Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2004
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

Course abbreviation: BNutrDietet + Course code: 3404 + Clayton on-campus study only

Student outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, the student will have gained knowledge, understanding and practical experience in the following areas:

On successful completion of the course, graduates will be eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and be able to apply for Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) status.

Admission and selection

VCE prerequisites

VCE units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25 in each of English (any) and Chemistry (or equivalent Year 12 subjects).

Application procedure for school leavers

Application for entry to the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics is through the Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, telephone 1300 364 133. All applicants are also required to complete a Monash University Nutrition and Dietetics application form, or in hard copy from the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, level 5, block E, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168 after 1 June 2004. The completed forms must be returned to the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit by 12 November 2004. All current Year 12 first-year entry application forms must be returned by 4 January 2005.

Selection

Selection will be made on the basis of ENTER and the Monash Nutrition and Dietetics application form. Applicants should consult the latest VTAC guide for further details.

Admission to first year with equivalent qualifications

Students who have not achieved their entrance qualifications in Victoria must hold qualifications which, in the faculty's opinion, are equivalent to those held by local candidates. The qualifications must include the same prerequisite subjects as those for local candidates outlined above. Such applicants must demonstrate at least the same level of academic merit as that which is required for local applicants.

Application procedure for non-school leavers

Applicants presenting with either partially complete or completed tertiary qualifications will be considered for entry to the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course. In considering such applications, the selection committee will take account an applicant's entire academic record. Applicants applying for advanced standing must clearly demonstrate to the selection committee that the content of their previous studies is at least equivalent to the Monash Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course components for which they are seeking exemption. Application for entry to the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics is through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) - see above for contact details.

All applicants are also required to complete a Nutrition and Dietetics application form, available from the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, level 5, block E, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168 after June 2003. The completed form must be returned to the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit by 14 November 2003. Current Monash University students applying solely for a transfer to the Monash Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course must complete a Monash Nutrition and Dietetics internal transfer application form available from the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit. A VTAC application is not necessary. All short-listed non-school-leaver applicants, including Monash transfer applicants, may be required to attend an interview in December.

Application procedure for graduate entry

Approximately 10 places will be available for suitably qualified graduates for third-year entry in 2004. Selection by the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences will depend on academic record, graduate entry application form and possible interview. Successful applicants will be required to attend a transition course prior to the commencement of first semester. This is compulsory and no credits for any previous study will be given.

Application for graduate entry into third year is directly through the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit. Forms are available from the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, level 5, block E, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168 after June 2003. The completed form must be returned to the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit by 14 November 2003.

International students

Places are available in the first year of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course for international students. These students come from overseas to study in Australia under student visas and return overseas upon completion of their degree.

Selection of international students is determined on the basis of each applicant's academic qualifications.

Prospective applicants should be aware that the fee charged for the course will be set annually, taking into account inflation and other factors.

Applicants should check the Undergraduate Course Guide for International Students or visit http://www.monash.edu.au/international/. This guide contains information regarding Australian Government requirements and conditions for study in Australia, living costs, course fees, health insurance, working while studying, working rights for husbands and wives, and schooling for children.

Information about visa applications can be obtained from http://www.immi.gov.au and http://www.dfat.gav.au/missions. Applications for student visas will be assessed according to an applicant's assessment level. Assessment level is determined by the passport held and the education sector for which applicants are seeking a student visa (http://www.immi.gov.au/students/). The education sector code for this course is 037825J.

For more information, see http://www.monash.edu/international/ausgov/.

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in the wards of teaching hospitals and for protection of other students and themselves, students in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates these are appropriate and there are not specific contraindications in individual cases.

This policy is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council advice that educational institutions training students in health sciences should ensure that such students are protected as far as possible by vaccination against risks of infection.

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing the course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Prospective students should note that on enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. Additional information is provided to students in their third year when they are in contact with patients as part of their clinical studies.

Police checks

Organisations that host clinical placements may require students to have obtained a police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in their course.

Course structure

The course is only offered as a four-year full-time degree, delivered at the Clayton campus. The curriculum has been carefully designed to integrate a thorough theoretical background with hands-on clinical experience. The first two years of the course draw on the expertise of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to provide a solid understanding of the science of dietetics, as well as examining the broader societal aspects of food, and include core units from the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBiomedSc). The second two years take place primarily in the clinical setting and provide experience in practical dietetic skills, nutrition management of illnesses, food service operation and management, health care systems, public health and nutritional program planning. In addition, issues relating to rural health, primary care and community health will be explored.

Core units

First year
First semester
Second semester
Second year
First semester
Second semester
Third year
First semester
Second semester
Fourth year
First semester
Second semester

Inquiries

For further information, contact the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Medicine, level 5, block E, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168. Telephone (03) 9594 5510; email nutrition.dietetics@med.monash.edu.au.

For further information online, see the Nutrition and Dietetics website at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nutrition-dietetics/.

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