehabilitation); MPH1028 (Toxicology I); MPH1001 (Advanced toxicology); MPH2022 (Occupational hygiene); and MPH2026 (Special topics in occupational health).
Assessment
Assessment will comprise written examinations, assignment, practical exercises and student presentation. The teaching methods include lectures, workshops, case studies and workplace visits. In addition to formal tuition time, extra reading and assignments may take an extra six hours per week.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Health, `Ashley Ricketson Centre,' Caulfield General Medical Centre, Kooyong Road, Caulfield 3162.
Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences
General information
The Institute of Reproduction and Development, in association with Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, provides a course leading to a Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course or as a part-time course over two years.
The aims and objectives of the course are to provide a detailed training in current theories and principles of reproductive biology and medicine; instruction and experience in various practical skills currently in use; and an understanding of changing issues in reproduction and the implications of new reproductive technologies.
The Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences provides suitable training to effectively implement, maintain and develop procedures in the fields of breeding improvement programs; IVF technology; reproductive diseases; clinical and basic laboratory activities; and commercial ventures.
Candidates must have a biological, medical, paramedical, agricultural or vetinary sciences degree from an approved tertiary institution, or qualifications and experience which are deemed equivalent.
Course structure (DRS1008, DRS2009 [full-time] or DRS1010, DRS1012, DRS2011, DRS2013 [part-time])
The main elements of the course are:
* lectures covering topics including physiology of human and animal reproduction; fertilisation and its manipulation; regulation of fertility; infertility - its diagnosis and treatment in men and women; ethics; sexually transmitted diseases; pregnancy and parturition; pregnancy disorders; and neonates;
* practical classes which provide students with the necessary laboratory and research skills to undertake research in the reproductive sciences;
* a journal club which provides students with experience in reviewing, discussing and analysing scientific journal articles in a tutorial format;
* specialisation to allow students to concentrate on particular areas of reproductive biology (students can develop skills and specialised expertise in one of the following areas: human reproduction, animal reproduction, women's health, basic laboratory skills, fetal and neonatal physiology, embryology);
* assignments consisting of literature reviews on specific areas of the reproductive sciences, and practical electives involving students in a series of related practical laboratory skills in their chosen area of research.
* a research project in which students undertake a short-term self-contained project applying a variety of different techniques and consolidating their practical skills.
Assessment
Assessment is by written examinations, practical reports, practical electives, written assignments, and the written and oral report for the research project.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to Ms T Hocking, Department of Anatomy, Monash University, Clayton 3168.
Graduate Diploma in Rural Health
General information
The Department of Community Medicine offers a distance education course leading to the degree of Graduate Diploma in Rural Health. The degree is undertaken full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
The course aims are to produce graduates who are well equipped to provide high quality health care specifically oriented to the health needs of rural communities; to develop and extend the knowledge, skills and attitude of rural health care professionals; and to prepare health practitioners to live and work in rural communities.
Candidates are selected on the basis of academic and professional merit. Preference is given to candidates who hold current registration in a relevant health discipline and who are working in rural areas or are preparing for a career in rural practice. Candidates must have a minimum of a pass bachelors degree or a qualification deemed equivalent and a minimum period of one year's relevant clinical experience.
Course structure
The course consists of four compulsory generic core subjects and four discipline-specific clinical practice subjects. The compulsory core subjects are:
* Rural health issues and practice;
* Research methods;
* Rural health politics and policy;
* Health education and promotion.
Students may choose either to complete four elective subjects (such as Primary health care, Aboriginal health, Women's health, Occupational health and safety, Applied pharmacology, Rural medicine, Mental health, Nutrition and health practices, Critical care, Care for the elderly, Rural health service management and Drug and alcohol issues in rural communities) or may take a minimum of one of those subjects and up to three individually negotiated clinical practice subjects. These subjects will be negotiated with the relevant subject coordinator.
Assessment
Assessment is by written assignments and papers, projects, student journals, literature review and formal assessment.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to Dr R Hall, Centre for Rural Health, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Ollerton Avenue, Moe, 3825.
Graduate Diploma in Venereology
General information
The Department of Microbiology provides a course leading to a Graduate Diploma in Venereology. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course or as a part-time course over two years. Candidates for this course must be medical practitioners licensed to practice in the State of Victoria.
The aim of the course is to provide specialist practitioners, or general practitioners who have an interest in this field, with a sound knowledge of the clinical and theoretical aspects of the sexually transmissible diseases (STDs) and special training in their diagnosis and management.
Course structure
Coursework
* Basic sciences and microbiological aspects of the sexually transmissible pathogens - lectures, practical classes and laboratory seminars on basic microbiology, diagnostic techniques and their interpretation. The aim is to provide detailed knowledge on laboratory aspects of STDs, as well as instruction in practical microscopic and cultural techniques applicable to STD practices.
* Clinical epidemiology - lectures and seminars on epidemiology of STDs , the development of critical appraisal of published material and an understanding of research methodology and research communication.
* Clinical venereological practice - lectures by practising venereologists on clinical approaches to the major genital infection syndromes.
* Sexual health - lectures and seminars on the sexual health aspect of venereological practice, including contraception, infertility, sexual assault, sex workers and special-risk groups.
Clinical sessions
Candidates are required to undertake the equivalent of fifty clinical sessions to complete the course.
Class presentations
Each candidate will be expected to prepare a detailed case study and present it at a combined meeting of the Venereology Society of Victoria and the Victorian Chapter of the Australasian College of Venereologists. In addition, the study should be written up as a case study or literature review in a form suitable for publication.
Assessment
Assessment is by combined practical and theoretical examination, written assignments and examinations, supervisors reports and case presentations.
Inquiries
Further information can be obtained from Dr G Cross, Dr I Denham or Dr J Savage, Department of Microbiology, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.