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Monash University

Graduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine

Course code: 2279 ~ Course abbreviation: GradDipForensMed ~ Total credit points required: 48 ~ 4 semesters part-time ~ Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank - P/T only)

Course description

The course, offered by the Department of Forensic Medicine, aims to prepare practitioners for a range of clinical forensic practice, teaching and research activities via both its generic core units and units designed for discipline-specific groups. On completion of the course, participants should be able to provide competent basic clinical forensic medical services, clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system, prepare effective and objective medico-legal reports, critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice, and interpret wounds and injury patterns with particular reference to causation. Students are required to complete up to two weeks per year of on-campus blocks.

Course objectives

The broad objectives of the course are: to assist in the establishment of academic standards in clinical forensic medical practice, To produce graduates who have a sound knowledge of medico-legal principles; to develop practitioners' skill in providing clinical forensic services in the community. On completion of the course it is expected that graduates should be able to demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge specific to the units that they have undertaken. They should be able to: provide competent clinical forensic medical services; clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system; prepare effective and objective medico-legal reports; critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice, and Interpret wounds and injury patterns with particular reference to causation.

Course structure

Course requirements

First year

Students will be required to complete the following three core units:

Second year

Students will be required to complete three of the following elective units:

Assessment

The nature and content of the course require a range of assessment methods to be utilised. The assessment methods include assignments, case studies and presentations, a casebook and oral presentations.

Contact details

Ms Carole Spence, course administrator: telephone +61 3 9684 4480; email caroleb@vifm.org or visit http://www.vifm.org

Course coordinator

Associate Professor David Wells