- 2018

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Postgraduate - Units

ASC5001 - Addiction science: A biopsychosocial overview

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Victoria Manning

Coordinator(s)

Ms Phoebe Spry-Bailey

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction and overview to addiction as a concept. In particular, consideration is given to the biological, psychological, developmental, sociocultural and environmental factors that may contribute to the development of addiction.

The various effects of psychoactive substances (including alcohol and illicit drugs) will be considered in relation to the "drug, set and setting" model.

The unit will also introduce Australia's harm minimisation approach in responding to psychoactive substance use and addictive behaviours. Students completing the module should be able to summarise the key theoretical models of addiction, issues around the utilisation of the term and have developed the necessary critical conceptualisations of addiction theory to undertake further Masters level study in this area.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critique the premises and foundations for the biopsychosocial model of addiction in relation to other models of addiction
  2. Consider and critique the role of various factors in the aetiology of addiction with reference to the research evidence base.
  3. Analyse the neurobiological and genetic bases of addictive behaviours.
  4. Critically evaluate the psychological and sociocultural bases of addictive behaviours.
  5. Demonstrate the use of the 'drug, set and setting' model in understanding substance effects on the individual.
  6. Synthesise the implications of the harm minimisation approach for understanding interventions.
  7. Present an argument based on theoretical and empirical literature regarding whether process addictions such as gambling should be grouped with substance addictions.
  8. Evaluate the role of research evidence and the various models of addiction in the development of policies relevant to alcohol/illicit drug use and addictive behaviours.

Fieldwork

Students undertaking fieldwork activity for this unit will be informed of the need to obtain written permission from organisations/individuals they work with and any related issues of confidentiality and anonymity.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussion (Hurdle)
  • Poster (500-1,000 words) (30%)
  • Review of evidence (3,500 words) (30%)
  • Essay (5,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle) (You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment to pass the unit)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5001 will be expected to contact the course coordinator regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5002 - Socio-cultural perspectives of addiction

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti

Coordinator(s)

Ms Sharon Patterson
Ms Madeleine Russell

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit explores trends in the use of particular substances and behavioural addictions, including historical precedents, in Australia and other countries. Addiction will be considered with particular reference to special population groups such as, indigenous populations, youth, older adults, LGBTQI groups and transcultural communities.

The aim of the module will be to review social norms and expectations, and consider the bases for stigma and discrimination, and mechanisms for destigmatising drug use in these populations.

This unit will be taught through distance education and include topics such as:

  • History of alcohol, other drug use and behavioural addictions in Australia and Internationally
  • Social, political and economic factors that affect addiction
  • Addiction and views of addiction in relation to special population groups including
  • Indigenous populations
  • Youth
  • Older Adults
  • LGBTQI communities
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse communities

The materials for this unit will be provided by academic and clinical staff with specialist knowledge of their special population group(s) and include the most recent literature pertaining to these groups.

Where possible, input (for example, case studies or stories) from the 'lived experience' of people representing these special population groups will be provided for students.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the major historical, political, economic and social factors that have impacted on our understanding of addiction in Australia and internationally, with reference to particular substances.
  2. Critically evaluate the empirical and theoretical literature across a range of socio-cultural perspectives of addiction.
  3. Communicate confidently with one another and academic experts in the field around socio-cultural issues in the addiction area.
  4. Conduct a thorough literature search on an approved area of independent study around a specific population and the impact of substance use on them.
  5. Write a systematic review of the literature in an approved area of independent study.
  6. Develop a structured interview schedule for an interview with a senior manager/clinician in a specialist AOD service and conduct the interview.
  7. Write a paper about a specialised AOD service or program, based on the interview material obtained in Learning Objective 6.

Fieldwork

Students enrolled in ASC5002 will be asked to make contact with an agency providing AOD or related services to a particular special population group. They will be asked to report on the activities of the organisation, including the results of a structured interview with at least one member of staff of that service. Students will need to obtain permission from the Director or CEO of that service and adhere to their requirements for confidentiality and/or anonymity.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussion (Hurdle)
  • Critical book review (3,500 words) (30%)
  • Critical analysis (3,500 words) (30%)
  • Fieldwork assignment (5,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle) (You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment to pass the unit)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5002 will be expected to contact the course co-ordinator regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5003 - Addiction policies, prevention and public health

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti

Coordinator(s)

Dr Cherie Heilbronn
Dr Rowan Ogeil

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit considers the socio-historical precedents of drug policy and the public health responses to drug use.

It aims to compare and contrast the differences seen in policy and public health measures employed around the world and the results of these measures.

The roles of alcohol and drug regulation and legislation, illicit drug supply and demand reduction, alcohol price and availability, and prescription drug availability and monitoring will be addressed.

It will assess the effectiveness of different forms of intervention at individual, group and population level, including prevention, harm minimisation and treatment, in managing problem use.

The unit will be taught through distance education and include topics such as:

  • Epidemiology and addiction
  • Policy responses to drug use
  • Population level prevention activities
  • Effectiveness of primary and secondary public health measures in response to tobacco, alcohol, & other licit drugs
  • Illicit drugs
  • Gambling (& other process addictions)

The materials for this unit will be provided by academic staff with specialist knowledge of population based research in the addiction field and its translation to public health policy, and will include the most recent research in this area.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically review the evidence base of epidemiological and public health policy research in addictions alcohol, illicit drugs and gambling.
  2. Communicate confidently with one another and academic experts in the field around specific issues in AOD-related epidemiology, public policy and public health.
  3. Critique the impact of epidemiological studies of addiction on public health policy, interventions and strategies.
  4. Identify public policy processes in addiction, critiquing how individual, community and institutional forces can shape policy direction.
  5. Compare and contrast policy responses to drug use across drug types and across cultures.
  6. Determine the role and contribution of population based prevention activities compared with individual based prevention.
  7. Deconstruct the effectiveness of primary and secondary public health measures across different aspects of addiction.
  8. Identify and critically evaluate the intersection of public health prevention levels and the harm minimisation framework.

Assessment

  • Review of the evidence (3000 words) (30%)
  • Essay (3000 words) (30%)
  • Policy analysis (4000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Hurdle: Participate in online discussion (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5003 will be expected to contact the course co-ordinator regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions, questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5004 - Addiction assessment and treatment: Practice and innovation

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Victoria Manning

Coordinator(s)

Dr Shalini Arunogiri
Ms Sandra Roeg

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

ASC5001 (only to apply to students enrolled in course 4519). Students enrolled in course 0099 do not need to complete ASC5001.

Synopsis

This unit explores the range of evidence based treatment approaches to addiction from pharmacotherapy approaches such as withdrawal management to psychosocial interventions like Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, and social solutions such as peer support. Students will be provided with a rationale for alcohol, drug and gambling treatment and an overview of the effectiveness of a range of treatment interventions for alcohol, licit and illicit drugs and for gambling. They will consider the evidence about what works, for whom, in what situations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse the treatment system, including the various modalities of treatment in the AOD sector (including face-to-face, telephone and online-based treatments) and explain how they can be effectively integrated in an individualised treatment plan
  2. Critically evaluate the biopsychosocial framework for AOD screening and assessment, including a familiarity with commonly used measures and diagnostic tools.
  3. Integrate information from screening and assessment into an individualized case formulation and treatment plan.
  4. Communicate evidence-based psychosocial treatment approaches including Brief Interventions and Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, ACT, Contingency Management and Family Therapy.
  5. Review the role of medication treatments in addictions, including withdrawal and maintenance pharmacotherapies, in accordance with current guidelines.
  6. Compare evidence-based treatment approaches in gambling, including the use of psychological and pharmacological treatments.
  7. Determine how treatments can be adapted to the needs of special populations, such as youth, LGBTI communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities and people with co-occurring disorders.
  8. Critically evaluate the evidence for mutual aid and peer-based models of aftercare and recovery.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussion (Hurdle)
  • Literature review (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Critical essay (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Case study (5,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle). You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment item to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5004 will be expected to contact the course co-ordinator regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5007 - Recovery principles

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Michael Savic

Coordinator(s)

Dr Michael Savic
Dr Naomi Crafti

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Recovery is a new area of research within the fields of addiction and mental health but one that has gained considerable policy and practice debate in the US, UK and Australia, and that is closely linked to the desistance movement in criminal justice. This unit explores what is known so far, what the key issues are in this area, and arguments around the definition of recovery, and the merits of a recovery approach, with its origins in positive psychology, mutual aid and the patient empowerment movement. The aim of the unit is to introduce the concepts and philosophy of recovery, the evidence base as it stands to date and the challenges it poses to current interpretations of existing models, in particular expert-driven treatment.

Students completing this unit should be able to argue for their own conceptualisation of recovery in light of available evidence, and apply their view of recovery to current policy and practice. They will also be able to critically appraise the risks and benefits of a recovery model and be able to outline its impact for addiction, criminal justice and mental health policy and practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Synthesise and critique the rationale and history of the recovery movement
  2. Synthesise the origins of the recovery movement across key countries (Australia, UK, US) and between addiction and mental health fields in each of these settings
  3. Critically review the definitions of recovery that have been advanced and summarise the strengths and weaknesses of each, from a practice and from a policy perspective
  4. Analyse the role of mutual aid and peer empowerment in the recovery movement and offer a critical analysis of the evidence for mutual aid groups, in particular 12-step groups
  5. Critically review the research methods and evidence models most appropriate within a recovery paradigm
  6. Critically appraise the appeal and risks of the recovery movement to policy makers and its potential role implications for specialist treatment service provision
  7. Summarise and critically appraise the strength of the evidence base for recovery as a viable paradigm and its implications for service delivery, and commissioning recovery-oriented systems of care.
  8. Summarise the innovations from the desistance movement in criminology and review its applicability to the addiction and mental health recovery movements.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussion (Hurdle)
  • A critical appraisal (written) (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Essay (written) (3,500 words) (30%)
  • Long essay (written) (6,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle). You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment item to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5007 will be expected to contact the unit coordinator(s) regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussions with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5008 - Co-occurring disorders in mental health and addiction

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Victoria Manning

Coordinator(s)

Dr Shalini Arunogiri
Mr Frank Hughes

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

ASC5004.

Synopsis

This unit provides an overview of the key considerations for clinicians, policy makers, researchers and service providers working with individuals who have a co-occurring disorders (i.e. alcohol or drug disorders that exist alongside mental health or physical health disorders). It will present the latest research findings on effective identification, management and treatment of this complex challenging population. Emphasis will be on disorders that commonly co-exist alongside drug and alcohol disorders, including alcohol and anxiety/depression, tobacco/alcohol and cardiovascular disease, acquired brain injury, intravenous drug use and infectious diseases as well as misuse of licit and illicit substances among individuals with severe mental illness, such as cannabis and schizophrenia. Whilst the unit encourages critical appraisal of the major theoretical concepts, it adopts a more applied approach including an introduction to the principles of case-formulation and the development of treatment plans.

Unit topics will include taxonomy and definitions of co-occurring disorders, prevalence and common co-occurring conditions, and will examine the multi-axial needs and unique challenges of working with this population. The module will look at conceptual models in relation to the aetiology of co-occurring disorders, methods of detection, screening and assessment as well as models of treatment and service delivery. The module will also examine the evidence for the effectiveness of population and service responses, as well as the role of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and mutual aid groups, in managing this population, including specifically-tailored psychosocial interventions. Evidence for medical management of this population will be explored, including pharmacological approaches.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically review the limitations and assumptions of the various terminologies used to describe individuals with co-occurring disorders and how they are applied in different clinical and service settings.
  2. Discuss critically the prevalence of co-occurring disorders and common diagnostic combinations within a broader psychosocial context.
  3. Critique the major theoretical models on the aetiology of co-occurring disorders and how these determine priorities for effective management and treatment.
  4. Summarise and synthesise the unique challenges of working with this client group relative to mental health or Alcohol and other drug (AOD) using individuals without co-occurring disorders.
  5. Critically appraise common screening and assessment tools for cognitive impairment in this population and discuss how treatment approaches may need to be adapted.
  6. Critically review the treatment models of care for co-occurring disorders (e.g. parallel, sequential, integrated care, outreach etc), and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of such models in improving outcomes for clients with co-occurring disorders.
  7. Compare and contrast the application of generic treatment approaches in mainstream healthcare settings with tailored psychosocial/pharmacological interventions specific to the needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders.
  8. Formulate integrated assessment and treatment plans for clients with co-occurring disorders.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussions (Hurdle)
  • Essay: Critique (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Essays(50%) (Hurdle):
    • Formulation and treatment plan (3,000 words)
    • Discussion of the evidence supporting one aspect of the treatment plan (3,000 words)

    Note: You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment item to pass the unit.

  • Poster and oral presentation (30 minutes) (25%)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5008 will be expected to contact the unit coordinator(s) regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5009 - Developmental factors: Children and families, youth and early interventions

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Shirley Gill

Coordinator(s)

Ms Shirley Gill
Dr Debbie Scott

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit begins with a focus on child and adolescent biopsychosocial development followed by an overview of the prevalence and patterns of substance use and other addictive behaviours in these populations.

This will form the basis for an exploration of substance use and other addictive behaviours through the life course including emerging and older adulthood.

It will also form the basis for understanding influences of family and social contexts on youth addiction such as the impacts of parental substance use, trauma and disadvantage.

Topics covered in this unit include an examination of youth-focused prevention, early intervention and treatment initiatives. The evidence for school-based interventions, family focused interventions and youth-focused treatment services will be also evaluated and critiqued.

Finally, in-depth consideration will be given to government policies relevant to youth addiction including those pertaining to social media.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and contextualise developmental factors that contribute to addictive behaviours in young people
  2. Explain youth substance abuse in terms of family and social contexts such as trauma and youth disadvantage
  3. Synthesise the available information on the impact of addictive behaviours on young people and families in order to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of this issue
  4. Reflect critically on psychological and sociological theories relevant to key contemporary issues in youth addiction
  5. Evaluate and critique current responses to addiction including school-based interventions
  6. Compare and contrast contemporary models of addiction behaviours among young people through an analysis of national and international research
  7. Critically review the effectiveness of family-based interventions including Family Inclusive Practice and Parents Under Pressure
  8. Critically appraise a range of youth-focused AOD treatment services and key elements of youth-focused service delivery
  9. Critically review policy issues relevant to youth including those pertaining to social media.

Fieldwork

Students enrolled in ASC5009 will be asked to make contact with a school which provides a schools-based early intervention program. Alternatively, they may contact a youth specific agency which provides an early intervention or treatment program for addictive behaviours. Students will be asked to audit the program by interviewing key stakeholders at the school or agency such as the school principal or CEO, teacher or clinician and parents. They will then be asked to provide a written report of the program's activities and make recommendations. Students will need to obtain permission from the CEO or School Principal and adhere to their requirements for confidentiality and/or anonymity.

Assessment

  • Participation in online discussion (Hurdle)
  • Assignment: poster presentation with supporting notes (written) (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Essay: topic of choice in negotiation with the unit co-ordinator (written) (4,000 words) (30%)
  • Field assignment: audit of a youth specific early intervention or treatment program (written) (6,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle). You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this assessment item to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5009 will be expected to contact the unit coordinator(s) regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


ASC5010 - Gambling and other process addictions

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti

Coordinator(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti
Ms Jane Oakes

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This subject will define and present the latest research in the aetiology, maintenance, treatment and recovery from gambling and other process addictions. Process addictions involve dependence to certain mood-altering behaviours, such as gambling, eating disorders, sexual activity, the internet or gaming and shopping/hoarding behaviours. While the main focus of this subject will be on problem gambling, the generalisation of underlying principles to other problem behaviours will be described and discussed. Some of the areas to be covered in this unit include; definitions and features of behavioural addictions, prevention and treatment programs for behavioural addictions and public health issues.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Recognise the prevalence and characteristics of a gambling disorder
  2. Critique the differences and similarities between behavioural or process addictions and substance disorders
  3. Contextualise issues regarding gambling addiction including precipitating, maintaining and relapsing factors
  4. Provide an evidence based assessment, treatment and recovery program for a person with multiple or complex addiction issues
  5. Compare and contrast the unique features associated with a range of behaviourally based addictive disorders
  6. Critically analyse the research, available treatments and subclinical problems associated with one or more behavioural addictions (in addition to gambling)
  7. Present an argument to potential legislators, based on the available evidence, to legislate for changes in the law that can contribute to behaviour change in an area of addiction identified in this unit.
  8. Critically analyse the contribution of the internet to gambling and other process addictions.
  9. Compare and contrast the difference between biological needs (e.g. for food and reproduction) and addictive behaviours.

Assessment

  • Assessment tasks Handbook entry description:
  • Participation in online discussions (Hurdle)
  • Debate: Provide a case either for or against the concept of process addictions (written) (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Case study (written) (4,500 words) (30%)
  • Essay (written) (6,500 words) (55%) (Hurdle) (You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this item to pass the unit)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5010 will be expected to contact the unit coordinator(s) regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMA5011 - Introduction to human bioscience for engineering

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Sharon Flecknoe

Coordinator(s)

Sharon Flecknoe

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code: E6001

Prohibitions

BMA1011, BMA1901, BMA1012, BMA1902, BMA1912

Synopsis

This unit will introduce students to the basic anatomy and physiology underlying human health and disease.

This unit will explore homeostasis and how the systems (integumentary, neuromuscular, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, urinary and reproductive) work together to maintain the body within narrow limits.

Students will engage in pre-class, in-class and post-class activities aimed to consolidate, explore and apply their understanding of the body systems studied

Students will be assessed by completing both individual and collaborative projects which identify ways that engineering can be used to solve problems within human health and disease.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the cellular and tissue organisation of the human body and explain the inter-relationship between structure and function
  2. Identify the structural components of the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems and explain how they protect, support and move the body.
  3. Compare the functions of the endocrine and nervous systems and describe the underlying physiology that allows communication between body tissues and the environment.
  4. Explain the interdependence of the cardiovascular, lymphatic and respiratory systems and how they maintain homeostasis
  5. Identify the structures of the digestive and urinary systems and explain their roles in digestion and fluid balance.
  6. Compare the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems and explain how they work to produce offspring
  7. Apply knowledge of basic bioscience to real-world health problems that may be solved by engineering

Assessment

  • Instant feedback assessment of prior learning (10%)
  • iSAP assignment (30%)
  • Group project (35%)
  • End of semester test (25%)

Workload requirements

2 - 4 hours face-to-face contact hours per week (lectorials and workshops)

2 - 4 hours (approx.) of guided self-paced online pre-class activities

2 - 4 hours private study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5001 - Introduction to research and research methodology

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Professor Ramesh Rajan

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This first semester unit of the Masters in Biomedical and Health Sciences degree aims to teach students essential skills in Research communication and writing; Biostatistics; and Research ethics and management. Overall, this unit is designed to teach students how research is conducted in an ethical manner, how research data is managed and analysed, how rational decisions are made through teamwork and how research can be communicated. It will be taught through three parallel streams (modules) of study: (a) Communications skills module on skills for written, oral and visual communications and the use of resources to facilitate communications such as the library and data archival systems; (b) Biostatistics module on research design and methodology, and the use of statistics and data analysis; and (c) Research ethics and management module on rational decision-making processes applied to managing research/industry projects and understanding the legal and ethical environment in which research is conducted.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Effectively communicate in either writing, orally or visually the basis of the scientific method from building a hypothesis, to testing the ideas through experimental methods;
  2. Identify the different types of research designs used in the biomedical sciences and justify the use of specific research designs to address specific research questions;
  3. Describe the different forms of statistical methods and analyses used in biomedical sciences and appraise the appropriate method to be applied to interpret different types of data;
  4. Articulate the ethical principles that inform professional integrity behaviour in the conduct of scientific research and judge the application of these principles in case studies of research integrity violations;
  5. Analyse the ethical principles that inform the formulation of a scientific research question and the conduct of research to address that question;
  6. Evaluate critically and rate the quality of oral scientific communications in a range of biomedical science disciplines;
  7. Analyse and effectively communicate, in written and oral formats, complex research integrity concepts through the evaluation of cases;
  8. Appraise the various factors impacting on the commercial success of a simulated company and work collaboratively and collegially to make decisions on the allocation of financial and other resources to impact on this success.

Assessment

  • 5 x Fortnightly written critiques of School seminars (300 words) (In pairs) (15%)
  • Written report on a scientific topic (1,500 words) (Individual) (10%)
  • End of semester abstract exam (2 hours) (10%)
  • 10 x Weekly in-class tasks (In pairs) (2% each = 20%)
  • End of semester written exam on statistics (2 hours) (15%)
  • Poster (<1,000 words) (In trios) (10%)
  • Oral presentation (15 minutes) (In trios) (10%)
  • Peer assessment (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 12 hours of contact per week + 12 hours of self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5002 - Research skills and techniques

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Professor Ramesh Rajan

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Master of Biomedical and Health Science

Synopsis

This unit is a designed to allow students to gain the laboratory techniques and research skills to develop their capacity for independent research within laboratories in the biomedical and health sciences. Students will receive extensive hands on laboratory and research training alongside tutorials and lectures designed to give students a strong theoretical background. Laboratory and research skills will be taught in context of the skills of scientific enquiry and problem-solving to engage students in the framework for successful operation within a research environment.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate confidence in use of specific laboratory techniques and research methods applicable to biology, biotechnology and biomedical science.
  2. Explain the basis of the scientific method from building a hypothesis, to the importance of testing scientific ideas through experimental methods and the need in science to gain experimental proof for a hypothesis.
  3. Independently develop experimental approaches to a research task and select appropriate techniques for measurement and data collection, comprehending the advantages and limitations of different techniques of data collection and measurement.
  4. Apply scientific concepts on controls, replication, reductionist and expansionist approaches, sources of error and error minimisation, and the application of research ethics and integrity to scientific data collection and analysis.
  5. Critically analyse and organise research data and methodology, applying appropriate research methods to study design, collection of data and data analysis.
  6. Work effectively in a collaborative environment as part of a team in a laboratory setting to address a scientific question.

Assessment

  • Pre-lab knowledge assessment tasks (10%)
  • Post-lab knowledge consolidation tasks (15%) (Hurdle)
  • Laboratory experimental reports (4,000 words total or equivalent) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Experimental design task (3,000 words or equivalent) (20%) (Hurdle)
  • Evaluation of individual student in-class engagement and contribution (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 12-13 hours of contact per week & 13 self-directed study hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5003 - Infectious diseases and population health

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Brian Cooke

Coordinator(s)

Professor Brian Cooke

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

A background of study in biomedical, biotechnology, medical or allied health sciences is required for admission into the unit.

Synopsis

This unit aims to develop in-depth knowledge of infectious diseases affecting humans including diarrhoea, respiratory infections, Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other parasitic diseases with a particular focus on resource-poor or low and middle income countries.

This unit will consist of a mixture of seminars and small group teaching from specialists in microbiology, infectious diseases, epidemiology and public health. Students will evaluate and review relevant literature to explore specific organisms or diseases and present this information via oral presentations, an open poster session and a written end-of-semester report.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of some of the most important bacterial, viral and parasitic infectious diseases affecting humans (and animals) to assessment of their importance, impact and treatment and control, particularly in resource poor or low and middle income communities.
  2. Apply the concept of 'One Health' in the context of infectious diseases including vector-borne and zoonotic infections.
  3. Evaluate emerging and re-emerging pathogens and their implications on human health.
  4. Explain the application of recombinant DNA technology, molecular and cell biology and biochemical and biophysical techniques as research (and diagnostic) tools in infectious diseases.
  5. Evaluate the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases including chemoprophylaxis, Chemotherapy, drug resistance and vaccinology.
  6. Communicate complicated concepts, scientific data and results and current opinions accurately and effectively through oral presentations and reports.

Assessment

  • 10 x Tutorial and Workshop activities (5% each, 50% total) (hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (10 minutes) (15%)
  • Scientific report (2,100 words) (35%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 6 of hours of contact per week, and will include a mix of lectures and small group teaching.

Off-campus: A minimum of 6 hours of private study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5004 - Advanced neuroscience

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Prof Ramesh Rajan
Dr James Coxon

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Background of study in biomedical, biotechnology, medical or allied health sciences is required for admission into the unit.

Synopsis

This unit will aim to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the fundamental organisation and functional principles of the brain. Current and emerging concepts relating to brain neural systems and complex behaviours will be highlighted to provide a contextual basis for discussion of the range of approaches and methods used by neuroscience researchers in studying normal and abnormal brain function and behaviour. Students will evaluate and review relevant research literature to further explore specific areas of neuroscience, from brain neural networks through to human and animal behaviour, and present this information in written forms, and via oral presentations and posters suitable for a conference presentation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Compile and recount advanced knowledge of relationships between brain processes and behaviour;
  2. Apply problem solving and decision-making methodologies to discuss and analyse contemporary research and theoretical issues in key defined areas of neuroscience;
  3. Explain the pathological mechanisms involved in specific neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders;
  4. Review, analyse and communicate on a range of research tools and paradigms used in different domains of neuroscientific research;
  5. Source, integrate and critically evaluate literature to synthesise the review necessary for a prototype application to study a particular problem;
  6. Present, analyse and interpret data from a range of experiment types and discuss this in the context of current scientific literature.

Assessment

  • Journal club presentations (5 x 45 minutes) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Experimental design task (1,500 words equivalent) (20%)
  • Data analysis task (1,500 words equivalent) (20%)
  • Essay (1,500 words) (20%)

Hurdle requirement: 100% attendance and pass in the journal club presentations.

Workload requirements

12 hours study per week distributed as:

On-campus: 6-8 hours of contact per week, including lectures, practicals/simulations and tutorial time.

Off-campus: 4-6 hours of private study time.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5005 - Regenerative medicine and stem cells

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor John Bertram

Coordinator(s)

Dr Julia Young

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit but a background of study in biomedical, biotechnology, medical or allied health sciences is required for admission into the unit.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6003

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to introduce and develop students' understanding of multiple stem cell types, incorporating both historical and current research and clinical/commercial perspectives.

Four major themes will be presented:

  1. Embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells ii) adult stem cells

    iii) cancer stem cells

    iv) clinical and commercial applications.

    Topics within these major themes will cover both research and clinical/commercial aspects.

    The practical component of this unit will present students with the opportunity to interact with leading researchers in the stem cell and regenerative medicine fields, explore the important ethical issues associated with stem cell research, and apply their knowledge to prepare a funding proposal focused on a stem cell project, as well as a major report encompassing all major aspects of the unit.

Outcomes

  1. Identify, evaluate and effectively communicate key concepts and results and their implications from high impact recent publications in the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine research;
  2. Prepare a cohesive human ethics application covering a project focussed on research using human materials or for human clinical applications;
  3. Evaluate key future research directions for stem cell and regenerative medicine research, and develop scientific, clinical and/or commercial arguments to underpin funding applications;
  4. Identify, evaluate and justify appropriate approaches for stem cell-based therapeutics for specific disease states.

Assessment

Journal Club style presentation - 10%

Human ethics application (1,000 words) - 20%

Grant application (1,500 words) - 20%

Major written report (3,000 words) (HURDLE) - 50%

Workload requirements

Average: 6 contact hours per week on-campus. This covers 2 x 1 hours lectures, 1 x 2 hour practical time and 2 hours of teacher-directed study per week.

Over the Semester an average of an additional 6 hours of private study per week will be required

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5006 - Cardiovascular biology and disease

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Robert Widdop

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Roger Evans

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Background of study in biomedical, biotechnology, medical or allied health sciences is required for admission into the unit.

Synopsis

This unit is part of the Master of Biomedical and Health Sciences. It aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of emerging concepts on the function of the cardiovascular system in health and in disease. The pathophysiological changes in disease will be highlighted to provide a contextual basis for discussion of the range of approaches and methods used in cardiovascular science. Students will evaluate and review relevant research literature to further explore specific areas of cardiovascular science from the cellular level though to integrative physiology and pharmacology, including the whole animal, and present and/or critique topical research articles and cardiovascular case studies in both oral and written forms.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse pathological mechanisms involved in specific cardiovascular diseases.
  2. Source, integrate and critically evaluate the scientific literature to address a defined problem relating to cardiovascular science.
  3. Analyse, interpret and present data from a range of experiment types and discuss this in the context of current scientific literature.
  4. Analyse contemporary research and theoretical issues in key areas of cardiovascular science, including epidemiological aspects.
  5. Evaluate a range of research tools and paradigms used within different domains of cardiovascular research, encompassing cellular through to in vivo through to the population.
  6. Effectively communicate complex concepts and scientific content in written or oral formats.

Assessment

  • Poster presentation (20%)
  • Oral presentation (10 minutes followed by 5 minutes of questions) (20%)
  • Literature review (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Editorial (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 6 hours of contact per week, including lecture and workshop time.

Off-campus: 6 hours of private study time.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5007 - Biotechnology: Commercialising biomedical science

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Melanie Pritchard

Coordinator(s)

Dr Melanie Pritchard

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will examine case studies of medical biotechnology research and development, and will consider the industry context in which biotechnology is commercialised including: industry structure and competition; methods of financing, management approaches; the regulatory environment; product development and its commercial protection via intellectual property; and taking the product to market.

Students will examine case studies to analyse and evaluate the chances of commercialisation success of Australian companies in various phases of development, and present and justify their opinions in the form of class discussions, oral presentations and written business reports.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Interpret and critically evaluate the pathways from discovery science that lead to innovation and commercialisation of biotechnology innovations;
  2. Analyse and evaluate the critical role of intellectual property in the commercialisation of biotechnology;
  3. Apply advanced knowledge of how the major regulatory bodies [e.g. TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration); FDA (Food & Drug Administration); CTN (Clinical Trial Notification Scheme)] deal with specific innovations in the biotech / medtech sectors;
  4. Evaluate and critically assess and predict the potential for commercial development and success of a specific biotechnology innovation;
  5. Systematically build and validate arguments and opinions by sourcing and critically deconstructing relevant material and information, working both independently and as part of a team;
  6. Effectively communicate complex concepts on scientific content and business processes in written or oral formats.

Assessment

  • 2 x Case study reports (4,500 words total) (55%) (hurdle)
  • In-class worksheets (30%)
  • Group oral presentation (15 minutes) (10%)
  • Participation in workshop / class discussions (5%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 4-5 hours of contact per week, which will include a mix of presentations from industry experts and workshop activities.

Off campus: a minimum of 7-8 hours of private study, including preparation of work for discussion and assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5008 - Research project and thesis

36 points, SCA Band 3, 0.750 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Prof Ramesh Rajan

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester to Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Completion of BMS5001, BMS5002, and 4 units from BMS5003, BMS5004, BMS5005, BMS5006, BMS5007 and have achieved a minimum average of 65%.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6003 (Master of Biomedical and Health Science)

Synopsis

This unit is the research project component of the Master of Biomedical and Health Sciences.

The Masters course provides rigorous training and preparation for research. Students will have undertaken rigorous advanced preparatory training prior to commencing this research project unit.

Students will undertake a supervised research project involving research of a publishable standard which forms the basis of a thesis presented at the end of the project period.

In this unit students will present seminars on their research and are trained in advanced scientific techniques. Students also take part in an oral review of the thesis report.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically review the scientific literature in their discipline;
  2. Identify the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project;
  3. Design, execute and analyse an appropriate set of studies;
  4. Perform the variety of scientific procedures and techniques essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of their specific research project;
  5. Proficiently acquire skills in data collection using computers or high-end biomedical devices
  6. Competently acquire the critical thinking and reasoning to analyse data from computers or high-end biomedical devices
  7. Critically evaluate, using appropriate statistical analyses, data from a scientific project to deduce appropriate interpretations
  8. Investigate, evaluate and select appropriate graphical and other formats for presentation of data
  9. Effectively communicate research outcomes in verbal and written form using appropriate tools to a scientific audience, including writing up scientific work in a potentially publishable way;
  10. Assemble from the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences thoughtful reasonings and interpretations of research findings to formulate a discussion

Assessment

  • Literature review (4000 words) (10%)
  • Seminar 1 (15 min (10 min presentation + 5 min questions) (Ungraded - S or NS)
  • Seminar 2 (10%)
  • Thesis (10,000 - 15,000 words) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 36 hours per week in a research lab.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5009 - Industry and employability training

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Ramesh Rajan

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

BMS5008

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6003

Synopsis

This unit is part of the work preparation component of the Master of Biomedical and Health Science. This unit prepares students with the skill set for work and industry preparedness.

Students will gain experience in developing an employment/work portfolio which will provide an opportunity to market themselves professional as well as skill development in different interview styles.

Students will also develop entrepreneurship skills and models to commercialise products in the biomedical and biotechnology industries

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Create a professional portfolio for different types of positions within the biomedical or biotechnology industries
  2. Critique and contrast different behaviour based interview techniques and their application to real world situations in the biomedical or biotechnical industry
  3. Evaluate models of entrepreneurship that include organising a business, protecting and communicating ideas
  4. Analyse and identify communication strategies for fundraising in different biomedical and biotech entrepreneurship target markets
  5. Engage in effective work related peer review processes.

Assessment

  • Assemble a portfolio showing work readiness for different types of biomedical/biotech industries (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Professional identity presentation (30 minutes) (15%)
  • Execute a role-play behavioural interview or situational judgement task (20%)
  • Design and develop a strategy for attracting capital funding for a biomedical product (30%)

Workload requirements

On-campus contact 4 hours/day, 5 weeks.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5010 - Internship in biomedical sciences

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Ramesh Rajan

Coordinator(s)

Ramesh Rajan

Unit guides

Offered

Australia (Other)

  • Term 2 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Term 2 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

BMS5008, BMS5009

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6003

Synopsis

This unit is the capstone unit of the degree, Master of Biomedical and Health Sciences. It provides students with a professional internship experience that will be undertaken over 3 months.

Two forms of internship are planned, depending on student pathways: one will be focused on pure research outcomes and the other on research-related ancillary outcomes.

In the first form, students will undertake an internship to prepare research work in publication format or will undertake an internship leading to acquisition of new biomedical science research skills to broaden their skill base for employment in the biomedical sciences.

In the second form, students will undertake an internship in a research-related environment, which can be industry-based (available only for the top 10-15% of Masters students) or Monash-based in areas such as the Monash Research Office or Monash Innovation Office.

In this form of internship, students will gain in-depth knowledge into professional environments and acquire professional skills in areas related to research outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Use professional skills to generate research outcomes including preparation of findings for publication.
  2. Apply biomedical and health science skills in a workplace environment.
  3. Evaluate the impact of organisation culture upon ethical practise and approaches to problem solving.
  4. Analyse the extent to which interprofessional relations in a professional setting impact on workplace behaviour.
  5. Apply workplace specific codes related to professional behaviour.

Assessment

  • Work environment specific report (2,500 words)
  • Application of workplace-specific codes for professional presentations in punctuality and attendance (100% attendance hurdle)
  • Preceptor report (500 words)
  • Oral report on ethical challenges and solutions specific to the work environment of the internship (20 minutes)

Students must pass all elements to pass this unit

Workload requirements

Industry internships: Off-campus 5 days/week 7.5 h/day, in the biomedical and biotech industries.

Monash-based internships: On-campus 5 days/week 7.5 h/day.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BMS5012 - Cancer biology and therapeutics

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Renea Taylor

Coordinator(s)

Dr Renea Taylor

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

BMS5001 and BMS5002

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6003

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to introduce and develop students' understanding of cancer biology, including the molecular mechanisms underpinning human cancers and targeted therapeutics used to treat patients with this disease.

Three main themes will be presented:

  1. Major hallmarks of cancer (including immunology, metabolism, and cell biology), ii) Genomic features of cancer (including tumour suppressors and oncogenes, molecular subtypes spanning genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic features),

    iii) Targeted therapies in human cancer including personalised medicine.

    Topics within these major themes will cover both basic research and clinical aspects.

    The practical component of this unit will present students with the opportunity to interact with leading researchers in the cancer biology field, explore the important scientific and clinical issues associated with cancer research, extend their knowledge of the scientific literature, and increase their knowledge of translational research, involving clinical application of scientific discoveries. This unit will provide the high-level knowledge base and understanding required to generate cutting-edge research questions and undertake enquiry directed to answering that research question.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify, evaluate and effectively communicate key concepts and results and their implications from high impact recent publications in the field of cancer biology and translational cancer research;
  2. Analyse, interpret and present data from a range of experiment types and discuss this in the context of current scientific literature.
  3. Review and critique scientific literature relevant to a specified scientific question to formulate a scientific hypothesis to underpin a research project in the field of cancer biology;
  4. Evaluate and integrate current knowledge on the genetic drivers of cancer to design trials to assess new cancer therapeutics;
  5. Review, evaluate and justify appropriate approaches for clinical trial design based on preclinical evidence.

Assessment

  • 3 x Theme-specific worksheets (500 words each) (30% total)
  • Literature Review (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Design a clinical trial (1,500 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Average: 4 staff-student contact hours + 2 hours directed learning per week on-campus. This covers 1 hour lecture, 3 hours workshop/practical time,2 hours small-group directed learning activities plus 6 hours of self-directed learning per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BRM5011 - Foundations for medical biotechnology and its applications

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Graham Lieschke

Coordinator(s)

Christophe Marcelle
Chau Khuong

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Master of Biotechnology

Synopsis

This unit discusses the fundamentals of human body systems, including cellular, developmental, immunological and haematological processes, and the application of knowledge of these processes in medical biotechnology.

The molecular and cellular basis of common diseases affecting important organs and/or parts of our body will be presented in the context of designing better therapeutic approaches for these disorders.

Moreover, the unit covers the basic rules of animal regeneration to unlock regenerative potential in patients for treatment of a range of currently untreatable disorders, and discusses the manipulation of cell populations in the body to help tissues repair more effectively.

The response of organs after injuries and/or diseases, and the innate regenerative potential that exists for these organs in mammals is examined.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of the fundamentals of developmental biology and genetics to explain the development of important organ systems
  2. Relate knowledge of neuroscience, haematology, immunology, muscles, heart and bones to the development of medical applications
  3. Identify the basic rules that govern formation of organ stem cells in the embryo and adult and analyse their role in organ regeneration
  4. Discuss on the importance of haematological and immunological systems in regenerative medicine
  5. Demonstrate the molecular mechanisms of tissue injuries and repair processes
  6. Justify contemporary approaches and incentives to treat challenging diseases and injuries of the neural, cardiac, musculoskeletal systems

Assessment

  • Concept maps (3 x 500 words each) and Research proposal (1,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

4 contact hours (2 hour seminar and 2 hour practical/ tutorial)

8 hours of private study (expected to be spent on assignments, and designated pre-class and post-class learning activities to prepare for classes and consolidate knowledge.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BRM5012 - Techniques in medical biotechnology: genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Lieschke

Coordinator(s)

Mirana Ramialison
Jose Polo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Master of Biotechnology students only

Synopsis

This unit will explore recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and systems biology. Students will learn about the latest sequencing technologies underlying these fields of research and obtain an understanding of computational methodologies used to explore these massive datasets.

Student will gain hands-on experience in extracting, mining and integrating publically available datasets related to a specific model organism relevant for regenerative medicine. This unit will also provide training in statistical methods for biologists biotechnology scientists.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge about cutting-edge, high-throughput sequencing technologies to a variety of clinical applications
  2. Use bioinformatics software for analysing high-throughput sequencing datasets and mining the outcome (including basics of coding to run software in command line mode)
  3. Gain knowledge about the functionality of genome browsers and databases to enable navigation through these resources from different model organisms
  4. Customise data analysis strategies for specific research questions in regenerative medicine
  5. Effectively communicate and present bioinformatics and systems biology concepts applied to regenerative medicine

Assessment

  • 2 x In-semester tests (20%)
  • 2 x Laboratory assignments (1,500 words each) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Practical laboratory work (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

5 contact hours (2 hours seminars and 3 hours practical/ workshop)

7 hours of private study (expected to be spent on assignments, and designated pre-class and post-class learning activities to prepare for classes and consolidate knowledge.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


BRM5013 - Techniques in medical biotechnology: Imaging, iPS cells, cell and gene therapies

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Lieschke

Coordinator(s)

Edwina McGlinn
Chau Khuong

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Master of Biotechnology students only

Synopsis

This unit covers the fundamental techniques and approaches in regenerative medicine and medical biotechnology.

Students will learn underlying principles and key techniques such as: non-invasive cell and animal imaging methods, image analysis, cell reprogramming, genome editing methods and experimental model systems.

Students will gain hands-on experience with cutting edge imaging techniques and cell reprogramming.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discriminate between imaging technologies used to image biological processes in living cells, tissues and whole organisms
  2. Perform in vivo imaging of cells, tissues and organisms
  3. Describe principles of genome editing technologies, and discuss current challenges and future prospects for the use of these technologies in gene and cell therapy
  4. Integrate knowledge of cell plasticity; cell reprogramming, lineage conversion and differentiation
  5. Demonstrate proficiency in cell reprogramming, microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques
  6. Summarise the derivation and characterisation of mouse and human iPS cells

Assessment

  • Group oral presentation (30 minutes) (20%)
  • Critical review and reflective journal (1,500 words each) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Workshop/ practical preparation and participation (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

4 contact hours (2 hours seminars and 2 hours practical/ workshop

8 hours of private study (expected to be spent on assignments, and designated pre-class and post-class online learning activities to prepare for classes and consolidate knowledge.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CCS5100 - Research project in medical science

36 points, SCA Band 3, 0.750 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Rob Medcalf

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Full year 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (External Candidature)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit comprises a major research program including submission of a thesis. The thesis should embody the results of the candidate's investigation, which demonstrates independence of thought and the candidate's ability to carry out research in that discipline. Minor coursework such as a literature review and oral presentation is specified by the enrolling department.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit, students will be able to understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project; show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and non-specialist audience; have demonstrated the potential to pursue higher studies and learning in the relevant area of study.

Assessment

Minor thesis, literature review and allied work. Assessment will be advised to the student by the department/school honours coordinator.


CCS5200 - Advanced studies in medical science

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Rob Medcalf

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Full year 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (External Candidature)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will undertake honours level coursework in their relevant discipline, to be advised to the student by the department/school honours coordinator.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit, students will have demonstrated a high-level of understanding of the key theoretical and practical aspects of their area of study, including to have gained insight into the specific discipline and its place within the broader scope of health sciences; have acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to their area of study; and have demonstrated the potential to pursue higher studies and learning in their area of study. The specific learning outcomes will be in accordance with the objectives of the specific discipline.

Assessment

Consistent with the honours coursework assessment of the discipline. To be advised to the student by the department/school honours coordinator.


CMH5001 - Mental health practice essentials

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Fiona Best
Mr Chris Brooks

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the essential clinical practice skills required for adequate performance as a clinician in a community mental health setting. The unit addresses psychiatric assessment, the use of a structured instrument (e.g. HONOS) and specific assessment issues that arise in different clinical scenarios. The unit also covers case management principles and practical issues in mental health delivery with an emphasis on some special focus areas. The unit also addresses the theoretical framework and management of schizophrenia and related disorders, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders and personality disorders.

Content includes:

  • General issues in case management
  • Practical case management
  • Specific focus areas for case management
  • Assessment - general issues
  • A structured assessment instrument as a guide to essential skills - the 'Health of the Nation Outcome Scale' (HoNOS)
  • Assessment - specific issues
  • Characterisation, recognition and outcome of schizophrenia and related disorders
  • Responding to the needs of people with schizophrenia and related disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Affective disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Substance-related and addictive disorders.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Complete an adequate assessment of a patient with a psychiatric syndrome.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the essential skills in using a structured instrument as an assessment tool e.g. HoNOS
  3. Identify and describe the principles and features of case management in mental health.
  4. Utilise the principles in clinical practice as demonstrated by experience.
  5. Have developed sufficient knowledge about various psychiatric syndromes and their management to be utilised in clinical practice.
  6. Critically appraise recent developments relevant to this unit.

Assessment

  • Hurdle requirement: Participation in a minimum of 5 Moodle discussions
  • Essay (3,500 words) (60%)
  • Applied Learning Exercise (1,750 words) (30%)
  • On-Campus Workshop/Alternative Assessment (10%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5002 - The context for mental health practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Vaidy Swaminathan

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit explores historical, social and political factors influencing the evolution of mental health services in Australia and the major shifts over time in the treatment and care of people with a mental illness. The unit begins with an examination of the theoretical perspectives, influences and trends in mental health care, and moves to a focus on the Australian mental health care system and how it responds to the needs of the Australian community.

Two particular areas of need and experience are considered, those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The mental health service system in different states and territories is examined and the emerging participation of primary care services in delivering mental health care. The unit concludes with a consideration of the mental health service system's responsibility and response with regard to the human rights of people with mental illness.

Contents include:

  • History of mental illness and its care - an overview.
  • Social power and mental illness.
  • Mental illness - responses from the community.
  • The global perspective.
  • Mental health policy in Australia.
  • Mental Disorder in Australia.
  • The particular needs of indigenous peoples.
  • The particular needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Services in the specific states and territories.
  • Mental health service reform - the case of Victoria.
  • A rights-based model of mental health practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify major contextual influences on mental health service delivery in Australia
  2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the major components of the community-based framework of mental health services in Australia
  3. Integrate their knowledge of policy frameworks and epidemiology with the design of service systems in mental health services
  4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the range of perspectives of stakeholders actively engaged in mental health care delivery
  5. Identify the special needs of people from an indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds
  6. Critically appraise the reform of mental health service delivery in Australia through the case study of Victoria.

Assessment

  • Hurdle requirement: Participation in a minimum of 5 x Moodle discussions
  • Essay (3,500 words) (60%)
  • Applied learning exercise (1,750 words) (30%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (10%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5003 - Concepts in mental health illness

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Fiona Best
Mr Chris Brooks

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 0136, 1976, 4508, M6022

Synopsis

The unit will provide a basic understanding of scientific research in mental health and the methods of evaluation of the practice. There will be topics on medical and biopsychosocial models, psychodynamic principles, cognitive-behavioural models, and role of prevention in mental health. The unit also covers the process involved in multi-disciplinary team functioning, role of other stakeholders, consumers and the function of various disciplines. There will be an emphasis on understanding the mental health care system and various service models and the subject will conclude with an integration of all topics covered in the context of community mental health service. Content includes:

  • Scientific Research in Mental Health.
  • Evaluation in mental health practice.
  • The medical and biopsychosocial models.
  • Psychodynamic thinking.
  • Cognitive behavioural models.
  • Prevention and stress- diathesis models.
  • Function
  • Understanding teams: Multidisciplinary Teamwork.
  • Understanding other participants in the system: perspectives from different stakeholders.
  • Understanding mental health care systems; model services.
  • The perspective of the consumer.
  • Summary and integration.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of scientific research and evaluation methods in mental health.
  2. Have achieved sufficient knowledge base on medical and biopsychosocial models, psychodynamic models, cognitive-behavioural models and stress-diathesis models.
  3. Have a functional knowledge of multi-disciplinary teamwork and processes and critically appraise the perspective of other stakeholders.
  4. Be able to describe various mental health care systems and models of service.
  5. Be able to integrate all concepts in the mental health practice with the systems and model of service delivery.

Assessment

  • Essay (3,500 words) (60%)
  • Applied Learning Exercise (1,750 words) (30%)
  • On-Campus Workshop / Alternative Assessment (10%)

Hurdle:

  • Participation in a minimum of 5 Moodle discussions.
  • All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5004 - Recovery oriented mental health practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Ms Jill Gray

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Synopsis

This unit considers some of the broad issues that are significant in mental health and wellbeing and community mental health practice. The unit will take us beyond the individual explanations of health and ill health to an examination of some of the broad understandings about the courses of mental ill health and the strategies required to improve mental health. We examine the concept of need in relation to populations and take a practical approach to the process of assessing the mental health needs of populations and groups. Two major community intervention strategies to address mental health needs are examined. The role of consumer participation and collaboration and the notion of citizenship are explored in some detail. The unit concludes with a discussion of the skill base required for community mental health practice.

Contents include:

  • The policy context of community mental health practice;
  • Practice Paradigms;
  • Community as a place for mental health practice;
  • The concept of need;
  • Assessing mental health needs;
  • Particular groups and the iInterpretation of need;
  • Community based intervention models and strategies;
  • Power, participation and collaboration;
  • Consumers and citizenship.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe various practice paradigms and their place in community mental health practice;
  2. Critically analyse the concept of need and competently do a need assessment and develop community intervention models;
  3. Identify and discuss the skills needed for community mental health practice;
  4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the concepts of empowerment, consumer participation and collaborative practices; and
  5. Develop a consumer focused understanding of mental health needs.

Assessment

  • Hurdle requirement: Participation in a minimum of 5 Moodle discussions
  • Essay (3,500 words) (60%)
  • Applied Learning Exercise (1,750 words) (30%)
  • On-Campus Workshop / Alternate Assessment (10%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5005 - Mental health of the elderly

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Chris Plakiotis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Synopsis

This unit encompasses a broad range of topics within the area of aged mental health, including depression, anxiety, dementia, delirium, delusional disorders as well as other conditions. The central elements to psychiatric assessment are covered including presentation and history taking, symptom recognition, cognitive and neuropsychological testing as well as treatment and management principles. Various case scenarios provide examples of key issues that can arise, the course of an illness as well as the application of appropriate therapeutic strategies. This unit also draws attention to aspects of successful ageing, as well as indigenous mental health, service delivery, psychopharmacology and protection issues surrounding the vulnerable elderly person.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understading of aged mental health;
  2. Demonstrate a knowledge of recent developments in this area;
  3. Identify service delivery, examining treatments and management issues in the mental health of the elderly; and
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of research findings in the literature.

Assessment

  • Participation in a minimum of 5 x Moodle discussions (Hurdle)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Applied learning exercise (3,000 words) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (10%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5006 - Transcultural mental health

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Shiva Vasi

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Synopsis

The unit will examine the effects of culture on the construction and experince of mental illness and the implications of cultural and community structures for the delivery of mental health services. Major areas covered include explanatory models of mental illness, cultural and social factors shaping the metnal helath in the community with a focus on the mental health of Aboriginal, refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities in Australia, racism and prejudice, cultural assumptions of standard methods of assessment and treatment, State mental health policy, psychiatric service utilisation, and gaps in current service provision.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Develop a greater sensitivity to the impact of trauma, refugee and asylum seeker experience, migration and re-settlement on mental health;
  2. Explore definitions of mental illness across cultures and the continuing debate concerning differing conceptions of mental illness;
  3. Gain an understanding of the cultural factors in assessment and treatment approaches;
  4. Gain knowledge of the major national and Victorian policy approaches to providing mental health services to Aboriginal and ethnic communities; and
  5. Develop an understanding of current gaps in service provision to Aboriginal, refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities in preparation for participation in policy development, service delivery and evaluation.

Assessment

  • Essay (3,000 words) (50%)
  • Applied learning: Policy analysis (1,500 words) (25%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (10%)
  • Moodle participation and contribution (15%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5011 - Contemporary research and practice in family violence

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Dr Lisa Warren

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This online unit provides students with a theoretical understanding of and a practical approach to family violence.

Students will be introduced to the nature and extent of the issue and the impact to the individuals involved in family violence, and the broader community.

The gender basis of family violence will be examined, as will the spectrum of behaviours that constitute aggression in the family context.

Risk factors that increase vulnerability to family violence, and the literature on risk and threat assessments in family violence, with special considerations for the family situation, will be critically examined.

Students will be introduced to the special issues that pertain to working with indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The empirical basis of interventions for perpetrators, victims and the use of family therapy will also be explored.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the characteristics, scope and impact of domestic family violence ;
  2. Identify and explain related fields of research and practice that inform the family violence field;
  3. Apply the Structured Professional Judgement model to risk and threat assessments in family violence;
  4. Critically appraise strategies to engage, promote change and support the perpetrators of family violence and those they target;
  5. Identify and explain the considerations necessary when working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
  6. Evaluate the use of family therapy in cases of family violence ;
  7. Articulate the means in mental health practice of family violence prevention.

Assessment

  • Case study analysis (2000 words) (30%)
  • Secure 90-minute online assessment (30%)
  • Individual written assignment (2000 words) (30%)
  • Individual brief presentations (10 minutes) (10%)

Hurdle Requirement: Attendance at the Residential Weekend

Workload requirements

Off-campus: Students will be expected to complete 6-hours per week of teacher directed study and 6 hours of background reading and self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

One compulsory residential weekend will be held during the semester.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CMH5012 - Psychopharmacology and physical treatments in mental health care

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Graham Meadows

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chris Brooks

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This online unit provides students with a theoretical underpinning of psychopharmacology and physical treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), as used in contemporary psychiatric practice.

Students will be introduced to the pharmacokinetics of medications used in psychiatric practice, and to the principles of safe prescribing according to the age, health and cultural background of the patient involved.

Students will use the foundational knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics, in order to critically analyse how medications affect physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes.

Students will also be introduced to the special considerations and issues that pertain to working with patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.The unit will cover antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics, mood stabilisers, psychostimulants and other adjunctive psychotropic medications.

Students will appraise medication indications, mechanisms of action, dose titration and contemporary uses, side-effects, drug interactions and relevant communication challenges in psychopharmacology.

Similarly, with physical therapies like ECT and TMS, the indications, mechanisms of action, side-effects and interaction with pharmacotherapies will be explored.

This unit will be of interest to training psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, general practitioners, mental health nurses and case managers engaged in the care of mental health consumers.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activity of psychotropic medications in application to mental health disorders;
  2. Appraise the indications for, use of and adverse effects of psychotropic medications;
  3. Assess critically the risks for drug interactions and the safe use of psychotropics in complex medical settings;
  4. Articulate the indications, use of, benefits and harms of psychiatric physical treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapies;
  5. Appraise the provision of integrated models of care combining psychotropic and psychotherapeutic management, including augmentation therapies and selected evidence-based complimentary therapies;
  6. Design comprehensive mental health management plans, integrating appropriate psychotropic medication and psychotherapy across the range of mental health settings including culturally diverse patient groups.

Assessment

  • Case study analysis (2000 words) (30%)
  • Comprehensive patient management plan (2000 words) (30%)
  • End of semester evidence-based evaluation (2-hour online Extended MCQ/ SAQ using a secure browser) (30%)
  • Hurdle Requirement: Attendance at the Residential Weekend (with marks for participation in clinical case exercises) (10%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: The expected input from students will be primarily off campus as this is an online unit. Each week will involve six hours of teacher directed learning and 6 hours of personal, non-directed learning. Students will be expected to log on each week, work through their workbook, engage in case based discussion forum, listen to a voice over of a two-hour power-point lecture, and read classic papers. Students will be expected to undertake additional readings (approximately six hours per week) and dedicate time to the three assessment tasks assigned to this unit.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

One residential weekend will be held during the semester

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5001 - Psychoanalytic and developmental theories 1

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Emma Toone

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit aims to enable students to have a familiarity with and a knowledge of some of the theories on which the understanding of child development and the practice of child psychotherapy are based. It is designed to give students knowledge of human development from three theoretical perspectives and thereby enable them to have a theoretical basis for their practice of observation, assessment and case management. The theoretical perspectives to be studied in this unit will be those of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and John Bowlby.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. display an understanding and knowledge of the theories of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and John Bowlby relevant to child development,
  2. demonstrate knowledge of the specific similarities and differences between the three theorists and their theories,
  3. understand the different phases of child development,
  4. demonstrate an ability to integrate the theories and apply them to clinical material,
  5. display an ability to compare and contrast the theories.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (900 words) (15%)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Essay (2,100 words) (35%)
  • Attendance at On-campus workshop / Alternative Assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5002 - Normal developmental observation

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit will explore the history, theory and principles of Developmental Observation and its relevance to clinical and consultative work with children and adolescents. There will be a consideration of the nature of the links between observation and the developmental theories. Students will be able to explore these areas both through the context of the course work and prescribed observations of children in their naturalistic settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. evaluate the relevance of observation skills to the understanding of children and adolescents in both therapeutic and consultative work;
  2. analyse the nature of links between observation and the developmental theories;
  3. monitor and evaluate their own responses to what is observed and critically apply these in their work;
  4. critically evaluate their observations in discussion and in written assignments; and
  5. integrate Developmental Observation theory, history and principles with observation experiences and their clinical work, demonstrating these processes in accounts of their own learning.

Assessment

  • Assessment report 1 (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Assessment report 2 (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Weekend workshop presentation (20%)
  • Essay (1,800 words) (30%)
  • 5 x Moodle discussion posts (800 words) (10%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5003 - Psychoanalytic and developmental theories 2

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001 (DCP0001).

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit will consider the theories of Donald Winnicott and Melanie Klein and their relevance to understanding the psychological development of children and adolescents in terms of both healthy development and the development of psychopathology. The unit will also examine the relevance of these theories to working therapeutically with children and adolescents.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. display an understanding and knowledge of the theories of Donald Winnicott and Melanie Klein relevant to child development;
  2. to demonstrate the relevance of these theories to the psychological development of children and adolescents in terms of both healthy development and the development of psychopathology;
  3. to understand the historical context in which these theorists sit and their contribution to the field of understanding and working with children and adolescents;
  4. demonstrate knowledge of the specific similarities and differences between these theorists and their theories; and
  5. to examine these theoretical concepts by the use of case examples as illustrations.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (40%)
  • Journal 1 (20%)
  • Journal 2 (20%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5004 - Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Therese Raulin

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001 (DCP0001) and CPS5002 (DCP0002).

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit is designed to present an introduction to the conceptual framework and guidelines for the methodology of the psycho-dynamic assessment of psychological disturbance in children and adolescents. It will introduce students to disturbances in normal psychological development and the clinical concepts of assessment that are based on psychodynamic and developmental principles.

It will consider interviewing and observational methods with children and adolescents that enable psychological data to be collected and understood. It will also demonstrate the complex task of integrating information from several different sources to provide a diagnostic assessment of the individual nature and degree of disturbance presented, and the extent to which that interferes with the child's normal development and functioning.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand theoretical and clinical concepts relevant to psychodynamic and developmental assessment of children and adolescents;
  2. Have an understanding of the possible meaning of the child's/adolescent's behaviour;
  3. Recognise the process occurring between child and worker and the data this provides;
  4. Recognise that assessment is a process that will provide a psychodynamic and developmental diagnostic formulation; and
  5. Explore optimal case management where treatment options and timing are presented in light of the diagnostic formulation, the available professional and clinical resources, and the child/adolescent's context. This will include the indications or contra-indications for child psychotherapy and other treatment options.

Assessment

  • Report A (10%)
  • Report B (10%)
  • Report C (20%)
  • Essay (40%)
  • On-campus Workshop / Alternative Assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5005 - Principles of child psychotherapy

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Alexis Aytekin

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001, CPS5002, CPS5003 and CPS5004

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit will outline the principles of Child Psychotherapy from a developmental and psychoanalytic perspective. It will address the context and boundaries of therapy and explore ways the child communicates in therapy. It will also address issues of technique including the therapeutic use of the relationship between the child and the psychotherapist being the central tool in ongoing clinical work; the process of observing, hearing and interpretation in psychotherapy; issues of termination: and the structure, significance and dynamics of this process.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to have an understanding and knowledge of:

  1. the means by which the child communicates in therapy e.g. through play, speech and other behaviours;
  2. the significance and meaning of the way the child relates to the therapist i.e. an understanding of the concepts of transference (the way the child perceives and relates to the therapist) and countertransference (the way therapist reacts to the child) and the possible meanings of these concepts and their importance;
  3. the use of interpretation in therapy - timing content and intention;
  4. the significance and importance of boundaries and structure provided by the therapist;
  5. termination - the process of bringing the therapy to a conclusion; and
  6. the impact of working with the disturbed child including the disturbed child in special situations - understanding this in a way which furthers understanding of the child and the therapeutic process.

Assessment

  • Written assignment 1 (20%)
  • Written assignment 2 (20%)
  • Essay (40%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5006 - Principles of adolescent psychotherapy

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Ros Webb

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001, CPS5002, CPS5003 and CPS5004

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit will present a psychodynamic framework for adolescent developmental tasks, as well as associated problems and disturbances. It will also look at both general and phase specific principles and issues in psychotherapy with adolescents for the professionals as well as for the adolescents themselves. Students will be able to explore these areas through the context of the course work, working with an adolescent in their workplace and prescribed observation of adolescents in their naturalistic settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Have a knowledge of a psychodynamic theoretical understanding of adolescent development, tasks and issues;
  2. Have some understanding of how various levels of problems and disturbances can arise during adolescence;
  3. understand basic principles in assessment for therapy with adolescents;
  4. examine how adolescents may present in therapy;
  5. understand basic issues which arise in working with adolescents;
  6. explore the impact of working with adolescents on professionals and the importance of the process between professional and adolescent;
  7. explore termination issues in working with adolescents; and
  8. explore specific issues and principles to consider for inpatient work with adolescents.

Assessment

  • Written assignment 1 (20%)
  • Written assignment 2 (20%)
  • Essay (40%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5007 - Principles of short term therapy

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Sarah Anderson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001, CPS5002, CPS5003, CPS5004 and one of either CPS5005 or CPS5006

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit provides students with an understanding of the history and development of the practice of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Students will explore how the theoretical principles and practices of short-term therapy can be applied to work with parents and infants, children, adolescents and families. Students will analyse case studies in the readings and their own work experiences to explore the practice issues.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. evaluate the historical and theoretical development of short-term therapy;
  2. critically analyse the models and central issues of short-term therapy;
  3. explain how psychoanalytic concepts and techniques are used in short-term therapy;
  4. critically analyse the application of short-term therapy to the age and developmental stage and presentation of the particular child or adolescent;
  5. explore the practice and application of short-term therapy in a variety of clinical contexts.

Assessment

  • Essay (2,000 words) (35%)
  • On-campus workshop (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Online Moodle discussion forum tasks (10%)
  • Critical analysis (2,000 words) (35%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


CPS5008 - Principles of working with parents

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Re

Coordinator(s)

Ms Nada Lane

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

CPS5001, CPS5002, CPS5003, CPS5004 and one of either CPS5005 or CPS5006

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6022

Synopsis

This unit will examine an understanding of the role of parents in their child's development and different ways of working with parents from a psychodynamic and developmental perspective. Consideration will be made of the following ways of working with parents and the similarities and difference in the models: parent therapy; parent and child work combined; short-term and crisis work with parents; parent counselling; parent education; marital therapy/counselling; individual therapy/counselling.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. critically analyse theoretical and clinical concepts of working with parents;
  2. evaluate the importance of parents' own development as it may affect their role as parents;
  3. explore possible ways of working with parents as relevant to their particular needs and those of their child/children; and
  4. evaluate the difficulties that may be experienced by the therapist when working with parents.

Assessment

  • Written assignment 1 (15%)
  • Written assignment 2 (25%)
  • Essay (40%)
  • On-campus workshop / Alternative assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPH6005 - Doctor of public health: Public health practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Robert Hall

Coordinator(s)

Dr Robert Hall

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

DPH6001 and DPH6002

Synopsis

Supervised practical placement in University Departments and Centres, hospitals, affiliated research Institutes, community health services, non-government organisations or the Dept of Human Services. Giving students the opportunity to interact with practising public health professionals. Students are co-supervised by a member of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences academic staff.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a thorough understanding of quantative research methods in public health;
  2. design, develop and present an original research protocol;
  3. prepare an application for approval by an Ethics Committee;
  4. design and outline methods for validating a questionnaire suitable for data entry; and
  5. write a paper suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal.

Assessment

Written report 100%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Public health and preventive medicine PhD program


DPSY5101 - Psychopathology part 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Psychopathology Part I and II are designed to impart students with a working knowledge of mental disorders. The units also aim to equip students with the clinical skills required to assess, formulate and diagnose clients presenting with a variety of clinical conditions.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Conduct a clinical interview with a client, incorporating a mental status examination.
  2. Complete a thorough and accurate written evaluation of a client.
  3. Be familiar with major classes of psychiatric illness.
  4. Feel competent in the formulation and diagnosis of a wide variety of psychiatric problems.
  5. Effectively and appropriately contribute to case discussions regarding formulation and diagnoses and reflect upon and evaluate own and others' assessment/clinical interviewing skills

Assessment

Satisfactory Class Participation (Hurdle)

Mental Status Examination 20%

Psychological Report (1500 words) 30%

End of semester take home exam 50%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5102 - Psychological assessment part 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to general principles of psychological assessment across the lifespan, including ethical and cultural issues, reliability and validity, sensitivity and specificity, error types and bias prevention, statistical and clinical significance, and the effect of base rates. They will learn how to apply behavioural assessment techniques. They will be exposed to a range of tests and scales assessing important aspects of cognitive and emotional functioning and they will learn the background theory of these measures, as well as how to administer, score and interpret them. They will learn how to integrate and interpret psychological assessment results and communicate this information in both written and oral form.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should:

  1. Understand the principles and processes of psychological, behavioural, and personality measurement and their application;
  2. Have become proficient in the administration, scoring, interpretation and integration of assessment results utilising some of the most commonly used psychological tests, including cognitive and personality techniques; and
  3. Have developed skills in behavioural assessment including development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioural assessments.
  4. Show competency in evaluating psychometric instruments for research purposes and in screening referrals for psychometric assessment, selecting appropriate tests, integrating results and providing oral and written communication of results to interested parties.

Assessment

Satisfactory attendance and participation are required to pass the unit.

Psychometric Measure Evaluation (20%)

Behavioural Assessment (30%)

WAIS-IV, WMS-IV & MMP1-2 Administration (Hurdle)

WAIS-IV OSCE Examination (Hurdle)

Psychological report (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5103 - Research methods in professional psychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Katrina Simpson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

This unit will equip students with the necessary skills to undertake research. Nonetheless, the primary motivation for this course concerns future employment. Research design and analysis are critical components of both academic and professional psychology.

Outcomes

  1. This unit equips students with the necessary skills they need to design research and analyse data for their thesis, placements, and employment. After completing this unit successfully, students should be able to undertake a comprehensive program evaluation as well as a single subject design, and complete their thesis, confidently, competently, and independently.

    Specifically, students should be able to:

    • Understand and design the main phases of the key research approaches, including program evaluations, single subject designs, experiments, quasi-experiments, and qualitative projects;
    • Accommodate the considerations and complications of these approaches, such as sampling biases, spurious variables, common method variance, suppressors, non-recursive relationships, confounds, consequential validity, asymmetric transfer, mediators, moderators, stakeholder needs, economic evaluation, family wise errors, power, autocorrelation, and nonlinear dynamics;
    • Apply multivariate statistics techniques to address some of these complications, such as ANCOVA, discriminant function analysis, logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, canonical correlation, and factor analysis;
    • Recognize the fundamental principles of more advanced concepts, which can then be explored through additional reading, including HLM, grounded theory, survival analyses, meta-analyses, catastrophe theory, signal detection theory, ARIMA, interim designs, Bayesian theory, and structural equation modelling;
    • Develop creative and insightful methods to maximise the utility of research; and
    • Justify and report the procedures and techniques that were utilised.

Assessment

Research Workbook (1500 words) (15%)

Research Proposal (4000 words) (45%)

Exam (40%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5104 - Ethics and professional practice

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

A range of topics associated with the provision of psychological services, including basic counselling skills, review of relevant legislation and ethical/professional standards, and developing ethically and culturally sensitive psychological practice. This unit comprises a two day workshop, held prior to the commencement of formal course-work and seminars. Material will be presented in various formats including didactic teaching, small group exercises and role plays. The workshop and seminars will be supplemented by readings and handouts.

Outcomes

The primary aim in this unit is to:

  1. Equip students with knowledge of the laws and ethical principles which govern research and professional practice in psychology and understand how to apply their knowledge of relevant legislation and codes of professional conduct to such issues as confidentiality, informed consent, freedom of information, intra and inter professional relationships, responsibilities, and professional conduct.
  2. Have an understanding of the intercultural and ethnic issues that impact on their practice.

Assessment

Self Assessment (Hurdle)

Examination (60%)

Class presentation (40%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5105 - Clinical developmental psychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to ensure that students are familiar with disorders that occur during childhood and adolescence. Diagnosis and classification, aetiology of the major disorders occurring in childhood and adolescence, as well as the major forms of treatment and management based on recent research will be covered. Various disorders will be examined including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression. Students will be expected to develop competence in the application of diagnostic classification systems to children but also will be encouraged to critically evaluate such systems and be aware of their limitations in paediatric populations. A component of this unit will be devoted to formal psychological, especially cognitive, assessment of children and adolescents. Although the major focus of this unit will be on the identification and assessment of disorders and assessment of cognitive abilities in children, the use of various treatment modalities with children, adolescents, and their families will also be discussed with an emphasis on cognitive behavioural approaches. The final sessions of this unit will focus on clinical developmental issues later in life.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the diagnosis, classification, and aetiology of the major disorders occurring in childhood and adolescence;
  2. Understand the principles of interviewing and assessing children and adolescents;
  3. Be competent in the administration of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV);

  4. Be familiar with the major forms of treatment and management based;
  5. Be competent in writing a clinical case formulation for a child presenting with a clinical developmental disorder; and
  6. Understand clinical developmental issues using a biopsychosocial frame-work.

Assessment

WISC-IV assessment. (Hurdle).

Formulation Report (1000 words) 40%

Examination 60%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5161 - Ethics and professional practice in neuropsychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will develop an understanding of the role of the Clinical Neuropsychologist and of legal and ethical principles governing research and professional practice in psychology. Students will review relevant legislation and ethical/professional standards and develop ethically and culturally sensitive psychological practices. They will learn how to work with other professionals and develop the skills to conduct a clinical interview, take a case history, and write a report. Students will observe at least one neuropsychological assessment.

Outcomes

The primary aim in this unit is to equip students with the basic skills necessary for their entrance into the profession of Clinical Neuropsychology. When students have completed this unit they will:

  1. Be familiar with the legal and ethical principles which govern research and professional practice in psychology and understand how to apply their knowledge of relevant legislation and codes of professional conduct to such issues as confidentiality, informed consent, freedom of information, intra and inter professional relationships, responsibilities, and professional conduct;
  2. Be able to define the professional role/s of the Clinical Neuropsychologist;
  3. Understand the relationship between the Clinical Neuropsychologist and other health professionals;
  4. Have an understanding of the importance of teamwork and the skills necessary to implement this understanding;
  5. Have acquired the practical skills necessary to conduct a clinical interview, develop an understanding of the history preceding the development of a neuropsychological problem and write a comprehensive case report; and
  6. Have an understanding of the intercultural and ethnic issues that impact on neuropsychological practice.

Assessment

Satisfactory attendance and participation are required to pass the unit.

Assessment tasks include:

A history-taking exercise (Hurdle Requirement);

A case report (Hurdle Requirement);

Examination (60%)

Class presentation (40%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5162 - Neuroanatomy for the clinical neuropsychologist

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Professor Julie Stout

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

This subject reviews the neuroanatomy of the human brain and spinal cord at the level of detail required by the practicing clinical neuropsychologist. Emphasis is placed on structure-function relationships, and how different brain regions interact to regulate complex cognitive skills. Students also learn about the clinical neurological examination and neuroimaging, with an emphasis placed on what these methods allow us to infer regarding underlying neuroanatomy and lesions. In addition, students will learn about neurogenetics, and how genetic disorders link to variations in neuroanatomy that underpin behavioural manifestations of these neurogenetic disorders. Students learn:

  1. to identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord, using prosected specimens, models and cross-sectional images
  2. to understand the structural and functional relationships between these features
  3. to be able to apply this knowledge to the clinical situation.

Outcomes

At the completion of the subject, students should

  1. Identify the major components of pathways associated with smell, vision, hearing, touch, balance, taste, movement, memory, emotion, and language.
  2. Be familiar with the external anatomy of the brain, to be able to name and identify each part and describe its contribution to behavioural and cognitive function.
  3. Be able to identify the main subcortical nuclei and their functions.
  4. Be able to identify the fibre tracts in the brain and spinal cord and describe their function.
  5. Be able to identify each major blood vessel in the brain and describe the functional consequences of infarction for each vessel.
  6. Be fluent in the terminology used to navigate the brain and describe brain structures.
  7. Be familiar with neurogenetic disorders and their manifestation in brain anatomy.
  8. Be knowledgeable about the clinical neurological examination and how neurologists denote and interpret their findings.
  9. Be familiar with the most common forms of imaging relevant to clinical neurology and neuropsychology.
  10. Have a view of how cognition and behaviour are implemented in neural tissues from the cellular to systems levels of analysis.

Assessment

Weekly assignments 80% final assessment 20%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5201 - Psychopathology part 2

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

Psychopathology Part I and II are designed to impart students with a working knowledge of mental disorders. The units also aim to equip students with the clinical skills required to assess, formulate and diagnose clients presenting with a variety of clinical conditions. In addition, the unit will include an introduction to drug classifications; legal control of drug use; pharmacokinetics; variability in response to drugs;chemical transmission and receptors.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Conduct a psychiatric interview with a client; incorporating a mental status examination;
  2. Complete a thorough and accurate written evaluation of a client; and
  3. Be familiar with major classes of psychiatric illness.
  4. Understand the basic concepts of psychopharmacology with particular reference to recent advances in the fields of psychiatric medication, cognitive enhancers and neuroprotective agents, and substance abuse; and
  5. Effectively and appropriately contribute to case analyses regarding formulation and diagnoses and reflect upon and evaluate own and others' assessment/clinical interviewing skills

Assessment

Class Participation (Hurdle)

Psychopharmacology Take Home Test (30%)

Oral Case Presentation (30%)

Psychological Report (40%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5203 - Theories and techniques of intervention part 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

This unit provides students with training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and the delivery of psychological interventions more broadly. The emphasis here is on understanding CBT theory and the related techniques of intervention, understanding the psychological issues faced by clients, and bringing the two together in formulation. We start by introducing students to the theory of CBT and the process of assessment and formulation and how to structure therapy. Key CBT processes such as guided discovery and collaboration are highlighted. Then students are supported to learn and apply the core skills of CBT including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, problem-solving and relaxation. Finally, these tools and techniques are applied to clients across the age range with cognitive impairment, depression, anger, and anxiety.

Outcomes

This unit provides students with knowledge and skills related to both generic therapeutic competences as well as competences related specifically to CBT as defined by Roth and Pilling (2007). These competencies align with those set by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council especially in relation to domains: Knowledge of the Discipline, Intervention Strategies and Communication and Interpersonal Relationships. By the end of the unit, students should have a good working knowledge of and demonstrate capacity to utilise the tools and techniques listed below.

Generic therapeutic competences

  • Knowledge of mental health problems, ethical and professional guidelines, and a model of therapy (and the ability to draw on and apply this knowledge when providing psychological interventions)
  • Ability to engage the client, foster and maintain a good therapeutic alliance, and to grasp the client's perspective and 'world view'
  • Ability to deal with emotional content of sessions
  • Ability to manage endings
  • Ability to undertake an assessment

Basic CBT competences

  • Knowledge of basic principles of CBT and rationale for treatment, common cognitive biases relevant to CBT, and the role of safety-seeking behaviours
  • Ability to explain and demonstrate rationale for CBT to client
  • Ability to agree goals for intervention
  • Ability to structure sessions
  • Ability to use measures and self-monitoring to guide therapy and to monitor outcome
  • Ability to devise a maintenance cycle and use this to this set targets
  • Problem solving
  • Relapse prevention

Specific CBT techniques

  • Exposure techniques
  • Applied relaxation
  • Activity monitoring and scheduling
  • Guided discovery and Socratic questioning
  • Ability to develop a formulation with the client

Assessment

Satisfactory attendance and participation are required to pass the unit.

  1. Skills practice and written submission - Guided discovery (40%)
  2. Skills practice - Reviewing homework (20%)
  3. Video recording and written reflection - Sharing formulations (40%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5261 - Neuropsychological models of cognition and behaviour part 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Professor Julie Stout

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Neuropsychological disorders will be considered from perspectives taken in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology. In particular, there will be an emphasis on establishing frameworks for conceptualising neuropsychological features of neurological and psychiatric conditions, and frameworks for approaching clinical assessment and rehabilitation.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Have knowledge of neural bases of attention, language, visuospatial functions, memory, executive functions, emotion processing, and complex adaptive behaviours, in both in normality and pathology;
  2. Understand the current theoretical models proposed to account for neuropsychological impairments.

Assessment

2 x assignments (10% each)

4 x assignments (15% each)

Visual-graphic assignment (20%)

Oral presentation (hurdle requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5262 - Case analysis and professional practice in neuropsychology 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity to observe and participate in oral presentations of case material and other professional issues at the same time as they commence their first clinical placement.

When students have completed the unit they will:

  1. be familiar with the format of oral presentations suitable for a number of different audiences, ranging from the medico-legal forum and other colleagues to lay persons;
  2. participate confidently in case discussions;
  3. be informed about current issues in the field of clinical neuropsychology;
  4. have developed sufficient rapport with staff members to seek assistance when it is required during later years of the course; and
  5. have developed their ability to read and evaluate journal papers relevant to clinical neuropsychology.

Assessment

Class Contribution 25%

Oral Presentation 75%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5263 - Neuropsychological assessment

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to the scientist-practitioner model of neuropsychology, incorporating a hypothesis testing approach to assessment. Students will be exposed to a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches designed to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. They will learn how to select which tests are most appropriate in specific clinical situations and how to administer, score and interpret each measure. Formulation and report writing skills will be imparted in addition to competencies relating to psychoeducation and recommendation provision. Specific issues regarding assessment of decision making capacity, acute assessment, longitudinal assessment and assessment of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be covered.

Outcomes

The primary aim of this unit is to introduce students to an overarching approach to neuropsychological assessment and case formulation, as well as assessment selection, administration, scoring and interpretation.

At the conclusion of this unit students will:

  1. Be able to critically evaluate a wide range of neuropsychological tests and scales designed to assess numerous aspects of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning.
  2. Be able to plan neuropsychological assessments, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate to specific clinical contexts and referrals (eg; across the lifespan, cross-cultural assessment etc.).
  3. Be able to interpret and integrate information obtained during neuropsychological assessment to formulate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's neuropsychological function.
  4. To be able to disseminate neuropsychological assessment findings across a range of formats (reports, verbal feedback) and audiences (other clinicians, clients, family).

Assessment

Test Kit (Hurdle)

Problem Based Learning Tasks (Hurdle)

Case Report Series: Case 1 (33%), Case 2 (33%), Case 3 (34%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5265 - Neuropsychological syndromes

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

In this unit students will become familiar with a number of neuropsychological syndromes. Sessions will feature guest lecturers who are experts in their fields.

Outcomes

The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge required to recognise, describe and assess a number of common neuropsychological syndromes.

On completion of the unit students will:

  1. be able to provide a verbal description of the neuropsychological deficits associated with common inherited and acquired neurpsychological disorders;
  2. be able to recognise and differentiate between common syndromes on the basis of the patient's history, presentation and assessment results;
  3. feel confident in planning and executing a formal assessment of a patient presenting with each syndrome; and
  4. be aware of psychosocial and treatment issues associated with each disorder.

Assessment

Weekly take-home assessment (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY5299 - Introductory practicum

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

The DPsych program has established a network of placements in a variety of settings within which students can receive appropriate practica training. The practica coordinator and staff at the agency arrange the placements. Student preferences, practica availability and student training needs are taken account of in this process. Which agency and supervisor, number of days for the practica and also the commencement and completion dates are specified. Students are not permitted to negotiate their own practica or change any practica arrangements without first obtaining approval from the University Practica Coordinator.

Outcomes

On completion of the initial practicum, students will be:

  1. expected to have gained an appreciation of the professional role a psychologist in practice and to have an understanding of the delivery of a service to patients, clients and other interested parties;
  2. to have acquired an understanding of the context of the delivery of the service and the particular function it serves to the individual and the community at large;
  3. to have developed an appreciation of the competing demands on service delivery and the range of issues which impact on service delivery;
  4. expected to become proficient in establishing rapport with patients, administering and scoring the commonly used intellectual, diagnostic and personality tests, integrating the results and providing appropriate oral and written reports;
  5. expected to have developed an understanding of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team and the role of its various members.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle)

Student Diary (Hurdle)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Participation in OSCE (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6103 - Theories and techniques of intervention part 2

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

Students completing the unit will have further developed their skills in therapeutic techniques and delivery of treatment in CBT and other integrative treatments for treatment of a variety of disorders, acquire the knowledge and skills to design focused treatment plans, appropriately implement treatment as required by a placement setting under supervision, report intervention outcomes appropriately, and have an understanding of the underlying theories of such interventions.

Outcomes

Students completing the unit should be conversant with the specific assumpions, concepts and techniques of the major schools of therapy and have some knowledge of relevant outcome literature. In addition, students should have a thorough understanding of the process common to all forms of intervention. By the end of the unit, students should have proficiency in the particular skills of behavioural and cognitive-behavioural therapies and their application to a range of clinical problems. Students will to be competent in selecting interventions for individuals and monitoring the progress of their application.

The main objectives of this course are as follows:

  • To further develop skills in cognitive behaviour therapy
  • To develop the knowledge and skills to apply CBT and other integrative treatments to a variety of disorders under supervision
  • To develop knowledge and skills to design a CBT-focused treatment plan
  • To provide an awareness of some other modes of therapy and related underlying theory
  • To engage in and develop self-reflective practice

Assessment

Satisfactory attendance and participation in each seminar are required to pass the unit.

  1. Formulation and Treatment Plan (30%)
  2. Presentation (Accompanying Handout) (50%)
  3. Resource Kit (20%)

Workload requirements

  1. 5 hour seminar per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6105 - Psychopharmacology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Antonio Verdejo-Garcia

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

The unit will cover the following topics.

  1. Introduction to drug classifications; legal control of drug use; pharmacokinetics; variability in response to drugs; chemical transmission and receptors.
  2. Mood disorders: antidepressants and mood stabilizers; anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives and hypnotics, drugs used for OCD, panic, and phobic disorders.
  3. Psychosis and schizophrenia; anti-psychotic drugs. Cognitive enhancers: ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, brain trauma.
  4. Drugs of abuse: affects on brain and cognition.
  5. Delirium; The Mini Mental State Examination.
  6. Mental health in older adults.
  7. Bereavement.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should:

  1. Understand the basic concepts of psychopharmacology with particular reference to recent advances in the fields of psychiatric medication, cognitive enhancers and neuroprotective agents, and substance abuse;
  2. Have a broad understanding of commonly prescribed psychoactive drugs, legal and illegal drugs and other commonly abused substances.
  3. Be able to comment on the likely physiological and psychological effects in a particular individual of a specific drug (together with possible drug interactions), and to prepare a written report on the topic.
  4. Be exposed to current issues in clinical psychopharmacology and in research concerning treatment approaches.
  5. Gain a broad understanding of the advanced psychopathology topics of delirium, mental health in older adults, and bereavement.

Assessment

Take-Home Examination (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6107 - Health psychology and behavioural medicine

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

This unit provides an advanced level introduction to the growing field of health psychology. The major systems of the body that underlie health and illness will be reviewed, including the nervous system, endocrine system, immune system and cardiovascular system. The prevalence of major chronic diseases will be discussed and factors related to prevalence. Behaviour and lifestyle as they relate to health and illness will be reviewed. Health promotion and the prevention of disease will be discussed.

Outcomes

By the completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Understand the scope of the related fields of health psychology and behavioural medicine, and their history.
  2. Understand the systems of the body that underlie health and disease.
  3. Comprehend the prevalence of different chronic diseases and factors that affect prevalence rates.
  4. Understand how behaviour and lifestyle relates to health.
  5. Understand the main models of health behaviour and behaviour change.
  6. Understand the goals and methods of health promotion and the prevention of disease.
  7. Understand how to develop conceptual models of patient problems, and how to plan and implement interventions based on the model and the relevant empirical literature.
  8. Understand the major chronic diseases that affect morbidity and mortality, that is, cancer and cardiovascular disease, from a behavioural perspective.
  9. Understand how to assess and manage, or contribute to the management, of a number of exemplar disorders/problems (e.g., drug and alcohol abuse,overweight and obesity, sleep problems, cancer and cardiovascular disease).
  10. Understand how to increase patient adherence with advice from health professionals.
  11. Understand models of stress and the stress-moderating variables of coping and social support; how to measure these constructs; and methods of stress management.

Assessment

Written Report (20%)

Written Report (30%)

Examination (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6162 - Case analysis and professional practice in neuropsychology 2

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students and will present their own cases. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity to practice giving oral presentations of case material. A secondary aim is to provide a forum in which students may discuss other professional issues of interest to them.

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. be proficient in summarising and presenting case material in an oral format suitable for a number of different audiences, ranging from a hospital or rehabilitation setting through to a medico-legal forum, to other colleagues and to lay persons,
  2. participate confidently and productively in case discussions;
  3. be informed about current issues in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Assessment

Class Contribution 25%

Oral Presentation 75%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6199 - Intermediate practicum

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

DPSY5299

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

The DPsych program has established a network of placements in a variety of settings within which students can receive appropriate practica training. The practica coordinator and staff at the agency arrange the placements. Student preferences, practica availability and student training needs are taken account of in this process. Which agency and supervisor, number of days for the practica and also the commencement and completion dates are specified. Students are not permitted to negotiate their own practica or change any practica arrangements without first obtaining approval from the University Practica Coordinator.

Outcomes

On completion of the intermediate practicum, students should have:

  1. developed skill and confidence in applying their theoretical knowledge to the psychological treatment of individuals with relatively uncomplicated emotional and/or behavioural problems and to the assessment of treatment outcomes;
  2. developed an awareness of the intricacy of the therapeutic relationship and of the contribution of their personal qualities to it. Their contribution to service delivery should reflect the principles of best practice and their role within an agency should be equivalent to that of a junior employee.
  3. the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of the agency's role in service delivery and to service delivery and to independently contribute to the development of strategies for improved service delivery.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle)

Student Diary (Hurdle)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Participate in OSCE (Hurdle)

Clinical Report (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6204 - Clinical neuropsychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

This unit provides students with information on the roles of the neuropsychologist within the health setting, the assessment techniques commonly used by neuropsychologists, common neuropsychological syndromes, and the process of rehabilitation for those with neuropsychological impairment.

Outcomes

On completion of the course students should:

  1. be familiar with basic functions of key neuroanatomical brain regions and be able to apply this to brain-behaviour relationships
  2. understand key principles underlying neuropsychological assessment and formulation
  3. have a understanding of key neuropsychological syndromes that are regularly encountered in clinical psychology practice
  4. be able to interpret neuropsychological reports and apply recommendations relevant to clinical psychology

Assessment

Class Participation (Hurdle)

Case Report 1 (33%)

Case Report 2 (33%)

Case Report 3 (34%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6261 - Developmental neuropsychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Renee Testa

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will become familiar with the use of appropriate paediatric neuropsychology assessment tools and will learn the skills required to obtain a comprehensive history from parents, teachers, hospital case notes and other relevant information sources. Assessment and management of the behavioural consequences of neuropsychological deficits will be discussed, together with the provision of parent education and school interventions. The importance of conveying neuropsychological findings and recommendation in a clear and interpretable manner for non-psychology professionals, such as teachers and careers, will also be an area of focus.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Be familiar with the main stages of central nervous system development, and the impact of these stages on normal cognitive functioning;
  2. Be fully aware of the impact that various neurodevelopmental disorders, various neuropsychiatric disorders or several kinds of acquired brain injury might be expected to have on the development of cognitive skills;
  3. Be familiar with theories of recovery function during childhood and adolescence, and appropriate rehabilitation and management strategies;
  4. Be competent in taking a comprehensive case history, in selecting and administering neuropsychological tests suitable for each developmental period, and interpreting the results of these;
  5. Be able to effectively impart their neuropsychological findings and recommendations to non-professionals such as parents and teachers; and
  6. Feel confident working with children, parents, teachers and professional childcare workers.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on three components, each of which will be graded.

Test administration: 35%

Essay/Report: 35%

Written assignment: 30%

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6262 - Case analysis and professional practice in neuropsychology 3

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students and will present their own cases. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity to observe and practice giving oral presentations of case material. A secondary aim is to provide a forum in which students can discuss other professional issues of interest to them.

On completion of the unit students will:

  1. be proficient in summarising and presenting case material relative to assessment and management in an oral format suitable for a number of different audiences, ranging from hospital to rehabilitative settings, through to the medico-legal forum to other colleagues to lay persons;
  2. participate confidently and productively in case discussions;
  3. be informed about current issues in the field of Clinical neuropsychology;
  4. be familiar with case material drawn from a number of different settings.

Assessment

Class contributions (25%)

Oral presentation (75%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6263 - Recovery of function and rehabilitation after brain injury

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

Students will develop an understanding of strategies used to manage neuropsychologically impaired individuals and will learn how to assess the efficacy of techniques used to rehabilitation and management. Participants will receive information from other allied health professional, rehabilitative approaches used by these professions and discuss how a multidisciplinary approach can be used to provide substantial benefits to the brain-injured individual.

Outcomes

This unit aims to equip students with the conceptual information necessary for them to work effectively in a rehabilitation setting.

On completion of the unit students will:

  1. have acquired a good understanding of current theories and models of recovery of brain function after neurological damage;
  2. be familiar with recent research examining plasticity and reorganisation in the primate brain;
  3. be informed about the current World Health Organisation (WHO) framework for conceptualising disability in terms of impairment of function, activity limitation and participation restriction;
  4. know how clinical neuropsychologists and other allied health professionals assess impairment following neurological damage;
  5. be familiar with current rehabilitative interventions for specific neuropsychological disorders, and the methods commonly used to assess the effectiveness of these interventions;
  6. be well informed about strategies used in the management of those with neurological damage.

Assessment

Take-home exercise (20%)

Case report (80%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6299 - Advanced practicum

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

DPSY5299 and DPSY6199

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

The DPsych program has established a network of placements in a variety of settings within which students can receive appropriate practica training. The practica coordinator and staff at the agency arrange the placements. Student preferences, practica availability and student training needs are taken account of in this process. Which agency and supervisor, number of days for the practica and also the commencement and completion dates are specified. Students are not permitted to negotiate their own practica or change any practica arrangements without first obtaining approval from the University Practica Coordinator.

Outcomes

By the end of the advanced practicum, students' skills should be extended to:

  1. include management of individuals identified with serious and difficult problems;
  2. independently develop and deliver intervention strategies across a range of areas which reflect an understanding of the current psychological principles and how these can be implemented within service delivery systems.
  3. utilise a full understanding of the complexities of provision of services should be apparent with evidence of appreciation of the wider context in which the client operates and in which the service is provided.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle)

Student Diary (Hurdle)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Participate in OSCE (Hurdle)

Clinical Report (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY6399 - Specialised clinical practicum

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

DPSY5299, DPSY6199, DPSY6299

Synopsis

The Specialised Clinical Practicum provides students with opportunity to directly contribute to service delivery by participating in the planning and provision of clinical psychological assessment and treatment to a range of individuals in a variety of settings. At this stage of their training students will be expected to carry a client load with minimal supervisory support. The location of the specialised practicum will be negotiated with individual students, taking into account their preferences and their need for specialised skill acquisition, but options include forensic settings, child and adolescent mental health services, psychiatry units of private and public hospitals, and specialised health services. The aim of the Specialised Clinical Practicum is for students to gain proficiency in their clinical psychology skills or to consolidate skills in specialist areas.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit students will be able to develop and deliver assessment and intervention strategies which reflect an understanding of the current knowledge of best practice in clinical psychology.

On completion of the unit students will be able to provide input at the organisational level.

On completion of the unit students will demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical psychological principles and how these are implemented within service delivery systems.

On completion of the unit students will understand fully the role of a clinical psychologist at an organisational level, and the contributions that a clinical psychologist makes to a service delivery system.

On completion of the unit students will be able to recognise when input from a senior member of staff is required and be able to seek out this input in a timely and professional manner.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle)

Student Diary (Hurdle)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle)

2 Clinical Reports (50% each)

Workload requirements

16 hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY7131 - Advanced clinical psychology: General

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

The content of seminars will cover the practice of psychological therapies with a sound evidence base. Learning will consolidate existing knowledge of psychopathology and focus on extending this knowledge within a tailored therapeutic approach. Cases will be discussed using conceptualization methods that are problem focused (i.e., presenting symptoms and precipitating/ perpetuating/ predisposing/ protective factors), those that span multiple diagnostic categories, and those that theoretical concepts from treatment models with empirical support (e.g., relationship history, attachment style, core beliefs, schema, rules/ assumptions, and values).

A further focus is the development of advanced therapeutic skills. This unit aims to enable the trainee to use evidence-based interventions guided by case conceptualization methods, emphasizing evidence-based specific (e.g., active collaboration, empiricism, Socratic dialogue) and non-specific elements (e.g., empathy, positive regard, alliance, active client participation, and feedback), and in a manner that is also tailored to client attributes. An emphasis on self-reflection and self-practice will be included throughout.

Outcomes

At the end of the unit, students will be able to:

  1. Organize features of cases to construct problem focused, disorder specific, and comprehensive case conceptualizations for complex case presentations;
  2. Assess client strengths and aspects that require special consideration when engaging clients, tailoring therapeutic relationships and interventions;
  3. Create therapeutic environments that foster client engagement during sessions, and that maximize client engagement with between session work;
  4. Construct, deliver, and evaluate comprehensive case presentations including comprehensive case conceptualizations and treatment plans;
  5. Plan tailored therapeutic intervention for clients with severe personality disorders and multiple diagnoses;
  6. Contribute to constructive case consultation;

Assessment

Group Therapy Proposal (50%)

Self-Practice / Reflection Journal (30%)

Participation (2 x Case Presentations) (10%)

Seminar Discussions (5%)

Case Discussions (5%)

Weekly Learning Tasks, 1 hour in between-session role plays, learning journal (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY7141 - Advanced clinical psychology: Child, adolescent and family

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Synopsis

The content of seminars will cover the practice of psychological therapies with a sound evidence base. Learning will consolidate existing knowledge of psychopathology and focus on extending this knowledge within a tailored therapeutic approach for children, young people, and their families. Cases will be discussed using conceptualization methods that are problem focused (i.e., presenting symptoms and precipitating/perpetuating/ predisposing/ protective factors), those that span multiple diagnostic categories, and those that theoretical concepts from treatment models with empirical support (e.g., relationship history, attachment style, core beliefs, schema, rules/ assumptions, and values). An emphasis on self-reflection and self-practice will be included throughout.

Outcomes

At the end of the unit, students will be able to:

  1. Create a comprehensive case formulation for a young person drawing together developmental history, and construct an appropriate treatment plan;
  2. Construct, deliver, and contribute to case presentations, including case conceptualizations and treatment planning;
  3. Prepare and conduct role-plays utilizing relevant Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills with mock clients and appraise their performance;
  4. Plan and critically evaluate the existing literature for the implementation of a group therapy program for a relevant child or adolescent clinical presentation;
  5. Contribute to constructive case consultation.

Assessment

Group Proposal (80%)

Class Participation (20%)

Infant Observation (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


DPSY7199 - Advanced specialised practicum

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

Prerequisites

DPSY5299, DPSY6199, DPSY6299

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

Synopsis

The advanced specialist practicum provides students with opportunity to directly contribute to service delivery by participating in the planning and provision of neuropsychological assessment and treatment to a range of persons with relatively complicated presentations. At this stage of their training students will be expected to carry a client load with minimal supervisory support. The location of the specialised practicum will be negotiated with individual students, taking into account their preferences and their need for specialised skill acquisition, but options will include rehabilitation, developmental neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry, neurogeriatrics and forensic neuropsychology.

Outcomes

By the end of the advanced specialist practicum, students' skills and knowledge in a particular area of clinical neuropsychology should be extensive.

On completion of the unit students will:

  1. be able to independently develop and deliver assessment and intervention strategies which reflect an understanding of the current knowledge of best practice;
  2. be able to provide input at the organisational level;
  3. be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of neuropsychological principles and how these can be implemented within service delivery systems;
  4. demonstrate a full understanding of the complexities of provision of services should be apparent with evidence of appreciation of the wider context in which the client operates and in which the service is provided.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle)

Student Diary (Hurdle)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


EPM5001 - Health indicators and health surveys

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Armando Teixeira-Pinto

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

MPH5040.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

Introduction to a variety of health-related data collection sources, calculation of population fertility, mortality & morbidity rates, health service utilisation measures, disease registration & reporting. Use of direct & indirect age standardisation, life expectancy calculations, valid comparisons & health differentials. Development, design & delivery of health questionnaires. Use of focus groups, standard instruments for health surveys, coding, validity, reliability of measures & models of data collection. Efficient sampling strategies, data interpretation & analysis including stratification, clustering & weighting.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Derive and compare population measures of mortality, illness, fertility and survival, using basic demographic tools such as life tables and age standardisation.
  2. Access the main sources of routinely collected health data and choose the appropriate one, taking into account their advantages and disadvantages.
  3. Design a valid and reliable health survey to collect primary data, design an efficient sampling strategy to obtain random sample of the target population, and choose the most appropriate mode of delivery.
  4. Analyse, interpret and present the results of survey data, taking the sampling strategy into account.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5002 - Mathematical background for biostatistics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Trent Mattner

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

Core topics in algebra and analysis, including polynomial and simultaneous equations, graphs, concepts of limits, continuity and series approximations, including Taylor series expansions. Calculus is used to describe techniques of integration and differentiation of vector expressions. Study of probability, concepts of probability laws, random variables, expectation and distributions. Essential topics in matrix algebra relevant to biostatistical methods. Essential numerical methods, including Newton-Raphson method for solution of simultaneous equations and concepts of numerical integration.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the mathematics underlying key statistical methods.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of basic algebra and analysis, and the ability to manually differentiate and integrate algebraic expressions, and perform Taylor series expansions.
  3. Understand the basic laws of probability, and the calculus basis of expectation and distribution theory.
  4. Perform matrix manipulations manually.
  5. Understand the numerical methods behind solutions of equations regularly encountered in methods in biostatistics.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5003 - Principles of statistical inference

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Patrick Kelly

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5014.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

The unit will introduce the core concepts of statistical inference, beginning with estimators, confidence intervals, type I and II errors and p-values. The emphasis will be on the practical interpretation of these concepts in biostatistical contexts, including an emphasis on the difference between statistical and practical significance. Classical estimation theory, bias and efficiency. Likelihood function, likelihood based methodology, maximum likelihood estimation and inference based on likelihood ration, Wald and score test procedures. Bayesian approach to statistical inference vs classical frequentist approach. Nonparametric procedures, exact inference and resampling based methodology.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Have a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts in statistical inference and their practical interpretation and importance in biostatistical contexts.
  2. Understand the theoretical basis for frequentists and Bayesian approaches to statistical inference.
  3. Be able to develop and apply parametric methods of inference, with particular reference to problems of relevance in biostatistical contexts.
  4. Have the theoretical basis to understand the justification for more complex statistical procedures introduced in subsequent units.
  5. Have an understanding of basic alternatives to standard likelihood-based methods, and be able to identify situations in which these methods are useful.

Assessment

  • 2 x Written assignments (35% each)
  • Practical exercises (30%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5004 - Linear models

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Stephane Heritier

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Stephane Heritier

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

EPM5003.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit explores biostatistical applications of linear models with an emphasis on underlying theoretical and computational issues, practical interpretation and communication of results. By a series of case studies, students explore extensions of methods for group comparisons of means (t-tests and analysis of variance) to adjust for confounding and to assess effect modification/interaction, together with the development of associated inference procedures. Multiple regression strategies and model selection issues will be presented together with model checking and diagnostics. Nonparametric regression techniques, and random effects and variance components models will also be outlined.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the major theoretical and computational issues underlying analyses based on linear models.
  2. Develop appropriate regression modelling strategies based on unit matter considerations, including choice of models, control for confounding and appropriate parameterisation.
  3. Be proficient at using a statistical software package (e.g. Strata) to perform multiple regression and analysis of variance.
  4. Understand the construction, use and interpretation of regression modelling diagnostics.
  5. Express the results of statistical analyses of linear models in language suitable for communication to medical investigators or publication in biomedical or epidemiological journal articles.
  6. appreciate the role of modern techniques including non-parametric smoothing and variance components models.

Assessment

  • 2 x Written assignments (30% each)
  • Practical exercises (40%) (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5005 - Data management and statistical computing

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jennie Louise

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit will describe and demonstrate the complexity of data management and statistical computing methods. It will enable students to communicate effectively about the issues in storing and retrieving information, and in assessing the quality and limitations of data repositories. It uses examples from real data sets to give students practical skills in data management, assessment of data quality and handling and linking of large volumes of data.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to have:

  1. Understanding of different sources and methods of data storage such as unit records, matrix files, longitudinal data, relational databases.
  2. Understanding of relational database concepts and data retrieval methods.
  3. Proficiency in the handling and analysis of large data sets.
  4. Skills in data manipulation and management using the major statistical software packages.
  5. Skills in linking files through unique and non-unique identifiers.
  6. Understanding of data quality control and data entry methods and confidentiality issues, and experience in applying validation checks to data.
  7. Skills in data cleaning, identification of outliers and data trimming using appropriate statistical methods.
  8. Understanding of processes leading to finalisation of data sets prior to analysis.
  9. Ability to communicate with researchers in data-related issues of design, conduct and analysis of studies.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5006 - Clinical biostatistics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Professor Annette Dobson

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5007, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

EPM5004.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

Practical applications of statistical methods in clinical settings. Methods for assessment of clinical agreement, statistical properties of diagnostic tests and their interpretation, fundamentals of modelling for clinical prediction. Study of meta analysis methods in the context of randomised trials, diagnostic tests and observational studies, assessing heterogeneity and publication bias. Assessment of the application, analysis and utility of crossover and equivalence trials.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the role of statistical methods in evidence-based health care.
  2. Determine appropriate statistical methods of particular relevance to evidence-based health care in particular clinical applications.
  3. Correctly employ these statistical methods and have the skills to effectively communicate with clinicians on the application of these methods and interpretation of results.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5007 - Design of randomised controlled trials

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Amy Salter

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, MPH5040.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit will introduce randomised comparisons as a major tool used in medical research and the basis of providing evidence for improving clinical practice. By developing problems based on clinical questions, the need and value of different experimental designs will be introduced and expanded. Within this context, issues with regards to randomisation, ethical issues, clinical study design and analysis interpretation will be developed, as will selection of outcome variables, surrogate endpoints and dealing with missing data. Efficiency issues such as sample size and power will be introduced at appropriate points in the unit.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify the benefits and ethical issues involved in randomisation as a mechanism for reduction and balancing bias, and implement a variety of randomisation schemes.
  2. Describe the principles behind the common experimental designs and be able to implement, analyse and interpret data from a variety of randomised designs.
  3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the use of surrogate endpoints.
  4. Describe the principles underlying Phase I, II and III and IV studies as well as of the scientific basis underlying issues in clinical studies including intention-to-treat, blinding, interim analyses, missing data subgroup analyses and the reporting thereof.
  5. State the reasons for the importance of sample size in clinical studies, and perform sample size calculations for a variety of trial designs with different outcomes.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

Workload requirements

Off campus students:

Twelve hours per week, consisting of (on average) 4 hours per week for reading core

material, 4 hours per week completing exercises (manual, computer-based, or on-line), 2 hours per week for on-line communication with teaching staff or students via WebCT, and 2 hours per week for assignment preparation. No residential component is required for this subject.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5008 - Longitudinal and correlated data analysis

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes
Associate Professor John Carlin

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5009, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

EPM5004. This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit will develop statistical models for longitudinal and correlated data in medical research. The concept of hierarchical data structures will be developed, together with simple numerical and analytical demonstrations of the inadequacy of standard statistical methods. Normal-theory model and statistical procedures i.e. mixed linear models are explored using SAS or Stata statistical software packages. Extension to non-normal outcomes emphasising clinical research question. Case studies contrast generalised estimating equations and generalised linear mixed models. Limitations of traditional repeated measures analysis of variance and non-exchangeable models.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Recognise the existence of correlated or hierarchical data structures, and describe the limitations of standard methods in these settings.
  2. Develop and analytically describe an appropriate model for longitudinal or correlated data based on unit matter considerations.
  3. Be proficient at using a statistical software package (e.g. Strata or SAS) to properly model and perform computations for longitudinal data analyses, and to correctly interpret results.
  4. Express the results of statistical analyses of longitudinal data in language suitable for communication to medical investigators or publication in biomedical or epidemiological journal articles.

Assessment

  • 2 x Written assignments (30% each)
  • Practical exercises (40%) (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5009 - Categorical data and generalised linear models

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Jones

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

EPM5004.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit will explore biostatistical applications of generalised linear models with an emphasis on underlying theoretical issues, and practical interpretation of the results of fitting these models. Relevant methods for 2 x 2 and 2 x k tables extended into logistic regression for a binary outcome as a special case of generalised linear modelling. Measures of association and modelling techniques for ordinal outcomes. Methods for analysing count data. Techniques for dealing with matched data e.g. from case control studies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the major theoretical aspects of generalised linear models.
  2. Appreciate regression modelling strategies for generalised linear models.
  3. Including estimation issues, choice of models, prediction and goodness of fit of a selected model.
  4. Be proficient in the analysis of binary outcome data, either form a standard study design or from a matched study design.
  5. Be capable of analysing ordered and unordered categorical outcomes using simple measures of association and complex regression models.
  6. Be capable of analysing count data whether it satisfies standard distributional assumptions or whether it is over dispersed.

Assessment

  • 3 x Written assignments (35%, 35%, 30%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5010 - Survival analysis

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Ken Beath

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

Biostatistical applications of survival analysis with emphasis on underlying theoretical and computational issues, practical interpretation and communication of results. Case studies, students will explore the various methods for handling survival data. Kaplan-Meier curve definition and its extension, survival prospects using logrank test and confidence intervals for relative risks, graphical displays and assessing underlying assumptions. Mantel-Haenszel method's connection to survival analysis. Cox proportional hazards model for handling continuous covariates. Various extensions of this model, including time-dependent covariates, multiple outcomes and censored linear regression model.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the major theoretical and computational issues underlying survival analysis.
  2. Develop appropriate survival analysis strategies based on unit matter considerations, including choice of models, control for confounding and appropriate parameterisation.
  3. Be proficient at using at least two different statistical software packages (e.g. Strata, Excel) to perform survival analysis.
  4. Understand the construction, use and interpretation of appropriate graphs for showing results and checking statistical assumptions.
  5. Express the results of statistical analyses of censored data in language suitable for
    1. communication to medical investigators
    2. publication in biomedical or epidemiological journals
  6. Appreciate the role of newer techniques including parametric non-modelling, floating odds ratios and competing risks.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5011 - Biostatistics practical project: double unit

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5005, EPM5009, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

Students will be exposed to real-life biostatistical problems in an academic health research environment, industry or government under supervision by an experienced biostatistician with a staff or honorary appointment at Monash University. They will be allocated, or may select, 1 or more research projects, and required to make regular contact with the associated health research personnel together with the supervisor. Under the guidance of the supervisor, the student will assume responsibility for statistical aspects of the relevant research project(s), and perform an analysis of appropriate complexity for the project then present and interpret the results in a written and oral form.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appreciate the challenges facing a biostatistician in professional practice.
  2. Demonstrate strategies for elicitation of pertinent research questions and associated biostatistical issues from a health or medical research project.
  3. Collaborate with a medical researcher in devising a strategy for statistical analysis of the research data.
  4. Perform data integrity checks and an appropriate statistical analysis.
  5. Present the results and their interpretation in a written report suitable for presentation to a clinical research journal.

Assessment

Written report (100%)

Workload requirements

20 hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5012 - Bioinformatics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Nicola Armstrong

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code: 3420, 3421, 3422 or M6025.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

The unit begins with a brief review of elementary molecular biology: DNA, RNA, the central dogma, meiosis, mitosis and genes. Some fundamental mathematical tools for statistical analysis are also reviewed. The course then covers sequence alignment, database searching, Mendelian genetics and techniques for discovering connections between genes and disease: association, linkage and variance components studies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the core dogma of molecular biology and the central ideas of population genetics.
  2. Given a problem which requires genome or proteome data for its solution, access appropriate web based sources for data, and download the data in suitable format.
  3. Understand and apply core bioinformatics techniques for the analysis of DNA and protein sequence data, such as global sequence alignment, CLAST, Hidden Markov Models, evolutionary models and phylogenetic tree fitting.
  4. Process large quantities of data (such as the expression profiles of thousands of genes resulting form microarray experiments) using R, and communicate results in language suitable for presentation to both a bioinformatics journal and a lay audience.

Assessment

The assessment for this subject will involve four written assignments, each worth 15% plus a comprehensive final assignment worth 40% (Hurdle). The assignments will each involve the application of theory to problems specific to the various analytical tasks in bioinformatics.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5013 - Bayesian statistical methods

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Lyle Gurrin

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5009, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code : 3420, 3421, 3422, M6025.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit provides a thorough introduction to the concepts and methods of modern Bayesian statistical methods with particular emphasis on practical applications in biostatistics. Comparison of Bayesian concepts involving prior distributions with classical approaches to statistical analysis, particularly likelihood based methods. Applications to fitting hierarchical models to complex data structures via simulation from posterior distributions using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques (MCMC) with the WinBUGS software package.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the logic of Bayesian statistical inference i.e. the use of full probability models to quantify uncertainty in statistical conclusions.
  2. Develop and analytically describe simple one-parameter models with conjugate prior distributions and standard models containing two or more parameters including specifics for the normal location-scale model.
  3. Appreciate the role prior distributions and have a thorough understanding of the connection between Bayesian methods and standard 'classical' approaches to statistics, especially those based on likelihood methods.
  4. Recognise situations where a complex biostatistical data structure can be expressed as a Bayesian hierarchical model, and specify the technical details of such a model.
  5. Explain and use the most common computational techniques for use in Bayesian analysis, especially the use of simulation from posterior distributions based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, with emphasis on the practical implementation of such techniques in the WinBUGS package.
  6. Perform practical Bayesian analysis relating to health research problems, and effectively communicate the results.

Assessment

  • Written assignments (80%)
  • Practical exercises (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5014 - Probability and distribution theory

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rory Wolfe

Coordinator(s)

Professor Rory Wolfe
Professor A Forbes

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002.

Co-requisites

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit involves the study of basic probability and calculus-based methods of underpinning probability distributions and parameter estimation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning and laws of probability.
  2. Recognise common probability distributions and their properties.
  3. Apply calculus-based tools to derive key features of a probability distribution, such as mean and variance.
  4. Manipulate multivariate probability distributions to obtain marginal and conditional distributions.
  5. Obtain mean, variance and the probability distribution of transformations of random variables.
  6. Understand properties of parameter estimators and the usefulness of large sample approximations in statistics.
  7. Appreciate the role of simulation in demonstrating and explaining statistical concepts.

Assessment

Written assignments (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


EPM5015 - Biostatistics practical project: single unit

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5005, EPM5009, EPM5014, MPH5040.

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Synopsis

This unit will involve students being exposed to a real-life biostatistical problem arising in an academic health research environment or industry. They will be supervised by an experienced biostatistician with a staff or honorary appointment at Monash University. Students will be allocated, or may select, one research project to be involved in, and will be required to make regular contact with the associated health research personnel together with the supervisor. The student will perform an analysis of appropriate complexity for the project and present and interpret the results in a written form to the health researcher and supervisor.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appreciate the challenges facing a biostatistician in professional practice.
  2. Demonstrate strategies for elicitation of pertinent research questions and associated biostatistical issues from a health or medical research project.
  3. Collaborate with a medical researcher in devising a strategy for statistical analysis of the research data.
  4. Perform data integrity checks and an appropriate statistical analysis.
  5. Present the results and their interpretation in a written report suitable for presentation to a clinical research journal.

Assessment

Written report (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


EPM5023 - Foundations of international health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Bebe Loff

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Bebe Loff

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit examines the colonial history that produced the policies informing international health practise and the contemporary issues that arise out of this history.

A range of topics are considered including problematic ambiguities hidden within the term "global health"; contemporary approaches to international development; geopolitics and the neocolonial features of the current international health landscape; pandemics and complex humanitarian crises; and approaches to justice, exploitation and vulnerability.

Specific attention will be given to recent debates concerning ethical issues in international health research.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Determine the impact of colonisation on health priorities and practices during the 18th and 19th centuries and the continuing geopolitics that produce the neocolonial features of the current international health landscape
  2. As there is no agreed definition of the term "global health," analyse meanings of the term in light of the political and economic agendas that inform it
  3. Determine key approaches to international development as they have emerged over time and in response to different social movements
  4. Analyse the impact and governance of pandemics and complex humanitarian crises
  5. Critique approaches to theories of justice, exploitation and vulnerability in the context of controversies that arise when medical research, sponsored by an industrialised country, is conducted in a developing country.
  6. Participate and communicate effectively within a group to evaluate and apply interrelated concepts of ethical issues.

Assessment

  • Group presentation (10%)
  • Individual reflection on group work and readings (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Major paper (4,000 words) (60%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

40 hours over 4 block days + required reading 9 hours per week over 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Reading as required and contribution to weekly online discussion forum.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FBS5001 - Fundamentals of forensic behavioural science

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor David Kissane

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sam Calvin

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

This unit aims to equip professionals with a broad-based understanding of basic legal and criminological principles. The unit then builds on this knowledge by examining key areas involving the interaction between mental health and the law, and examining the role of the 'expert witness'.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the role of the law and the criminal justice system in society.
  2. Describe in broad terms the assumptions and limitations of major criminological theories (biological, sociological and psychological).
  3. Summarize the basic processes involved in the operation of the criminal justice system.
  4. Describe the legal and ethical constraints in working at the interface between mental health and the law.
  5. Discuss the legal and ethical constraints in working at the interface between mental health and the law.
  6. Describe the roles and functions of an expert witness.

Assessment

  • Workshop presentation/alternative assessment (10%)
  • Applied learning exercise (30%)
  • Essay (60%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FBS5002 - The role of mental health in criminal offending

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor David Kissane

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sam Calvin

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

Designed to provide students with an understanding of the role of mental health in criminal offending this unit provides an overview of the relevant research (drawn from psychological, psychiatric, criminological and sociological studies), key findings and the practical implications of these findings. Different types of mental disorders (psychotic, mood, personality, substance use) associated with offending are considered and explanatory models which incorporate the role of symptoms, cognitions, biological and sociological factors are discussed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the evidence for an association between mental disorder and criminal offending.
  2. Outline various possible explanations for the association between mental disorder and criminal offending.
  3. Explain the concepts of 'psychopathy', 'antisocial personality disorder', 'sever personality disorder', and their relevance to offending and rehabilitation.
  4. Explain the evidence based principles for effective rehabilitation of offenders.
  5. Describe the role of addictions including substance abuse and pathological gambling as risk factors for offending.
  6. Outline methods for assessment and treatment of addictions.

Assessment

  • Workshop presentation / Alternative assessment (10%)
  • Applied learning exercise (30%)
  • Essay (60%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FBS5004 - Developmental aspects of forensic behavioural science

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Psychiatry

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit has been designed to create a developmental context for understanding a range of issues which characterise at risk behaviour in youth. Students will gain a broader understanding of these behaviours, as seen from a range of perspectives: legal, epidemiological, psychological, sociological and psychiatric. The unit will be of interest to those currently working with at risk youth as well as providing insights into the aetiology of a range of maladaptive behaviours in adult life.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the interface between children and the legal system.
  2. Outline the basic principles of assessment and management of risk in childhood and adolescence.
  3. Describe critically the evidence relating to long term consequence of adverse experiences in childhood and adolescence.
  4. Outline a developmentally appropriate decision making process.

Assessment

  • Workshop presentation/alternative assessment (10%)
  • Structured learning task (30%)
  • Essay (60%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FBS5005 - The assessment and management of problem behaviours

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Psychiatry

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

The unit covers the aetiology and principles of management of commonly occurring antisocial 'problem behaviours' : violence, stalking, uttering threats, sexual offending, fire-setting, and abnormal complaining. Based on psychological and criminological theory of such behaviours a framework is presented, then applied to each specific behaviour. The role of mental disorder in the genesis of such behaviours is considered, in addition to the multiple psychological and social factors involved. Students will gain a theoretical understanding and develop a pragmatic model for working with a broad range of perpetrators in an ethical and evidence-based fashion.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply a structured evidence-based approach to understanding common problematic antisocial behaviours, which incorporates both individually-based and situationally based variables.
  2. Describe the epidemiology, social impacts, common perpetrator characteristics and high-risk situational contexts for the commission of common problem behaviours (stalking, issuing threats, abnormal complaining, fire-setting, sexual offending, violence).
  3. Outline the key principles involved in managing such behaviours, including cognitive, behavioural, psychiatric and legal approaches.
  4. Describe the role of mental disorders in the aetiology of common problem behaviours.
  5. Explain the broader societal factors involved in the commission of such behaviours and, conversely, the impact of such behaviours on public safety and well-being.

Assessment

  • Workshop presentation/alternative assessment (10%)
  • Applied learning exercise (30%)
  • Essay (60%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FOR4001 - Medical evidence

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Clinical Professor David Ranson

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The law of evidence is a branch of adjectival law. It consists of legal rules, procedural rules and administrative arrangements whereby courts and tribunals within the justice system receive and evaluate evidence. To perform satisfactorily in this field a forensic medical practitioner's communication skills must be of a high order and they need to understand the legal principles that govern the admissibility of their evidence.

This unit will enable students to gain practical skills in the delivery of medical evidence in courts and tribunals, in the preparation of medico legal reports to be used as items of evidence and in the techniques of advocacy that can modify the way in which a medical practitioner's evidence is received by courts.

Tutorials and presentations will be used to lay the foundations for some of the basic academic objectives of the course. Workshops will be used to establish witness skills and oral communication techniques and a moot court will be used to develop practical skills in presenting evidence and developing strategies to deal with the medico legal and advocacy issues that arise during the examination and cross-examination of witnesses including expert witnesses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Justify decision making processes in legal practice.
  2. Critically evaluate the general principles of the laws of evidence and the special rules regarding opinion evidence.
  3. Determine the role of the expert witness and be conversant with the rules governing the reception of evidence to the courts.
  4. Apply medical, forensic, and legal principles to the preparation of medico-legal reports.
  5. Demonstrate skills and knowledge in the presentation of evidence in court.
  6. Use high level techniques to manage examination-in-chief, cross examination and re-examination.

Assessment

  • Assignments / Essays (50%) (hurdle)
  • Casebook workbook (25%)
  • Skills evaluation (25%)

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR4002 - Injury interpretation

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jo Ann Parkin
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jo Ann Parkin

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The unit focuses on the issues surrounding the interpretation of injuries. Areas include the pathophysiology of injuries with particular reference to the anatomical, physiological and pathological principles; injury classification; documentation including forensic photography; injury patterns and circumstances of causation. Students will be expected to participate with clinical and post mortem cases.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Provide a high level explanation of the pathophysiology of injuries.
  2. Critically evaluate the factors limiting accurate injury interpretation, including the interpretation of forces producing injury.
  3. Apply advanced forensic imaging skills to the principles of forensic photography.
  4. Demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the classification of injuries.
  5. Apply the skills required to accurately document injuries.
  6. Analyse and interpret mechanisms and circumstances by which the injuries were sustained.

Assessment

Hurdle introductory activity (0%) (hurdle)

  • Case studies (45%) (hurdle)
  • Case report (20%)
  • Institute program (20%)
  • Online case discussions (15%)

Hurdle Requirement: introductory activity; Unit Coord asks students to provide short bio outlining previous & current experience/work etc

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR4003 - Ethics, medicine and the law

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Liz Bishop
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Liz Bishop

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The unit aims to help students become familiar with the tools and vocabulary of ethical discourse in medicine. A framework for this discourse is built, based on the four basic principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The elements which go to make up the Australian Legal System are covered as well as those particular areas of law relating to forensic medical practice, i.e. consent, confidentiality and disclosure, issues at both the beginning and end of life.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Develop a high level awareness and understanding of the ideas and issues in medical ethics so that in practice the interests of their patients/clients are safeguarded.
  2. Critically evaluate relevant areas of the law so that in practice their contribution to the justice system is optimal.
  3. Appreciate the importance of both law and ethics in the treatment of patients/clients and the application of these principles to optimal pateint/client outcomes.
  4. Acquire skills in the constructive approach to complex situations with competing ethical issues.
  5. Critically evaluate your own practice through the lens of medical ethics and law.
  6. Discuss and critically interpret issues related to justice in forensic medicine from the perspectives of law, rights and ethics.

Assessment

  • Assignments/essays (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Presentations (25%)
  • Casebook workbook (25%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR4004 - Elements of the forensic sciences

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Alistair Ross
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Mr Alistair Ross

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

Practitioners need to be familiar with the scope and limitations of the various branches of forensic science to know when and how they may assist in particular cases. Topics to be covered include:

  • Essentials of Forensic Sciences(including quality management and sample collection;
  • Biological Examination including DNA;
  • Firearms Examination;ballistics and gunshot residue (GSR)
  • Fire;
  • Fingerprint Examination;
  • Forensic Entomology.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the principles of forensic science generally and its scope.
  2. Critically assess the scope and limitations of forensic science generally and its subsections in particular.
  3. Evaluate the application of tests and analyses used in branches of forensic science to assist in the proper application of their results in particular cases.
  4. Apply skills and knowledge in deciding what specimens would be applicable for forensic science analysis in particular cases.
  5. Develop advanced competencies in the collection storage and security of forensic specimens.
  6. Critically evaluate results of forensic scientific analysis meaningfully.

Assessment

  • Case report 1 (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Case report 2 (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Case study (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Assignment 1,500 words) (25%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5005 - Adult sexual assault

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Vanita Parekh
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Vanita Parekh
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Sexual assault is addressed in this unit as it pertains to a doctor working in a therapeutic and forensic role with victims. Theoretical and historical perspectives are considered in order to provide a thorough grounding for practical discussions on current legislation and police investigation. The medical role will be examined in detail. Forensic responsibilities are dealt with including specimen collection, laboratory liaison and injury interpretation. The unit will address the medico-legal report and the role of the expert witness in court appearances.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Provide a comprehensive medical service for a victim of sexual assault, including consultation, examination, and documentation;
  2. Apply comprehensive knowledge of forensic responsibilities in sexual assault cases, including medical responsibilities related to acute injuries, pregnancy issues, medical certificates and prophylaxis;
  3. Collect forensic evidence based on the application of relevant scientific and legal methods theory;
  4. Demonstrate strong familiarity with the laboratory treatment of forensic evidence;
  5. Write a medico-legal report and appear in court under subpoena to assist the court;
  6. Evaluate epidemiological, historical, theoretical and cultural aspects across a broad range of circumstance in which sexual assault;

Assessment

  • Case Study (1,000 words) (25%)
  • 6 x workbook activities (750 words each) (20%)
  • Case presentation (15 minutes) (20%)
  • Assignment (3,000 words) (35%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5006 - Traffic medicine

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sanjeev Gaya
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sanjeev Gaya

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

This is a postgraduate course restricted to registered medical practitioners.

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to present the medical issues applicable to road safety. The topics covered include the law and policing practices, driving skills and the impact of alcohol, other drugs and medical conditions on these skills, the effects of ageing on fitness to drive, interpretation of traffic injuries, the principles of traffic engineering and road trauma epidemiology.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the history of road trauma and analyse the efficacy of counter measures introduced to combat the road toll;
  2. Evaluate the relationship between road safety legislation and policing practices to traffic medicine and road safety;
  3. Predict and evaluate the effects of a range of medical conditions upon driving skills with particular reference to licensing;
  4. Outline the known effects of various blood levels of alcohol and other drugs upon driving skills, and how their likely effects apply to traffic medicine;
  5. Identify road safety implications for ageing road users;
  6. Interpret common injury patterns resulting from road trauma.

Assessment

  • Hurdle introductory activity (0%) (hurdle)
  • Essay assignments 4 x 15 % each (4,000 words total) (60%) (hurdle)
  • Casebook/Workbook (2,000 words) (15%)
  • Case presentation (15 minutes) (25%)

Hurdle Requirement: introductory activity; Unit Coord asks students to provide short bio outlining previous & current experience/work etc

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5007 - Elements of forensic toxicology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Dimitri Gerostamoulos
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Dimitri Gerostamoulos

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

Teaching in this unit aims to develop students' familiarity with the concepts of clinical and post-mortem toxicology. The unit also focuses on the basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of commonly abused drugs found in forensic medical cases. Emphasis will be on behavioural issues of these drugs and how they relate to forensic practice. Such issues include the effects on cognitive and psychomotor skills in drivers and in the workplace and other adverse reactions attributed to drug misuse.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appropriately and correctly use technical terms associated with analytical toxicology;
  2. Give examples of the range of techniques used in forensic toxicology and illustrate where they may be applicable;
  3. Discriminate between the common types of drugs seen in forensic medical cases;
  4. Comprehend and evaluate the main pharmacological effects of alcohol and common illicit drugs with the emphasis on their effects on behaviours, psychomotor control and cognition;
  5. Analyse the relevant behavioural effects of common illicit drug combinations and common adverse illicit drug reactions ;
  6. Apply forensic toxicology to case work for the purpose of report preparation and presentation to courts.

Assessment

  • Case Study 1 (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Case Study 2 (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Workbook (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Presentation (1,000 words) (25%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5008 - Custodial medicine

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Luke Streitberg
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Luke Streitberg

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to present and discuss the current issues arising from the provision of a medical service in a custodial setting. The topics covered provide insights into the health impacts of penal institutions and the powers and responsibilities of custodians; ethical issues; fitness for interview; fitness for detention; deaths in custody; interpersonal violence and the assessment and management of some frequently presenting medical problems (specifically mental illness and addiction).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the responsibilities and powers of custodians;
  2. Distinguish between the functions and purposes of custodial and penal institutions;
  3. Outline procedures for investigating complaints by prisoners, and the issues surrounding deaths in custody;
  4. Evaluate the ethical issues of the doctor/patient relationship in a custodial setting;
  5. Conduct an assessment of an individual's fitness to be interviewed or detained in custody;
  6. Create management strategies for a range of medical problems presenting in the custodial setting;
  7. Identify and evaluate the challenges related to safe prescribing of medications in a custodial environment.

Assessment

  • Hurdle introductory activity (0%)
  • 4 x Session assessments (60%) (hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (1,000 words) (25%)
  • Workbook (2,000 words) (15%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5009 - Advanced issues in sexual violence

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Vanita Parekh
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Vanita Parekh

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

A registered medical practitioner who is involved in assessing (or may be required to assess) victims of sexual violence. The medical practitioner must be able to show evidence of working or training in the field of sexual assault medicine. Successful completion of FOR5005Not offered in 2018 with a grade of credit or above.

Synopsis

Developing and implementing adult sexual assault services must be founded upon evidence based clinical practice and an understanding of a variety of perspectives. Advanced Issues in Sexual Violence will provide insight into a variety of perspectives of adult sexual assault including local, national and international.

The following topics will be taught within this unit:

  • Patient, counselling, policing and legal perspectives of sexual violence.
  • Global aspects of sexual assault.
  • Sexual assault medical service provision; theory, models and practice.
  • Quality assurance in the provision of sexual assault services.
  • Vicarious trauma theory and practice.
  • Sexual violence research, key issues, data and sources.

On successful completion of the unit, students will be expected to have developed a broad knowledge of the published data in relation to local, national and international perspectives of adult sexual assault. They will have acquired the knowledge and skills required to provide input into the delivery of adult sexual assault medical services and teaching programs.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Recommend actions related to victims of sexual violence in terms of counselling, policing and legal perspectives;
  2. Assess sexual violence in a global context;
  3. Evaluate issues relating to sexual assault medical service provision, considering theory, models and practice;
  4. Identify issues in quality assurance in the provision of sexual assault services;
  5. Apply medical and psychological skills in dealing with vicarious trauma prevention and management;
  6. Interpret sexual violence research, key issues, data and sources.

Assessment

  • Assignment (30%)
  • Participation in a topic related debate (10%)
  • Presentation (20%)
  • Dissertation and oral structured interview (40%) (Hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5010 - Project in forensic medicine

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Distinction level pass in the following: FOR4001, FOR4002, FOR4003, FOR4004

Synopsis

This unit offers students the opportunity to apply and consolidate the knowledge and professional skills that they have acquired through the course within the practical context of forensic medicine. It requires independent learning and research by the student while fostering practical knowledge and skills related to the student's field of activity. Students undertake a project with a forensic medicine/ odontology focus, in the area which they choose but relevant to applications in forensic medicine and, where applicable, have appropriate ethics approval.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to

  1. Complete the collection of data in accordance with the norms of research informed investigation and the boundaries of any ethics approval.
  2. Organise, analyse and interpret data meaningfully and according to research norms.
  3. Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic.
  4. Demonstrate writing skills that meet the academic standards associated with a research informed investigation.
  5. Communicate research findings to a wider professional audience.
  6. Effectively manage time and resources to achieve pre-determined goals.

Assessment

  • Research Methodology (10%)
  • Literature Review (20%)
  • Written Project with Outcomes (40%) (hurdle )
  • Presentation (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5011 - Advanced issues in non-accidental injury of children

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer 'Anne' Smith
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jennifer 'Anne' Smith

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

FOR4006.

Synopsis

Advanced issues in non-accidental injury of children aims to provide an opportunity for students to study the epidemiology and frameworks for evaluation of children when serious and/or complex non-accidental injury is suspected.

This unit will enable students to study the theories around injury causation with a focus on complex head injury and other life threatening injuries in children. Clinical findings, patho-physiology and investigation results will be studied.

Students will explore controversies surrounding the evaluation of complex injury including shaking injury.

Major Content:

  • Abusive head trauma in infants (impact, acceleration-deceleration and shaking injury, asphyxia, hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, intracranial bleeding, skull fracture)
  • Eye injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Poisoning / Toxicology
  • Fatal child abuse (homicide and fatal neglect)
  • Fabricated or Induced Illness by Carers (FIIC)

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Detect and characterise inflicted neural and ocular trauma in childhood;
  2. Identify the key procedures and medico-legal issues of child death investigations;
  3. Discuss factitious illnesses in childhood with particular reference to the medico-legal issues;
  4. Apply analytical skills in the understanding of toxicology as it applies to a paediatric population, and appraise the toxic effects on children and adolescents of several commonly abused drugs (both legal and illicit);
  5. Critique theories of causation, and interrogate current controversies and areas of uncertainty in the field of non-accidental injury of childhood;
  6. Identify and interpret mechanisms of injury associated with abusive head trauma, spinal injury, and ocular injury, and the evidence base upon which the determination as to cause and timing of injury are made;
  7. Articulate the difficulties inherent in medical evaluations of complex situations involving suspicions of child abuse, emphasising on the strengths and limitations of medical investigations, and the methods used to present complex medical information to others.

Assessment

  • Case Study 1 (2,000 words) (25%)
  • Case Study 2 (2,000 words) (25%)
  • Case presentation (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5012 - Child and adolescent sexual abuse

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer 'Anne' Smith
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jennifer 'Anne' Smith

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

A registered medical practitioner who is involved in assessing (or may be required to assess) children/adolescents when child/adolescent sexual abuse is suspected.

Prohibitions

FOR2006

Synopsis

Paediatric forensic medicine encompasses the medico-legal issues arising from the provision of a medical service to children.

The unit will largely focus on the medical assessment of cases of suspected child sexual abuse.

The aim of this unit is to develop student's skills in the evaluation and management of children and adolescents suspected of being sexually abused.

Integral to both evaluation and management will be a knowledge of the relevant legislation, policing and protective agencies, injury patterns, specialised investigative techniques and treatment.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the role of health practitioners in assessing cases of suspected child sexual abuse;
  2. Identify and explain sexual development and behaviour in children at different developmental stages;
  3. Analyse the ethical and legal issues relevant to cases of suspected child sexual abuse;
  4. Assess and compare normal genital anatomy and physiology, and interpret abnormal genital findings and pathological conditions;
  5. Apply medical and forensic principles to the evaluation, treatment and prevention of cases of suspected child sexual abuse;
  6. Distinguish how protective workers, lawyers and police contribute to the investigation of child sexual abuse;
  7. Recognise and assess the medical and legal implications of a sexually transmitted infection in a child.

Assessment

  • Workbook 1 (1,000 words) (15%)
  • Workbook 2 (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Case Study (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Presentation (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework.

Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5013 - Non accidental injury in childhood

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Susan Marks
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Susan Marks

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

A registered medical practitioner who is involved in assessing (or may be required to assess) children where there are concerns of non-accidental injury.

Prohibitions

FOR2006

Synopsis

Paediatric forensic medicine encompasses the medico-legal issues arising from the provision of a medical service to children. The unit will largely focus on developing practitioners' skills required for the medical assessment of cases of suspected non-accidental injury in children. Such assessments require knowledge of the relevant legislation, injury patterns, specialised investigative techniques, documentation and interpretation. Teaching will focus on trauma and forensic principles, childhood development, injury patterns (both accidental and non-accidental), medical conditions that may mimic injurious events presentation of findings and opinions to the courts.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast types of injuries and common injury patterns observed in childhood development stages with those observed in non-accidental injuries and abuse.
  2. Accurately assess and document injuries using notes, diagrams and photography.
  3. Apply knowledge of non-accidental injury to the analysis of bones, intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic trauma.
  4. Outline the processes involved in assessing children when there are concerns of neglect.
  5. Critically apply knowledge of the epidemiology of child neglect and physical assault to support injury assessment.
  6. Interpret and apply current legislation concerning offences against children.

Assessment

  • Assignment 1 (4 x short answer questions) (750 words each) (20%)
  • Assignment 2 (3 x case studies) (750 words each) (20%)
  • Case Presentation (10 minutes) (20%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5014 - Elements of forensic odontology

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jeremy Graham
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

Forensic Odontology encompasses the intersection between dentistry and the law.

Practitioners in this field require a solid understanding of all aspects of dental practice as it relates to medico-legal investigation.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to apply their dental knowledge to questions of legal/coronial import, especially in the field of human identification.

Forensic Odontology practitioners require expert knowledge in areas including; injury interpretation, evidence interpretation, dental anthropology, forensic anthropology, imaging technology, mortuary practice, and medico-legal report writing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe how the principles of Forensic Odontology apply to Forensic Odontological investigations;
  2. Perform advanced mortuary procedures and protocols, including ethical treatment of the deceased, post-mortem dental examination and imaging procedures;
  3. Estimate and classify human skeletal and dental development, using appropriate forensic age estimation methods;
  4. Confidently discriminate between human and non-human skeletal, and dental elements during forensic investigations;
  5. Explain the role of the Forensic Odontologist in each of the five stages of Disaster Victim identification, including mass grave exhumation techniques and an awareness of the role of the Forensic Odontologist in war crimes investigations;
  6. Apply and utilise CT technology and associated software systems in post-mortem examinations;
  7. Prepare medico-legal forensic odontology reports that support the presentation of evidence in courts of law.

Assessment

  • Assignment (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Case report (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Oral presentation (15%)
  • Case Study (1,000 words) (15%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5015 - Post mortem dental identification: Principles and methods

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Lyndall Smythe

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Students must be registered dental practitioners

Co-requisites

FOR4001, FOR4002, FOR4003, FOR5014

Synopsis

The primary function of Forensic Odontology is to identify unknown deceased individuals who cannot be visually recognized by close family members.

Forensic Odontology practitioners require expert knowledge in areas including; post-mortem examination technique, ante-mortem record interpretation and transposition, specialized post-mortem imaging methods, and cranio-facial superimposition techniques.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the standard methods involved in post-mortem dental examination techniques leading to the identification of unknown deceased individuals.

The unit is designed to provide practicing dentists with the required knowledge and skills so that they will be able to conduct a standard forensic identification case from the beginning to its completion.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Confidently follow and apply relevant mortuary protocols and practice - giving specific consideration to OH&S issues and requirements;
  2. Perform dental post-mortem examinations using appropriate techniques, including standard and advanced imaging modalities;
  3. Analyse the techniques involved in ante-mortem record collection and interpretation methods specifically related to dental issues;
  4. Correctly interpret the Interpol DVI guidelines and comprehend the complex issues involved in reconciliation of ante-mortem and post-mortem data using the Interpol standard forms;
  5. Accurately describe and report on injuries to the teeth, cranio-facial skeleton, and soft tissues of the face;
  6. Evaluate the role of other mortuary based identification methods, such as molecular biology, fingerprints, the weight given to circumstantial evidence, and cranio-facial superimposition.

Assessment

  • Assignment (20%)
  • Case studies (30%)
  • Oral presentation (20%)
  • Case book (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5016 - Clinical forensic odontology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Lyndall Smythe
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

FOR4001, FOR4002, FOR4003

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a thorough understanding of all aspects of forensic odontology relating to the treatment of living people in a legal setting.

The unit is designed for practicing dentists and medical practitioners who wish to gain a greater understanding of how to deal with the examination and reporting of injuries caused by the teeth, and injuries inflicted to the oro-facial complex.

The unit will also cover dental age estimation techniques, identification of unknown living individuals and issues surrounding dental malpractice and fraud investigations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate facial trauma giving consideration to the bio-mechanics of the bones of the facial skeleton.
  2. Analyse and interpret soft tissue injury in relation to bite mark evidence, applying skills in the discrimination and comparison of such injuries;
  3. Evaluate dental age estimation methods as applied to living individuals;
  4. Recognise and evaluate the dental manifestations of child abuse;
  5. Illustrate the limitations inherent in identification of individuals from CCTV images;
  6. Discuss the regulations of the Australian Dental Board as they relate to malpractice and fraud investigation;
  7. Construct dento-legal reports, and discuss the ramifications involved in presentation of clinical forensic odontology evidence before the courts.

Assessment

  • Assignment (3,000 words) (20%)
  • Case study (1,000 words) (30%)
  • Case book (2,500 words) (30%)
  • Presentation (1,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5017 - Disaster victim identification (DVI): Principles and methods

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jeremy Graham

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Students must be registered dental practitioners

Co-requisites

FOR4001, FOR4002, FOR4003, FOR4007

Synopsis

Forensic Odontology encompasses the intersection between dentistry and the law.

Practitioners in this field require a solid understanding of all aspects of dental practice as it relates to medico-legal investigation.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of all Phases of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process and the role the forensic odontologist plays in each Phase.

It will provide the student with the capability of operating in both national and international response teams.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the core elements of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) principles and methods in odontology investigations following natural and man-made mass fatality incidents;
  2. Analyse the role the forensic odontologist plays in each of the 5 phases of a DVI operation;
  3. Outline procedures and apply skills in the operation of the common computer based systems used during a DVI operation;
  4. Competently apply international protocols, standards, charting methods and the Interpol forms that are used during a DVI incident;
  5. Work within the various cultural, religious and legal frameworks in which international DVI incidents may occur;
  6. Employ advanced imaging modalities, such as CT technology to DVI scenarios;

Assessment

  • Case study (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (25%)
  • Short answer assignments (35%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5018 - Elements of forensic anthropology

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Soren Blau
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Soren Blau

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

Forensic anthropology is the field of study concerned with the examination of material believed to be human to answer medico-legal questions including those related to identification.

The aim of the unit is to introduce students to the theory and practice of forensic anthropology and provide them with a thorough understanding of the various contributions this discipline makes to forensic investigations.

Although the unit is designed for medical practitioners and practicing dentists, it is likely to be of interest to post-graduate students from a Science and/or Arts background who wish to gain a greater understanding of the types of evidentiary and investigative information that can be obtained when only skeletal remains survive.

The unit will cover:

  • Human skeletal and dental anatomy;
  • Preparing and analysing differentially preserved skeletal remains;
  • Forensic anthropology: identification and analysis of differentially preserved human remains;
  • Developing a biological profile: ancestry, sex, age and stature;
  • Introduction to the analysis of skeletal trauma;
  • The use of forensic anthropology in different cases (domestic cases, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), human rights investigations);
  • Working with other forensic experts: forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, molecular biologists, etc;
  • Forensic anthropology report writing; and
  • Cultural and religious issues related to dealing with dead bodies and exhumations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain and assess the role of forensic archaeology and anthropology in the search, location and recovery of human remains.
  2. Identify individual skeletal elements, and formulate a hypothesis in respect to their origin (human or nonhuman).
  3. Evaluate the preservation and condition of human remains, and assess how preservation impacts on techniques employed by forensic anthropologists.
  4. Analyse the principles related to developing a biological profile (estimation of ancestry, sex, age and stature).
  5. Explain the differences between biological and personal identity.
  6. Describe and evaluate the role of the forensic anthropology in the analysis and interpretation of skeletal pathology and trauma.
  7. Appraise the role of forensic anthropology in different contexts of investigation and identification.

Assessment

  • Essay (25%)
  • Case Studies x 4 (50%) (hurdle)
  • Oral Presentation (25%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FOR5020 - Forensic cross sectional imaging

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Chris O'Donnell

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

FOR4001, FOR4002

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide an insight into the application and interpretation of cross-sectional imaging in the medico-legal environment.

It will concentrate predominately on post-mortem imaging using CT.

The unit is structured around body areas i.e. head, chest, abdomen, musculoskeletal, etc., but will also explore paediatric applications and specific medico-legal aspects.

The unit will enable student to have fundamental understanding of the physics and principles of CT scanning, confidence in viewing post-mortem CT images, an understanding of the artefacts associated with CT scanning, a knowledge of CT correlates of the pathological artefacts of death, ability to recognize forensically significant CT findings in all anatomical areas, ability to integrate CT findings into the work practices of a forensic practitioner, awareness of newer post-mortem CT techniques such as angiography and guided-biopsy and other imaging modalities such as MRI and Ultrasound, ability to perform basic CT image manipulation on a thin-client workstation, familiarity with Victoria's coronial system and the impact that CT scanning has on the workings of a coroner, insight into construction of a medico-legal radiology report, and an understanding of the requirements of an expert witness in giving evidence using cross-sectional imaging.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:

  1. Critically discuss the physical principles and compare and contrast mechanisms of cross sectional imaging in a forensic context;
  2. View and manipulate CT images in a medico-legal context using special application software;
  3. Identify forensically significant CT findings in all anatomical areas and discriminate between real findings and artefacts;
  4. Integrate CT findings with other evidence to present cases in forensic practice;
  5. Evaluate and apply advanced CT applications including angiography and guided biopsy, as well as other modalities including MRI and Ultrasound in forensic medicine;
  6. Utilise evidence from cross-sectional imaging in the construction of a medico-legal report;

Assessment

  • Essay (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Case Studies x 3 (1,000 words each) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (15 minutes) (20%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.

This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work.

Students will be required to attend a two day workshop during the semester (block days).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FOR5021 - Mortuary technical science

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Jodie Leditschke

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

FOR4001, FOR4003, FOR4004

Synopsis

Mortuary Technical Science is the field of study concerned with forensic mortuary techniques, procedures and protocols. The aim of the unit is to introduce students to the theory and practice of forensic mortuary techniques, and provide them with a thorough understanding of the various contributions this discipline makes to medico-legal investigations. Although the unit is designed for scientists who wish to pursue a career as a forensic mortuary scientist, it is likely to be of interest to post-graduate students from a Science and/or medical background who wish to gain a greater understanding of the roles and techniques conducted within a forensic mortuary. The unit will cover:

  • Theory and practice of basic forensic mortuary techniques; Preparing and assisting in an adult, and infant forensic autopsy
  • Specialised forensic mortuary techniques including radiology, neuropathology, toxicology sampling and background principals ;
  • Preparing and assisting in an infectious/suspicious death autopsy
  • Forensic evidence handling
  • Occupational Health and Safety, Quality management, and ethics specific to a forensic mortuary
  • Management of a forensic mortuary in a disaster
  • Coronial and Human Tissue Legislation underpinning accredited forensic mortuary facilities

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:

  1. Identify and evaluate the role of a mortuary technician as part of a multidisciplinary team in the setting of medico-legal death investigation;
  2. Analyse skills in compliance with mortuary OH&S and PPE, and consider and formulate the variations in requirements depending on different case types and situations;
  3. Perform the necessary skills in and describe the theory behind the evisceration and reconstruction of a forensic autopsy, including specialist autopsy techniques;
  4. Analyse and evaluate the legal framework within which a mortuary technician works, especially the Coronial system applicable in Australia;
  5. Assess the roles and elements of successfully managing a mortuary in a disaster situation;
  6. Appraise the ethical principles which underpin good forensic mortuary practices.

Assessment

  • Essay (2500 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • 2 Case Studies (1200 words each) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Oral Presentation (20 minutes)(20%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.

This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work

Students are required to attend a two day workshop near the end of the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FOR5022 - Advanced methods in forensic science: emerging trends and issues

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Alastair Ross

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

FOR4004, FOR4001, FOR4003

Synopsis

Forensic science is essentially problem solving based on the examination of traces and compounds collected from scenes and persons.

As the traces and compounds become more complex, instrumentation used to analyse them becomes more sophisticated and sensitive and the interpretation of the results of analysis becomes more problematic.

In addition to this technical evolution, there are emerging trends and issues that will impact forensic science service provision across its broad scope.

These trends and issues that are a coming together of both 'hard' science and social science have the potential to significantly change the thinking and practice of forensic science and the way in which forensic science laboratories operate.

Students of this Unit will be exposed to concepts which include:

  • Forensic intelligence
  • Cognitive bias
  • Problem solving; who, what and how
  • Triage
  • Sensitivity
  • The science, medicine, law and law enforcement silo mentality

This on-line unit will explore these concepts, the links between many of them and their potential impact on forensic science.

Contemporary articles/texts on the concepts will be provided.

Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the changes occurring in forensic science practice and explain these as the result of the engagement with social science and criminalistics.
  2. Recognise the links and possible tensions between emerging issues such as forensic intelligence, triage, and cognitive bias, and how these may impact data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  3. Identify risks of existing insular (siloed) approaches between medicine, science, law and law enforcement and its impact on forensic science.
  4. Understand and articulate how the proposed changes to insular work practices will affect the current forensic science work flow patterns.
  5. Comprehend and articulate the need for the forecast changes in forensic intelligence processes, siloed workplaces, issues of bias and triage, and the benefits these changes will bring to the end-users of forensic science.

Assessment

  • Critical analysis of emerging trends and issues (2000 words) (35%)
  • Research paper (2000 words) (35%)
  • Case study (2000 words) (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.

This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work Students are required to attend a two day workshop during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FOR5023 - Quality management in the forensic sciences

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Alastair Ross

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Quality management (QM) is a key part of forensic science operations. It is critical to the value and integrity of, and confidence in the results issued by a forensic science service provider.

The aim this unit is to introduce students to the concept of QM, its various components and its role in the accreditation and certification processes.

Accreditation to International Standards such as ISO 17025 has become the norm for forensic science laboratories as a demonstration of their competence.

Accreditation criteria (ISO 17025) cover, for example:

  • Management requirements;
  • Management system
  • Control of records
  • Internal audits and management reviews
  • Technical requirements;
  • Method verification and validation
  • Reference standards and materials
  • Test and calibration methods
  • Proficiency testing
  • Reporting results

Although part of the forensic science stream, QM has broad implications across all streams within the Master's degree program and indeed, work places in general.

This on-line Unit will explore components of QM such as quality assurance and quality control, expand on the requirements for accreditation and explain the benefits of the QM process.

Contemporary articles/texts on QM will be provided.

Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Comprehend and critically evaluate the principles of quality management and relate these to a forensic investigation
  2. Critically evaluate how International Quality Managementstandards in forensic science are applied within the workplace
  3. Review and evaluate the underlying principles for International Standards on which QM in the forensic sciences is based.
  4. Articulate the management and technical requirements of formal quality accreditation in forensic science laboratories.
  5. Comprehend and evaluate the reasons/need for institutionalised QM practices in the context of forensic practice.
  6. Explain the role and positioning of quality management in the criminal justice system.

Assessment

  • Written assignment: History of Quality Management and its application in forensic + medicine (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Analysis: Implementation and development of Quality Management (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Case study (2,000 words) (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.

This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FOR5025 - Forensic pharmacology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Professor Olaf Drummer

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

FOR5007

Synopsis

This unit builds on FOR2007, an introductory unit in aspects of forensic toxicology of relevance to forensic practitioners with a medical background, to deliver more advanced knowledge in drug detection techniques and use of alternative specimens to assist in investigations, teaching of advanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug interactions and aspects of pharmacogenomics relevant to students with both biomedical science and medical backgrounds.

All learnings are illustrated with case examples to illustrate practical relevance to future careers.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate the specialist applications for specimens in particular types of cases where drug involvement is suspected.
  2. Critically evaluate key elements to initiate an investigation where drug involvement is suspected.
  3. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the concepts of advanced analytical practice with its strengths and limitations in relation to drug detection.
  4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of complex pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics responses to drugs and be able to apply this to relevant cases.
  5. Articulate the various types of drug interactions of relevance to forensic medicine and their relevance to drug actions.
  6. Explain and evaluate the common types of genetic variations that can significantly modify drug effects.
  7. Review and evaluate the key elements involved in cases where drug use has modified behaviour, e.g. in drug facilitated assaults.

Assessment

  • Essay (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Case study 1 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Case study 2 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Case study 3 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Workbook (1,000 words) (20%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.

This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work.

Video-based materials including key lectures will also be available.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


FPA5004 - Autopsy practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Stephen Cordner

Coordinator(s)

Professor Stephen Cordner

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Enrolment by Department of Forensic Medicine permission only.

Synopsis

Autopsy techniques will be taught via experiential learning in the mortuary, with experienced practitioners from the VIFM acting as tutors/supervisors. Over the 12 months of training, the student will be required to apply the learned techniques to different types of cases, allocated to ensure as wide a range of experience as possible is gained. Students will also be given practical instruction in techniques to forensic odontology and anthropology that are used to support forensic pathology practice, particularly in identifying unknown remains.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Accurately assess the significance of contextual information contained in medical records and other relevant documentation and apply it to interpretation of autopsy findings.
  2. Show proficiency in standard autopsy techniques, applied to routine coroners cases.
  3. Show familiarity with specialised techniques applied in specialised cases.
  4. Be able to recognize and interpret disease and injury in standard and specialised cases.
  5. Be able to present and discuss autopsy findings with colleagues.
  6. Accurately analyse, interpret and document autopsy findings in autopsy reports for use in the coronial system.
  7. Show familiarity with specialized forensic odontology and anthropology techniques.

Assessment

  • Performance of autopsies and presentation of findings (25%)
  • Oral and written examination (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Casebook (25%)

Workload requirements

Students will attend regular pathologists meetings approx 40 hours, 200 hours in mortuary engaged in practical work and observation. Approx 72 hours individual study and case book preparation.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


FPA5007 - Death investigation

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor David Ranson

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email postgrad.courses@vifm.org or phone 03 9684 4115.

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Enrolment by Department of Forensic Medicine permission only.

Synopsis

Coronial and other medico-legal death investigation systems

This topic provides a framework and wider context for the practice of forensic pathology and covers:

  • Actual and theoretical models for death investigation systems, using examples from Australia, other jurisdictions and recent reform proposals in the UK including issues of organisation and administration, investigation powers and inquests/formal hearings.
  • Relationships with forensic pathology and science services.
  • Management of bodies and tissues.
  • Interaction with next of kin.

Death Scene Investigation

This topic will provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to observe and analyse evidence at death scenes, enhancing their ability to work effectively with other participants in the process and assist in answering questions about the cause and the circumstances of deaths under investigation. These skills will be applied to a range of special scenes to provide students with as varied and relevant experience as possible:

  • Deaths in custody
  • Hospitals and other health institutions
  • Transport related deaths
  • Mass disaster
  • War crimes death investigation
  • Industrial deaths
  • Fire scenes
  • Explosion scenes
  • Exhumations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of different models for death investigation systems.
  2. Understand how issues of organisation and administration of death investigation systems and management of key processes impact on forensic pathology practice.
  3. Understand the principles of death scene investigation and the roles of the relevant participants in the investigation.
  4. Have acquired skills necessary for effectively observing and analyzing death scene evidence.
  5. Be able to apply these skills to different types of death scenes.

Assessment

  • Assignments (30%)
  • Case study presentation (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Oral examination (30%)

Hurdle Requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

60 contact hours (tutorials and attendance at scenes), 50 hours of case and practical work and approximately 46 hours for individual study, assignments and case book preparation.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GHS5841 - Research and evidence for practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Susan Lee

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Susan Lee (Clayton and Peninsula)

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Notes

  • A Distinction grade (70% or higher) is required for application to progress to minor thesis/research project.
  • Evidence of a breach of the academic integrity policy will preclude progress into the research pathway.

Synopsis

Research is integral to nursing practice. As leaders in clinical practice, education or management, it is essential that Master's-prepared nurses have the skills to effectively consume, produce and apply research knowledge to ensure that practice is based on appropriate and critiqued evidence. This unit will provide students with the theoretical knowledge required to evaluate research evidence for use in clinical practice, education or management, and will prepare students to undertake their own research project.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify relevant and significant nursing issues for investigation.
  2. Analyse varying understandings of the nature of evidence and the process of evidence-based practice.
  3. Critically analyse various approaches to nursing research.
  4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and research designs.
  5. Apply appropriate research methodologies and designs to specific nursing questions.
  6. Identify, apply and defend the use of appropriate strategies for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data within specific methodological frameworks.
  7. Locate, critically appraise and synthesise research evidence relating to nursing questions.
  8. Analyse the principles of ethical research conduct and discuss their application in practice.
  9. Identify and analyse breaches of academic and research integrity.
  10. Analyse strategies to achieve rigour in specific research methodologies.

Assessment

  • Research portfolio (3,000 words) (20%)
  • Written assignment (5,000 words) (35%)
  • Open book examination (2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Formative Quizzes (5%)
  • Additional hurdle requirement: Completion of Academic Integrity Modules and quizzes (score of at least 80%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


GHS5850 - Nursing leadership and management

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Malcolm Elliott

Coordinator(s)

Dr Malcolm Elliott

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

The unit gives nursing graduates a program which combines a strong theoretical and practical focus to health management and leadership. Topics on management and administration include: power, authority and politics; leadership; people in health service organisations; change and organisational effectiveness; quality improvement; governance and clinical risk management.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse contemporary theories of leadership and management as it relates to nursing practice
  2. Analyse contemporary theories of management as it relates to nursing practice
  3. Evaluate the concept of clinical leadership in nursing as it relates to patient outcomes
  4. Identify and evaluate the principles of patient safety within the complexity of varying healthcare contexts
  5. Critically analyse the impact of the theoretical concepts of leadership and management to patient safety
  6. Examine the impact of health policy on nursing management
  7. Understand and describe the components of governance within Healthcare contexts in relation to patient safety
  8. Appraise the characteristics of effective organisations through the use of continuous improvement strategies
  9. Critically analyse theories of practice change management and their application to health care settings.

Assessment

  • Written/oral assignment (Leadership and management) (5000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Written/oral assignment (Quality) (2500-3000 words) (30%)
  • Active learning engagement (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


GRS4100 - Laboratory skills in reproductive science

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

A. Prof Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

A. Prof Peter Temple-Smith

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in M5010

Prohibitions

GRS4101

Synopsis

This unit will introduce students to the laboratory, allowing them to develop the basic skills required to perform research in the field of reproductive biology.

Through a series of lab based tasks, as well as analysis of the current literature and tuition in understanding and using biostatistics, students are prepared for conducting their own lab-based research project in GRS4110.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory skills associated with research in reproductive biology
  2. Comprehend the literature available and synthesize a review that describes the current scientific understandings
  3. Develop skills in report writing and scientific biostatistics
  4. Demonstrate skills in the presentation of scientific data
  5. Compose a research plan to solve a problem using well established experimental design and measurable outcomes
  6. Outline the current scientific methods used in the reproductive sciences

Assessment

  • Lab book (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Literature review (2,500 worlds) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Biostatistics assignment (1,000 words) (25%)
  • Research plan (1,500 words) (25%)

Workload requirements

This unit is conducted over six weeks in the first semester.

The unit has 1-2 hours of lectures/ tutorials scheduled per week, and 4h of lab based practical classes per week. At 80% attendance rate for practical sessions will be required to pass the unit.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


GRS4101 - Reproductive endocrinology

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with a theoretical background to reproductive endocrinology. Information about the general organisation and regulation of the reproductive endocrine system will be taught including hormones produced by the pituitary, hypothalamus, ovary and testis and their respective interactions, regulation and mode of action.

The role of growth factors will also be considered. Students will develop presentation skills through both oral and digital forms, and learn to critically appraise their own work.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Outline the anatomical and chemical components of the reproductive endocrine system
  2. Explain the role of hormones produced by the pituitary, hypothalamus, ovary and testis and their interactions, regulation and mode of action
  3. Describe and contrast the cell cycles via mitosis and meiosis
  4. Apply different strategies to communicate fundamental principles of reproductive endocrinology
  5. Demonstrate skills in reflective analysis

Assessment

  • Examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Team video (40%) (hurdle)
  • Journal Review (20%)

Workload requirements

This unit is conducted over six weeks in the first semester. For the first five weeks, students are required to attend lectures and practical session. It is expected that all students, including part-time students, attend all the lectures and practical classes from Week 1 to Week 6 inclusive.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GRS4102 - Gonadal development and function

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

The development and differentiation of the male and female reproductive systems and potential disorders are examined in this unit. Cellular and whole organ events involved in gonadal development and function are taught, using comparative animal models, and differences between the male and female, to highlight these events.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Explain apoptosis and its role in reproduction
  2. Define the concepts underpinning sex determination in animals
  3. Describe embryonic stem cells and the male and female germ cell lineage
  4. Explain gonadal development and differentiation
  5. Contrast the development and differentiation of the male and female tract
  6. Identify disorders of sex determination

Assessment

  • Essay (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Quiz (20%)
  • Abnormal sex determination case study in iSAP (1,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

This unit will be held over 3 weeks in first semester. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and journal review sessions. In addition attendance is required from 9 am to 5 pm for a one week practical laboratory project.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GRS4103 - Pregnancy and parturition

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will examine all aspects of human pregnancy from implantation to the puerperium. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of implantation and placentation, the fetus and pathophysiological changes within the mother.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the pathophysiology of human pregnancy from both maternal and fetal perspectives
  2. Explain the processes regulating implantation and placental development and function.
  3. Describe fetal growth, development and the prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormality
  4. Outline neonatal and maternal adaptation in the context of pregnancy
  5. Outline the regulation of parturition

Assessment

  • Examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Pregnancy case study in iSAP (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Controversies essay (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

This unit will be held over 3 weeks in first semester. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and journal review sessions. In addition attendance is required from 9 am to 5 pm for a one week practical laboratory project.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GRS4104 - Reproductive health and fertility regulations

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit builds on earlier course work allowing the basic mechanisms of reproductive biology to be applied to key problems in reproductive health and fertility regulation. Sexual and reproductive disorders will be discussed in the context of public health and regulation.

Key elements of sexually transmitted diseases will be described to provide students with pathological and epidemiological perspectives.

Regulating the size of a population and the rate of population growth will be considered, with the current trends in population growth and the policies introduced in countries to regulate this growth explored.

The methods that men and women can apply to regulate their own fertility will be compared.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Explain in detail the disorders of sexual development and the normal processes involved in puberty and menopause
  2. Identify key elements in the transfer of sexually transmitted disease
  3. Recognise the mechanisms involved in reproductive cancers, menstrual disorders, erectile dysfunction and infertility
  4. Appraise current approaches to the management of reproductive disorders
  5. Identify and discuss the trends and policies for fertility regulation within populations
  6. Critically evaluate the methods available to women and men to regulate their own fertility

Assessment

  • Examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • PeerWise (5%)
  • Creative thinking team assignment (20 minutes presentation) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Contraception case study in iSAP (1,500 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

This unit will be held over six weeks in the second semester. Students are required to attend all lectures and tutorials. Student are also required to present an oral presentation.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GRS4110 - Research skills in reproductive science

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

A/ Prof Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

GRS4100

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in M5010

Synopsis

This unit allows students to apply the practical skills they acquired in GRS4100 to a research project to be performed in groups.

Students will follow the standardised methods of scientific enquiry to look for gaps in our current understanding of a subject area, propose appropriate experimental design, develop experimental methods to test their hypotheses, statistically analyse their findings and report these findings in a globally accepted format that could be considered for publication.

Students will develop their presentation skills (both oral and written), and their ability to work as part of a productive team to complete both practical and theoretical tasks.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate research laboratory practices in reproductive biology
  2. Employ the appropriate use of statistics to analyse data in reproductive science
  3. Develop skills in presenting research findings through both oral and written communication
  4. Develop skills in written communication within the standardized scientific format
  5. Work effectively as a scientific team to solve a problem
  6. Reflect on the experimental process and on group participation and learning

Assessment

  • Research project report & reflective journal (3,500 words) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Poster preparation and presentation (10 minutes) (30%)
  • Research project oral presentation (20 minutes) (20%)

Workload requirements

This unit is conducted over 12 weeks in the second semester. Students will be organised into research groups and will need to plan and conduct their time accordingly to complete the project they propose.

This unit will require self-directed study both in the theoretical side of experimental design, and within the practical aspects of conducting research.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


GRS4201 - Comparative reproduction and conservation

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will focus on the reproductive biology and breeding of animals. The lectures and tutorials will build on an understanding of basic reproductive physiology and endocrinology to explore ways in which reproduction can be manipulated to increase the reproductive efficiency and genetic gain in farm animals and animals in danger of becoming extinct. How this information can be applied to the monitoring and regulation of reproduction in pets, zoo animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species will also be explored. The approaches that will be examined include hormonal and immunological manipulation of reproduction, artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm. A facility that is using these approaches will allow students to see first hand how fundamental information can be applied to achieve environmental and/or commercial outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the techniques that are available to manipulate reproduction in animals
  2. Apply the principles of reproductive technologies to the management of farm animals, endangered species, captive animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species
  3. Discuss the limitations of techniques available to manipulate reproduction in animals
  4. Justify the use of various techniques for improving breeding and population genetics in animals
  5. Identify and apply current research findings to achieve environmental and/or commercial gains in animal breeding systems

Assessment

  • Examination (2 hours) (45%) (hurdle)
  • PeerWise (5%)
  • Captive breeding scenario (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

This unit will be held over six weeks in second semester. In addition to attendance at lectures and tutorials students are required to attend practical demonstrations and site visits. Attendance from 9 am to 5 pm for a 3 day laboratory project is also required.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


GRS4202 - Assisted reproductive and genetic technologies

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

The new reproductive technologies are now widely used for the treatment of human infertility and for prenatal diagnosis of familial genetic disorders. These techniques involve in vitro fertilization (IVF) and therefore require a sound knowledge of reproductive endocrinology, cell biology and specific techniques involved in the handling and maturation of human sperm and ova. Micromanipulation is an important new method required for fertilization (intracytoplasmic sperm injection - ICSI) and chromosome or genetic diagnosis (embryo biopsy for fluorescent in situ hybridisation - FISH, or polymerase chain reaction - PCR amplification of genomic DNA). This unit also involves the new and rapidly changing areas of cell and tissue cryobiology and transplantation. Specific tests are now also evolving for assessment of embryo viability, particularly now that embryos can be grown successfully to late preimplantation stages of development. These new techniques are presented in the context of laboratory quality assurance and the ethical and legal frameworks of local legislation and regulation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. understand the clinical and laboratory techniques required for successful IVF, the reasons for the methods used, and why quality assurance is a premium for clinical IVF services;
  2. comprehend the limitations of the procedures applied in human infertility and genetic diagnosis;
  3. understand and have experienced micromanipulation, the handling of embryos (animal) and their cryopreservation, and have used the FISH technique to identify chromosomes in single cells;
  4. have learned about ethics and the laws governing IVF, and assessed new articles on IVF;
  5. have worked together to solve a problem and presented their solution as a poster; 6. be familiar with evaluating and communicating a critical review of contemporary scientific research papers.

Assessment

  • Examination (2.25 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Laboratory practical questions derived from sessions (20%)
  • Poster preparation and presentation (25%)
  • Peerwise (5%)

Workload requirements

This unit is held over 6 weeks in second semester. Students are required to attend all lectures, interactive sessions, practical sessions and a site visit to Monash IVF.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


HPE5003 - Assessment in health professional education

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Margaret Hay

Coordinator(s)

Professor Margaret Hay

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Second semester (extended) 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit is designed to provide participants with an understanding of contemporary approaches to assessment in the health professions, with a particular emphasis on competency-based assessment. This unit aims to develop participants' understanding of assessment theory and practice applied to health professions education across undergraduate and postgraduate training. Taking a systems approach, participants will analyse their role in the assessment of their learners and the importance of their role to the learners themselves, their institution, accreditation bodies and the community.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the role of assessment in influencing student learning behaviour and the learning process;
  2. Identify and apply the principles of educational assessment in professional healthcare teaching;
  3. Critique the range of assessment tools that can be used in the effective delivery of health professional education and select appropriately to assess a range of skills, knowledge and attitudinal characteristics in different contexts;
  4. Describe and distinguish between the uses of formative and summative assessment procedures and the importance of feedback to both aspects.

Assessment

  • Group presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Assessment system mind map and written description (1000 words for written description) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Assessment tool analysis (3,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement: Assessment system mind map/written description and the assessment tool analysis are hurdle requirements. You must receive 45% or more for each of these assessments to pass the unit as per faculty policy.

Workload requirements

Three days teacher directed learning (study days). Up to 10 hours/week self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

It is expected students attend all study days. There are sessions related to assessment that are compulsory, refer to unit guide.


HPE5011 - Educational research methods for the health professions

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Charlotte Rees

Coordinator(s)

Deborah Colville

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

The unit focuses on research in contemporary health professional education. It will provide participants with the opportunity to develop foundation research skills and knowledge tailored to their teaching environment and/or interests.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Outline the significance of educational research to the foundations and development of health professional education and practice;

  2. Demonstrate a sound knowledge-base related to the research process including the ability to critique education and practice;
  3. Critically examine and select methods for educational research in the health professions;
  4. Design appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore and evaluate education in the health professions at a novice researcher level;
  5. Articulate key theoretical issues relevant to research in health professional education;
  6. Describe key strategies to promote rigour in research in health professional education;
  7. Articulate key principles of ethical practice in health professional education research.

Assessment

  • Research plan (5,000 words) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Ethics assessment (2,500 words) (25%)
  • Portfolio (4,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Five days teacher directed learning (study days) and up to 20 hours/week self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

It is expected students attend the core study day block.


HPE5013 - Independent project in health professional education

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Charlotte Rees

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mahbub Sarkar

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

Synopsis

HPE5013 will provide participants with the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of educational theory, assessment and evaluation while developing, with constructive feedback, educational initiatives appropriate to their own educational roles e.g. new ways of bedside teaching, lecture delivery, initiating small group work, redeveloping an examination or assessment package.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Complete a reflective analysis of their educational practice in a specific context.
  2. Review their own practice in light of the educational literature in the field.
  3. Identify and describe an educational initiative related to their own practice, through critical analysis of course documentation, course evaluation, or through student feedback or assessment data.
  4. Design and evaluate a new, or modify an existing course or educational programme based on current educational theory.
  5. Create a report based on the initiative to address all elements of the curriculum innovation and its evaluation in relation to the literature.

Assessment

  • Project proposal (3,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Project report (8,000 words) (60%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus students: 10 hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information


HPE5015 - Leadership and innovations in health professions education

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Margaret Hay

Coordinator(s)

Prof. Margaret Hay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester (extended) 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Notes

Enrolment in this unit is conditional on the submission of a relevant project proposal (approximately 1 page). Contact mihce-postgrad@monash.edu for further information.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to introduce a range of current issues in leadership, innovations and sustainability in health.

It is specifically intended to provide students with innovative ways to tackle global health care and health education challenges, drawing from local and international expertise and research.

Students are required to attend five days of compulsory master classes.

Themes will include:

  • Health workforce planning and development
  • Challenges to current health care delivery in Australasia and internationally
  • Innovations in health care system and education planning.
  • Leadership in complex environments.

Each of these will be supported by readings and activities within the students' own environments where possible.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify local and global issues which affect the sustainability of healthcare delivery and education
  2. Examine a range of different healthcare and health education models of delivery
  3. Apply design thinking processes to develop innovative ways to meet the healthcare needs of the community
  4. Articulate the rationale for researching these key areas of intensive research.
  5. Apply an in-depth understanding of at least one relevant area of the current literature to educational practice.
  6. Communicate a coherent summary of issues in a particular topical domain within the health professional education literature.
  7. Synthesise the implications of empirical and theoretical literature underpinning health professional education practice.
  8. Critique a range of perspectives within a particular topical domain within health professional education literature.
  9. Apply theoretical and empirical literature to the development of educational innovations within their own health professional education context.

Assessment

  • Analytical essay (4,000-5,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Individual presentation plus documentation - 1 topic in-depth, emphasis on application to practice (Oral presentation 20 minutes, written documentation 1,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Teaching portfolio - including collection of at least one exercise pertaining to each masterclass (3,000 words) (20%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Five days teacher directed learning (master classes) and up to 20 hours/week self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

It is expected students attend all on-campus master classes.


IRD5000 - Master of biomedical science (Part 1): Monash Institute of Medical Research

24 points, SCA Band 2, 0.500 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Kate Loveland

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit comprises a major research program including submission of a thesis. The thesis should embody the results of the candidate's investigation, which demonstrates independence of thought and the candidate's ability to carry out research in that discipline. Minor coursework such as a literature review and oral presentation is specified by the enrolling department.

Assessment

Major thesis + minor coursework as specified by the enrolling department.


MAP4200 - Improving indigenous equity in professional practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Karen Adams

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Karen Adams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Enrolment in a postgraduate program.

Synopsis

This unit develops and strengthens practical skills required for implementing Indigenous equity. Delivery of effective, high standard services to Indigenous people is one of the enduring challenges facing a variety organisations and providers. In this unit students will explore and engage in practical skills of: cultural safety; partnership building; organisational development and analysis of the strengths based evidence. Students will be provided opportunity to critically analyse current practices in Indigenous equity, design evidence based advocacy and create a strategic change plan of relevance to their professional work and aspirations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain cultural safety and intercultural communication.
  2. Critically analyse policies and standards shaping Indigenous equity relevant to the student's area of professional expertise.
  3. Critically analyse Indigenous populations and statistics relevant to the student's area of professional expertise.
  4. Critically analyse partnership processes with Indigenous peoples.
  5. Construct a change management plan to incorporate principles of human rights and equity relevant to Indigenous issues.

Assessment

  • Case study reflection (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Letter to editor (500 words) (15%)
  • Peer review change plan (1,200 words) (15%)
  • Strategic change plan (3,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: a minimum of 10 hours of personal study per week.

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5000 - Research in advanced health professional practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor. Marilyn Baird

Coordinator(s)

mnhs-student-admin@monash.edu

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Berwick

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Must have completed the equivalent of a 6 point research methodology unit in previous studies or as approved by the Chief Examiner. Please discuss this mandatory requirement with your supervisor.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Notes

Please note that the first point of contact for this unit should be your Course Coordinator in the School or Department in which you are enrolled.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to equip students with the skills to design a research protocol for implementation in the post-requisite unit MAP5010 Advanced health practice research project (for the 24 credit point research project)or MAP5001 and MAP5002 (for the 36 credit point minor thesis). This will provide health practitioners with the skills to confidently and successfully conduct professional focused research of interest to them. Students will review existing research literature, create a research question, select an appropriate methodology and finalise a research protocol for institutional ethics approval.

Successful completion of MAP5000 and MAP5010 or MAP5000, MAP5001 and MAP5002 with an overall grade of 70 Distinction or above may permit a student to apply for a graduate research program including the PhD at Monash University.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Synthesise and refine critical arguments in relation to the scientific literature of relevance to the research question.
  2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the moral, ethical and legal responsibilities of scientific investigation.
  3. Refine a research question grounded in the critical review of the literature.
  4. Justify an appropriate research methodology.
  5. Create and refine a rigorous and feasible research protocol that includes data collection methods and participant recruitment procedures.
  6. Prepare a submission for ethics committee approval.

Assessment

  • Literature review (upper limit of 5,000 words - supervisory guidance) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Research proposal or methodological chapter (upper limit of 3,000 words - supervisory guidance) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Completion of the research integrity module (Hurdle)
  • Completion of an ethics application (if applicable) (Hurdle)

Assessment strategy is guided by the notional hours of effort approach.

Workload requirements

On-campus and Off-campus:

1 hour per fortnight consultation with supervisor either face to face or electronic, 11 hours per week directed research activities which may include on-line tasks (project dependent), 12 hours per week for self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5001 - Preparatory minor thesis

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor. Marilyn Baird

Coordinator(s)

mnhs-student-admin@monash.edu

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Berwick

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Students enrolled in course 4519 must have passed SRH5003. All other students must have passed MAP5000.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Notes

Please note that the first point of contact for this unit should be your Course Coordinator in the School or Department in which you are enrolled.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to allow students to implement the research protocol developed in the context of the prerequisite unit MAP5000 Research in Advanced Health Care Practice. Students will develop skills in gathering data, interrogating it using acceptable analytical processes and developing an informed and defensible conclusion. Through an iterative and collaborative intellectual process with their supervisor, students will create a research report which they will communicate in written format to a wider professional audience.

Successful completion of MAP5000, MAP5001 and MAP5002 with an overall grade of 70 Distinction or above may permit a student to apply for a graduate research program including the PhD at Monash University.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Collect data in accordance with the norms of research informed investigation and the boundaries of any ethics approval;
  2. Demonstrate skills in the organisation, analysis and interpretation of data according to research norms;
  3. Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic;
  4. Demonstrate writing skills that meet the academic standards associated with a research informed investigation;
  5. Effectively manage time and resources to achieve pre-determined goals.

Assessment

  • Mid enrolment oral presentation (20 minutes)(Hurdle)
  • Documented supervisory meetings (Hurdle)
  • Draft chapter(s) of the minor thesis (Hurdle)

This unit will be awarded a non-examinable grade of NE.

Workload requirements

On-campus and Off-campus:

1 hour per fortnight consultation with supervisor either face to face or electronic, 11 hours per week directed research activities which may include on-line tasks (project dependent), 12 hours per week for self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5002 - Minor thesis

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor. Marilyn Baird

Coordinator(s)

mnhs-student-admin@monash.edu

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Berwick

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Students enrolled in course 4519 must have passed SRH5003. All other students must have passed MAP5000.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Notes

Please note that the first point of contact for this unit should be your Course Coordinator in the School or Department in which you are enrolled.

Synopsis

This unit is the final unit in a sequence of three units designed for students who have elected to complete a minor thesis and use the study as evidence of independent research experience in an application for entry into the PhD program. Using the research protocol developed in the context of the prerequisite unit MAP5000 and the project completed for MAP5001 students will develop advanced skills in gathering and interrogating data using acceptable analytical processes and developing an informed and defensible conclusion.

Successful completion of MAP5000, MAP5001 and MAP5002 with an overall grade of 70 Distinction or above may permit a student to apply for a graduate research program including the PhD at Monash University.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Complete the collection of data in accordance with the moral, ethical and legal responsibilities of scientific investigation, the research paradigm informing the research process and the overarching ethics approval.
  2. Organise, analyse and interpret data meaningfully and according to the accepted practices within the research paradigm informing the research process.
  3. Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic.
  4. Generate defensible conclusions in respect to the significance of any research findings.
  5. Demonstrate writing skills that meet the academic standards associated with a thesis.
  6. Communicate research findings to a wider professional audience.
  7. Manage time and resources in a collaborative manner.
  8. Defend an informed position relative to a defined body of knowledge.

Assessment

  • Minor research thesis (20,000 words)
  • Public defence of thesis (15 minute oral) (Hurdle)
  • Documented supervisory meetings (Hurdle)
  • Mid enrolment progress report (Hurdle)
  • Minor thesis draft (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On-campus and Off-campus:

1 hour per fortnight consultation with supervisor either face to face or electronic, 11 hours per week directed research activities which may include on-line tasks (thesis dependent), 12 hours per week for self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5003 - Essentials of advanced health care practice and research

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Rural Health

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Shane Bullock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Elica Ristevski

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit is designed for health care professionals who aspire to lead the management, design and delivery of health care services and/or develop health care programs in a clinical context that improve patient outcomes.

This unit focuses on the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours for advanced health care practice. The unit examines key issues for the advanced health care professional, including:

  1. medico-legal issues in compliance, competency, and credentialing;
  2. professional behaviour and interprofessional practice;
  3. using research frameworks and clinical practice guidelines as evidence to inform practice;
  4. quality, patient safety, patient experiences, and benchmarking;
  5. delivering and evaluating patient and consumer centred health care and communication within digital and practice settings;
  6. the advanced practitioner as educator of patients, consumers and peers and
  7. leadership in implementing practice change.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Examine the roles and medico-legal responsibilities of advanced health care practitioners within their professional settings;
  2. Differentiate between ethical, inter-professional and cultural dimensions of professional behaviour;
  3. Examine the use of information and communication technology in advanced health care practice ;
  4. Review risk management strategies and plans for the prevention of adverse events;
  5. Apply benchmarking and patient experience studies to quality improvements;
  6. Apply principles of implementation science to lead change within health care practice;
  7. Apply evidence summaries and clinical practice guidelines to the review and implementation of complex health care interventions;
  8. Design an evaluation plan to investigate the outcomes and effectiveness of a complex health care intervention or practice;
  9. Design learner-centered educational activities appropriate to their practice setting.

Assessment

  • Assessment task 1: iSAP (20%) (2000 words);
  • Assessment task 2: Case Study (15%) (2000 words);
  • Assessment task 3: Discussion Forum (10%) (1500 words) hurdle;
  • Assessment task 4: Evidence Review (25%) (2500 words) hurdle;
  • Assessment task 5: Learning & Teaching Plan (30%) (3000 words) hurdle.

Workload requirements

24 hours/week

For this distance education unit, students are expected to undertake their work during private study time.

Students will be expected to log onto Moodle on a regular basis for announcements and updates.

Students will need to undertake readings (available via Moodle) and view online materials (e.g. PowerPoint/audio/visual material). Students will also be required to undertake regular formative activities.

Students will be required to undertake all assessment activities as these are all hurdle requirements to ensure that all learning objectives are covered.

The assessments will require preparation ranging from readings, writing and undertaking online activities (quizzes and forum discussions).

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5010 - Advanced health practice research project

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor. Marilyn Baird

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Berwick

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Summer semester B 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MAP5000.

Prohibitions

MAP5001.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to allow students to implement the research protocol developed in the context of the prerequisite unit MAP5000 Research in Advanced Health Care Practice'. Students will develop skills in gathering data, interrogating it using acceptable analytical processes and develop an informed and defensible conclusion. Through an iterative and collaborative intellectual process with their supervisor, students will create a research report, which they will communicate in written format to a wider professional audience.

Successful completion of MAP5000 and MAP5010 with an overall grade of 70 Distinction or above may permit a student to apply for a graduate research program including the PhD at Monash University.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Complete the collection of data in accordance with the norms of research informed investigation and the boundaries of any ethics approval.
  2. Organise, analyse and interpret data meaningfully and according to research norms.
  3. Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic.
  4. Demonstrate writing skills that meet the academic standards associated with a research informed investigation.
  5. Communicate research findings to a wider professional audience.
  6. Effectively manage time and resources to achieve pre-determined goals.

Assessment

  • Oral presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Research report (8,000 - 10,000 words) (80%)
  • Documented supervisory meetings (Hurdle)
  • Mid enrolment progress report (Hurdle)
  • Draft report (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On-campus and off-campus:

  • One (1) hour per fortnight consultation with supervisor
  • 11 hours per week of directed research activities
  • 12 hours per week of self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information


MAP5101 - Advanced critical care skills

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Carlos Scheinkestel

Coordinator(s)

Professor Carlos Scheinkestel

Not offered in 2018

Notes

This unit is offered annually via the Alfred. Please contact the School of Rural Health directly for more information.

Email: advancedhealthcarepractice@monash.edu

Telephone: +61 3 5128 1015

Synopsis

This unit has been created in collaboration with the Alfred ICU for students seeking credit from studies in critical care in extracorporeal support, transthoracic echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, critical care ultrasound and airway, bronchoscopy and ventilation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Extracorporeal Support

  1. Critically evaluate techniques for the measurement of circulatory variables in the critically ill.
  2. Explain the physical and physiological principles of extracorporeal support as they relate to temporary pacing (transcutaneous, transvenous and epicardial), IABP, ECMO and renal replacement therapy; and outline the indications, contraindications and most common complications of using each technique.
  3. Outline the principles of haemodialysis and haemofiltration and how the combination of these strategies can be used in the management of critically ill patients.
  4. Discuss the latest techniques to optimise filter life including access, dosing, dilution strategies and anticoagulation as they relate to RRT.
  5. Explain the different modes and configurations of ECMO used for respiratory and cardiac failure respectively and outline the optimal catheter types and positions associated with each of these configurations.
  6. Critically evaluate the indications and contraindications to ECMO and how these relate to the timing of institution of ECMO support.

    Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE), Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE), Critical Care Ultrasound

Transthoracic echocardiography

  1. Understand the basic physic principles applicable to ultrasound.
  2. Understand standard TTE views and how they are acquired.
  3. Understand advanced Doppler techniques (RVSP and cardiac output).
  4. Be able to perform and report a level one echo with predominantly qualitative reporting of pathology in a systematic fashion.

Transoesophageal echocardiography

  1. Understand how to acquire the standard 28 ASE views in a simulated model.
  2. Have an in-depth understanding of he 3D cardiac anatomy.
  3. Understand the indications for TOE in ICU, cardiac surgery and cardiology practice.

Critical Care Ultrasound (for all 4 ultrasound topics performed)

  1. Understand the different probe types, selection and their utility across different ultrasounds performed.
  2. Understand the appropriate anatomy for the relevant ultrasound procedures.
  3. Understand how to interpret abnormal pathology and the clinical implications.
  4. Be able to accurately perform a complete ultrasound to evaluate for DVT screening, Vascular access, eFAST, Lung ultrasound and Pleural ultrasound.

    Airway, Bronchoscopy and Ventilation

  5. Demonstrate the technical skills required for airway management of critically ill patients.
  6. Display the teamwork and decision-making skills required for airway management of critically ill patients.
  7. Discuss important issues in weaning from mechanical ventilation (this applies to 2015 only and will vary according to the theme of The Alfred ICU Mechancial Ventilation Conference).
  8. Apply the interpretation of ventilator waveforms to the management of critically patients.
  9. Describe the role of bronchoscopy in ICU, bronchoscopic anatomy and relevant equipment.
  10. Demonstrate the practical skills required to perform bronchoscopy and bronchoscopic procedures in the management of critically ill patients.

Assessment

Extracorporeal Support

  • Renal Support in the Critically Ill Conference (Compulsory)
  • The Alfred ICU Adult ECMO Course (Compulsory)
  • Online module completion quiz (Pass mark >60%)

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE), Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE), Critical Care Ultrasound

  • Critical Care Ultrasound Course (Satisfactorily perform a complete ultrasound to evaluate for DVT screening, Vascular access, Lung and pleura and eFAST)
  • Post-course quiz (>75% mark)
  • Satisfactorily participate in case review sessions

Airway, Bronchoscopy and Ventilation

  • The Alfred ICU Advanced Mechanical Ventilation Conference and Ventilator Waveforms Workshop (Compulsory)
  • Bronchoscopy for Critical Care Course (Compulsory)
  • Online module completion quiz (Pass mark >60%) (Compulsory)

MAP5104 - Emergency medicine skills

24 points, SCA Band 2, 0.500 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Cameron

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Cameron

Not offered in 2018

Notes

This unit is offered annually via the Alfred. Please contact the School of Rural Health directly for more information.

Email: advancedhealthcarepractice@monash.edu

Telephone: +61 3 5128 1015

Synopsis

This unit has been created in collaboration with the Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre for students seeking credit from studies in Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine; Emergency and Trauma Research Methods; Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management and Emergency Medicine Theory and Practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine

  1. Understand the benefits and limitations of evidence based medicine
  2. Perform a comprehensive search of the medical literature
  3. Describe quantitative techniques for data collection and basic analysis for reporting data
  4. Critically appraise studies of therapy, harm, diagnosis and prognosis
  5. Interpret information generated by systematic reviews

    Emergency and Trauma Research Methods

  6. Create a research question amenable to rigorous scientific investigation
  7. Design a research protocol
  8. Justify the selection of the research methodology
  9. Identify ethical issues related to the proposed study
  10. Transform information gathered as part of the proposed study into usable data for scientific analysis

    Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management

  11. Implement a robust and defensible approach to clinical leadership in the emergency and trauma context;
  12. Apply a critically reflective approach towards the management of human resources' issues in the emergency and trauma context;
  13. Positively influence key stakeholders within the emergency and trauma context
  14. Critically evaluate quality improvement measures in the emergency and trauma context
  15. Apply high-level analytical and leadership skills in relation to the implementation of a range of health care projects of relevance to the emergency and trauma context ;

    Emergency Medicine Theory and Practice

  16. Implement specialist medical diagnostic skills during the acute phase of illness or injury
  17. Apply specialist emergency medical knowledge and skills to resuscitation
  18. Critically apply an evidence-based approach towards the implementation of medical procedural and technical skills required in the emergency setting
  19. Integrate emergency medicine theory with practical experience across a range of patient cases and situations
  20. Apply a critically reflective approach towards the management of emergency patients

Assessment

Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine

  • Assignment 1 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Assignment 2 (1,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Online exercises - participation & content 1,000 words (40%) (Hurdle)

Emergency and Trauma Research Methods

  • Assignment 1 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Assignment 2 (2,000 words & 10 minute oral presentation) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Online exercises participation & content (3000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management

  • 12 weekly online discussion questions (1000 words) (40%)
  • Written report (4,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Personal reflection (1000 words) (20%)

Emergency Medicine Theory and Practice

  • Online MCQ for each topic (1,000 words) (30%)
  • Workplace based case review report (3,000 words) (40% Hurdle)
  • Six mini-CEX assessments (3,000 words) (30%) (Hurdle)

HURDLE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Observership: attendance at minimum prescribed practicum hours with logbook evidence
  • Attendance at two day "Emergency Resuscitation Workshop"

MAP5105 - Trauma skills

24 points, SCA Band 2, 0.500 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Cameron

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Cameron

Not offered in 2018

Notes

This unit is offered annually via the Alfred. Please contact the School of Rural Health directly for more information.

Email: advancedhealthcarepractice@monash.edu

Telephone: +61 3 5128 1015

Synopsis

This unit has been created in collaboration with the Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre for students seeking credit from studies in Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine; Emergency and Trauma Research Methods; Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management and Trauma Theory and Practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine

  1. Understand the benefits and limitations of evidence based medicine
  2. Perform a comprehensive search of the medical literature
  3. Describe quantitative techniques for data collection and basic analysis for reporting data
  4. Critically appraise studies of therapy, harm, diagnosis and prognosis
  5. Interpret information generated by systematic reviews

    Emergency and Trauma Research Methods

  6. Create a research question amenable to rigorous scientific investigation
  7. Design a research protocol
  8. Justify the selection of the research methodology
  9. Identify ethical issues related to the proposed study
  10. Transform information gathered as part of the proposed study into usable data for scientific analysis

    Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management

  11. Implement a robust and defensible approach to clinical leadership in the emergency and trauma context;
  12. Apply a critically reflective approach towards the management of human resources' issues in the emergency and trauma context;
  13. Positively influence key stakeholders within the emergency and trauma context
  14. Critically evaluate quality improvement measures in the emergency and trauma context
  15. Apply high-level analytical and leadership skills in relation to the implementation of a range of health care projects of relevance to the emergency and trauma context ;

    Trauma Theory and Practice

  16. Implement specialist medical diagnostic skills during the assessment and management of trauma patients
  17. Apply specialist trauma medical knowledge and skills to the resuscitation of the critically injured trauma patient
  18. Critically apply an evidence-based approach towards the implementation of medical procedural and technical skills required in the trauma setting
  19. Integrate trauma medical theory with practical experience across a range of patient cases and situations
  20. Apply a critically reflective approach towards the management of trauma patients

Assessment

Emergency and Trauma Evidence Based Medicine

  • Assignment 1 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Assignment 2 (1,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Online exercices - participation & content 1,000 words (40%) (Hurdle)

Emergency and Trauma Research Methods

  • Assignment 1 (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Assignment 2 (2,000 words & 10 minute oral presentation) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Online exercises participation & content (3000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Emergency and Trauma Clinical Leadership and Management

  • 12 weekly online discussion questions (1000 words) (40%)
  • Written report (4,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Personal reflection (1000 words) (20%)

Trauma Theory and Practice

  • Online MCQ for each topic (1,000 words) (30%)
  • Workplace based case review report (3,000 words) (40% Hurdle)
  • Six mini-CEX assessments (3,000 words) (30%) (Hurdle)

HURDLE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Observership: attendance at minimum prescribed practicum hours with logbook evidence
  • Attendance at two day "Trauma Resuscitation Workshop"

MCE5100 - Introduction to mammalian embryology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith
Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit will provide students with an overview of the basic embryological knowledge that is essential for working in animal and human IVF laboratories. Theoretical information about hormonal control of reproduction, folliculogenesis, gametogenesis, fertilisation, implantation, early embryo development to gastrulation, germ and somatic cell lineages and also epigenetics from a cellular, genetic and molecular perspective will be presented and discussed in lectures and tutorials. Also an overview on potential stem cell therapies discussing the production and use of human embryonic stem cells, comparing with stem cells from adult and foetal origin will be given.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify and describe in detail the processes of spermatogenesis, hormonal control of reproduction and fertilisation;
  2. describe and discuss the cellular, genetic and molecular aspects of embryonic development and differentiation to a level required by a human IVF program or a research laboratory;
  3. define epigenetics and, using cell differentiation as an example, explain its importance in causing phenotypic and gene expression changes without change in nuclear DNA sequence;
  4. describe in detail the events involved in the transformation of an embryo from the 2-cell stage to hatching of the late blastocyst;
  5. explain how the trophoblast forms and the process of implantation;
  6. identify and clearly explain the process of embryonic development from the inner cell mass to gastrulation and formation of the trilaminar embryo;
  7. discuss other embryonic manipulations and explain the potential effects of epigenetics on the development of an embryo and subsequent offspring;
  8. explain and discuss stem cell therapies, and be aware of the differences between adult, foetal and embryonic stem cells;
  9. demonstrate an ability to critically and constructively analyse research data in various aspects of embryology;
  10. communicate their knowledge clearly and effectively.

Assessment

  • Written journal review comparison (35%)
  • Written exam (2 1/2 hours) (60%) (Hurdle)
  • Peerwise (5%)

Workload requirements

16 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5101 - Infertility and treatment strategies

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith
Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit will provide information about the major causes of male and female infertility. Students will gain an appreciation for the patient journey towards accessing fertility treatment, including alternative strategies available prior to, or in conjunction with ART treatment. Low, medium and high levels of medical intervention will be compared in reference to general infertility patients, and patients with specific infertility causes. Using this knowledge, students will demonstrate their problem solving skills in determining treatment options for specific infertility cases. The influence of gamete quality on fertility outcomes will be discussed, with a focus on the sperm contribution to treatment success. Measures used to determine ART success will be analysed from the perspectives of all invested parties such as government, business and patient outcomes through an interactive session. Utilising an awareness of infertility causes and treatment options, students will critically review a contemporary scientific paper relating to infertility management.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify male and female causes of infertility
  2. Recognise alternate fertility strategies prior to, or in conjunction with ART treatment
  3. Compare and contrast the different levels of medical intervention associated with ART treatment
  4. Describe the treatment options for patients with specific infertility causes
  5. Recognise the support systems available to patients undergoing ART treatment
  6. Classify the reporting criteria for measuring ART outcomes
  7. Review contemporary scientific papers in infertility management
  8. Demonstrate skills in problem solving and determining treatment strategies for specific infertility cases.
  9. Identify the role that specific sperm parameters play on fertility outcomes

Assessment

  • Written exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Oral journal review presentation and reflection (15 minutes and 500 words) (20%)
  • Interactive case study (2000 words) (20%)
  • Peerwise contribution (5%)
  • Andrology written assessment (2,000 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

24 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study, practical skills training) (on-campus).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5103 - IVF processes: Embryo production and cryopreservation techniques (theory)

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby
Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with the skills and opportunity to design and optimise embryo culture systems to ensure the best pregnancy outcomes for couples undertaking infertility treatment. This is achieved through a detailed understanding of critical cellular processes, with an aim to maximize normal embryo growth potential while minimizing stress. Students will learn the methods needed to accurately evaluate embryo quality and develop the ability to micro-manage IVF processes. This unit also provides students with a detailed understanding of cryopreservation techniques and the ability to critically discuss and evaluate these techniques and cryo-banking systems for oocytes, sperm, ovarian and testicular tissue and embryos in human IVF programs. The physico-chemical properties of permeant and non permeant cryoprotectants will be discussed in context with the slow cooling and vitrification methods.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain how to control and optimise the environment of gametes/embryos in the laboratory.
  2. describe the various quality control tests that are used routinely in an IVF laboratory, such as mouse bioassays, sperm survival tests, etc.
  3. identify and interpret scoring systems for the selection of good from bad quality embryos from the 2-cell stage through to hatching blastocysts.
  4. classify maturation and fertilization status of oocytes and early stage embryos and identify cell numbers in fixed and stained embryos.
  5. analyse and report data from lab books (on-campus) or clinical data (off-campus) in abstract form.
  6. critically assess the techniques of gamete and embryo cryopreservation as used in clinical human in vitro fertilization programs.
  7. identify and explain the physico-chemical changes in cells during cryopreservation.

Assessment

  • Written examination (2 1/2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Literature review (3,000 words) on research project topic (30%)
  • Oral journal review (15%)
  • Assignment on importance and composition of culture media (10%)
  • Peerwise (5%)

Workload requirements

20 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5112 - IVF processes: Embryo production and cryopreservation techniques (practical)

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Mulyoto Pangestu

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mulyoto Pangestu
Mrs Penny Chen

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will familiarise students with the major aspects of ART laboratory operation. Students will develop and enhance their embryo handling and culture skills through integration of practical skills and theoretical concepts.

Competency will be assessed through gamete preparation, insemination and successful embryo culture. Students will identify the developmental milestones of the pre-implantation embryo and recognise the significance of 'on time' development.

Hands-on semen analysis training will demonstrate the critical components of diagnostic ART testing. A statistics course is integrated into this unit to enable students to critique published scientific data.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be aware of the theoretical, statistical and practical limitations of experimental design, enabling the creation of a cohesive and logical research plan.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will demonstrate competency in relation to:

  1. Laboratory practices including OHSE, etiquette, media selection and equipment familiarisation
  2. Gamete preparation for IVF
  3. Embryo handling while identifying the significance of the developmental milestones
  4. Semen analysis and semen cryopreservation
  5. Laboratory record keeping and note taking
  6. Appropriate use of statistics to analyse data in ART
  7. The development of a research plan designed to solve a problem using well established experimental design and measureable outcomes

Assessment

  • ART familiarisation and embryo culture competency (10%) (hurdle)
  • IVF competency (40%) (hurdle)
  • Semen analysis competency (20%)
  • Statistical exam (20%)
  • Written research plan(1,500 words) (10%)

Workload requirements

30 hours contact per week (research,tutorials, self-directed study, practical skill training.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5200 - Total quality management in assisted reproductive technologies

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with a detailed understanding of how to establish and equip an IVF laboratory and the quality control and quality assurance practises required to run an effective IVF service. New insights into the quality management framework for an embryology laboratory will allow students to understand and develop techniques for continuous quality improvement in their future workplaces, and to achieve ambitious goals. Knowledge gained in this unit is readily transferable into other areas of laboratory and research activities. Students will have the opportunity to visit IVF laboratories during a designated 'work experience' week and observe how they operate, what techniques are used and which services are offered. A report and an informal presentation (not assessed) on their site visit will enable students to share their experiences and compare the differences in techniques and practices between clinics.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. know and explain the principals of total quality management and apply the concepts in a laboratory setting in order to achieve continuous quality improvement
  2. identify the equipment required to run an effective IVF laboratory and justify equipment needs
  3. simulate the design of an IVF laboratory and its location within an IVF clinic
  4. review national and international guidelines for establishing a quality ART facility
  5. predict, measure and solve problems that may arise in an IVF laboratory.

Assessment

  • Lab design (2,500 words + drawings) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Implementing a new procedure (1,500 words) (35%)
  • Thaw process troubleshooting and SOP (1,500 words) (25%)

Workload requirements

6 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study, mock audits), 2 - 5 days IVF lab visits (on-site).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5201 - ICSI and research methods

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sally Catt
Dr Mulyoto Pangestu
Mrs Penny Chen

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will conduct the practical aspects of their minor research project in this unit. At the completion of the research, the students will compile and analyse their data using appropriate statistical methodology. The students will interpret their results and write up a research report. Students will also present their data in poster form. This unit will also provide students with training in the preparation of sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the identification of spermatids, spermatocytes and other cell types recovered from testicular biopsies, and the assessment of fertilization. They will also be given practical training in ICSI mouse gametes using a variety of micromanipulation tools and instruments

On completion, students will be familiar with research methods including project planning, conducting laboratory-based research, data collection, data analysis, using appropriate statistical methods, and preparation of a research report in the style of a journal article. They will also receive a sound training in ICSI.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. perform a minor research project, apply appropriate statistical analysis, write up the findings, and compare to other findings in current literature
  2. identify applications of, and be skilled in the preparation of, micromanipulation instruments
  3. perform ICSI
  4. identify methods used for the preparation of sperm from ejaculates and testicular biopsies
  5. communicate their knowledge clearly and effectively.

Assessment

  • Research report (7,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Research abstract (10%)
  • Poster presentation (20%)
  • ICSI exam (30%)

Workload requirements

20 hours contact per week (research project, practical skills training) (on-campus).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5212 - Preimplantation genetic diagnosis

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kiri Beilby

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit will provide a detailed understanding of the molecular biology and genetic diagnostic techniques utilised in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) programs. Students will be taught the differences between Pre Implantation Screening (PGS) by array techniques, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of singe gene disorders and non-invasive pre-natal testing. This knowledge is enhanced by learning how biopsies are performed on embryos, how the biopsied cells are processed for the various different genetic tests, and how these tests are interpreted in a clinical setting On completion, students will possess a sound theoretical knowledge and understanding of the molecular and genetic techniques used in a clinical human genetics laboratory, and also be familiar with the different practical applications of these techniques. They will also appreciate ethical implications and societal expectation in PGS and PGD.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a sound theoretical knowledge and understanding of the techniques essential to chromosomal and molecular genetic analysis in a clinical human IVF program
  2. describe and explain the technical aspects and applications of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)
  3. explain the applications of micro array technology and karyotyping
  4. explain the biopsy techniques performed using mouse embryos on mouse embryos
  5. determine the processes for extracting DNA from cells and develop knowledge required for carrying out PCR and genetic analysis
  6. critically and constructively analyse research papers in molecular biology and reproduction

Assessment

  • Journal review (10 minute oral presentation) (35%)
  • Peerwise (as in proposed) (5%)
  • Written examination (2.5 hours) (60%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours contact per week (lectures, interactive tutorials, debates, self-directed study)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MCE5213 - Regulation and ethics in assisted reproductive technologies

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit examines the current legislation and regulations governing the clinical practice of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and related research, nationally and internationally. It describes the role of ethical frameworks and principles in health decision-making and analyses regulation in ART with respect to underlying moral and ethical principles. An introduction to ethical problem solving is presented. The major ethical issues raised by assisted reproductive technologies are examined and critically evaluated.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Recognise the role of ethics in health care and legal decision-making and apply ethical frameworks and principles when analysing conflicts and solving problems;
  2. Evaluate and compare the diverse and often conflicting views about current ART practices present in local and world communities,
  3. Apply an ethical framework when interpreting specific legal and ethical issues, such as gamete and embryo donation, embryo experimentation, surrogacy, cloning, stem cell research, genetic selection and manipulation;
  4. Recognise the social and ethical responsibilities as a health care professional and with regard to patient care
  5. Be able to describe the current major legislative and non-legislative schemes for regulating ART in Australia and have some knowledge of how the Australian situation compares with other countries;
  6. Argue for and against ethical concerns raised by current and future ART practices

Assessment

  • Controversial ART case (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Reflection on ethical and legal ART issues (3,000 words, 40%) (hurdle)
  • Debate (30%)

Workload requirements

16 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, debates, self-directed study).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MEH4002 - Medicine, nursing and health sciences exchange

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Unit guides

Offered

King's College London

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Overseas

Synopsis

This unit is used by the faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.


MEH4003 - Medicine, nursing and health sciences exchange

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Unit guides

Offered

King's College London

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Overseas

Synopsis


MEH4101 - Medicine, nursing and health sciences exchange

24 points, SCA Band 1, 0.500 EFTSL

Offered

Overseas

Synopsis


MEH4102 - Medicine, nursing and health sciences exchange

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Offered

Overseas

Synopsis


MEH5050 - Emergency health project

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kelly Bowles

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kelly Bowles

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041 or SRH5003.

Synopsis

This unit aims to facilitate the process of research in emergency health. Firstly, the unit will extend the knowledge and understanding of research methodology gained in the research methods unit; and additionally focus attention upon a range of practical, technical and management issues associated with the conduct of scientific research. The unit will facilitate student access to academics or clinicians offering projects, and who will support the student during all stages of the inquiry process.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically review and analyse the literature on a current issue in community based emergency services.
  2. Design, develop and implement a research project.
  3. Demonstrate skill in accessing information, critical appraisal, reflective practice and independent scholarship.
  4. Demonstrate communication skills in both oral and written presentations to an audience of community based emergency services professionals.
  5. Evaluate and select research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis appropriate to the proposed project.
  6. Conduct research in line with good ethical practice.
  7. Write up a project that is suitable for publication.
  8. Contribute to enhancing an aspect of community based emergency services.

Assessment

  • Research proposal (1,500 words) (10%)
  • Literature review (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Individual oral presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Written report in a format suitable for publication (6,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

MID5001 - Woman midwife partnerships and normal childbearing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

An introduction to normal pregnancy and childbirth and the role of the midwife in providing care for women. This unit will provide the foundational knowledge to enable midwifery students to provide safe and effective midwifery care to healthy mothers and babies across the childbearing continuum, incorporating anatomy and physiology and the evidence basis for maternity care. The focus will be on the role of the midwife as a primary carer and working in partnership with women.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. describe in detail the anatomy & physiology of the human reproductive system, including; pre-conception, pregnancy, fetal development, birth, lactation and the baby;
  2. appreciate the boundaries of care in midwifery including legal, ethical and professional standards and competencies;
  3. appreciate the concepts of with woman, in partnership, and continuity of care;
  4. employ reflective practice and implement evidence based care for women, babies and their families across the childbearing continuum;
  5. articulate a beginning philosophy of midwifery;
  6. demonstrate developing skills necessary to provide women-centred midwifery care;
  7. demonstrate beginning skills in physical assessment of women and their babies across the childbearing continuum;
  8. demonstrate midwifery competency based upon the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Midwife (2006).

Assessment

  • Written assignment (2,500 words) (30%)
  • Reflective exercises (2 x 400 words each) (10%)
  • Guided study activities (online participation) (10%)
  • Examination (compulsory pass required) (50%)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at study blocks held on-campus at Gippsland and Clayton.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MID5002 - Woman midwife partnerships and complex childbearing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Carolyn Bailey

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MID5001Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

An introduction to complex pregnancy and childbirth and the role of the midwife in providing care for women experiencing problems. Students will develop their existing knowledge/skills by working with women and other members of the healthcare team when problems arise during pregnancy, labour & birth, and the first weeks after birth. The students will also acquire foundational knowledge of the care of babies with special needs. Students will have the opportunity to study the circumstances that commonly result in a baby being admitted to a Level Two Nursery. The issues confronting the infant and family during this period will be explored and the role of the midwife in facilitating health and wellbeing of the family. Students will reflect upon and debate the ethico-legal issues involved in care of the baby with special needs. Emphasis is given to the collaborative role of the midwife, consultation and referral, use of medical technology & intervention, and the implications for women, their babies, and midwives themselves.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. utilise knowledge from the biosciences applicable to woman experiencing complex pregnancy and childbirth;
  2. describe and identify common embryological and fetal developments that give rise to abnormalities;
  3. examine specific medical and obstetric conditions that affect childbearing;
  4. evaluate the implications of obstetric interventions for the woman and midwifery practice;
  5. demonstrate skills in the management of emergencies in childbearing;
  6. demonstrate understanding of the circumstances that may necessitate admission of a baby to a Level Two nursery;
  7. evaluate the Level Two Nursery environment and its impact upon the baby and family;
  8. utilise the clinical decision making process to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the care required by the baby and the family;
  9. demonstrate an appreciation of the family's need for privacy, dignity and respect, as well as their right to be informed and to make decision regarding care of their baby;
  10. demonstrate the ability to practice within a multidisciplinary team in an environment of complexity;
  11. facilitate woman's access to appropriate community resources; and
  12. demonstrate midwifery competency based upon the ACMI Competency Standards.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (2,500 words) (30%)
  • Guided study activities (20%)
  • Exam (Compulsory pass required) (50%)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at study blocks held on-campus at Gippsland and Clayton.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MID5003 - Midwifery and maternity in context

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mary Anne Biro

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MID5001Not offered in 2018, MID5002Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit addresses the need for students to adequately understand what it means to be a professional midwife through exploring issues that impact upon the role of the midwife. These issues include socio-cultural, historical, political, regulatory, legal, ethical and institutional factors that affect midwifery and maternity service delivery at local, national and international levels. Against these factors the role of midwifery as primary health care will be explored in relation to health promotion and education in pregnancy, birth, parenting and lactation, and fertility regulation. This unit works to put into context for the student, the nature and scope of midwifery practice, its interaction and relationships with powerful others in the maternity service milieu, its relationship to consumer activist and advocacy groups, and its role in the community.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the development of the midwifery profession, from historical and current perspectives;
  2. Define the scope of midwifery practice and provide a critique of this scope against the International Definition of a Midwife (ICM WHO);
  3. Develop a critique of maternity service delivery in Australia informed by professional literature, government reports and observation and experience;
  4. Debate legal and ethical considerations for midwifery practice, including the statutes and regulations that govern and regulate midwifery, especially where they limit midwifery from reaching its espoused scope of practice;
  5. Analyse the roles and functions of professional organisations, locally, nationally, and globally, that have an impact on the delivery of midwifery services and the health and well-being of women and babies;
  6. Describe the various models of midwifery care available for the childbearing woman and analyse the factors that limit or facilitate the choices they might make;
  7. Critique the role and ability of research to inform social policy and professional attitudes in relation to the availability of maternity care choices;
  8. Examine and debate micro and macro political, social and cultural and ethico-legal factors that impact on birthing women and midwives;
  9. Debate the ability of midwifery as a profession to advocate for women and to work with women for improvement in maternity services;
  10. Demonstrate theoretical understanding and skills development in education and counselling for health promotion in relation to breastfeeding and fertility regulation, and preparation for childbirth and parenting;
  11. Discuss the role of the midwife as primary health provider; and
  12. Demonstrate midwifery competency based upon the ACMI Competency Standards.

Assessment

  • Abstract and poster presentation (30%)
  • Written assignment (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Guided study activities (30%)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at residential schools held on campus at Gippsland (Gippsland only).

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MID5004 - Becoming a midwife

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MID5001Not offered in 2018, MID5002Not offered in 2018, MID5003Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

Consolidation of midwifery practice is required for students to be able to effectively function as registered midwives on completion of their course. This unit provides students with a comprehensive and clinically focused preparation and assessment for transition to practice as competent registered midwives. Students will have the opportunity to apply the theory explored throughout the course to extend and develop confidence in their practice. It is required that students will be employed in midwifery practice for a minimum of 4 days per fortnight in addition to their studies. Individual learning objectives will enable students to undertake a critique of institutional practices, policies, procedures and protocols whilst engaged in remediation, consolidation or extension of midwifery practice skills.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive evidence-based knowledge for midwifery practice;
  2. Critique the suitability of application of levels of evidence to particular aspects of maternity care;
  3. Debate the usefulness and suitability of specific evidence based practice and best practice standards in their application in maternity care;
  4. Demonstrate ability to research, collate and present evidence for improvement of midwifery care;
  5. Demonstrate sound clinical decision making skills based on evidence, experience and collaboration and consultation;
  6. Provide individualized, holistic midwifery care that meets psychosocial and physical needs;
  7. Demonstrate individualized socio-cultural sensitivity (women-centred midwifery) in midwifery;
  8. Demonstrate competence in the provision of discerning, discriminating, safe midwifery care in a variety of contexts and complexity of environment;
  9. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the legal and ethical issues for midwifery practice;
  10. Critique self as an agent of change in maternity care;
  11. Demonstrate a critique of self as an emerging midwife and as a life-long learner;
  12. Function in accordance with the Australian College of Midwives Inc. Competency Standards for Midwives.

Assessment

  • A written portfolio and presented in an individualised portfolio comprising of research project (60%) (Hurdle)
  • Presentation to peers in a conference format (20%)
  • Written assignment (155 words) (20%)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at residential schools held oncampus at Gippsland.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MID5005 - Advancing midwifery practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Anne Tremayne

Coordinator(s)

Ms Anne Tremayne

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

Advancing Midwifery Practice is a 12 Credit Point theory and practice unit designed to meet the needs of students wishing to develop advanced midwifery skills and knowledge within particular contexts. Midwifery practice in Australia and overseas is increasingly faced with women requiring technological solutions to complex clinical situations. Obstetrics as a profession is shrinking in numbers, and the impact of a lack of professional indemnity insurance has forced the reordering of maternity services. Government policies and reports advocate for an increased role for midwifery in the provision of maternity services at all levels of risk. In many countries around the world midwifery is at the forefront of a range of complexity of maternity care, but the preparation of midwives for complex practice is ad hoc and poorly realised.

This Unit aims to prepare midwives with the knowledge for skills development in complex clinical situations. The unit is structured to allow flexibility and individualisation of the content to better meet the needs of individual practitioners and their practice settings. Theoretical knowledge will include pathophysiology, technology, evidence and practice issues related to skills clusters. These clusters include: Prenatal, Perinatal, Postnatal and High Risk.

Opportunities will be given for students to participate in an inter-professional workshop with medical students to acquire some complex clinical skills. Students will understand the requirement and processes necessary for evidence based practice and will gain skills for its implementation in an environment that might be resistant. Students will have the opportunity to critique self and context in relation to evidence in practice. Students will also identify potential for developing collegial and collaborative relationships to other maternity service providers within a practice setting (eg medical practitioners, allied health professionals, nurses and community groups). Portfolio of work, tutorial presentations and participation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for advanced midwifery practice in collaborative and/or autonomous roles;
  2. Demonstrate sound clinical decision making skills based on evidence, experience and collaboration and consultation;
  3. Provide individualised, holistic midwifery care that meets complex psychosocial and physical needs;
  4. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the legal and ethical issues for midwifery practice;
  5. Demonstrate ability to identify skills and knowledge deficits in self and others within the student's own maternity context;
  6. Demonstrate ability to critique and promote the role of the midwife in contemporary maternity services;
  7. Demonstrate sophisticated interdisciplinary communication and negotiation skills for the advancement of quality in maternity care; and
  8. Demonstrate ability to monitor and improve own practice in accordance with Australian College of Midwives Competency Standards for Midwifery Practice and the Nurses Board of Victoria Code of Practice for Midwives.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (60%) (Students must achieve a pass in this assessment to pass the unit) (Hurdle)
  • Tutorial presentation (20%)
  • Participation in online discussion (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery

Clinical midwifery


MID5006 - Public and primary health care in midwifery

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MID5001Not offered in 2018, MID5002Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the interrelationship of midwifery practice, maternity care and public health. The impact of maternity care on maternal and infant health will be discussed within the context of its social determinants. The role of midwifery and maternity care in improving perinatal outcomes for disadvantaged women and families will be discussed and debated. Against these factors the role of midwifery as primary health care will be explored in relation to health promotion and education in pregnancy, birth, parenting and lactation, and fertility regulation. This unit works to put into context for the student, the nature and scope of midwifery practice and places it as central to securing improved maternal and infant health outcomes.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. Examine women's experiences as recipients of health and maternity care, paying particular attention to socio-economic and cultural difference;
  2. Examine the particular health and cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander childbearing women and families in historical context;
  3. Develop an understanding of their own values and beliefs, and the challenge presented when working with women who are different from themselves;
  4. Analyze the concept of cultural safety and the implications for midwifery practice;
  5. Discuss the social determinants of health and ill health in relation to childbearing and their impact on perinatal outcomes;
  6. Demonstrate theoretical understanding and skills development in education and counselling for health promotion in relation to breastfeeding and fertility regulation, and preparation for childbirth and parenting;
  7. Critically examine the role of the midwife as primary health care provider for women of diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds;
  8. Describe the various models of midwifery care available for the childbearing woman and analyse the factors that limit or facilitate the choices they might make;
  9. Critically examine screening in pregnancy in its public health context and the ramifications for maternal and infant health;
  10. Explore the impact of contemporary living and lifestyle factors on maternal and infant health during the childbearing year and beyond;
  11. Discuss maternity care and its impact on long term maternal and infant health;
  12. Critique the role of midwifery in the broader context of public and primary health care provision;
  13. Demonstrate competence in the provision of discerning, discriminating, safe midwifery care in a variety of contexts and complexity of environment based upon the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Midwife (2006).

Assessment

  • Written assignment (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Guided questions (2 x 1,000 words) (30%)
  • Abstract and poster presentation (public health issue) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)

Workload requirements

24 hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at study blocks held on-campus at Gippsland and Clayton.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MID5007 - Contextual and professional issues in midwifery

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mary Anne Biro

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MID5001Not offered in 2018, MID5002Not offered in 2018, MID5006Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit addresses the need for students to understand what it means to be a midwife by exploring a range of contextual and professional issues. These will include socio-cultural, historical, political, regulatory, legal, ethical and institutional factors that affect midwifery and maternity services at local, national and international levels. This unit also provides students with a consolidation of midwifery clinical practice to support the transition to registered midwife. Individual learning objectives will enable students to undertake a critique of institutional practices, policies, procedures and protocols.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the development of the midwifery profession, from historical and current perspectives;
  2. Discuss historical and contemporary issues in the development of maternity services in Australia and internationally;
  3. Define the scope of midwifery practice in contemporary Australian maternity care and provide a critique of this scope against the International Definition of a Midwife (ICM);
  4. Analyse the roles and functions of professional organisations, locally, nationally, and globally, that have an impact on the delivery of maternity services and the health and wellbeing of women and babies;
  5. Examine the politics of childbirth and develop a critique of maternity service delivery in Australia informed by professional literature, government reports and observation and experience;
  6. Discuss the legal and ethical requirements related to maternity practice;
  7. Debate the ability of midwifery as a profession to advocate for women and to work with women for improvement in maternity services;
  8. Critically examine midwifery practice and identify issues where evidence is required;
  9. Develop the ability to appraise a systematic review of the literature on an aspect of midwifery clinical practice;
  10. Demonstrate comprehensive evidence-based knowledge for midwifery practice;
  11. Demonstrate competence in the provision of discerning, discriminating, safe midwifery care in a variety of contexts and complexity of environment based upon the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Midwife (2006).

Assessment

  • Essay (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Clinical practice project (60%)
  • Presentation to peers (20%)
  • Assessment of midwifery practice skills (Pass / Fail)
  • Completion of midwifery portfolio (Pass / Fail)

Workload requirements

Attendance at residential schools held on-campus at Gippsland and block schools oncampus at Clayton.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at residential schools held on-campus at Gippsland and block schools on-campus at Clayton.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing and midwifery


MIMR5001 - Master of biomedical science (Part 1): Monash Institute of Medical Research PT

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mibel Aguilar

Coordinator(s)

Professor Mibel Aguilar

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit comprises a major research program including submission of a thesis. The thesis should embody the results of the candidate's investigation, which demonstrates independence of thought and the candidate's ability to carry out research in that discipline. Minor coursework such as a literature review and oral presentation is specified by the enrolling department.

Assessment

Major thesis + minor coursework as specified by the enrolling department.


MMT5002 - Medicine minor thesis extension unit

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit is an extension of the minor thesis unit enrolled in to gain extra time to complete minor thesis work.


MMT5004 - Medicine minor thesis extension unit

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit is an extension of the minor thesis unit enrolled in to gain extra time to complete minor thesis work.


MPH5002 - Foundations of health promotion and program planning

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Micaela Drieberg

Coordinator(s)

Ms Micaela Drieberg

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides opportunities to examine the impact of multiple factors that contribute to the health of populations, focusing on role of the social determinants of health, and to develop knowledge and skills in program planning for health promotion.

Students will examine the values and principles that guide contemporary health promotion and its capacity to influence the determinants of health.

They will develop skills in needs assessment, priority setting, designating targets for change, using evidence and theory to make intervention choices and establishing systems for program management.

The roles played by partnerships, capacity building and participation will be explored, and the steps toward improving program sustainability examined.

Attention will be given to the opportunities and challenges presented in different organisational settings and social and cultural contexts.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will:

  1. Assess and interpret health promotion from differing perspectives and explain the principles that underpin contemporary health promotion;
  2. Critically reflect on the link between the social determinants of health and social equity, health inequities and the ethical project of health promotion;
  3. Research and compare a range of approaches for promoting health that address upstream, mid-stream and dowstream determinants of health;
  4. Implement the steps in comprehensive program planning as a basis for action to address health determinants;
  5. Identify the information sources that can be used to identify health needs, assess determinants and select targets for change;
  6. Demonstrate skills in priority setting and development of project goals, objectives and strategies based on a logic model.

Assessment

  • Review of data and evidence (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Case study (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Program plan (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Teacher directed learning will comprise online activities and readings each week (4 hours), and two compulsory on-campus block days (12 hours).

In addition to this, students will be required to undertake an average of 6 hours per week of self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5020 - Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Flavia Cicuttini

Coordinator(s)

Dr Miranda Davies
Professor Flavia Cicuttini

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prohibitions

Unit incompatable for students enrolled in OEH course codes: 2312, 0160, 2868, M6026, M5018

Synopsis

Differences between descriptive & analytical epidemiology, strengths & weaknesses of different epidemiological study design & basic concepts & methods of biostatistics including confidence intervals, p-values & sample size, statistical tests for comparing groups, regression models & survival analysis. Design & evaluation of clinical trials.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Explain how disease is measured in populations, calculate,interpret and communicate measures of association and difference;
  2. Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and methods of biostatistics.
  4. Interpret confidence intervals, p-values and sample size and communicate their meaning.
  5. Use epidemiological and biostatistical principles to critically evaluate and interpret and communicate findings from epidemiological research.
  6. Explain and contextualise the concepts of population, sampling, measurement, bias, confounding and causation;

Assessment

  • Assessment Handbook entry:
  • 6 x Critical reflections (300 words each) (30%)
  • Critical appraisal (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Study design (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Case study report (1,350 words) (30%) (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5022 - Evaluating public health programs

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Sarah Carmody

Coordinator(s)

Sarah Carmody

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Program evaluation can provide valuable evidence to improve the delivery, reach and impact of public health strategies.

This unit will equip students with skills to evaluate disease prevention and health promotion strategies using a range of methodologies. Levels of evaluation will be examined, including formative, process, impact and outcome evaluation, and the range of qualitative and quantitative methods suitable for answering different evaluation questions will be identified.

The complementary roles of different methodologies will be highlighted, with consideration given to approaches that will facilitate learning for practice.

There will be exploration and discussion of the evaluation challenges posed by the complexities of public health action and the contexts in which it is carried out.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will:

  1. Distinguish between levels of evaluation recognise and how these are linked to program plans;
  2. Select qualitative designs that are appropriate for different evaluation questions;
  3. Identify the range of quantitative study designs that can be employed and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of these for different strategies and contexts;
  4. Describe methods to measure indicators at all levels of evaluation;
  5. Develop survey questions and interview guides that demonstrate an understanding of measurement quality;
  6. Develop a comprehensive evaluation plan and demonstrate understanding of the steps entailed in evaluation management.

Assessment

  • Comparison and analysis of evaluation designs (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Development of evaluation instrument (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Evaluation plan (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Teacher directed learning will comprise online activities and readings each week (4 hours), and two compulsory on-campus block days (12 hours).

In addition to this, students will be required to undertake an averageof 6 hours per week of self-directed study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5040 - Introductory epidemiology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Flavia Cicuttini

Coordinator(s)

Drs Monira Hussain
Yuanyuan Wang

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

MPH5041, unless enrolled in an Occupational and Environmental Health program or the Master of Medicine. Must be enrolled one of the following course codes:0046, 0160, 0702, 1884, 2311, 2312, 2314, 2868, 2870, 2872, 3198, 3403, 3416, 3420, 3421, 3422, 3440, 3807, 3862, 3873, 3874, 3896, 3900, M4006, M5007, M5017, M5018, M6008, M6023, M6024, M6025, M6026, M6027, M6028.

Synopsis

This unit is taken concurrently with MPH5041, as together they are prerequisites for clinical epidemiology elective units.

Upon completion of this unit students will be able to measure frequencies of disease i.e. incidence, prevalence, "population at risk"; and measure associations in epidemiological studies; different study designs i.e. observational studies, experimental study designs; bias associated with study designs, misclassification, confounding and effect modification. Students will critically appraise different epidemiological studies, apply diagnostic and screening tests, and examine outbreak investigation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain and contextualise the purposes of descriptive and analytical epidemiology;
  2. explain and contextualise the concepts of study questions, population, sampling, exposure assessment, bias and confounding;
  3. analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;
  4. critically analyse epidemiological papers from the medical research and OHS literature;
  5. evaluate the adequacy of exposure assessment in epidemiological studies;
  6. interpret and communicate the results of epidemiological studies; and
  7. solve complex problems relating to the use of epidemiological concepts and study designs.

Assessment

  • Short answer questions (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Open-book test (1 hour) (20%)
  • Critical appraisal (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Open-book examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week including one hour weekly lectures for 10 weeks and 10 tutorials (1 hour each).

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

12 hours per week, plus 2 compulsory on-campus block days

Note Semester 2 is only available in off-campus mode and no attendance is required during this Semester

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5041 - Introductory biostatistics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Prof. Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Baki Billah

Quota applies

Enrolment for the DE mode of this unit is quota restricted.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled one of the following course codes:0046, 0160, 0702, 1884, 2311, 2312, 2314, 2868, 2870, 2872, 3198, 3403, 3416, 3420, 3421, 3422, 3440, 3807, 3862, 3873, 3874, 3896, 3900, M4006, M5007, M5017, M5018, M6008, M6023, M6024, M6025, M6026, M6027, M6028

Prohibitions

MPH6041.

Notes

Students do not have provision to borrow SPSS CD from Monash University; they have to lease/buy it from IBM SPSS.

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to biostatistics as applied to public health and management studies. Biostatistics is the science of describing, summarising, and analysing health-related data. It is essential to understand biostatistics in order to design, conduct, and interpret health-related research. The basic principles and methods used in biostatistics are covered in this unit. This includes the technical qualifications necessary for analysing and interpreting data on a descriptive and bivariate level.

Topics include classifying health data; summarising data using simple statistical methods and graphical presentation; sampling distributions; quantifying uncertainty in results from a sample; working with statistical distributions; comparing two or more groups/methods using confidence intervals and hypothesis tests (p - values); assessing the association between an outcome and an exposure using the chi-squared test; using risk comparisons (RR and OR); predicting an event or identifying risk factors for an event of interest where the event is measured on a continuous scale or a binary scale (yes/no).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Classify data into appropriate measurement types.
  2. Present data using relevant tables, graphical displays, and summary statistics, quantify uncertainty in study results.
  3. Formulate research hypotheses into a statistical context in public health studies.
  4. Estimate quantities of interest and evaluate hypothesis with appropriate statistical methods.
  5. Accurately interpret statistical methods and results reported in health publications.
  6. Analyse data using a specific software package.

Assessment

  • Structured written report 1 (1500 words) (15%)
  • Structured written report 2 (2000 words) (30%)
  • Structured written report 3 (2500 words) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Online test (MCQ) (30 minutes) (10%)

Workload requirements

Sem 1 - DAY mode: 4 face-to-face contact hours (2 hours lecture and 2 hours tutorial) + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 1 - DE mode: 24 contact hours over 3 block days + 2 hours online tutorial + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 2 - DE mode: 2 hours online lectures (recorded) + 2 hours online tutorial + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours of independent study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

3 day on-campus block for off-campus students.

Note: Semester 2 is only available in off-campus mode and no attendance is required during this Semester

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5042 - Climate change and public health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Coordinator(s)

Dr Valerie Kay

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

This unit will examine the health impacts of climate change, and the relevance of this to the principles and practices of public health. Informed by an understanding of the fundamental role of climate stability for sustained population health, and of evidence for anthropogenic global warming, the focus of the unit will be on direct and indirect mechanisms through which climate change could impact on health, including extreme weather events, changing patterns of vector-borne disease, water-borne infections, food quality and availability, air quality, and social disruption. There will be an emphasis on evidence for past and predicted health effects, health burden magnitude and distribution, and the complex interplay between population and environmental factors that influence vulnerability. Students will apply this knowledge to critically appraise adaptation and mitigation initiatives from a public health perspective, and will be expected to engage with current climate change issues and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Articulate the fundamental role of climate stability as a prerequisite for sustained population health.
  2. Distinguish between concepts of climate, climate variability and long-term climate change.
  3. Critically appraise evidence for anthropogenic global warming and climate change, and demonstrate an understanding of predicted climate scenarios.
  4. Outline the basic principles and tools of public health practice, and discuss their application to minimise the health impacts of climate change.
  5. Identify the potential mechanisms through which climate change could impact directly and indirectly on health, and of the complex interactions between these and other population and environmental factors.
  6. Discuss the magnitude and distribution of the health burden of climate change.
  7. Outline factors that influence the vulnerability of populations to the health impact of climate change, and apply this knowledge to critically appraise public health preparedness and response initiatives.
  8. Discuss adaptation and mitigation initiatives to minimise the health impact of climate change, using a public health prevention framework.
  9. Clearly and effectively communicate fundamental concepts of climate change science, climate change health impacts, and public health responses.

Assessment

  • Letter to the editor (500 words) (20%)
  • Reflective essay (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Online class participation (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week, broken down into (on average) 4 hours per week for reading core material, 4 hours per week completing exercises (manual, computer-based, or online), 2 hours per week for online communication via Moodle discussions, and 2 hours per week for assignment preparation.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

15 hours over 2 block days.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5200 - Regression methods for epidemiology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rory Wolfe

Coordinator(s)

Professor Rory Wolfe

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

The equivalent of Credit (or higher) in MPH5040 and MPH5041

Synopsis

Confounding and effect modification, logistic regression, conditional logistic regression for matched case-control studies, linear regression, diagnostics to assess model fit, model estimation methods, Poisson regression for rates, Stata statistical software.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. apply regression methods to epidemiological data.
  2. interpret regression methods in terms of the epidemiological concepts of confounding and effect modification.
  3. analyse epidemiological data using statistical software on a laptop computer.
  4. discuss critically the regression methods used in published articles on epidemiological research studies.
  5. estimate sample size requirements in the context of simple regression modelling.

Assessment

Four written assignments (10%, 35%, 35%, 20% each)

Workload requirements

2 x 2 block days plus average of 9 hours per week comprised of a mix of directed and self-directed learning

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5202 - Clinical epidemiology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Danny Liew

Coordinator(s)

Professor Danny Liew

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Synopsis

This unit aims to assist students to extend, integrate and apply their core knowledge and skills across the broad domain of clinical research.

This unit will require students to formulate clinical questions (regarding diagnosis, management, harm and prognosis), and develop strategies to search the scientific literature to answer these questions.

The unit will provide opportunities for students to conduct critical appraisals of primary studies, clinical practice guidelines, shared decision making tools and systematic reviews and apply the results to clinical research and inform patient care.

Criteria for choosing studies, including the importance of 'levels' of evidence, will be addressed along with the importance of clinical judgement, and patients' beliefs and values.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Frame clinical problems in the 'population, intervention, comparator and outcome' (PICO) format, so that clinical questions can be more objectively and precisely defined, and hence more 'answerable'.
  2. Apply the PICO technique to formulate a clinical question for a treatment, diagnosis, diagnostic test accuracy, harm and prognosis
  3. Identify gaps in knowledge relevant to a clinical problem and make use of foundation information to fill such gaps.
  4. Systematically search scientific databases.
  5. Apply critical appraisal techniques of the literature to inform clinical practice or further research.
  6. Synthesise the principles of evidence-based practice and effectively communicate findings to colleagues and patients.

Assessment

  • Written report (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Written report (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Group presentation - written report and oral presentation (2,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Online quizzes plus discussion forums (10%)

Workload requirements

This unit is structured into weekly modules. Each week comprises independent study (average 9 hours per week) and weekly online tasks. During the 9 hours per week of independent study you should read assigned course notes and the recommended readings listed in each module. During the recommended 3 hours you should complete the weekly task and conduct research for assessments. The total workload requirement for this unit is 12 hours per week. There will be two compulsory study days (15 contact hours). Both study days will be conducted at the Alfred Hospital.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5203 - Environmental influences on health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ewan MacFarlane

Coordinator(s)

Dr Ewan MacFarlane

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Environmental influences on health including physical, chemical and biological hazards as well as principles of assessment, management and control of environmental health risks.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify important chemical, physical and biological hazards in the environment and analyse related risks to health from environmental factors in Australia;
  2. communicate fluently using appropriate terminology to describe chemical, physical and biological hazards encountered in a variety of contexts;
  3. critically appraise the epidemiological literature which informs the evidence base for environmental health risk control strategies;
  4. identify common hazards, appropriate techniques for exposure measurement and risk assessment methodologies in environmental media such as water air and food;
  5. apply theoretical models of risk communication to appropriately communicate the principles of effective management of environmental health risks; and
  6. develop evidence based interventions to control simple environmental risks and prevent harm, including strategies for standard setting and systematic management of key personal, social and economic factors, to inhibit, control or reduce potential for harm.

Assessment

  • Written assignments (1 x 2,000 words; 1 x 2,500 words) (80%) (Hurdle)
  • Online tasks (20%)

Hurdle: Full attendance at unit block days.

Workload requirements

6 hours off campus, self-directed learning per week, 4 hours teacher directed learning per week, plus 20 contact hours over 3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5207 - Chronic disease: Epidemiology and prevention

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr John Oldroyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr John Oldroyd

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Synopsis

Epidemiology and control of chronic diseases. Overview of important chronic diseases in Australia in 2011, and strategies for their prevention and control.

Measurement of disease and burden of disease; concept of risk factors and risk factors for important chronic diseases; the effect of social and economic factors on the epidemiology of chronic diseases; impact of chronic diseases on society and the economy; smoking, nutrition and physical activity as risk factors for important chronic diseases; cardiovascular diseases and their prevention; oral diseases and their prevention; injuries and their prevention; respiratory diseases and their prevention; cancers and their prevention; screening as a public health tool; health promotion as a public health tool; use of evidence in public health programmes to prevent chronic diseases.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the epidemiology and burden of chronic diseases in Australia
  2. Evaluate methods to measure the health impact of chronic diseases
  3. Assess risk factors and causal pathways leading to important chronic diseases.
  4. Examine the influence of social and economic factors on chronic diseases
  5. Analyse strategies for the public health control of chronic diseases.
  6. Evaluate the role of public health evidence in the control of chronic diseases.

Assessment

  • 9 x learning reports (200 words each) that comprises responses to questions and participation in discussion forum (35%)
  • Poster discussing the public health importance of a chronic disease or risk factor (25%)
  • Essay on public health measures to control a chronic disease or risk factor (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5213 - Research methods

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Anita Wluka

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Anita Wluka

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Prohibitions

MPH5249Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to the research methods used in observational studies and is designed to help the student develop the practical skills required in the design and assessment of a research project. It covers issues in protocol design, including study type selection, introduction to questionnaire design, sampling methods, and ethics approval. This introduces the student to planning data management and statistical analysis and developing a study budget. An introduction to the role of qualitative research is also covered.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. pose a research question answerable by observational study methods used to examine public health;
  2. design and present a research protocol to answer the stated question using observational study designs;
  3. describe and demonstrate how information may be collected from people and transformed into usable data for scientific study;
  4. identify, evaluate and communicate when qualitative methodologies may be useful; and
  5. demonstrate the ability to participate and communicate effectively within a group.

Assessment

  • Assignment one, up to 1000 words, excluding references (15%)
  • Assignment two, up to 3,000 words, excluding references (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Examination (2 hours) (40%)

Hurdle

Participation (weekly) - 80% hurdle requirement

Workload requirements

The total workload requirement for this unit is 12 hours of work per week. This incorporates the following:

For option 1 (On campus learning): 2 hours per week;

For option 2 (Off campus learning): 15 contact hours over 2 days + OCL (discussion online)

Note: These options are not interchangeable midway through semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5218 - Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Karin Leder

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sarah McGuinness
Professor Karin Leder

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040.

Synopsis

Importance of transmission source, host and organism factors in infectious disease epidemiology. Outbreak investigation, surveillance of infectious diseases, prevention/control strategies, mathematical modelling of infectious diseases and of impact of immunity. Includes discussion of infection control, vaccines, exotic and emerging diseases.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the importance and dynamic nature of infectious diseases;
  2. Identify the unique aspects of infectious disease epidemiology and their practical relevance;
  3. Apply evidence based strategies in the prediction, detection and control of infectious disease outbreaks;
  4. Critically evaluate the epidemiologic principles underlying disease surveillance programs;
  5. Critically evaluate the epidemiologic principles underlying disease control and prevention strategies;
  6. Examine the role of mathematical modelling in relation to infectious diseases.

Assessment

  • Six written critical reflections integrated in group based online discussion forums (40%) (hurdle)
  • Two self-administered online quizzes (5% each)
  • Invigilated written examination (MCQ/ECQ/SAQ) (1 hour - Block Day 2) (20%)
  • Oral presentation of up to 20 minutes (Block Day 3) and essay of up to 1500 words (30%)

Workload requirements

3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5222 - Assessment and control of workplace hazards

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Geza Benke

Coordinator(s)

Dr Geza Benke

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5243.

Synopsis

How to recognise, evaluate and control hazards in workplaces arising from substances, sound, radiation and micro-organisms. Principles and practice of occupational hygiene including the use of simple instruments, ventilation, personal protective equipment and workplace substances laws. Hygienic standards and their various forms and notations. The difficulties of assessing prior exposures for medico-legal and epidemiological purposes

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify and analyse significant patterns of hazards and risks to health from work in Australia;
  2. communicate fluently using appropriate terminology to describe chemical, physical and microbiological hazards;
  3. identify common hazards and apply appropriate techniques for exposure measurement;
  4. using evidence based information, effectively communicate strategies for the identification of occupational hazards and risks and the development of appropriate controls;
  5. implement and evaluate common interventions used to control simple workplace risks; and
  6. identify when further expertise is required to measures and/or control workplace hazards.

Assessment

  • Multiple choice tests (2 x 20% & 1 x 10%)
  • Web-based tasks (10%)
  • Workbook (5%)
  • Written assignment (Outline 5% & Essay 30%)

Hurdle: Full attendance at unit block days.

Workload requirements

6 hours off campus, self-directed learning per week, 4 hours teacher directed learning per week, plus 20 contact hours over 3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5231 - Research design and project proposal

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sandra Braaf

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sandra Braaf

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Distinction (70-79%) or High Distinction (80% or higher) in MPH5040 and Distinction (70-79%) or High Distinction (80% or higher) in MPH5041.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 0046, 2311, 2312, 2872, M6008, M6024, M6028, M6026

Synopsis

This unit is designed to allow students to identify a research project in the field of population health or clinical research, confirm an appropriate supervisor, develop the research question and methodology, and commence the project, including obtaining ethics approval if relevant.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the theoretical basis behind their topic and research design
  2. Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic
  3. Develop appropriate research questions, aims and hypotheses
  4. Demonstrate a collaborative and critical approach to research
  5. Identify the ethical and methodological issues related to the conduct of the proposed research
  6. Successfully complete and receive the necessary ethical and governance approvals for the conduct of their research (if required)
  7. Effectively manage time and resources to achieve pre-determined goals.

Assessment

  • Confirmation of supervisor (Hurdle)
  • Project proposal including literature review (Hurdle)
  • Ethics approval (project dependent) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Regular contact and consultation with supervisor either face to face or electronic.

6 hours per week for self-directed study and research related activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5232 - Research conduct, analysis, write-up and submission

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sandra Braaf

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sandra Braaf

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5231, Distinction (70-79%) or High Distinction (80% or higher) in MPH5040 and Distinction (70-79%) or High Distinction (80% or higher) in MPH5041.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 0046, 2311, 2312, 2872, M6008, M6024, M6082. International students enrolled in M6028 must be enrolled in MPH5231

Synopsis

This is the final unit of two units designed to allow students to complete the conduct and write-up of a research project in the field of population health or clinical research. In this unit, students will complete the research project described in the research proposal developed in MPH5231. Students will interrogate data using acceptable analytical processes, and write-up the research project in a format and style suitable for publication in an academic setting.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate their ability to manage data collection and/or analysis
  2. Work collaboratively with a research supervisor to achieve research milestones
  3. Write to an appropriate academic standard by incorporating existing research findings and supervisor feedback
  4. Analyse and present data in a clear, concise and systematic manner
  5. Recognise the strengths and limitations of their research design
  6. Understand, and experience, the practicalities of research project management
  7. Suggest directions for future research in their specialist area
  8. Demonstrate the capacity to write in a format and style appropriate for an academic audience of academic publication.

Assessment

Completion and submission of project report (7,000 - 8,000 words) (100%)

Workload requirements

Regular contact and consultation with supervisor either face to face or electronic.

6 hours per week for self-directed study and research related activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5236 - Clinical trials

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Alice Owen

Coordinator(s)

Dr Alice Owen

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Co-requisites

MPH5213.

Synopsis

This unit will equip students with the skills for the design, implementation and analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials. It will enable student to formulate research question, select and recruit study subjects, compare groups, conduct randomisation, interpret findings, manage outcomes and consider issues of ethics, budget and quality assurance.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. design a protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial;
  2. appraise a protocol of a randomised controlled clinical trial;
  3. describe the ethical and regulatory process required for the conduct of a clinical trial.

Assessment

  • Written assignments x 2 (40% each, total 80%) (Hurdle)
  • Online assessment (20%)

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 days.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

15 contact hours over 2 days.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5237 - Clinical measurement

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Carol Hodgson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Carol Hodgson

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Synopsis

Aimed at students with clinical experience, this unit presents an overview of clinical outcome measurement in research, with a focus on quantitative measurement. The areas covered include selecting, reducing and scaling items, questionnaire design, assessing reliability and validity, responsiveness of measures to clinically important change, quality of life measures and statistical concepts in the testing and reporting of clinical measurement tools.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion students will be able to:

  1. Identify the principles and underlying theories that influence the development of measurement tools
  2. Critically review the literature describing the properties of clinical and epidemiological measurement tools
  3. Locate and choose studies that demonstrate alignment of measurement instruments to measurement properties relevant to specific areas of research and patient care
  4. Critically evaluate the application of measurement instruments for quantitative and qualitative outcomes to inform clinical practice and research directions
  5. Generate a portfolio of measurement instruments appropriate to their own research studies and future research projects
  6. Communicate on measurement instrument selections relevant to research studies in a variety of formats

Assessment

  • Presentation (5%) (hurdle)
  • 11 x Critical reflections (160 words each) (35% total)
  • Mid-Semester test (45 minutes) (10%)
  • Measurement tool report (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 days for block days, and 3-4 hours of reading and online work each week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

15 contact hours over 2 days.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5239 - Systematic reviews and meta-analysis

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rachelle Buchbinder

Coordinator(s)

Dr Renea Johnston

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041.

Synopsis

Critical appraisal of literature reviews; problem formulation and protocol development; intra-rater agreement for assessment of relevance; validity assessments; data collection forms; variation between study findings, combining the findings of independent studies, inferences based upon overviews; statistics of meta analysis, Cochrane Collaboration.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Formulate a structured question for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials, and understand the motivations for doing a systematic review;
  2. Develop a protocol (or planned methods) for a systematic review;
  3. Conduct a systematic review in a small group that conforms to accepted standards;
  4. Clearly report the systematic review;
  5. Assess the quality of systematic reviews conducted by others, and apply the results to clinical practice.

Assessment

  • Critically appraise a published systematic review - written report (20%);
  • Report of a protocol or plan of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials - group written report (20%);
  • Report of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials - group written report (50%) (hurdle)
  • Online participation in Moodle discussions (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5241 - Introduction to occupational health and safety

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Colleen Gilmour

Coordinator(s)

Ms Colleen Gilmour

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate course.

Synopsis

The effects and human cost of occupational disease and injury, occupational health and safety law, worker's compensation, negligence, occupational rehabilitation, historical achievements and challenges, international and national organisations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. analyze and contextualize the human and economic cost and causes of workplace injury and death in Australia;
  2. identify contemporary OHS data sources, and evaluate and explain their merits and limitations;
  3. describe and evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of various injury models and their use within OHSMS;
  4. analyze and contextualize the legal framework for OHS and occupational injury management and its application to OHS practice;
  5. identify, contextualize and evaluate the fundamental principles of OHS practice including application of risk management programs and total worker health programs in complex environments;
  6. analyze and contextualize the OHS impacts of contemporary work patterns emerging challenges.

Assessment

  • 10 x Critical reflections (600 words each) (10% total)
  • Mid-semester test (1 hour) (20%)
  • Research proposal (500 words) (5%)
  • Case study (2,400 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • End-of-semester open-book exam (75 minutes) (25%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 6 contact hours, plus 6 hours self-directed study, per week.

Off-campus: 12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 3 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5242 - Psychosocial work environment

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tessa Keegel

Coordinator(s)

Dr Tessa Keegel

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Psychosocial effects of work on individuals is explained from a preventive viewpoint. Mental illness & its effect on employment, alcohol and drug use, disability discrimination, equal employment opportunity legislation, workplace health promotion & shift work are examined.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, analyse and evaluate various issues that might arise for a worker in regards to the working environment, and devise appropriate management control strategies;
  2. identify, analyse and communicate the underpinning principles of disability discrimination and equal employment legislation and practically apply them to workplace settings;
  3. develop, implement, and evaluate a health promotion program;
  4. implement evidence-based occupational drug and alcohol management;
  5. reflect critically on theoretical models and concepts underpinning organisational psychology; and
  6. develop insightful and persuasive recommendations to improve workplace culture.

Assessment

  • 5 x Critical reflections (300 words each) (25% total)
  • Risk management report (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Essay proposal (300 words) (5%) (hurdle)
  • Essay presentation (15 minutes) (15%) (hurdle)
  • Final essay (2,100 words) (35%) (hurdle)

Attendance at the on-campus days is a hurdle requirement of the unit.

Workload requirements

12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 3 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5243 - Chemical and biological hazards

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Deborah Glass

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Deborah Glass

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Prevention of human disease resulting from workplace exposures to chemical and biological hazards. Covering toxicological principles, health effects of the major groups of chemical substances, as well as biological hazards from blood and bodily secretions, water, food, animals and travelling abroad.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of toxicokinetics and the metabolism of foreign substances by the human body;
  2. Compare common and well-known adverse effects from exposure to substances and biological agents;
  3. Compile the common and important infections spread by water, food, air, blood and animal secretions, and implement methods to control the spread of such infections;
  4. Investigate what is meant by immunity, allergy and vaccination;
  5. Research and critically analyse information about the health effects of substances and biological agents;
  6. Investigate and evaluate the risks of substances and biological agents and demonstrate the ability to communicate this to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

  • Critical reflections (1,800 words total) (30%)
  • Team presentation (5-7 minutes) (12%)
  • Presentation reflection (500 words) (8%)
  • Essay proposal (600 words) (10%)
  • Essay (2,400 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 3 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5244 - Ergonomic and physical hazards

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ruth Stuckey

Coordinator(s)

Dr Ruth Stuckey

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5241.

Synopsis

Introduction to principles & practice of ergonomics. Occupational hygiene as applied to physical hazards: noise, radiation, thermal environments & pressure effects.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify and analyse the properties and effects of common occupational physical hazards;
  2. identify common occupational physical hazards and related risks and tools for risk quantification;
  3. identify when further expertise is required and refer appropriately to expert assistance;
  4. apply the principles of the 'hierarchy of controls' to the control of physical hazards, including communicating effectively to workers about the risks;
  5. conduct a simple ergonomic assessment using a systems approach to consider risks to workers from equipment, tools, environment and work design factors; and
  6. interpret the assessment results and develop and effectively communicate appropriate recommendations for risk controls.

Assessment

  • Web-based tasks (10%)
  • Written assignments (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Examination (30%)
  • Multiple choice tests (15%)

Hurdle: Full attendance at unit block days.

Workload requirements

6 hours off campus, self-directed learning per week, 4 hours teacher directed learning per week, plus 20 contact hours over 3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5248 - Primary health care and global health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Matthew Reeve

Coordinator(s)

Dr Matthew Reeve
Dr Chris Morgan

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency.

Prohibitions

Students who complete the cross-institutional University of Melbourne subject POPH90137 'Primary Health Care in Jamkhed, India' cannot also claim academic credit from undertaking MPH5248 'Primary Health Care in Global Health', and vice versa.

Synopsis

This subject will provide an overview of the history, principles and practice of primary health care in developing countries, as well as the interaction between primary healthcare and current trends in global health and international development.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the core principles and elements of successful primary health care in resource-constrained settings, and use these principles as an analytic tool in planning and evaluating responses to current global health issues;
  2. Develop systems-oriented strategies for improving primary health care using at least two frameworks for understanding health systems in resource-constrained settings;
  3. Describe the importance, variety and roles of community health workers and their appropriate deployment as a response to resource-constraints in health care delivery;
  4. Explain and analyse the role of global agencies; aid and development modalities and other international health interventions in the planning, delivery and evaluation of primary health care services in resource-constrained settings;
  5. Summarise and critique options for resourcing primary health care, including two or more financing models appropriate to resource-constrained settings;
  6. Describethe role of community knowledge, attitudes and practices and health care seeking behaviours in primary health care, and how these factors can be assessed and incorporated into programs

Assessment

  • Essay (3,500-4,000 words) (70%) (Hurdle)
  • Group presentation (25 minutes) (10%)
  • Individual reflection written assignment (1,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

5 day intensive block.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5249 - Field methods for global health planning and evaluation

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Geoffrey Chan
Ms Elizabeth Comrie-Thomson

Coordinator(s)

Mr Geoffrey Chan
Ms Elizabeth Comrie-Thomson

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Either MPH5040 and MPH5041 or MPH5020.

Synopsis

This unit aims to develop students' competence in the basic research tools used to plan and manage health programs at community, district and national level in low- and middle-income countries. Students will be exposed to needs assessments, planning and evaluation, health information collection, and operational research in a global health context. In addition, the unit is intended to provide students with a deeper appreciation of some of the practical considerations involved in conducting field research in low- and middle-income countries.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Recognise when and why it is useful to collect and use information for program management.
  2. Identify the types of questions that quantitative and quantitative information help to answer, and devise strategies for collecting this information in a low- and middle income country (LMIC) setting.
  3. Recognise how results-based planning can inform effective program design, monitoring and evaluation in a LMIC setting.
  4. Anticipate common challenges encountered in designing and implementing field research in LMIC settings and devise practical solutions for managing these challenges.
  5. Apply concepts from the unit to make choices about program design, monitoring and evaluation.

Assessment

  • Logframe matrix (25%)
  • Written critique (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Research proposal (2,500 - 3,000 words) (60%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

5 day intensive block.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5250 - Women's and children's health: A global perspective

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Yasmin Mohamed

Coordinator(s)

Ms Yasmin Mohamed
Dr Elissa Kennedy

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency.

Prohibitions

Students who complete the University of Melbourne unit POPH90086 'International Child Health' cannot also claim academic credit from undertaking MPH5250 'Women's and children's health: a global perspective'.

Synopsis

This unit provides an overview of women's and children's health in resource-limited settings. Using a life-cycle approach, this unit explores the major causes and underlying determinants of poor reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and examines global policy and key public health strategies to improve health outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the major causes of morbidity and mortality affecting women of reproductive age and children in resource-limited settings
  2. Analyse the underlying determinants of women's and children's health using a life-cycle approach
  3. Explain the links between gender and women's and children's health, and critically assess public health policy and programs from a gender perspective
  4. Identify effective public health interventions to improve the health of women and children in resource-limited settings and critique the evidence for these interventions
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges impacting on access, quality and delivery of services and public health programs in resource-limited settings and describe effective approaches to overcome these challenges.

Assessment

  • Essay (3,500 - 4,000 words) (60%) (Hurdle)
  • Abstract outlining essay topic (400 words) (5%)
  • Group presentation (15 minutes) (20%)
  • Policy brief (1,000 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

6 day intensive block (weekdays only).

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5251 - Infectious diseases and global health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Suman Majumdar
Ms Tope Adepoyibi

Coordinator(s)

Dr Suman Majumdar
Ms Tope Adepoyibi

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency.

Synopsis

This unit aims to equip global health practitioners with a practical understanding of the impact of infectious diseases on global health equity. The unit will explore:

  • key existing and emerging diseases of global health importance
  • the historical context, determinants and epidemiology of key infectious diseases
  • the existing and needed global policies, public health responses and effective health care delivery models in resource-limited settings for key infectious diseases

The unit will be taught by instructors with field experience and will draw on case studies and practical examples from resource-limited settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to identify the key infectious diseases of global public health importance and demonstrate an understanding of:

  1. their historical context, determinants, epidemiology and impact on health equity
  2. the global policies, public health responses and effective practices for prevention, treatment and care at both an individual, community and population level
  3. the principles, approaches and challenges for effective health care delivery models in resource-limited settings.

Assessment

  • Problem-based learning group presentation (15%)
  • Policy brief on group topic (25%)
  • Concept note (500 words) (5%)
  • Written assignment: Infectious disease program design (3,500 words) (55%)

Workload requirements

40 hours.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5253 - Public health in refugee settings

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mike Toole

Coordinator(s)

Professor Mike Toole
Dr Ben Coghlan

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Public health consequences of complex humanitarian emergencies involving armed conflict, population displacement, food scarcity and an outline of the critical public health interventions in these settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. analyse the casual factors of public health emergencies related to conflict and population displacement;
  2. identify the major public health and nutrition priorities in humanitarian crises;
  3. develop relevant public health assessment and response skills in emergency settings;
  4. recognise the need for a multisectoral approach to reducing the health impact of emergencies.

Assessment

  • Short answer examination (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Written assignment (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

7 day intensive block.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5254 - Nutrition in developing countries

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mike Toole

Coordinator(s)

Professor Mike Toole

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency.

Synopsis

Food security & nutritional issues in developing countries, emphasising causal factors, field programs addressing famine & under nutrition.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify and classify the major nutrients required for good human health and well-being.
  2. Analyse the major global and local determinants of adequate human nutrition.
  3. Assess the nutritional status of individuals and populations.
  4. Diagnose and manage acute malnutrition in children and adults.
  5. Identify the causative factors in the evolution of population nutrition emergencies.
  6. Plan programs to rehabilitate malnourished communities and to maintain and strengthen household food security.
  7. Understanding the determinants and different elements of household and community food security.

Assessment

  • Group presentation based on case study (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Exam (1.5 hours) (30%)
  • Annotated bibliography (4,000 - 4,500 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

6 day block mode.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5255 - Health and human rights

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Bebe Loff

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Bebe Loff

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit examines the interrelationship between public health and human rights. It begins be providing a overview of the development, content and application of human rights. Human rights aspects of contemporary local and international health concerns are then considered.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Familiarity with the theoretical foundations of human rights.
  2. Discuss the development international human rights instruments, their status, mechanisms for their enforcement and their corresponding practical limitations.
  3. Explain the interrelationship between human rights and health through exploration of current human rights dilemmas.
  4. Investigate the different mechanisms by which human rights can shape public health programming and practice generally and their respective limitations.
  5. Identify the human rights issues of particular situations including complex humanitarian emergencies, armed conflict and particular group issues.
  6. Critically apply different human rights approaches to health and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
  7. Apply human rights knowledge to a diversity of public health issues including family violence, asylum seekers and indigenous health.

Assessment

  • Group presentation (10%)
  • Individual reflection on group work and readings (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Major paper (4,000 words) (60%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

40 hours over 4 block days + required reading 9 hours per week over 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Weekly reading as required and contribution to online discussion forum.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5256 - Injury epidemiology and prevention

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Belinda Gabbe

Coordinator(s)

Professor Belinda Gabbe

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Term 3 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Notes

This unit will not be offered in 2017 (only offered every 2 years).

Synopsis

This unit will cover the principles of injury epidemiology, prevention and control. The unit will provide an introduction to the injury epidemiology and prevention field with a particular focus on issues facing injury surveillance, countermeasure development, injury policy and injury burden estimates.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. analyse and contextualise the concept of injury as a preventable health condition;
  2. identify and describe the context and consequence of burden of injury;
  3. synthesise the principles of injury prevention and control and related models;
  4. identify requirements for and conduct injury surveillance;
  5. analyse and evaluate the strengths and limitations of a variety of research methods used to define the nature and extent of injury;
  6. develop, implement and evaluate injury prevention programs and frameworks for countermeasure development;
  7. theorise and analyse approaches to injury policy and legislation; and
  8. analyse and evaluate issues in the measurement of injury severity, definition, burden and outcome.

Assessment

  • Written assignments
  • Oral presentation

Workload requirements

5 day intensive block.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5260 - Health policy and prevention in a global world

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Brian Oldenburg

Coordinator(s)

Professor Brian Oldenburg
Dr Fahad Hanna

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit will examine policy and systemic approaches to disease prevention and health promotion at the level of individuals and populations in a global world. The major global causes of disease burden, their risk factors and more upstream influences will be examined with respect to policy and system-level approaches. Students will reflect on the complex interplay among evidence, policy and practice in relation to prevention. Case studies from both developed and resource poor countries will be considered. This unit is one of a group of policy units that also include MPH2069 and MPH2072.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of policy development, disease prevention and health promotion and the importance of population-based approached;
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the different policy approaches to disease prevention and health promotion;
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complex interplay between evidence, policy and practice;
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of investment in relation to prevention and the need for sustainable resource allocation;
  5. Describe and evaluate different approaches to prevention and how these impact differentially on populations and their health outcomes; and on populations and their health outcomes; and
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the different global forces and other dynamics that are both threats and opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion.

Assessment

  • Written assignments (70%)
  • Online participation (30%)

Workload requirements

2 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5265 - Law for health systems

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Nicki Mollard

Coordinator(s)

Nicki Mollard

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Review of legal management principles related to health care by examining common law principles and statutes. Examination of the Australian legal system, including the Coroner's court, with an emphasis on Victorian and Commonwealth cases and statutes. Focus on key areas of medical and health law such as negligence consent, privacy of health information, clinical research, abortion, euthanasia, mental health, infectious diseases, health complaints and law for health facilities such as hospitals.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise the sources of law relevant to the management health care organisations.
  2. Research and apply legal principles to handling complex clinical situations.
  3. Interpret and synthesise the applicability of legal reviews and reports to health care management practice.
  4. Interpret and transmit knowledge and complex health law principles to health care managers and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

  • 6 x written reflections on health law issues and applications (400 words each) (40% total) (hurdle)
  • Memo (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Essay (2,100 words) (35%)

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5266 - Clinical leadership and management

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Sem 1 - Professor Dragan Ilic
Sem 2 - Dr Peter Bradford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Peter Bradford

Quota applies

Enrolment for this unit is quota restricted.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Reviews key management, organisation theory & its application to healthcare settings. The role of the manager, leadership skills, staffing issues including performance management, managing change, structuring organisations for patient care, developing strategy, and designing business plans.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the application of complex management theories to the management of health care teams and organisations.
  2. Interpret the applicability of research findings to health care management practice.
  3. Create practical solutions to complex health management problems.
  4. Apply management experience to the solution of complex health management challenges.
  5. Effectively communicate complex health care management theory and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

  • Six written reflections (500 words each) (8.33% each)
  • Written assignment - critical analysis (1550 words) (20%)
  • Written assignment (2000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week including 2 Block Days of 6 contact hours each

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5267 - Principles of health care quality improvement

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Sue Evans

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Sue Evans

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

In this Unit students will learn how historical, political & social factors impact on quality measurement in health care; the relationship of industrial and health care quality monitoring; epidemiological and statistical quality measurement principles; the strengths and limitations of current monitoring techniques; different sources of health care quality data; principles of clinical indicator programs; adverse event monitoring, satisfaction surveys and benchmarking; and the relationship between evidence based medicine, clinical practice guidelines and quality improvement.

Students will appreciate the complexities in designing, implementing and evaluating quality improvement programs in the clinical setting.

The content aligns well with other management units in the program such as MPH5266 (Clinical Leadership and Management) and MPH5020 (Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology). It is a core unit of the Graduate Diploma and Master of Health Services Management.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the factors that have led to a greater emphasis on quality measurement and improvement in health care.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the tools that are used in quality measurement and improvement, including:
    • Clinical indicator programs
    • Adverse event monitoring
    • Satisfaction surveys
    • Benchmarking
    • Evidence based medicine
    • Clinical guidelines
    • Quality improvement programs
    • Accreditation programs
    • Risk management
  3. Apply a knowledge of international quality improvement programs.
  4. Contribute to the debate on quality improvement issues - such as public disclosure of quality measures.
  5. Design and implement quality improvement programs in the clinical setting.

Assessment

  • Critical reflections (10 x 240 words) (40% total)
  • Letter to the editor (600 words) (10%)
  • Written report (3,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle).

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 block day

On average 10 hours per week to participate in online tasks and complete assignments

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5268 - Financial issues in health care management

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Kelly Makarounas-Kirchmann

Coordinator(s)

Ms Kelly Makarounas-Kirchmann
Mr Robert Cornick

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

An introduction to basic accounting principles for non-accountants. Financial issues confronting clinical managers including the understanding and interpretation of common accounting reports, budgeting and financial analysis. An introduction to basic economic theory relevant to clinicians and clinical managers, including funding health care services and economics evaluations that guide health care policy and decision making.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Compare different models for financing health services and explain the cost containment incentives and disincentives associated with each type of payment method.
  2. Relate the principles of economics to health care.
  3. Critically analyse the role of health economics and pharmacoeconomics as a tool for decision making in health care funding, and demonstrate the application of the skills required to critically appraise an economic analysis.
  4. Outline the key accounting terminologies, concepts and processes that are used to prepare the financial statements prepared by health care organisations
  5. Analyse and interpretfinancial statements prepared by health care organisations.
  6. Monitor budgets and other key management control systems utilised by healthcare organisations

Assessment

  • 11 x Critical reflections (200 words each) (40% total) (hurdle)
  • Written report (900 words) (15%)
  • Critical analysis (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Open-book examination (75 minutes) (25%)

Workload requirements

12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 2 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5269 - Foundations of health policy

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Maxine Morand

Coordinator(s)

Ms Micaela Drieberg

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prohibitions

MPH2031

Synopsis

Delivery of health services is underpinned by a framework of health policies and other health system elements. Health professional leaders and managers, and those who aspire to these roles, need to know about these policies and about the process of policy making so that they can understand why a policy is what it is, and how to engage in the policy making process.

This unit involves a structured review of policy making processes, via WebCT based modules, readings and online tasks, supplemented by workshops with senior health policy practitioners. It considers key challenges and major issues confronting governments and health systems around the world, and how policy can help address these. The unit presents foundation concepts in health policy, which can be extended with further study of health care delivery policies (MPH5272) and/or global health and primary prevention policies (MPH5260Not offered in 2018).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Interpret and communicate the policy development process
  2. Identify relevant stakeholders and critically analyse and interpret their policy interests
  3. Research and apply theory and practice guiding health policy content and process
  4. Critically analyse the key components of policy development
  5. Critically evaluate and explain the implications of the political context of policy development
  6. Effectively communicate complex information related to health systems policy and critically reflect on its application and development

Assessment

  • 6 x Critical reflections (300 words each ) (30%)
  • Written assignment - critical analysis (2,100 words) (35%)
  • Written assignment - critical report (2,100 words) (35%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 2 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5270 - Advanced statistical methods for clinical research

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Arul Earnest

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Arul Earnest

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

Credit grades in MPH5040 and MPH5041

Prohibitions

MPH6270

Notes

Familiarity with Stata statistical software; MPH5200 is recommended.

Synopsis

Statistical methods for clinical trials data, including design considerations, sequential analysis, bioequivalence and analysis of repeated measures data.

Methods for measuring agreement between raters or instruments including kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficients.

Analysis of survival time data with Kaplan-Meier graphs and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Combination of lectures and data analysis sessions on laptop computers using Stata statistical software.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. interpret statistical analysis methods in the analysis of clinical research data.
  2. apply statistical methods to clinical research data.
  3. determine the implications of statistical considerations for the design of clinical research studies.
  4. critically analyse the applied statistical methods in published articles on clinical research studies.
  5. analyse clinical research data using statistical software on a laptop computer.

Assessment

Three written assignments (40% (hurdle), 30%, 30% each)

Workload requirements

3 block days plus average of 9 hours per week comprising of a mix of directed and self-directed learning

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5272 - Reform and development of health services

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Heather Rowe

Coordinator(s)

Dr Heather Rowe

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will examine reform and development in health services from an international, national and local perspective. The focus of the unit will explore the implementation of health policy reform and the multitude of issues, drivers, demands, complexities and consequent impacts related to reform. Areas of concentration include international and national governing entities, the Australian health care system, developed and developing country health systems, roles of institutions (hospitals), an various applications of reform movements/models in care delivery.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Comprehend a systematic theoretical framework for describing the design of a national health system.
  2. Identify issues and challenges in the design of national health systems.
  3. Critically appraise research and reports associated with health system development and reform.
  4. Create proposals to respond to issues and challenges faced by national health systems.
  5. Effectively communicate issues and challenges associated with reforming and developing health systems to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

  • Six written critical evaluations (500 words each) (6.7% each)
  • Written report (2000 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment (2000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

15 contact hours over 2 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5273 - Case study in health services management

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Susannah Ahern

Coordinator(s)

Dr Susannah Ahern
David Hillis

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Full year 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Notes

Please note that single Semester options for this unit can only be completed with approval from the unit coordinator

Synopsis

The unit is designed to consolidate the theoretical and practical skills acquired in the Master of Health Services Management or the Masters of Public Health by exploring in detail a complex problem within their workplace or within a health care setting. Alternatively, subject to the approval of the course coordinator, students may seek a limited placement in a health service to explore a particular issue for their case-study. This may include an overseas placement. The case-study is not intended to be original research. In some instances, this case study might be suitable for submission as the case-study for the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) Fellowship.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Outline an issue or a problem in health service management issue of relevance to their personal development as a health service manager.
  2. Design a plan to gather literature and expert advice to inform an approach to dealing with the issue or problem.
  3. Produce a search strategy to gather relevant literature from the academic and grey literature.
  4. Synthesise and critically analyse the theory and literature associated with the health service management issue or problem.
  5. Interpret the findings from the literature review and communicate these to a specialist health management audience.
  6. Design an interview schedule and work plan to interview expert health management witnesses.
  7. Integrate the findings from interviewing expert health management witnesses with the findings from the literature review to identify practical management approaches to dealing with the relevant problem or issue.
  8. Demonstrate skill in communicating complex management theories and practice.

Assessment

  • Case study proposal (1,200 words) (10%)
  • Literature review (4,800 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Case study report (6,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours self-directed study per week plus the addition of one half block day attendance on commencement of unit

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5276 - Safety management systems

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Colleen Gilmour

Coordinator(s)

Colleen Gilmour

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5241

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences postgraduate course

Synopsis

Concepts & practice of occupational health and safety management systems within work environments, including the conduct of an audit are examined. Includes accident/incident causation theories and models, investigative techniques, reporting & statistics, safety systems, fire prevention & control. Incident causation and accident types, including slips, trips and falls are also examined.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify and evaluate the theoretical underpinnings and models of best practice for risk management in the workplace;
  2. demonstrate knowledge of the various approaches to providing for the application of 'Safety Management Systems' and a 'Safety Management Plan' in the workplace;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the essential elements required of any 'Safety Management System' for providing safety in the workplace and how each element may be affected by relevant legislation and the role adopted by regulators; and
  4. advise a company or other organisation on its obligations regarding the selection and introduction of a 'Safety Management System'.

Assessment

  • Web-based tasks (25%)
  • Assignment 1 (2,500 words) (25%)
  • Assignment 2 (2,500 words) (25%)
  • Block study participation (25%)

Hurdle: Full attendance at unit block days.

Workload requirements

6 hours off campus, self-directed learning per week, 4 hours teacher directed learning per week, plus 20 contact hours over 3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5277 - Practical data management

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jessica Lockery

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jessica Lockery

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

MPH5040.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to develop the skills required to manage data in a dynamic, changing environment and produce data sets for analysis.

Students will be guided through data management from project inception to data set completion.

Practical skills will be developed through the completion of weekly data management tasks for a hypothetical study.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Develop and implement a data management workflow from a project protocol
  2. Discover and appraise the data processes and pre-requisites of data linkage
  3. Interpret the role of data management in identifying and supporting operational KPIs
  4. Design and construct interim data reports
  5. Summarise the barriers to data quality and the impact upon analysis
  6. Apply new knowledge of data quality and monitoring to synthesize an analysis data set
  7. Apply knowledge and skills of user experience to create a data set handbook

Assessment

  • Online Exercise (10%)
  • Operational Data Report (1500 words) (45%) (hurdle)
  • Data Set Preparation Portfolio (3000 words) (45%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

2 block days.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5282 - Health communications and training

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Lisa Davidson

Coordinator(s)

Ms Lisa Davidson

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency.

Prohibitions

MPH5216.

Synopsis

Overview of communications and training skills needed for community health work in developing countries. Training strategies for community health work including adult learning principles, theory and application, design and program establishment options, facilitation skills and Participatory methods. Communication strategies for health promotion. Communication skills for effective health management, report writing and cross-cultural communication. Practical approach to design and implementation of training programs and health promotion strategies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Training strategies for community health work:
    1. gain knowledge of the principles, theory and application of adult learning in relation to participatory training of health workers in developing countries, competency based training, distance learning, training of trainer methods;
    2. develop skills in the design and establishment of training programs; and
    3. increase knowledge and gain skills in a range of participatory training methods and facilitation methods.
  2. Communication strategies for health promotion:
    1. gain knowledge of principles, theory and application of communication strategies for health promotion;
    2. develop skills in the design and establishment of communication strategies for health promotion; and
    3. increase knowledge and gain skills in a range of participatory methods for development and delivery of communication strategies for health promotion.
  3. Communication skills for effective health program management;
    1. further develop skills in report writing and presenting; and
    2. further develop skills in cross-cultural communication.

Assessment

  • Assignment (75%) (hurdle)
  • Group presentation (25%)

Workload requirements

6 day intensive block.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5283 - Ethics, good research practice and practical research methods

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Liz Bishop

Coordinator(s)

Dr Liz Bishop

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

MPH5213.

Synopsis

This unit will provide students with the practical knowledge required to plan and undertake a clinical research project with close attention to the highest standards of ethics and Good Research Practice. Students will also gain detailed knowledge in planning, and organizing their knowledge using methods of clinical research in a written and oral format.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Design clinical research projects in a manner that takes account of common ethical issues and proposes satisfactory solutions to overcome them.
  2. Develop an application for approval by an ethics committee and understand the process and requirements of ethical approval.
  3. Develop an understanding of the modus operandi of major funding bodies and the manner by which applications for funding are made.
  4. Develop an in-depth understanding of the proper management of a clinical research project and the steps needed to ensure maintenance of the highest levels of good clinical research practice.
  5. Develop knowledge and appreciation of the main areas of risk involving clinical research and the steps that should be taken to reduce these risks.
  6. Develop skills in the presentation of data in oral and written format and appropriate methods for promoting research funding.

Assessment

  • Written assignments (60%) (hurdle)
  • Module A - Block day (10%)
  • Modules B-C - Online posting (30%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

8 hours over 1 day block.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5286 - Applying and practicing the principles of patient safety and quality improvement

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Coordinator(s)

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Unit MPH5267 must be completed prior to undertaking MPH5286.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate course.

Synopsis

This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge to apply tools, techniques, programs or strategies to improve the quality of care and patient safety.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to have:

  1. An in-depth knowledge and ability to compare the key approaches to measuring, monitoring and managing health care for improving quality of care and patient safety;
  2. An in-depth knowledge of the tools, techniques, programs and strategies currently used for improving quality of care and patient safety;
  3. Demonstrate the skills to objectively critique the strengths and limitations of the different tool, technique, programs or strategy for improving quality of care and patient safety;
  4. Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate tool, technique, program or strategy for a:
    1. particular dimension of quality (i.e. safety, efficacy, timelines, patient-centre-ed)
    2. clinical setting
    3. patient population
    4. is logistically feasible
  5. Demonstrate the skills to modify, implement and evaluate a tool, technique, program or strategy for improving quality of care and patient safety in the workplace;
  6. Understand and manage the factors that impact on the selection, acceptance and sustainability of initiative for improving quality of care and patient safety. These factors include clinician behaviour, organisational and health system structures.

Assessment

  • Letter to the editor (500 words) (20%)
  • Reflective essay (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Online class participation (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week, broken down into (on average) 4 hours per week for reading core material, 4 hours per week completing exercises (manual, computer-based, or online), 2 hours per week for online communication via Moodle discussions, and 2 hours per week for assignment preparation.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

15 hours over 2 block days.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5287 - Alcohol and other drugs in society: A national and global perspective

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Chad Hughes

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chad Hughes
Dr Rebecca Jenkinson

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit is designed as a contemporary analysis of drug use in modern societies and will enhance participants' knowledge about the risk and vulnerability of individuals and communities to licit and illicit drug use.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Outline the sources, characteristics, routes of administration and effects of key drugs;
  2. Analyse patterns of drug use in Australia, across the Asia-Pacific region, and worldwide;
  3. Understand the specific health outcomes associated with the use of the most important licit and illicit drugs, including implications for the development of community-based responses;
  4. Explain how use of licit and illicit drugs is linked to poverty, criminality and other social problems;
  5. Critique the policies and practical responses to drug use implemented in differed countries;
  6. Explain the interactions between illicit drug use and blood-borne viruses (BBV);
  7. Examine the social and policy contexts of harm reduction practice employed in Australia and Asia;
  8. Critique the various responses to HIV and other BBV's among drug users concurrently in operation;
  9. Reflective on practice and communicate effectively.

Assessment

  • Formative feedback on small group work and reflective practice and presentation skills
  • Letter to editor or critique of a peer reviewed article (30%)
  • Abstract (400 words) (10%)
  • Written essay (3,600 words) (60%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


MPH5288 - Introduction and challenges in public health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Dragan Ilic

Coordinator(s)

Dr Helen Kelsall

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prohibitions

MPH5313Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit will examine foundation aspects of public health with a focus on contemporary challenges in public health.

Students will apply this knowledge to critically appraise initiatives to address complex health issues from a public health perspective, and will be expected to engage with current public health issues and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Describe and integrate the basic principles and tools of public health practice
  2. Examine the interdisciplinary and intersectoral relationships that contribute to public health
  3. Evaluate a range of behavioural, social and cultural, environmental and political determinants of health
  4. Identify and appraise methods and application of disease prevention and control at a population level
  5. Define the principles of evidence based practice and assess their implementation across public health initiatives

Assessment

  • Written reflections in moderated discussion forum over 6 modules (approx. 300 words each) (total 30%)
  • Critical summary (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Online quiz (10%)
  • Written report (2,400 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

The total workload requirement for this unit is 12 hours of work per week.

This incorporates 15 contact hours over 2 days + Off-Campus learning (OCL) (including private study and written reflections on public health issues and challenges and applications through an online forum).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5289 - Professional practice development

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Michael Ackland

Coordinator(s)

Darshini Ayton
Renata Morello

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5040 and MPH5041

Synopsis

This unit will equip students to meet professional workplace expectations in public health.

Building upon developing knowledge and understanding of the practice of public health, it will enhance and develop professional communication, teamwork, project management and leadership skills in public health.

Attention will also be given to professional conduct and the implementation of ethical codes of practice in the workplace.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate issues related to professional practice in public health
  2. Implement a teamwork approach to reviewing and presenting a public health problem
  3. Apply project management theories to public health practice
  4. Analyse, summarise and explain issues related to public health to stakeholders
  5. Apply professionalism and teamwork skills in workplace contexts.
  6. Analyse and apply project management principles and processes to a public health project

Assessment

  • Critical reflections (12 x 150 words) (30%)
  • Teamwork presentation (10%)
  • Video and media release (20%)
  • Project management plan (2,400 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

The total workload requirement for this unit is 12 hours of work per week.

This incorporates 15 contact hours over 2 days + Off-Campus learning (OCL) (including private study and written reflections on professional practice issues through an online forum as formative tasks).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5301 - Health systems and policy

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Micaela Drieberg

Coordinator(s)

Micaela Drieberg
Professor Jane Banaszak-Holl

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4528, 4529, M6007, M6021

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide health service managers and public health practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the major components of national health systems and how health policy is created to adapt and reform these systems.

Over 6 weekly modules students will explore relevant policy theories, stakeholders and policy actors and processes that address major health policy challenges. Each module includes an overview of the relevant concepts and resources, guided readings and online, instructor moderated, discussions of applied issues with student peers.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Outline the key structural components of national health systems.
  2. Analyse the structure of their own health system.
  3. Apply policy theories to contemporary health policy issues.
  4. Analyse formal and informal sources of information guiding health system and policy development.
  5. Analyse policy stakeholders and their policy interests.
  6. Evaluate the role of the policy making process.
  7. Critically appraise existing health policies.
  8. Compose arguments on health systems and policy development.

Assessment

  • Contribution to weekly online tasks (45%) (hurdle)
  • Not less than 2 written assignments totaling 3,000 words (55%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5302 - Biostatistics: Concepts and applications

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Prof. Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Baki Billah

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4528, 4529, M6007, M6021

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to biostatistics as applied to public health and management studies. Biostatistics is the science of describing, summarising and analysing health-related data. It is essential to understand biostatistics in order to design, conduct and interpret health-related research. The basic principles and methods used in biostatistics are covered in this unit. This includes the technical qualifications necessary for analysing and interpreting data on a descriptive and bivariate level.

Topics include: classification of health data; summarizing data using simple statistical methods and graphical presentation; sampling distributions, quantifying uncertainty in results from a sample; statistical distributions; comparing two/more groups/methods using confidence intervals and hypothesis tests (p-values); assessing the association between an outcome and an exposure using the chi-squared test; risk comparisons (RR & OR); prediction of an event or identifying risk factors for an event of interest where the event is measured on a continuous scale or a binary scale (yes/no); sample size calculations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of biostatistics in public health studies;
  2. Classify data into appropriate measurement types;
  3. Explain sampling concepts and the role of sampling errors;
  4. Present data using relevant tables, graphical displays and summary statistics;
  5. Formulate research hypotheses into a statistical context in public health studies;
  6. Estimate quantities of interest and evaluate hypothesis with appropriate statistical methods;
  7. Accurately interpret statistical methods and results reported in health publications;
  8. Analyse data using a specific software package.

Assessment

  • Structured written report (1000 words) (15%)
  • Structured written report (2000 words) (30%)
  • Structured written report (3000 words) (45%) (Hurdle)
  • MCQ online test (10%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5303 - Epidemiology of infectious diseases

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sarah McGuinness

Coordinator(s)

Professor Karin Leder
Dr Sarah McGuinness

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4529, M6021

Synopsis

This unit is an introduction to Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Topics include the dynamic nature of infections, the principles of infectious diseases, identification and management of outbreaks and principles of surveillance. The importance of understanding host, environmental, pathogen and transmission factors will be highlighted. Practical examples will be given to highlight major concepts. Online activities, suggested readings and discussion forums aim to enhance students' understanding of the teaching material.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Assess the importance and dynamic nature of infectious diseases;
  2. Identify the unique aspects of infectious disease epidemiology and their practical relevance;
  3. Apply evidence based strategies in the prediction, detection and control of infectious disease outbreaks;
  4. Critically valuate the epidemiologic principles underlying disease surveillance programs;
  5. Critically evaluate the epidemiologic principles underlying disease control and prevention strategies;
  6. Apply and evaluate the potential role of mathematical modelling in relation to infectious diseases.

Assessment

  • Contribution to weekly web-based tasks / discussions (45%) (hurdle)
  • Assignment (2,400 words) and/or online presentation (40%) (hurdle)
  • Online quiz / exercise (15%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5304 - Leading and managing in public health and health care

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Dragan Ilic

Coordinator(s)

Dr Susannah Ahern

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4528, 4529, M6007 or M6021

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide health service managers and public health practitioners with the knowledge and skills to manage health care organisational units.

Over 6 weekly modules students will explore key management theories, leadership skills, managing health professionals, designing and coordinating health professional work processes, managing change and projects.

Each module includes an overview of the relevant concepts and resources, guided readings and online, instructor moderated, discussions of applied issues with student peers.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply general theories of organisation and management to health care organisational settings
  2. Design organisational roles and structures to manage clinical and support services
  3. Apply coordinating mechanisms in clinical and public health organisations
  4. Implement staff recruitment processes
  5. Design and manage staff performance systems
  6. Apply principles of change management to improve organisational performance
  7. Develop strategic plans
  8. Implement effective project management.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (45%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Written assignment (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5305 - Epidemiology: Concepts and applications

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Flavia Cicuttini

Coordinator(s)

Dr Monira Hussein

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4528, 4529, M6007 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit will provide students with an introduction to key concepts and applications in epidemiology.

Key concepts of epidemiology will be delivered throughout the unit, including; rates, sources of data, descriptive and analytical epidemiology, epidemiological study designs, critical appraisal of literature, screening, prevention, exposure assessment, outbreak investigation, confounding and bias.

Students are expected to be competent at mathematics to a year 7 level

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain and contextualise the purposes of descriptive and analytical epidemiology
  2. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs
  3. Critically analyse epidemiological papers from the medical research and OHS literature
  4. Evaluate the adequacy of exposure assessment in epidemiological studies
  5. Interpret and communicate the results of epidemiological studies
  6. Solve complex problems relating to the use of epidemiological concepts and study designs.

Assessment

  • Concept and application tasks (4 x weekly activities) (10% each, total 40%) (hurdle)
  • Online quiz (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Critical appraisal (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5306 - Evaluation in public health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Dragan Ilic

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Dragan Ilic

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4528, 4529, M6007 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods used in public health and the evaluation of disease prevention and health promotion strategies. Levels of evaluation will be examined, with the range of qualitative and quantitative methods suitable for answering different evaluation questions explored. An emphasis will be placed on the evaluation challenges posed by the complexities of public health action and the contexts in which it is carried out, with case studies used to foster an understanding of these issues.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify and comprehend the relationship between program plans and evaluation plans
  2. Differentiate between appropriate quantitative and qualitative approaches to public health evaluation
  3. Critically appraise strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research designs in public health evaluation
  4. Develop survey questions and interview guides that demonstrate an understanding of measurement quality
  5. Develop a public health evaluation plan.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (45%) (hurdle)
  • Written essay (3,000 words) (45%) (hurdle)
  • Quiz (Multiple choice) (30 minutes) (10%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5307 - Introduction to health law principles

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Nicki Mollard

Coordinator(s)

Nicki Mollard

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4528, 4529, M6007 or M6021

Synopsis

Review of legal principles related to health care; including common law principles and statutes. The focus is on key areas of medical and health law such as negligence, consent, privacy of health information, clinical research, abortion, euthanasia, mental health, infectious diseases, health complaints, ethics and human rights and law for health systems.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the sources of law
  2. Describe aspects of law impacting upon the delivery of health services
  3. Apply key areas of medical law to health management; such as negligence, informed consent, confidentiality, clinical research, abortion, euthanasia, health service law, mental health law, infectious diseases law, health complaints law and coronial law
  4. Comprehend other areas of law and legal policy as they apply to the health care system including restrictive trade practices, contract law, professional registration and malpractice, drugs and poisons law and therapeutic goods law
  5. Examine the means of resolving consumer dissatisfaction.

Assessment

  • Response to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (45%) (hurdle)
  • Written essay (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Written essay (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5308 - Developing health systems

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Heather Rowe

Coordinator(s)

Dr Heather Rowe

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4528, 4529, M6007, M6021

Synopsis

This unit aims to develop skills to describe and analyse health systems and assess health sector reforms (or health system reforms) in both developed and developing countries, including Australia. The unit introduces participants to alternative conceptual frameworks for describing and analysing health systems, and focuses in particular on one - "the control knobs framework" - which describes the key levers of a health system and how these levers work to influence outcomes of interest such as equity, cost, financial risk protection and quality of care. The control knobs framework is used to describe and analyse health system outcomes in developed and developing countries (including Australia); diagnose existing policy reform challenges; shed light on ongoing health policy debates; and assess a recent case of reform in the health sector.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Comprehend a systematic theoretical framework for describing the design of a national health system.
  2. Identify issues and challenges in the design of national health systems.
  3. Critically appraise research and reports associated with health system development and reform.
  4. Create proposals to respond to issues and challenges faced by national health systems.
  5. Effectively communicate issues and challenges associated with reforming and developing health systems to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

  • Six written critical evaluations (500 words each) (6.7% each)
  • Written report (2000 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment (2000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5309 - Occupational health and safety

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Amanda Sillcock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Amanda Sillcock

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4529, M6021

Synopsis

This unit will cover the impacts and human cost of occupational disease and injury, occupational health and safety law, frameworks for primary prevention, workers' compensation systems, occupational rehabilitation, case studies highlighting historical achievements and challenges, international and national occupational health and safety (OHS) organizations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyze and contextualize the human and economic cost and causes of workplace injury and death in Australia.
  2. Identify contemporary OHS data sources, and evaluate and explain their merits and limitations.
  3. Describe and evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of various injury models and their use within OHSMS.
  4. Analyze and contextualize the legal framework for OHS and occupational injury management and its application to OHS practice.
  5. Identify, contextualize and evaluate the fundamental principles of OHS practice including application of risk management programs, occupational rehabilitation, injury management and total worker health programs in complex environments.
  6. Analyze and contextualize the OHS impacts of contemporary work patterns emerging challenges.

Assessment

  • Online tasks (50%) (hurdle)
  • Assignment (2,500 words + 1 page proposal) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

24 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5310 - Introduction to environmental health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ewan MacFarlane

Coordinator(s)

Dr Ewan MacFarlane

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit will cover the environmental influences on health. The unit will examine the impact of physical, chemical and biological hazards in the environment. It will integrate that knowledge with the principles of assessment, management and control of environmental health risks. Theoretical models of risk communication will be developed, with learners applying this knowledge in developing evidence based interventions to control and prevent simple environmental risks.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify important chemical, physical and biological hazards in the environment and analyse related risks to health from environmental factors in Australia.
  2. Communicate fluently in a written format using appropriate terminology to describe chemical, physical and biological hazards encountered in a variety of contexts.
  3. Critically appraise the epidemiological literature which informs the evidence base for environmental health risk control strategies.
  4. Identify common hazards, appropriate techniques for exposure measurement and risk assessment methodologies in environmental media such as water air and food.
  5. Apply theoretical models of risk communication to appropriately communicate the principles of effective management of environmental health risks.
  6. Develop evidence based interventions to control simple environmental risks and prevent harm, including strategies for standard setting and systematic management of key personal, social and economic factors, to inhibit, control or reduce potential for harm.

Assessment

Weekly online tasks (30%)

Invigilated quiz via lockdown browser (1 hour) (25%)

Written assignment (2,700 words) (45%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

24 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5311 - Safety and quality in health care

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tracy Robinson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Tracy Robinson

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit will explore the historical, political and social factors impacting on quality measurement in health care. It will examine the relationship of industrial and health care quality monitoring, through use of epidemiological and statistical quality measurement principles. Strengths and limitations of current monitoring techniques and different sources of health care quality data will be examined. During the unit, the principles of clinical indicator programs, adverse event monitoring, satisfaction surveys and benchmarking will be utilised including the design, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement programs in clinical settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the factors that have led to a greater emphasis on quality measurement and improvement in health care.
  2. Discuss the tools that are used in quality measurement and improvement.
  3. Apply a knowledge of international quality improvement programs.
  4. Contribute to the debate on quality improvement issues - such as public disclosure of quality measures.
  5. Design a quality improvement program that may be implemented in the clinical setting.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5312 - Advances in managing patient care processes

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Coordinator(s)

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge to apply tools, techniques, programs or strategies to improve the quality of care and patient safety. Students completing this unit will be exposed to current best practice techniques aimed at developing and implementing system improvements to reduce the occurrence of adverse patient outcomes and continually improve the safety and quality of patient care. This unit will cover key approaches used to measuring, monitoring and managing health care for improving quality of care and patient safety. Within the unit students will have the opportunity to develop novel interventions, whilst also evaluating existing interventions aimed at maintaining and improving patient quality and safety.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of key approaches used to measure, monitor and manage health care for improving quality of care and patient safety.
  2. Distinguish the strengths and limitations of the tools, techniques, programs and strategies currently used for improving quality of care and patient safety.
  3. Critically analyse the strengths and limitations of different tools, techniques, programs or strategies for improving quality of care and patient safety.
  4. Utilise an appropriate tool, technique, program or strategy for a particular dimension of quality, clinical setting, patient population in a logically feasible manner.
  5. Implement and critically evaluate a tool, technique, program or strategy for improving quality of care and patient safety in the workplace.
  6. Formulate and examine factors that impact on the selection, acceptance and sustainability of initiative for improving quality of care and patient safety.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Reflective essay (1,800 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5313 - Challenges in public health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Helen Kelsall

Coordinator(s)

Dr Helen Kelsall

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit will examine foundation aspects of public health with a focus on contemporary challenges. Students will apply this knowledge to critically appraise initiatives to address complex health issues from a public health perspective, and will be expected to engage with current public health issues and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the basic principles and tools of public health practice.
  2. Examine the interdisciplinary and intersectoral relationships that contribute to public health.
  3. Discuss a range of behavioural, social and cultural, environmental and political determinants of health.
  4. Identify and appraise methods and application of disease prevention and control at a population level.
  5. Define the principles of evidence based practice and assess their implementation across public health initiatives.

Assessment

  • Written reflections in moderated discussion forum over 6 modules (approx. 300 words each) (total 30%)
  • Critical summary (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Online quiz (10%)
  • Written report (2,400 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5314 - Epidemiology of chronic disease

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr John Oldroyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr John Oldroyd

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 4529, M6021

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to epidemiology and control of chronic diseases. Included in this unit is an overview of important chronic diseases currently impacting Australia, and strategies for their prevention and control. Measurement of disease and burden of disease; concept of risk factors and risk factors for important chronic diseases will be examined. Additionally, students will examine the effect of social and economic factors on the epidemiology of chronic diseases and the impact of chronic diseases on society and the economy. The impact of screening and health promotion as public health tools will be discussed, along with use of evidence in public health programmes to prevent chronic diseases.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the epidemiology and burden of chronic diseases in Australia.
  2. Assess the causal pathways leading to important chronic diseases.
  3. Analyse strategies for the public health control of chronic diseases.
  4. Evaluate the role of public health evidence in the control of chronic diseases.
  5. Examine the influence of social and economic factors on chronic diseases.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussions topics (450 words each) (45%) (hurdle)
  • Written essay (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Written essay (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH5315 - Introduction to management

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Susannah Ahern

Coordinator(s)

Professor Ian Rouse

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code 4528, 4529, or M6007.

Prohibitions

Unit codes: MGG5960, MGG9600, MGX5960, MGX5962, MGX9600, MGX9602, course codes:

0028, 0105, 1065, 2099, 2778

Synopsis

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce pre-experience students to the range of activities associated with the management of individuals, groups and the organisation. In order to achieve this aim the content will cover several key areas of management.

For example, the current challenges facing managers in a turbulent environment, the role of the individual, the importance of teamwork, managing conflict and effective decision making. Finally the role of corporate culture and ethics. Students undertaking this unit should expect to experience a variety of activities in order to challenge the content as prescribed above.

These activities will include interactive case studies and application of the theory to 'real' world examples through group presentations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. analyse and apply current management theory and research to current organisational issues
  2. understand the personal challenges involved in becoming a new manager in an organisation in today's world
  3. understand the importance of the individual, the team and the organisation's contribution to the effective performance of work
  4. assess the role of ethics and social responsibility in determining the culture of an organisation and
  5. identify techniques for improving decision making in today's turbulent environment.

Assessment

  • Learning Project Report (Parts A, B and C) (3,600 words total) (60% total) (hurdle)
  • 5 x Mediated online discussion forum posts (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.

Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH6040 - Introductory epidemiology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Flavia Cicuttini

Coordinator(s)

DAY mode: Associate Professor Dianna Magliano
DE mode: Dr Monira Hussein

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

MPH6041

Prohibitions

MPH5040

Synopsis

To be taken concurrently with MPH6041 together they are prerequisites for clinical epidemiology elective units. Contents: rates, sources of data, descriptive & analytical epidemiology, epidemiological study designs, critical appraisal of literature, screening, prevention, exposure assessment, outbreak investigation, confounding & bias.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain and contextualise the purposes of descriptive and analytical epidemiology;
  2. explain and contextualise the concepts of study questions, population, sampling, exposure assessment, bias and confounding;
  3. analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;
  4. critically analyse epidemiological papers from the medical research and OHS literature;
  5. evaluate the adequacy of exposure assessment in epidemiological studies;
  6. interpret and communicate the results of epidemiological studies; and
  7. solve complex problems relating to the use of epidemiological concepts and study designs.

Assessment

  • Short answer questions (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Open-book test (1 hour) (20%)
  • Critical appraisal (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Open-book examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

2 contact hours per week for on-campus students.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

12 hours per week, plus 2 compulsory on-campus block days

Note Semester 2 is only available in off-campus mode and no attendance is required during this Semester

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MPH6041 - Introductory biostatistics

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Andrew Forbes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Baki Billah

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Prerequisites

Students will be required to have basic computer literacy skills using Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and have access to a calculator equipped with elementary scientific functions (such as the Casio FX-100 calculator) and a statistical package for data analysis (support will be available for software package IBM SPSS).

Co-requisites

MPH5040.

Prohibitions

MPH5041.

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to biostatistics as applied to public health and management studies. Biostatistics is the science of describing, summarising, and analysing health-related data. It is essential to understand biostatistics in order to design, conduct, and interpret health-related research. The basic principles and methods used in biostatistics are covered in this unit, including the technical qualifications necessary for analysing and interpreting data on a descriptive and bivariate level.

Topics include classifying health data; summarising data using simple statistical methods and graphical presentation; sampling distributions; quantifying uncertainty in results from a sample; working with statistical distributions; comparing two or more groups/methods using confidence intervals and hypothesis tests (p - values); assessing the association between an outcome and an exposure using the chi-squared test; using risk comparisons (RR and OR); predicting an event or identifying risk factors for an event of interest where the event is measured on a continuous scale or a binary scale (yes/no).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Classify data into appropriate measurement types.
  2. Present data using relevant tables, graphical displays, and summary statistics, quantify uncertainty in study results.
  3. Formulate research hypotheses into a statistical context in public health studies.
  4. Estimate quantities of interest and evaluate hypothesis with appropriate statistical methods.
  5. Accurately interpret statistical methods and results reported in health publications.
  6. Analyse data using a specific software package.

Assessment

  • Assignment 1 (maximum of 2,000 words) (15%)
  • Assignment 2 (maximum of 2,500 words) (25%)
  • Assignment 3 (maximum of 3,500 words) (40%)
  • Online test (MCQ) (30 minutes) (20%)

Workload requirements

Sem 1 - DAY mode: 4 contact hours (2 hours lecture and 2 hours tutorial) + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 1 - DE mode: 24 contact hours over 3 days + 2 hours online tutorial exercises + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 2 - DE mode: 2 hours online lectures (recorded), 2 hours online tutorial exercises + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours of independent study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Sem 1 - DAY mode: 4 face-to-face contact hours (2 hours lecture and 2 hours tutorial) + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 1 - DE mode: 24 contact hours over 3 block days + 2 hours online tutorial + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours independent study per week.

Sem 2 - DE mode: 2 hours online lectures (recorded) + 2 hours online tutorial + 2 hours online guided discussion + 6 hours of independent study per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


MRU0001 - Postgraduate research in anaesthesia

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Anaesthesiology is the study of the medical specialisation concerned with the administration of drugs and other substances to achieve lack of sensation with or without loss of consciousness. This detailed field may include administering anaesthetics, principles and practices of anaesthesiology, regional analgesia, and remedial action to counter adverse reactions and complications. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0002 - Postgraduate research in biochemistry and cell biology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Burnet Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Murdoch Children's Research Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Biochemistry and Cell Biology is the study of the chemistry of living organisms and the structure and function of cells. Examples include biosynthesis, cellular regulation, cytology, molecular biology, and metabolism. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0003 - Postgraduate research in community health

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Bendigo

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Community Health is the study of health practices in the community which support and assist the management of disabilities and illness. This detailed field may include current issues in Australian community health, and disabilities and illnesses as community issues. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0004 - Postgraduate research in environmental health

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Environmental health is the study of the health impact of the interaction between humans and the environment. This detailed field may include the effect of environmental pollution on health. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0005 - Postgraduate research in epidemiology and preventive medicine

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Burnet Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, distribution and possible control of infectious and chronic diseases as they affect groups of people. This detailed field may include disease and injury evaluation and surveillance, and infectious and chronic diseases and their prevention. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0006 - Postgraduate research in forensic medicine

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Southbank

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Forensic Science is the study of the use of scientific techniques to solve criminal cases. This detailed field may include ballistics, blood splash pattern analysis, crime scene investigation, trace evidence, and fingerprint enhancement and identification. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0007 - Postgraduate research in general practice

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Bendigo

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

General Practice is the study of providing primary and continuing medical care to patients in a community setting. It is particularly concerned with providing family and community oriented health care. This detailed field may include carrying out simple surgical procedures and dealing with medical emergencies, early diagnosing, prescribing and administering medication, and primary, personal and continuing medical care. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis examined by two external examiners.


MRU0008 - Postgraduate research in genetics

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Genetics is the study of heredity and of the units of biological inheritance. This detailed field may include cytogenetics, genotypes, higher eukaryotes, microbial genetics, molecular genetics, monohybrids, and phenotypes. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis examined by two external examiners.


MRU0009 - Postgraduate research in health promotion

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Health Promotion is the study of promoting a healthy lifestyle and influencing behaviour to improve health. This detailed field may include contribution of lifestyle to morbidity and mortality, health program planning, and health promotion principles, goals and concepts. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis examined by two external examiners.


MRU0010 - Postgraduate research in human biology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Human Biology is the study of human physiology and anatomy. This detailed field may include biological anthropology, human anatomy and histology, human evolution and variation, primatology, and human growth, development and reproduction. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0011 - Postgraduate research in Indigenous health

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Indigenous Health is the study of the health of the Indigenous population within the broader context of socio-economic development of aboriginal communities. This detailed field may include approaches to Indigenous health care delivery and management, Indigenous caring and healing practices, Indigenous child health, Indigenous community health, and Indigenous primary health care. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0012 - Postgraduate research in medical science

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Burnet Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Southbank

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Medical Science is the study of physics, biology and chemistry as applied to medicine. This detailed field may include biomedical sciences, clinical and medical biochemistry, medical biotechnology, medical microbiology, medical physics, and biology and chemistry associated with medicine. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0013 - Postgraduate research in general medicine

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

General medicine is the study of the clinical presentation and treatment of diseases. This detailed field may include clinical diagnosis, and diseases affecting humans. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0014 - Postgraduate research in microbiology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Burnet Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Microbiology is the study of microscopic forms of life such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. This detailed field may include food microbiology, industrial microbiology, microbial cell structure and function, microbial physiology, microbial growth, microbial taxonomy, micro-organisms, and virology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0015 - Postgraduate research in nursing

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hong Kong

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)

Macau

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)

Malaysia

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Nursing is the study of the principles and practices of providing preventative, curative and rehabilitative care to individuals and groups. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0016 - Postgraduate research in obstetrics and gynaecology

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Southbank

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Obstetrics and Gynaecology is the study of the medical specialisation concerned with the care of women during pregnancy, labour and after childbirth and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system. This detailed field may include monitoring foetal development, and treating gynaecological and obstetric conditions. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0017 - Postgraduate research in occupational health and safety

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Occupational Health and Safety is the study of recognising, evaluating and controlling environmental factors associated with the interaction of individuals and the workplace. This detailed field may include health and safety in the workplace, national occupational health and safety standards, and principles of establishing and maintaining safe premises. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0018 - Postgraduate research in paediatrics

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Paediatrics is the medical specialisation concerned with normal physical and emotional growth and development from birth through to late adolescence. It involves preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases and uncommon disorders in children and adolescents. This detail field may include child growth and development, child and adolescent diseases, and neonatology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0019 - Postgraduate research in immunology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Murdoch Children's Research Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This detailed field includes all biological sciences not elsewhere classified, including immunology. Examples include biogeography, bioinformatics, biophysics, mycology, neuroscience, and parasitology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0020 - Postgraduate research in pharmacology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Pharmacology is the study of the development, uses and effects of drugs. Examples include clinical drug trials, drug analysis, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0021 - Postgraduate research in psychological medicine

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry are the study of the medical specialisation concerned with diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases and disorders of the mind. This detailed field may include assessing patients' psychiatric states, child psychiatry, developmental psychiatry, and psychotherapy. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0022 - Postgraduate research in psychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Psychology is the study of the science of human nature and of mental states and processes. It includes the study of human and animal behaviour. This detailed field may include abnormal psychology, behaviourism, clinical psychology, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, neuropsychology, personality theory and assessment, physiological psychology, and social psychology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0023 - Postgraduate research in radiography and medical imaging

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Radiography and medical imaging is the study of technologies which use ionising and non-ionising (e.g. ultrasound) radiation to diagnose, treat and follow the course of disease and its response to treatment. This detailed field may include interpreting and evaluating medical images, ultrasound and x-ray equipment, nuclear medicine, and preparing radioactive materials. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0024 - Postgraduate research in surgery

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Southbank

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Surgery is the study of the medical specialisation concerned with the principles and practices for treating diseases, injuries, defects and deformities by manual operation and manipulation, and by using instruments and appliances. This detailed field may include monitoring post operative progress of patients, surgical diagnosis, and surgical procedures and techniques. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0025 - Postgraduate research in rural health

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Rural Health is the study of health care and services, and their impact on people in rural and remote communities. This detailed field may include rural health workforce issues, models of health services in rural and remote areas, rural medical health education and support, rural community development and capacity building, and rural health policy and program evaluation. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0026 - Postgraduate research in health services management

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Gippsland

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Public and health care administration is the study of planning and directing the functions and operations of organisations whose primary objective is the provision of services for the public good. This detailed field may include identifying and evaluating the role of public organisations and institutions in society, relating organisational and behavioural theory to public and private institutions/organisations, and analysing government policy and planning, and developing strategies for its implementation and administration. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0027 - Postgraduate research in reproductive biology (human)

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Human reproductive biology is the study of reproductive biology and medicine as it applies to the human body. This detailed field may include physiology of human reproduction, fertilisation and its manipulation, embryology, regulation of fertility, infertility diagnosis and treatment, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and parturition, assisted reproductive technologies, and reproductive toxicology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0028 - Postgraduate research in reproductive biology (animal)

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Animal reproductive biology is the study of reproductive biology and medicine as it applies to animals. This detailed field may include physiology of animal reproduction, fertilisation and its manipulation, embryology, regulation of fertility, pregnancy and parturition, and reproductive toxicology. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0034 - Postgraduate research in public health

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Public health is the study of public health practice. This detailed field may include advanced epidemiology, statistical methods for public health, health leadership and management, and quantitative methods of population-based health sciences and their problem-solving application for primary care provision. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0035 - Postgraduate research in health services research

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Moe

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Health services research is the study of the provision of health services and tools used to measure and assess these services. This detailed field may include health informatics, health technology assessment, clinical effectiveness, implementation research, systematic reviews, sociological perspectives on health, and gender and the clinical workforce. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0036 - Postgraduate research in pathology

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Pathology is the study of the medical specialisation concerned with the causes and effects of diseases, including the structural and functional changes of body organs, tissues and fluids, and the systematic methods of detecting these changes. This detailed field may include examining specimens to determine the origin, nature and course of any disease present, histopathology, interpreting and evaluating pathology tests, and post-mortem examination. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0037 - Postgraduate research in epidemiology and preventive medicine (high)

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Baker Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Box Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Burnet Institute

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Notting Hill

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, distribution and possible control of infectious and chronic diseases as they affect groups of people. This detailed field may include disease and injury evaluation and surveillance, and infectious and chronic diseases and their prevention. This high-cost unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0038 - Postgraduate research in social work

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Bendigo

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Social work is the study of social justice and redressing the social and economic disadvantage in the community. This detailed field may include community services, child abuse and protection, corrections and interventions, policy development, and casework with individuals, families, groups and communities. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0039 - Postgraduate research in ambulance and paramedic studies

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Caulfield

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Ambulance and paramedic studies investigate emergency medical services, pre-hospital medical care and paramedic education. This detailed field may include aeromedical retrieval, emergency preparedness and disaster medicine, and mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic studies.This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0040 - Postgraduate research in physiotherapy

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Physiotherapy is the study of therapeutic uses of physical means to relieve pain, regain range of movement, restore muscle strength and return patients to normal activities of daily living. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0041 - Postgraduate research in occupational therapy

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Peninsula

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Occupational Therapy is the study of treating physical, cognitive and psychiatric conditions through activities in order to optimise functioning and independence in daily life. Examples include patient's independence level assessment; tailoring treatment programmes; occupational rehabilitation; and occupational role development. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0042 - Research in medicine and health sciences at Monash Malaysia

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Malaysia

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Medicine and health sciences is the study of medical and health-related fields, conducted on the Malaysia Campus. This unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MRU0044 - Postgraduate research in radiography and medical imaging (high)

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Coordinator(s)

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Offered

Clayton

  • Research quarter 1 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 1 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 2 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 3 2018 (On-campus)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Research quarter 4 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Radiography and medical imaging is the study of technologies which use ionising and non-ionising (e.g. ultrasound) radiation to diagnose, treat and follow the course of disease and its response to treatment. This detailed field may include interpreting and evaluating medical images, ultrasound and x-ray equipment, nuclear medicine, and preparing radioactive materials. This high-cost unit is 100% research with a view to producing a thesis.

Assessment

Thesis assessed by two external examiners.


MSM5100 - Research project - Master of Biomedical Science MUM

36 points, SCA Band 3, 0.750 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • Full year 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (External Candidature)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis


MSM5101 - Research project - Master of Biomedical Science MUM (part-time)

18 points, SCA Band 3, 0.375 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • Full year 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (External Candidature)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis


MSM5200 - Advanced studies in biomedical sciences MUM

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis


MSM5201 - Advanced studies in biomedical sciences MUM (part-time)

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Md. Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • Full year 2018 (External Candidature)
  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (External Candidature)
  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis


NUR5002 - Contemporary nursing practice 2

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Malcolm Elliott

Coordinator(s)

Dr Malcolm Elliott

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUR5011, NUR5111.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon NUR5111 Contemporary Nursing Practice 1. It is a clinically-focussed unit that introduces students to acute medical-surgical nursing practice. Students will explore pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis, pharmacology, associated microbiology and nursing care associated with a range of conditions. The clinical practice component will provide students with opportunities to incorporate theoretical learning into care provision.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the pathophysiology basis for commonly encountered conditions, and their application to nursing care of clients in medical/surgical settings;
  2. Perform safe evidence based, person centred clinical practice in an acute care setting based on the integration of theoretical principles and practical skills;
  3. Express the nursing application of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative techniques associated with caring for a person with a body system health breakdown;
  4. Formulate, conduct and document comprehensive client assessments;
  5. Reflect upon, and evaluate self-performance in terms of the delivery of quality nursing care;
  6. Practise in accordance with NMBA Registered Nurse standards for practice and other professional standards.

Fieldwork

Clinical placement: 240 hours.

Assessment

  • Active learning engagement (14 weeks) (20%)
  • Clinical performance (240 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical laboratory sessions - compulsory 100% attendance
  • Must complete clinical placement (240 hours)

Workload requirements

8 hours a week: online and face-to-face learning activities 6 hours, laboratories 2 hours/week over a 14 week semester. In addition, students will be required to undertake 240 hours of clinical placement.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5003 - Contemporary nursing practice 3

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Eddie Robinson

Coordinator(s)

Mr Eddie Robinson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUR5002, NUR5111.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon NUR5002 Contemporary Nursing Practice 2. It is a clinically-based unit that introduces students to the areas of mental health and aged care nursing as well as preparing them for graduate nursing roles. The unit will provide opportunities for students to develop fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to the restoration and maintenance of optimal mental health and recovery from mental illness. Students are expected to learn to assess mental health problems and to identify the coping abilities of individuals and families, and to care for people with selected mental disorders. Emphasis is placed upon empowerment of the individual and caregiver using the stress/vulnerability model and family based management. The unit also encompasses risk assessment, mental health service systems, roles and functions of the multidisciplinary mental health team, and the Victorian Mental Health Act.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the concepts of mental health and mental illness with reference to historical and contemporary classification systems.
  2. Explain the implications of the Victorian Mental Health Act (2014) for nursing practice in line with recovery oriented practice.
  3. Communicate effectively with people who are experiencing disturbances of thoughts, feelings and behaviour and accurately conduct a mental status assessment and a risk assessment to help inform patient care.
  4. Critically analyse the roles and functions of the members of the multidisciplinary mental health team and how the roles work to ensure patients are treated appropriately.
  5. Evaluate a range of mental disorders in the context of aetiological factors, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations and recommend appropriate mental health nursing care.
  6. Compare and contrast a range of psychotherapeutic interventions and therapeutic modalities utilised in mental health treatment and care.
  7. Explore the impact of ageing and chronic and life-limiting illness on clients, families and carers including the perspectives of challenges to autonomy, protection of patients, and quality of life in order to provide optimal, holistic nursing care.
  8. Discriminate between health assessment, health promotion, supportive and palliative approaches for people with chronic and life limiting illness to provide appropriate evidence based nursing interventions.
  9. Critically examine how the different roles of members in interprofessional teams, work together to provide expert care for people with chronic and/or life limiting illness in different health care environments.
  10. Practise at a beginning level in mental health and community health settings in accordance with NMBA Registered Nurse standards for practice and other professional standards

Fieldwork

Clinical placement: 200 hours.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (2500 words) (20%)
  • Exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance (200 hours) (40%)
  • Must complete clinical placement (200 hours)

Hurdle requirements: Students must pass the end of semester examination to achieve a pass for this unit. Students must achieve a pass in the clinical placement to pass the unit (100%). Attendance at clinical is mandatory.

Workload requirements

8 hours a week: lectures 6 hours, tutorials 2 hours over eight weeks. In addition, students will be required to undertake 200 hours of clinical placement.

Note: Students who complete this unit in the summer semester will be on campus for 5.5 weeks intensive.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5004 - Contemporary nursing practice 4

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUR5002, NUR5003, NUR5011, NUR5022, NUR5033, NUR5111.

Synopsis

This unit provides final preparation of the student for practice as a registered nurse. Adult learning principles are applied to encourage the student to identify specific learning needs and pursue opportunities to achieve tailored educational objectives. The approach to clinical learning featured in this unit enables students to explore an area of specific interest in nursing. A five week clinical consolidation placement is also included in this unit that will assist students in preparation for professional practice. The increasing importance of professional portfolios for the purpose of maintaining and demonstrating competency will be emphasized in this unit. A focus on principles of clinical leadership, therapeutic and professional communication, multidisciplinary team work, and clinical decision making will enable consolidation and application of prior learning in this course facilitating the transition from student to professional nurse.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the principles of clinical management for patients with advanced cardiac and respiratory illness.
  2. reflect on and identify specific learning needs in preparation for registration as a professional nurse;
  3. utilise adult learning theories, concepts and principles to identify specific learning needs and strategies by which these can be met;
  4. Apply effective decision making frameworks to the identification and management of practice based problems and issues;
  5. develop and implement patient centred care interventions that encompass patients' cultural, ethical and developmental needs;
  6. reflect critically on personal and professional development in preparation for practice as a registered nurse;
  7. Demonstrate readiness for beginning practice in accordance with, Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, and;
  8. Develop evidence of competency through the development of a professional portfolio.

Fieldwork

Clinical placement: 200 hours.

Assessment

  • Learning contract (2000 words) (20%)
  • Clinical performance (200 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Pre-clinical laboratory sessions - compulsory 100% attendance
  • Must complete clinical placement (240 hours)
  • Conference presentation (15%)
  • Professional portfolio (3500 words) (25%)

Workload requirements

8 hours a week: 4 hours lectures, 4 hours tutorials over 8 weeks. In addition, students will be required to undertake 200 hours of clinical placement.

Please note: Students who undertake this unit in the summer semester will be on campus for 5.5 weeks intensive mode.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5008 - Contemporary psychotherapies for nurses

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Charanjit Singh

Coordinator(s)

Mr Charanjit Singh

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

In this unit students will study various contemporary psychotherapies and techniques used by nurses and other health professionals in interaction and counselling of clients with psychological and/or mental health disorders.

These therapies include: behavioural and cognitive therapies, Rational Emotive Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

This unit includes analysis of the theoretical underpinnings and major concepts of the therapies and other contemporary interventions for clinical application. Students will develop a greater self-awareness through the development of their own unique approaches to psychotherapeutic interactions utilising these contemporary approaches with their clients, within their own clinical and cultural environment.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Use a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches and techniques that demonstrate skills and knowledge required for effective mental health nursing interaction.
  2. Plan interventions and establish goals to meet the needs of clients within identified psychotherapeutic frameworks;
  3. Critically analyse a variety of contemporary psychotherapies;
  4. Develop a greater awareness of self and the ways in which personal attributes affect interaction with clients and others;
  5. Practice relevant psychotherapeutic skills with a variety of clients displaying psychological disorders
  6. Discuss a range of contemporary issues regarding psychotherapies and their techniques;
  7. Critically appraise the evidence available regarding the efficacy of relevant psychotherapies with a variety of different client groups;
  8. Optimise the opportunity as health professionals to enhance their clinical skills when working with consumers and carers;
  9. Develop an understanding of cultural psychosocial aspects, which may influence the use of psychotherapies within the health professionals' roles.

Assessment

  • Online discussion (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (30%)
  • Case study (30%)
  • Four one day workshops (Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5011 - Contemporary nursing in context 1

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Gulzar Malik

Coordinator(s)

Gulzar Malik

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit is the first of three units that examines nursing practice from a socio-political framework. In providing an understanding of fundamental concepts of nursing as a discipline, this unit introduces students to the disparate locations of nursing practice globally and allows for in-depth exploration of health care settings in the Australian health care milieu. Students will study health care through a social model of health and will situate nursing care within this model. A history of nursing and the various opportunities and barriers that have influenced the development of nursing as a profession will be explored and debated. The Australian legal system as its relationship to the health care environment will be examined and students will be required to explore the complex legal relationships that nurses have with patients, families and other health care professionals. In addition, professional and ethical codes will be introduced, explored and posited as a basis for professional nursing practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Distinguish the evolution of contemporary nursing practice from both an international and Australian perspective.
  2. Examine the multi-faceted health care system in Australia and how nurses practice in these settings.
  3. Debate the socio-political influences on the development of nursing as a profession.
  4. Identify and appraise ethical dilemmas that arise in health care and strategies for resolving these.
  5. Evaluate the pertinent legal concepts and mechanisms that underpin the practice of nursing.
  6. Utilize and incorporate legal and professional standards in the various practice environments.
  7. Discuss common law and statute law relevant to professional practice.
  8. Analyse the legal implications of actions taken in nursing practice.
  9. Discuss and apply ethical theories relevant to nursing practice.
  10. Explore ethical and legal aspects of end of life decision making.

Assessment

  • Active Learning Engagement (10%)
  • Online/ oral presentation (20%)
  • Written assignment (4,000 words) (35%)
  • Exam (3 hours) (35%)

Workload requirements

7 hours a week: lectures 4 hours, tutorials 1 hour, online learning activities 2 hours over a 14 week semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5022 - Contemporary nursing in context 2

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Roz Williamson

Coordinator(s)

Ms Roz Williamson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUR5011, NUR5111.

Synopsis

This unit has a strong focus on the theory and practice underpinning working with organizations, individuals, families, groups and communities. Through discussion lectures, tutorials and interactive online sessions, students will be able to examine the skills in communication for the purpose of enhancing therapeutic relationships across the lifespan and ultimately ensuring quality health care are developed through studies in this unit. The concepts of caring and helping in nursing within a therapeutic relationship, are explored. Students engage in in-depth analysis of the various human growth and development theories. These theoretical concepts provide a foundation for students to explore aspects of the social model of health, with a particular emphasis on the provision of health care to vulnerable populations and nursing in a culturally diverse community. Within this context the concepts of cultural competence and cultural safety are explored. The development of therapeutic engagement with vulnerable groups using these concepts will be central to the learning milieu of this unit.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the meaning of health and the broad principles of public health
  2. Discriminate between the concepts of helping and caring in nursing practice.
  3. Recognise the elements of therapeutic communication with particular reference to working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and age groups
  4. Critically analyse the impact of cultural diversity on health and illness behaviour
  5. Incorporate the issues of cultural safety and cultural competence within nursing practice.
  6. Determine barriers associated with access to, and equity in health care particularly as they relate to Indigenous Australians and people in different vulnerable groups
  7. Identify population health outcome indicators particularly as they relate to Indigenous Australian and people in different vulnerable groups
  8. Engage in self-reflection as a beginning step towards person-centred nursing.

Assessment

  • Indigenous health assignment (5000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (1500-2000 words) (30%)
  • Active learning engagement (20%)

Workload requirements

Blended learning activities, including online and classroom sessions 6 hours/week:

Workshops: 4 X 3 hours and 2 X 1 hour,

Guided self-directed learning: 4 hours/week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5033 - Contemporary nursing in context 3

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Joy Penman

Coordinator(s)

Dr Joy Cayetano-Penman

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUR5011, NUR5022.

Synopsis

This unit examines foundations of knowledge for nursing and education for clinical practice. Knowledge generation through research, and the application and dissemination of that knowledge, are central themes of this unit. The development of a research culture as the cornerstone of professional nursing is emphasized. Research processes from various traditions are examined and their specific relevance to nursing in diverse practice settings is explored. The significance of evidence-based nursing in the context of the contemporary health care environment is highlighted. As a key feature of this unit, knowledge transfer and translation is examined in primary, acute and rehabilitative settings. Strategies for peer teaching and health promotion through teaching are developed through exploration of theoretical concepts and practical application in the classroom setting.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. discuss the concept of knowledge generation in professional nursing;
  2. describe philosophical underpinnings, methodologies and principles of research relevant to nursing practice;
  3. understand the generation of knowledge in nursing through the critique of research;
  4. discuss the ethical principles underpinning the research process;
  5. recommend strategies for the dissemination of knowledge to facilitate improved health outcomes;
  6. identify strategies for the translation of research evidence to nursing practice;
  7. describe and critique theories of learning;
  8. develop and implement plans for health teaching and promotion.

Assessment

  • Written / Multi Media Assignment - Teaching and Learning (3,000 - 3,500 words) (30%)
  • Written Assignment - Research and Evidence Based Practice (4,000 words) (35%)
  • Exam (2 hours)(35%)

Workload requirements

10 hours a week: lectures 6 hours, tutorials 4 hours over 8 weeks. Please note: Students who undertake this unit in the summer semester will be on campus for 5.5 weeks intensive mode.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5111 - Contemporary nursing practice 1

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

This unit is the first of four practice units in the graduate entry Master of Nursing Practice. The unit provides students with foundation knowledge and skills for nursing practice with an emphasis on physical health assessment. Knowledge and nursing practice skills are introduced around case scenarios. Each case will use an individualised client centred approach. Content to be covered within each scenario will include physiology, introductory pharmacology, application of the legal and ethical dimensions of care and nursing skills development. Clinical practice experience is an integral component of this unit and concentrates on the attainment of fundamental client care.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply anatomical and physiological principles to the outcomes of the patient assessment and care planning process.
  2. Integrate scientific theory and clinical problem solving, communication and decision making skills to systematically assess a patient in the acute care clinical setting.
  3. Plan and evaluate patient assessment data using clinical problem solving and decision making processes to justify care interventions across the lifespan of patients in acute care settings.
  4. Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care using a person-centred approach cognisant of each individual's autonomy, self-esteem and dignity.
  5. Apply the principles of pharmacology to therapeutic drug administration and monitoring to ensure the safe care of patients in a clinical setting.
  6. Describe the legal and professional nursing requirements associated with quality use of medications including safe oral drug administration, storage and handling.
  7. Perform basic nursing care skills to maintain and ensure patient safety using an evidence-based and professional approach in the clinical environment.
  8. Identify the core principles of palliative care and the resources available for people with life limiting illness.
  9. Practise in accordance with NMBA Registered Nurse standards for practice and other professional standards at a beginning level.

Fieldwork

Clinical placement: 120 hours.

Assessment

  • Active learning engagement (30%)
  • Case study (3000 words) (30%)
  • Clinical performance (160 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical laboratory sessions - compulsory 100% attendance
  • Must complete clinical placement (120 hours)

Workload requirements

Blended learning activities, including online and classroom sessions 6 hours/week; laboratories 2 hours/week; self-directed activities 4 hours/week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5112 - Nursing practice in the Australian healthcare context

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

NUR5113Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit is offered concurrently with NUR5113Not offered in 2018 Nursing in the Australian Context for registered nurses with International nursing qualifications. A focus on principles of clinical leadership, therapeutic and professional communication, multidisciplinary team work, and clinical decision making will facilitate transition to the Australian nursing context. The unit is learner cantered engaging the student in critical reflection, appraisal and application of evidence for practice in relationship to the role of the nurse in a variety of clinical nursing settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply a clinical reasoning process in the resolution of a number of example clinical nursing problems within the parameters of the registered nurses scope of practice
  2. Describe the personal attributes and professional skill required of nurses in effective clinical leadership roles, including an appraisal of how these assets contribute to efficient change management outcomes
  3. Apply the theoretical principles for achieving evidence informed nursing practice in the critique of nursing practice examples from a range of practice settings
  4. Evaluate the clinical application of evidence-based research and ethical principles in the management of a range of complex nursing examples
  5. Reflect critically on professional development in preparation for practice in the Australian health care context
  6. Demonstrate evidence of continuing competence to practice as a registered nurse through the development of a professional portfolio
  7. Practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMAC) National Competencies for the Registered Nurse, Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses.

Fieldwork

6 weeks clinical practicum.

Assessment

  • Portfolio (8,000 words) (60%)
  • Essay (2,500 words) (40%)
  • 6 week clinical practicum (Pass / Fail)

Workload requirements

Six weeks clinical practicum: 240 hours, Self-directed learning: 72 hours.

Total: 312 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery

Clinical midwifery


NUR5113 - Nursing in the Australian context

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

NUR5112Not offered in 2018.

Synopsis

This unit is offered concurrently with NUR5112Not offered in 2018 Nursing Practice in the Australian Health Care Context for registered nurses with International nursing qualifications. This unit is learner cantered engaging the student in critical reflection, appraisal and application of evidence for practice. The Australian legal system and its applications to the health care environment will be examined in detail. Students will be required to explore the complex legal relationships that nurses have with patients, families and other health care professionals. In addition, professional and ethical codes will be introduced, explored and posited as a basis for professional nursing practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Compare the multi-faceted health care system in Australia and how nurses practice in these settings in line with global trends
  2. Critically appraise the role and scope of practice of the nurse in a range of Australian health care settings, making comparisons with other western countries in similar settings
  3. Critically appraise the application of evidence based quality improvement processes to an area of nursing practice for the purpose of enhancing patient safety
  4. Apply ethical decision making principles to clinical cases involving ethical dilemmas in practice and appraise a range of strategies to be considered in the resolution of the situation
  5. Apply pertinent legal concepts and mechanisms that underpin the scope of practice for nurses to a range of case studies drawn from real clinical situations
  6. Describe the relationship between the conduct of clinical research and changes to nursing knowledge and its application to practice through a structured critique of research findings using an approved journal article
  7. Practice in accordance with ANMAC Competencies for the Registered Nurse and other professional standards.

Assessment

  • Summative online quiz (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Exam (3 hours) (60%)
  • One week on-campus seminar (Pass / Fail)

Workload requirements

On-campus (5 day seminar): 35 hours, Online learning modules (40 hours per five modules): 200 hours, Self-directed learning: 77 hours.

Total: 312 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5202 - Nursing informatics

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Bob Ribbons

Coordinator(s)

Mr Bob Ribbons

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

Relationships between computers, information technologies and the provision of nursing care. Contemporary issues in nursing informatics. Skills in the use of information technologies in health care settings enabling participants to act as a conduits, facilitating and enhancing communication between and among clinicians, technicians, information systems personnel, health care executives and systems vendors. Issues of privacy, ethics, confidentiality and network security.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how specific software application (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and statistics) may be applied to nursing practice, education, administration and research;
  2. Describe the role of database, communication and network technology in the development, implementation and utilisation of information systems;
  3. Evaluate current trends in communication and network technology and their impact on Health Information Systems;
  4. Analyse and evaluate a number of information sources such as CD-ROM databases and websites related to nursing knowledge in general and specifically to Nursing Informatics;
  5. Demonstrate an ability to competently utilise communication applications such as email, newsgroups, intranet and Internet audio/video technology and evaluate their benefits to health care;
  6. Outline the role of various computer architectures in the provision of Information Systems;
  7. Analyse a number of networking structures and topographies;
  8. Understand issues related to informatics ethics, privacy and confidentiality;
  9. Evaluate the role of network security in maintaining information system integrity;
  10. Analyse a number of information technology implementation strategies and outline their impact on Nursing Informatics;
  11. Discuss the role of data standards and case mix in health informatics;
  12. Demonstrate an understanding of current trends in health care and how they influence the development, implementation and utilisation of information systems;
  13. Analyse a number of Clinical Information Systems and determine their role in improving nursing care.

Assessment

  • Seminar presentation (30%)
  • Issues paper (40%) (hurdle)
  • Tutorial participation (30%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5203 - Palliative care practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Joy Penman

Coordinator(s)

Dr Joy Penman

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

The unit prepares student for the role of a specialist in palliative care. Topics of content include the philosophical and developmental trends of the hospice and palliative care movement, interdisciplinary team roles and the family, cultural and spiritual aspects of death and dying. Medical, nursing and complementary therapies utilised in the care of patients with terminal illnesses are discussed. Assessment and symptom management strategies in mental status, pain control and other common physical symptoms are explored. Activities in the unit include fieldwork, literature review, and computer conferencing for the study of current research in symptom management and palliative care.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. analyse the difficulties faced by persons when they encounter death, dying and bereavement;
  2. critique the philosophies which govern palliative care and the hospice movement as the means for improving care;
  3. develop a personal construct of spirituality and contrast this with the spiritual constructs of others;
  4. analyse the collaborative interdisciplinary team approach to palliative care;
  5. apply the principles of crisis intervention to prevent, identify and alleviate care giver stress and burnout;
  6. critique appropriate patient assessment tools for holistic assessment in palliative care;
  7. discuss the role of the multi disciplinary team in the provision of effective symptom control and prevention;
  8. analyse a range of innovative approaches to palliative care that enhance the quality of life of palliative care clients; and
  9. identify resources for all aspects of palliative care in a range of health care settings.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork involves a regional community palliative care service investigation and written report.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (40%) (hurdle)
  • Fieldwork report (20%)
  • Literature review (30%)
  • Contribution to computer conferencing activities (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5204 - Education in health care practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Samantha Dix

Coordinator(s)

Ms Samantha Dix

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

This unit examines contemporary issues impacting on education for health care practitioners, within a context of continuous change. Students explore a range of theoretical underpinnings that impact upon the educational process in health care practice with emphasis placed on educational theorists. Students will apply theoretical learning to teaching practice through participation in practicum; or through their role as a teacher within their own clinical practices. This will include both classroom (small and large group) and clinical teaching experiences in a variety of settings. It will equip students with the knowledge and mastery of skills necessary to critique, understand and respond to the learning preferences and needs of those whose education they have responsibility for. It will prepare students with the skills and knowledge to critically evaluate and assess the outcomes of an educational intervention. It will offer students a theoretical underpinning for current modelling of professionalism, clinical competence and lifelong learning.

This unit is a compulsory core unit for the Master of Family Medicine (MFM) a core unit in the Education Stream for the Master of Nursing (MN) and an elective unit in the Master of Clinical Midwifery (MCM).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critique and reflect on the most appropriate and evidence based method(s) of assessment for a given learning experience, be able to justify their choice, and offer detailed explanations of the complexity of its implementation within a multicultural setting.
  2. Design and critique an appropriate evaluation strategy for a given learning experience, including an assessment of the outcome(s).
  3. Investigate and critically analyse recent ethical trends within their profession with particular reference to the teaching and assessment of clinical professionalism and competence.
  4. Demonstrate competence as a clinical teacher (including a self and peer critical evaluation of the teaching) and the competence to reflect on and constructively respond to the results of such evaluation.
  5. Design, critique and reflect on an appropriate tutor preparation to enable effective delivery of a given learning experience: teaching others to teach.
  6. Critically assess and evaluate recent trends within their profession with particular reference to inter professional education.

Assessment

  • Written assignment (critique) (2,500 words) (30%)
  • Practicum & practicum reflective report (60 minutes) (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Portfolio (4,000 words) (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5208 - Therapeutic medication management

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Robyn Fairhall

Coordinator(s)

Dr Robyn Fairhall

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code 0136, 1250, 2985,3557, 3565, 3900, 4513, M6006, P6003

Synopsis

This unit is directed at extending student's knowledge of pharmacology and explores principles covering medication management within advanced nursing practice. The first module seeks to extend students knowledge of fundamental pharmacological principles of medication management which can be adopted and utilized in the advanced practice setting. Students will use the foundational knowledge of pharmokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics, in order to critically analyse how medications affect physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes. With a greater appreciation of the action of drugs on body processes, students will be able to determine which medications should be administered to particular patients in order to ensure therapeutic effects are optimized and adverse effects are minimized. Students will articulate the key pharmacological characteristics of drug classes, as well as derive an understanding of specific features of individual drugs.

The second module extends students' knowledge of social, political and ethical principles of medication management, and allows the student to explore how these principles are applied in the advanced practice setting. The concepts of pain management, adverse drug reactions and medication use across the lifespan will be considered. Students will individualise the use of the clinical decision making process as the framework for gathering and organizing medication information, planning, prescribing, administering, documenting and evaluation to suit their own practice needs. Students will extend their knowledge of the learning and teaching strategies for patient education and the government policies that are relevant to nurse prescribing. Commonwealth and State laws affecting the control of medication will also be applied to the advanced practice setting. Students will address the socio-cultural and ethical issues that affect the relationship between the nurse practitioner and patient, and will examine the style and required particulars for written prescriptions. Equipped with this knowledge, students will be expected to critically review the application of clinical pharmacology to their specific area of advanced practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe fundamental principles of pharmacology;
  2. Describe the processes involved in pharmacokinetics along with factors that influence these processes;
  3. Explain indications, actions, adverse reactions and contraindications for commonly prescribed medication;
  4. Demonstrate clinical decision making ability relating to pharmacology within own specific practice area;
  5. Provide appropriate education for clients based upon individual medication regimes;
  6. Describe medication regimes for discipline-specific clinical conditions in their area of practice;
  7. Critically analyse the implications of medication use across the lifespan;
  8. Describe legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with prescription and administration of medications in their jurisdiction;
  9. Critically analyse social and political factors that influence use of medications in their jurisdiction.

Assessment

  • Mid-semester on-line examination (10%)
  • Participation in online discussions (5%)
  • End of semester written examination (55%) (must pass exam to achieve a pass in the unit) (3 hours)
  • Portfolio activities (30%)

Workload requirements

3 hour tutorial per week (optional).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5209 - Education program development

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Samantha Dix

Coordinator(s)

Samantha Dix

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5204.

Synopsis

Health professionals are employed in a wide variety of workplaces where they are often required to deliver education programs to a wide range of professional and client groups. In many of these workplaces, there is an expectation that health professionals will be able to develop education and training programs that are responsive to local needs. The aim of this unit is to assist the learner to develop skills in the area of education program development. This flexible unit will allow the learner to work through the process of program development. To achieve this the learner will identify a workplace learning need to be addressed, then develop goals and objectives and formulate an education program to address the identified need.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. discuss the theoretical underpinnings related to developing an education program;
  2. undertake a training needs analysis in their workplace;
  3. analyse the results and identify the learning need required;
  4. explain the principles of planning cost effective education programs;
  5. develop goals and objectives that will relate to identified learning needs;
  6. explore principles used in designing program content;
  7. design an education program related to the identified learning need; and
  8. develop a program evaluation tool using educationally sound principles.

Assessment

  • Education needs assessment (40%) (hurdle)
  • Essay (30%)
  • Portfolio of program (30%)

Workload requirements

24 hours per week, comprising guided readings, online and other activities and/or tutorials, including self directed learning. (Total 312 hours).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5210 - Disaster and emergency nursing management

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Virginia Plummer

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Virginia Plummer

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit introduces nurses to the role they play in emergency preparedness and disaster management in local and international settings. Areas of focus include the role in planning, partnerships, disaster response, and delivery of services.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Develop a plan including the essential elements of leadership and management for nursing in disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery;
  2. Explain the concept of a safe hospital in disaster and the safe hospital index;
  3. Analyze strategies for investing in a disaster informed nursing workforce within local and international settings;
  4. Evaluate the resources available to enhance the resilience of the nursing workforce in disaster;
  5. Identify when community resilience is compromised and what is needed to build that resilience;
  6. Analyze the competing issues of core competencies, expanded scope of practice and ethical practice in the context of response for nurses;
  7. Conceptualise the value of using a disaster research framework for a research study of a mass casualty incident;
  8. Identify the special needs of vulnerable populations in disaster situations.

Assessment

  • Virtual presentation (20 minutes) (30%)
  • Online forums (4 forums, 2 posts each after reading) (30%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

24 hours per week including contact time (2 hour lecture, 2 hour tutorial/small group classes or team activities), site visits and/or fieldwork, and self-directed learning (reading, worksheets, assignments, database and web-based research, analysis of published articles and case studies, informal study groups and reflective activities); averaged over the 13 week semester - a total of 312 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5214 - Advanced therapeutic interaction in nursing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Charanjit Singh

Coordinator(s)

Mr Charanjit Singh

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

In this unit students will study a variety of psychological interventions and counselling. This will include analysis of the theoretical underpinnings and major concepts of each approach. The students will develop a greater self awareness. Students will be assisted in the development of their own unique approaches to psychological intervention with their clients.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse a variety of approaches to psychological interventions;
  2. Develop a greater awareness of self and the ways in which personal attributes affect interaction with clients and others;
  3. Demonstrate acquisition of communication skills required for effective psychotherapeutic interaction;
  4. Plan interventions and establish goals to meet the needs of the client;
  5. Practice the relevant skills for effective counselling in a variety of clinical settings;
  6. Discuss a range of contemporary issues in psychological interventions;
  7. Critically appraise the evidence available regarding the efficacy of the approaches to psychological interventions;
  8. Develop an understanding of cultural psychosocial aspects which influence the development of a therapeutic relationship and counselling role.

Assessment

  • Computer conferences (40%)
  • Written assignment (60%)
  • Clinical assessment (Hurdle) (Pass / Fail)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery

Clinical midwifery


NUR5215 - Mental health nursing concepts and practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Karen Harder

Coordinator(s)

Ms Karen Harder

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Master of Nursing or Master of Advanced Nursing

Synopsis

The nature of mental illness; the nursing process in mental health nursing; roles and functions of mental health nurses; context of care; mental health problems and disorders; therapeutic interventions in mental health care; ethical and legal issues; specialisation in mental health nursing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of comprehensive mental health nursing assessment including a risk assessment
  2. Explain the commonly used diagnostic classification systems in psychiatry and mental health nursing
  3. Promote consumer participation in all aspects of health care
  4. Apply knowledge of advanced mental health nursing skills in planning, implementing and evaluating mental health nursing care for people with mental disorders
  5. Apply the principles underlying contemporary therapeutic interventions for people with mental health disorders
  6. Apply knowledge of a range of contemporary physical therapies including psychopharmacological preparations, electroconvulsive therapy, and milieu therapies (e.g. high dependency, seclusion, Snoezelen) and their application in mental health care.
  7. Integrate the relevant legislation and policy impacting upon the professional practice of mental health nursing
  8. Integrate and apply knowledge of ethical issues in nursing people with mental health disorders
  9. Critically appraise research evidence applicable to mental health nursing practice
  10. Ensure that mental health nursing practice is culturally appropriate

Assessment

  • Evidence Based Practice Assignment (3,000 words) (30%) (Hurdle)
  • Reflective Postings (2 x 10% each) (20%)
  • Pharmacology Management (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Examination (3 hours) (35%)(Hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5217 - Advanced paediatric nursing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Beverley Copnell

Coordinator(s)

Dr Beverley Copnell

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The paediatric nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to assess and manage patients in a variety of settings. The unit enables the student to develop proficiency in the holistic management of sick children, beyond the beginning specialist level, and prepares students for leadership roles in their practice area.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. describe the aetiology, clinical manifestations and pathophysiology of a range of diseases/conditions observed in children;
  2. plan and implement appropriate, evidence based, therapeutic nursing interventions related to the management of paediatric patients;
  3. plan and implement appropriate, evidence based, therapeutic nursing interventions related to the management of children with complex health needs;
  4. critically analyse the clinical issues supporting and complicating advanced practice in paediatric nursing;
  5. analyse the collaborative interdisciplinary team approach to management of paediatric patients.

Assessment

  • Take home examination (30%)
  • Written assignment 1 (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment 2 (5,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5218 - Advanced clinical decision making

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Coordinator(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5208, NUR5411.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6006.

Synopsis

This unit further extends the students' knowledge and skills relating to the clinical reasoning process to enable them to plan and implement evidence-informed interventions.

The unit requires students to analyse the clinical, cultural and professional factors that influence nurse practitioner clinical decision making.

The clinical skill development and consolidation will be supported through the provision of adequate and appropriate clinical practice in the context of the workplace setting. Students will be expected to work closely with their clinical mentors to achieve this.

The unit promotes a holistic model of care that includes recognition of and respect for cultural identity and lifestyle choices and how these factors can influence decision making.

The unit also provides an examination of contemporary professional issues that impact on nurse practitioner practice and inform the scope of the nurse practitioner role in specific practice areas.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply extended skills in diagnostic reasoning to speciality nurse practitioner practice
  2. Synthesise and interpret findings from clinical assessment and diagnostic tests to plan and implement appropriate, evidence-based preventive and/or therapeutic interventions
  3. Design and develop a learning package targeting advanced clinical decision making relevant to speciality nurse practitioner practice
  4. Implement sound clinical decisions that are cognisant of the impact of social and cultural factors on the health of individuals and communities
  5. Evaluate the specific health care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and incorporate their cultural beliefs and practices into interactions and care planning
  6. Implement culturally safe nurse practitioner practice
  7. Critically analyse the scope of nurse practitioner practice in a specific practice area and how it contributes to the organisation and the community
  8. Explain the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities associated with the nurse practitioner role to stakeholders
  9. Critically analyse clinical issues that support or complicate nurse practitioner practice

Fieldwork

Students must be employed for at least 2 days per week in an appropriate clinical environment cognisant with course objectives and have support to undertake extended clinical practice.

Assessment

  • Online discussion (10%)
  • Written Case Study (1,800 words) (15%)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (15%)+
  • Peer Feedback Assessment (equivalent to 1,200 words) (10%)
  • Learning Contract (equivalent to 1,200 words) (15%)
  • Completed Learning Contract Portfolio (equivalent to 4,200 words) (35%)
  • Clinical portfolio (including Semester 4 Summative Assessment) (Pass / Fail) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will undertake 25 hrs per week of online activities and self-directed learning.

This will consist of approximately 12 hours of self-directed learning and 12 hours teacher-directed learning per week.

Students are also expected to attend 4 contact days throughout the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Residential school 2 - 3 days during the semester, 25 hours per week online activities and self-directed learning.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5219 - Advanced clinical practice for nurse practitioner

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Coordinator(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5208, NUR5218, NUR5411.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6006.

Synopsis

This unit integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to prepare students for transition to practice as a Nurse Practitioner. The unit promotes capability in the management of stable, unpredictable and complex patient conditions that is evidence-informed and carried out within a holistic model of care. Students will expand their knowledge of the use of technology in Nurse Practitioner practice, including information technology and information management. The unit focuses on the high level communication and leadership skills required in NP practice, with emphasis on national and global influences on the NP role.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate independent skills in diagnostic reasoning and planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence-informed integrated care
  2. Demonstrate a patient-centred approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care
  3. Analyse the role of technology in supporting health care in a specific area of practice
  4. Critically analyse local, national and global issues that impact on Nurse Practitioner practice
  5. Critically analyse and implement communication strategies that promote positive multidisciplinary clinical partnerships
  6. Appraise measures to evaluate the quality of health care
  7. Critically appraise the impact of the theoretical concepts of leadership on quality patient outcomes
  8. Critically reflect on their personal and professional development in preparation for practice as a Nurse Practitioner.

Fieldwork

Students are required to be employed for at least 2 days per week in an appropriate clinical environment cognisant with course objectives and have support to undertake extended clinical practice.

Assessment

  • Clinical portfolio (Hurdle)
  • Objective structured clinical assessment (Oral) (3,000 words) (Hurdle)
  • Written assignment (4,000 - 5,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Presentation (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Reflective essay (1,500 words) (20%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Residential school 1 week, 22 hrs per week online activities and self-directed learning.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5227 - Integrated mental health care

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ian Munro

Coordinator(s)

Dr Ian Munro

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit focuses on key concepts such as models of mental health service delivery, consumer and carer participation and perspectives, and professional issues in mental health nursing. It provides an in-depth analysis of each major component of an integrated mental health service and also covers special populations and transcultural mental health issues.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the characteristics of an efficient and cost effective comprehensive mental health service;
  2. Critically analyse contemporary approaches to mental health service delivery;
  3. Discuss the importance of consumer and carer perspectives and participation in mental health service delivery;
  4. Describe the mental health nurse's scope of practice in a range of health care contexts;
  5. Demonstrate understanding of the needs of special populations including people from non-English speaking backgrounds, refugees, homeless people;
  6. Discuss the influence of culture, gender and coexisting conditions on the care of people with mental health problems and disorders;
  7. Act as an effective leader, health educator, resource person and catalyst for change to individuals, families, health professionals and the community.

Assessment

  • Essay (Special care needs of people in mental health) (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Essay (Application of government policy) (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Essay (Critique of mental health services) (3,000 words) (30%)
  • 4 x Online computer conference posts (1,000 words each) (total 20%)
  • Clinical hurdle: Clinical skills assessment

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5228 - Theories and philosophies of mental health nursing

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Chris Brooks

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chris Brooks

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

Students enrolled in M6006 - Students must be enrolled in M6006

or students must be enrolled in M6022, and enrolled in the Mental Health Nursing specialisation.

Students enrolled in M6022, must be enrolled in Mental Health Nursing specialisation.

Synopsis

The application of mental health nursing theories and philosophies to practice is studied in four modules.

The first module concerns study of concepts of mental health nursing. Core values that underpin the work of the mental health nurses including collaboration, recovery focused care, working in partnership, professionalism and reflective practice are examined for their utility in the provision of care.

The second module concerns the mental health nurses' working relationships with consumers, and study of nursing practices that enhance consumer personhood and citizenship.

The third module concerns mental health nurses' assessments of consumers' relationships with their environments; and the interventions that can be applied to support attainment of a therapeutic milieu.

The fourth module concerns the application of mental health nursing processes in respect of best practice, care planning and outcome evaluation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Review and appraise the significance of selected nursing theories and philosophies to contemporary mental health nursing practice.
  2. Integrate core values of mental health nursing into care provision with consumers; in scenario work and in mental health nursing workplaces.
  3. Use recovery-oriented principles of care to achieve: consumer self-determination; inclusiveness, nurturance, growth and development; and shared decision-making.
  4. Assess consumers' relationships with their environments; and problem solve issues of safety, the promotion of wellness, and advocacy for unmet and special needs.
  5. Distinguish different mental health nursing interventions that can be applied to gain attainment of therapeutic relationships and environments in a variety of consumer situations.
  6. Create comprehensive and evidence-based mental health nursing care plans across a range of consumer needs.

Assessment

  • On-line discussions x 2 (500 words each) (20%)
  • Critical essay (2,500 words) (35%)
  • Case study (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Interaction and participation in communication workshops (10%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week - online and self-directed.

This is primarily an online unit; plus two days of interactive workshops on-campus.

Detail: Students will be expected to log on each week undertake several hours of direct work and further hours of indirect, personal work, to a total of 12 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5229 - Challenges and controversies in mental health nursing practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Eddie Robinson

Coordinator(s)

Mr Eddie Robinson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in M6006 or M6022.

Students enrolled in M6022, must be enrolled in Mental Health Nursing specialisation.

Synopsis

In this unit students study four modules in which they examine complexities and challenges of working with mental health consumers and services. The first module concerns the nursing and therapeutic principles of working with hard to engage mental health consumers. Students will study several case examples and consider relevant engagement principles that can be used by mental health nurses in their clinical contexts. The second module concerns the practice and philosophy of integrated mental health care for complex consumers. The third module examines frameworks for innovation and advancing the culture of mental health nursing that can be applied in clinical care contexts. The fourth module explores mechanisms by which mental health nurses can use their professional voice to advocate for mental health consumers, professional autonomy and to achieve professional influence.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Appraise and apply advanced mental health nursing engagement frameworks for the care of complex and hard to engage mental health clients.
  2. Critically examine integrative mental health care policies and frameworks that can be used to plan and manage the care of mental health clients with complex and chronic illnesses.
  3. Consider the relevance and utility of models and frameworks that can be applied in mental nursing contexts to innovate services and care.
  4. Appraise observational and interventional methods that can be applied to evolve the efficacy of workplace culture in mental health care settings.
  5. Consider professional strategies that involve the use of nursing voice and advocacy to influence mental health care and mental health nursing.
  6. Create comprehensive and evidence-based mental health nursing care plans and interventions across a range of complex care situations and workplace contexts.

Assessment

  • On-line discussions x 2 (500 words each) (20%)
  • Case study (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Written essay (2,500 words) (35%)
  • Interaction and participation in communication workshops (10%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week - online and self-directed.

This is primarily an online unit; plus two days of interactive workshops on-campus.

Detail: Students will be expected to log on each week undertake several hours of direct work and further hours of indirect, personal work, to a total of 12 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5315 - Advanced practice in context

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Susan Lee

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Susan Lee

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

Postgraduate specialty study and GHS5841

Synopsis

This unit is designed to prepare students to practice at an advanced level within nursing practice environments.

This unit is offered in recognition that an experienced registered nurse will be able to take a leadership role in promoting improvements to clinical, educational and administrative areas of nursing practice. In this largely, self-directed unit students will apply theory and research to specific interventions encompassed in the spectrum of models of nursing practice.

It enables the student to apply topics presented separately in the previous course units and to integrate knowledge and skill development in areas such as advanced decision-making and problem solving, in the context of practice.

This unit is undertaken in the final semester of coursework study.

Outcomes

The overall objectives for this unit are broad because each student is expected to negotiate and set their own goals in consultation with their lecturer and mentor. Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse a practice issue;
  2. Evaluate the unique cultural aspects of the context of practice;
  3. Recommend key stakeholders in managing a practice issue;
  4. Plan a principles and evidence based nursing practice project that addresses a practice issue;
  5. Apply initiative, interpersonal and independent problem-solving skills to practice issues;
  6. Collect, analyse and synthesise information about the identified issues to inform practice change;
  7. Recommend evidence based solutions to practice issues;
  8. Write a scholarly report on a nursing practice project;
  9. Present the project methods, synthesised findings and the arising recommendations needed to influence practice change.

Assessment

  • Project Plan 1000 words (10%),
  • Project Proposal 2500 words (20%),
  • Project Presentation 20 minutes (20%),
  • Final project report 6000 words (50%) - Hurdle Requirement

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5325 - Clinical leadership in nursing

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Cheryle Moss

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Cheryle Moss

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to research and apply modern leadership theories to clinical nursing practice. The content is delivered in three modules. The first module examines concepts of the development of clinical leadership performance and skills. The second explores contemporary leadership theories and considers their relevance to nursing leadership in a range of clinical contexts. The third examines developmental strategies in nursing that require operationalization of clinical leadership.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify personal clinical leadership goals;
  2. Assess clinical leadership readiness and related skill sets of nurses in practice;
  3. Critically analyse leadership theories relevant to nursing practice and their application in clinical nursing services;
  4. Construct and critique strategies for clinical development through leadership;
  5. Evaluate outcomes of successful leadership;
  6. Evaluate clinical development outcomes produced through leadership intervention.

Assessment

  • Written assignment 1 (2,000 - 2,500 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Written assignment 2 (2,000 - 2,500 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Group presentation (20 minutes) (20%)

Workload requirements

Flexible: 4 hours per week lectures, tutorials and workshops; 8 hours per week self-directed learning (directed and self-directed reading).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5326 - Leading improvement and innovation in the quality and safety of nursing and health care

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Verity Mak

Coordinator(s)

Ms Verity Mak

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

This unit enables students to understand and apply contemporary approaches, tools and techniques to improving the quality and safety of health care and services. The historical and contemporary context, purpose of, and approaches to improvement and innovation in nursing, midwifery and health care are explored.

Working within the framework of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Version 2), students will utilise contemporary technologies and approaches used to identify clinical performance gaps, and develop person-centred outcomes for improvement and innovation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critique the historical and contemporary context for improving the quality and safety of nursing and health care in Australia and internationally.
  2. Describe the role of clinical governance in the prevention and minimisation of clinical risks and adverse outcomes in nursing practice.
  3. Identify evidence relating to the presence, risks and approaches to addressing specific care quality and safety issues in nursing practice.
  4. Critique approaches and techniques for improving specific care quality and safety issues in contemporary nursing practice.
  5. Apply contemporary approaches and techniques in developing plans and interventions for improving the quality and safety of nursing and health care.

Assessment

  • Review of evidence report (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Multimedia presentation of project development(25%)
  • Improvement project proposal (2,750 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Flexible: Equivalent of 2 hours per week lectures and workshops; 10 hours per week self-directed learning (directed and self-directed reading).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5327 - Management and leadership of professional nursing practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Cheryle Moss

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Cheryle Moss

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prohibitions

GHS5850.

Synopsis

This unit examines the concepts of management and leadership as applied to the conduct of professional nursing practice. The content is delivered in four modules. The first module examines key professional and organisational structures that govern the scope and practice of nursing work in particular nursing contexts. The uses and roles of policy (development, utilisation and compliance) in assisting governance will be studied. In the second module, contemporary methods for the organisation of work in nursing environments will be examined including human resources management. These also will be considered in relation to industry and technology reforms; political, business and social agendas; and developmental strategies. The third module examines principles and models for strategic planning and operational interventions for the management and development of nursing services and work. The fourth module examines the role of interdisciplinary engagement and activities in relation to nursing leadership and management strategies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Examine leadership and management responsibilities and outcomes associated with the organisation of professional nursing practice;
  2. Critique contemporary methods of organising professional nursing work in a range of practice contexts;
  3. Apply principles of human resource management to a nursing / midwifery practice setting to achieve the required skill mix;
  4. Describe professional and workplace governance structures that have been proven to be successful in particular nursing / midwifery workplace contexts;
  5. Identify drivers for change (e.g. industry and technology reforms; political, business and social agendas) and proactively lead nursing responses to changing and dynamic environments;
  6. Critique commonly used strategies for strategic planning and operational implementation in particular nursing / midwifery workplace contexts;
  7. Recommend techniques related to enhancing interdisciplinary engagement that can be used in nursing / midwifery leadership and management situations;
  8. Develop a 'fit for purpose' policy to address an identified problem in nursing / midwifery practice requiring use of leadership and management strategies;
  9. Evaluate the implementation of a specific management and leadership strategy in the conduct of nursing work.

Assessment

  • Written assignment 1 (3,500 - 4,000 words) (40%)
  • Written assignment 2 (3,500 - 4,000 words) (40%)
  • Multimedia presentation (20 minutes) (20%)

Workload requirements

Flexible: 4 hours per week lectures, tutorials and workshops; 20 hours per week self-directed learning (directed and self-directed reading).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5405 - Explorations in child and family nursing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Beverley Copnell

Coordinator(s)

Dr Beverley Copnell

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit explores concepts intrinsic to the growing child and family within a framework of family centred care. The specific focus is on perspectives of physical, cognitive and social growth and development of the child set within the context of the evolving family unit. Family life, role relationships, parenting and other family issues are examined in relation to their influence on the development and health of the child and family members. Aspects of health crisis and the impact that this has on the growing child and family are considered.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Locate and critically evaluate appropriate data to support evidence-based family and child-centered nursing care;
  2. Discuss the various theories relating to the physical, psychological, emotional and social development of children from birth to adolescence;
  3. Critically analyse the implications of illness and hospitalisation for children at each stage of development;
  4. Synthesise information in order to identify and deliver nursing interventions to foster normal development (including referral to other members of the healthcare team as appropriate);
  5. Critically appraise family dynamics as they influence the health and well being of a child;
  6. Critically analyse the impact that a health crisis has on the child and family;
  7. Synthesis information in order to identify and deliver appropriate nursing interventions that support the child and family with a health crisis;
  8. Critically reflect on the practice of family-centered care.

Assessment

Formative:

  • At least 3 contributions to the Moodle discussion site during the semester (Hurdle)
  • Submission of plan for written assignment 1 (Hurdle)

Summative:

  • Written assignment 1 (4,000 words) (40%)
  • Written assignment 2 (4,000 words) (40%)
  • Reflective essay (2,000 words) (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5411 - Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Coordinator(s)

Vanessa Clothier

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6006. Master of Nursing students may enrol upon course coordinator approval.

Synopsis

This unit will enable students to develop the assessment and diagnostic knowledge and skills required for practice as a nurse practitioner.

The content focuses on the acquisition and synthesis of information from a variety of sources, including patient histories, physical examination and diagnostic tests, to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings and identify differential diagnoses.

Factors which impact on health assessment will be explored. A practical approach to skill acquisition will be adopted. The students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in advanced health assessment relevant to their area of speciality practice.

Skill development will also be supported through the provision of adequate and appropriate clinical practice in the context of the workplace setting and students will be expected to work closely with their clinical supervisors to achieve this.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a structured approach to an advanced focused health assessment for each body system.
  2. Perform advanced, comprehensive and holistic health assessment in an area of specialist practice.
  3. Document relevant findings from patient assessment in a succinct and systematic manner.
  4. Analyze the contribution of physical, emotional, psychological, social, and cultural factors to health assessment.
  5. Outline common investigative options relevant to area of specialist practice.
  6. Analyze clinical assessment findings to make decisions about investigative options.
  7. Interpret and analyses results from diagnostic tests in the context of the patient physical assessment.
  8. Synthesize findings from assessment and diagnostic tests to formulate clinical impressions and identify differential diagnoses.
  9. Analyze the role of technology in supporting diagnostic reasoning in the specific clinical context.

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in an advanced practice role and supported in extended clinical practice activities.

Assessment

  • On-line quizzes (10%)
  • Written case study with reflective component (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Practical focused assessment (6 x 30 minute assessments) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Peer teaching assessment (1 hour) (25%)
  • Clinical supervisor documents (Pass / Fail) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will undertake 25 hrs per week of online activities and self-directed learning.

This will consist of approximately 13 hours of self-directed learning and 12 hours teacher-directed learning per week.

Students are also expected to attend 8 contact days throughout the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5703 - Pathophysiology for advanced clinical nursing

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Coordinator(s)

Mr Chris Scott

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Summer semester A 2018 (Flexible)

Prohibitions

NUR5925

Synopsis

This unit is designed to prepare the post-registration nurse for advanced nursing practice by focussing on the pathophysiology of major body systems, patient assessment and alterations.

The unit will also cover core concepts in care of the deteriorating patient equipping students with knowledge in areas of respiratory assessment and blood gas analysis, shock management and ECG interpretation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the unit the student should be able to:

  1. Articulate the roles and responsibilities of the specialist nurse in acute care practice
  2. Apply advanced clinical reasoning related to the pathophysiology of the neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal systems in specialist nursing practice.
  3. Apply holistic patient assessment to cases involving neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal systems in specialist nursing practice.
  4. Evaluate the pharmacological and other evidence based therapeutic interventions used to manage neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal system conditions in specialist nursing practice.
  5. Analyse and interpret 12 lead ECGs, blood gas data and advanced respiratory findings as part of integrated patient assessment..
  6. Critique current evidence based management strategies related to the pathophysiology of shock states and assessment criteria used to measure the degree of severity.

Assessment

  • On line quizzes x 3 throughout semester (25%)
  • Written Assignment (2500 words) (35%)
  • End of semester Written Examination (2 hours) (40%) Hurdle

Workload requirements

2 x study days (12 hours per semester)

5 Online modules 12 hours per module = 60 hours

Total 72 hours per semester

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at residential schools held oncampus.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Intensive care nursing

Clinical nursing


NUR5704 - Pathophysiology for advanced paediatric clinical nursing

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Chanika Perera

Coordinator(s)

Ms Chanika Perera

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Summer semester A 2018 (Flexible)

Prohibitions

NUR5926

Synopsis

Understanding the core paediatric pathophysiology is essential to caring for unwell children.

This unit focuses on pathophysiological concepts that will allow nurses to accurately assess and care for paediatric patients.

The theoretical knowledge gained from this unit can assist with the implementation of nursing interventions and planning care in the clinical environment.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the unit the student should be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast the anatomy and physiology of adults and children
  2. Describe embryonic development of major body systems and identify the physiological changes involved in transition to extrauterine life
  3. Describe the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of a range of diseases/conditions observed in children and neonates
  4. Analyse principles of nursing management of sick children and neonates
  5. Analyse the genetic and hereditary influences on child health

Fieldwork

Students must be working a minimum of 3 days/week in a clinical environment.

Assessment

  • Secure online quizzes x 3 throughout semester (30%)
  • Written Assignment (2000-2500 words) (35%)
  • End of semester Written Examination (2 hours) (35%)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week, online.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery

Clinical nursing


NUR5705 - Perioperative nursing 1

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Josie Tighe

Coordinator(s)

Josie Tighe

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

NUR5703- Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Nursing, please note NUR5703 can be completed prior to commencing NUR5705

Synopsis

This unit builds on the skills and knowledge of the Registered Nurse working in a perioperative specialisation.

The perioperative nurse requires a diverse knowledge base in order to effectively assess and appropriately manage patients in the perioperative setting.

This unit will enable the student to develop foundational knowledge of perioperative nursing and explore influences on care delivery in elective and emergency situations.

The content will provide opportunities for students to analyse the impact of regulatory standards and changing roles in the operative setting and to analyse complex perioperative situations from a legal and ethical perspective.

The impact of microbiology and research on the provision of an advanced level of care to perioperative patients will also be covered in this unit.

The unit will prepare students to provide evidence based patient centred care through the perioperative journey from surgical trigger through the pre, intra and post-operative settings using a case based themed curriculum.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of microbiology and asepsis in the context of safe perioperative specialty practice.
  2. Evaluate patient assessment findings to plan and implement pre, intra and postoperative care.
  3. Apply the principles of person centred care to the patient journey in specialty practice.
  4. Analyse the role of regulatory standards and codes of practice in the provision of safe quality driven perioperative care.
  5. Evaluate the impact of evidence based practice and technological advances on patient care and safety in the perioperative context.
  6. Describe the principles used to prioritise care and manage the deteriorating surgical patient.

Assessment

  • Perioperative Patient Care Plan (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance appraisal (pass/fail) (20%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week of either contact time or private study

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5706 - Perioperative nursing 2

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Josie Tighe

Coordinator(s)

Josie Tighe

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5703 Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Nursing

NUR5705 Perioperative Nursing 1

Synopsis

This unit builds on concepts and content from NUR5706 perioperative Nursing Practice 1 to enable the student to develop a deeper understanding of issues related to specific surgical specialty areas including orthopaedics, neurosurgery, endovascular and cardiothoracic surgery.

The unit will prepare the student for the complexities of embracing new and emerging technologies such as robotic surgery in the perioperative care context.

Students will evaluate the impact of disease, socio-economic and cultural factors on the provision of surgical care and relate these impacts to the provision of surgical care in rural and remote settings.

This unit will also prepare the student to provide advanced perioperative care during unpredictable complex scenarios involving trauma, burns and organ and tissue donation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the key issues surrounding organ and tissue donation from the perspective of health professionals, patients and their families.
  2. Apply the ethics of public health decision making to the perioperative context.
  3. Evaluate the impact of socio-economic and cultural factors on perioperative healthcare.
  4. Analyse the variations in clinical manifestations and influencing factors of complex surgical specialties and relate these to patient care.
  5. Assess and evaluate the factors influencing the provision of perioperative care in the rural and remote setting.
  6. Critically appraise how interdisciplinary team communication influences clinical decision making.

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in a perioperative unit 0.6EFT

Assessment

  • Perioperative Case Study (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance appraisal (pass/fail) (20%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week of either contact time or private study

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5708 - Specialist nursing practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Monica O'Halloran

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Monica O'Halloran

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit it is anticipated that the student will be able to:

Paediatric Nursing

  1. Recognise appropriate nursing strategies in order to facilitate family centred care for children and families with common childhood illnesses.
  2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults.
  3. Discuss the principles of a systematic paediatric assessment.
  4. Conduct age appropriate assessments required to evaluate the health status of the child and family experiencing health problems.
  5. Explore concepts of paediatric nursing practice relating to assessment, recognition, stabilisation and management of the child with severe life threatening disturbances.
  6. Describe the life threatening conditions that occur in childhood.
  7. Apply an understanding of paediatric pathophysiology to the nursing management of the paediatric patient.
  8. Utilise advanced paediatric nursing assessment skills, evidence based and reflective practice, to plan, prioritise, implement and evaluate effective nursing care to the paediatric patient and family.
  9. Critically analyse the paediatric high acuity environment to effectively and collaboratively address issues in practice, to provide high levels of effective paediatric care.
  10. Critically evaluate clinical practice issues in the nursing care of children with life threatening disturbance and their families in differing paediatric settings.
  11. Recognise the indicators of a seriously ill child and demonstrate the skills required to actively participate in an emergency situation.
  12. Exhibit effective communication, professionalism and clinical leadership within the paediatric nursing department

    Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing

  13. Recognise appropriate nursing strategies in order to facilitate family centred care for children and families with common childhood illnesses.
  14. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the anatomical and physiological differences between neonates, infants and children.
  15. Recognise and discuss how the differences between adult and paediatric anatomy and physiology will affect how interventions are delivered to the paediatric patient.
  16. Differentiate the underlying pathophysiological process, aetiology and clinical manifestations related to a range paediatric conditions seen in Paediatric Intensive Care units.
  17. Perform and document a thorough complex patient health assessment utilising the head to toe systematic approach on a range of critically ill children.
  18. Utilise assessment data and your understanding of patient disease manifestations in planning and delivering family centred care.
  19. Recognise the deteriorating patient and be able to appropriately intervene in order to ensure the patient receives appropriate and timely active management.
  20. Display a thorough understanding of the impact that life threatening conditions have on children, their families and health professionals.
  21. Discuss an understanding of the ever evolving knowledge base in the critical area and how this can impact on skill and techniques relevant in this area.
  22. Apply the advanced skill set acquired for problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills to knowledge learnt to ensure safe and effective management of the critically ill child.
  23. Discuss any relevant policies and procedures in relation to patient care and assessment in the critical care area.
  24. Exhibit effective communication, professionalism and clinical leadership within the Paediatric Intensive Care environment.

    Paediatric Emergency Nursing

  25. Recognise appropriate nursing strategies in order to facilitate family centred care for children and families with common childhood illnesses.
  26. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults.
  27. Explore concepts of paediatric nursing practice relating to assessment, recognition, stabilisation and management of the child with acute life threatening presentations.
  28. Conduct age appropriate assessments required to evaluate the health status of the child and family experiencing health problems.
  29. Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying pathophysiological process, aetiology and clinical manifestations related to common paediatric emergency presentations.
  30. Explain the important role of triage in the paediatric emergency department and demonstrate appropriate triage decision making.
  31. Critically analyse the paediatric high acuity environment to effectively and collaboratively address issues in practice, to provide high levels of effective paediatric care.
  32. Critically evaluate clinical practice issues in the nursing care of children with life threatening presentations and the impact of illness on the family unit.
  33. Predict potential alterations in the condition of a critically ill patient through recognition of the deteriorating patient.
  34. Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the assessment, management and stabilisation of the critically unwell child in the Emergency Department.
  35. Exhibit effective communication, professionalism and clinical leadership within the paediatric emergency department.

    Medical Surgical Nursing

  36. Perform and document a thorough complex patient health assessment utilising the head to toe systematic approach on a range of patients.
  37. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the typical human anatomy and physiology.
  38. Differentiate the underlying pathophysiological process, aetiology and clinical manifestations related to a range of different disease presentations.
  39. Discuss any relevant Monash Health policies and procedures in relation to patient care and assessment.
  40. Utilise assessment data and patient disease manifestations in patient centred care.
  41. Implement appropriate nursing plans and interventions related to the management of the medical surgical patients utilising evidence based practice.
  42. Demonstrate effective communication, increased professionalism and clinical leadership within their clinical environment.
  43. Explore and evaluate the clinical application of nursing research to the management of medical surgical patients.
  44. Articulate and demonstrate the principles used to manage a medical emergency

Assessment

Paediatric Nursing

  • Case Study Workbook (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical Hurdles (7 x clinical competency assessments) (20%)
  • Written Examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Workshop: Introduction to Paediatric Life Support (PLS) (Pass/Fail) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance appraisals (Pass/Fail) (hurdle)

Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing

  • Case study written assessment (3,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Oral presentation (15 minutes + question time) (20%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical hurdles (10 x clinical competencies) (pass/fail) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance appraisal (pass/fail) (hurdle)

Paediatric Emergency Nursing

  • Case Study Workbook (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical Hurdles (7 x clinical competency assessments) (20%)
  • Written Examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Workshop: Introduction to Paediatric Life Support (PLS) (Pass/Fail) (hurdle)
  • Clinical performance appraisals (Pass/Fail) (hurdle)

Medical Surgical Nursing

  • Case study: (40%) (hurdle)
    1. Written assignment (2,500 words)
    2. In-service presentation of case study (30 minutes)
  • Clinical Hurdles (5 x clinical competency assessments) (20%)
  • End-semester examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Clinical Performance Appraisal (pass/fail) (hurdle)

100% attendance is required at all scheduled study days and exams.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5833 - Refugee health and wellbeing

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Suzanne Willey

Coordinator(s)

Ms Suzanne Willey

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit has been developed in partnership with The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and the State Wide Refugee Nurse Facilitator and sponsored by the Victorian Government. The unit will assist nurses to work with refugees within a social model of health to identify gaps in health services and advocate for refugees in the context of their community through an analysis of the socio-political aspects of the refugee context and an indepth understanding of the effects of torture and trauma on the health and health care of refugees. The unit includes skill development in refugee health assessment and responding to issues of health literacy, organisation and community capacity building and evaluation in refugee health and wellbeing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss the global and socio-political aspects of refugee and asylum seeker journeys and settlement
  2. Examine primary health care and service co-ordination practices within the refugee context
  3. Analyse and understand the impact of torture and trauma on refugee populations and the Australian health care system
  4. Analyse approaches to cultural responsiveness, health literacy and consumer participation within the refugee context
  5. Identify nursing skills required for refugee health assessment and care within the individual and family context
  6. Recognise and develop professional boundaries and skills to assist the nurse/midwife when working with refugees.

Assessment

  • Essay (3,000 - 4,000 words) (30%)
  • Case study presentation (20%)
  • Fieldwork project (3,000 - 4,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

2 x full day workshops and 6 hours per week online activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5844 - Health promotion and education

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Sue Willey

Coordinator(s)

Ms Sue Willey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in courses 0099, 1250, M6001.

Synopsis

This unit identifies the World Health Organisations role in advocating and supporting the global health agenda of health for all. Primary health care as a philosophy and a model of health service provision are described. Health education and promotion as strategies for achieving health for all are examined. Nurses, midwives and doctors are encouraged to develop health education and health promotion skills that can be utilised in our contexts of practice to promote population wellbeing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Expand on concepts from previous studies of health and nursing to be able to undertake leadership roles in population health, health promotion and education;
  2. Identify, analyse and evaluate national and international frameworks for primary health care and health promotion initiatives with special references to the work of the World Health Organisation (WHO);
  3. Identify major community health needs and issues of clinical relevance, with particular focus on vulnerable communities;
  4. Analyse various methods of population-based approaches to data collection;
  5. Utilise national and international collaborative health practice models in designing population-based approaches to primary health care;
  6. Apply primary health care frameworks and health promotion principles such as equity, community engagement and partnerships to undertake a health needs assessment.

Assessment

Assessment tasks Handbook entry description:

  • Written assessment (50%) (hurdle)
    • Part A - Health promotion needs assessment (3,000 words) (25%)
    • Part B - Health Promotion Plan (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Oral presentation (20 mins) (30%)
  • Participation in online discussion and peer review process (2, 000 words) (10%)
  • Online Quiz (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5923 - Intensive care nursing 1

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Rose Jaspers

Coordinator(s)

Ms Rose Jaspers

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Synopsis

The role of the intensive care nurse is diverse and challenging. Specialist knowledge and skills are required to care for patients with actual or potential life-threatening injuries, illness or complications.

This unit focuses on the development of core skills including: oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, Intubation/extubation, mechanical ventilation, Tracheostomy care, haemodynamic, monitoring, management of shocked states and Advanced Life Support. Students will develop an understanding of the pathophysiology of disease states including cellular, respiratory, cardiac, and shock.

The student will develop advanced assessment skills underpinned by their knowledge of pathophysiology. The combination of knowledge and skill sets learned by the student will enable them to appropriately assess and manage disease processes and measure efficacy of interventions such as those stated above as well as pharmacological interventions. Assessment skills learned will enable the student to respond to an emergency and develop advanced life support skills.

This unit will encompass the development of skills that will enable the student to provide support for patients and significant others in ntensive care and will explore the intensive care nurses role in the multidisciplinary intensive care team.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Perform and reflect on clinical practice in accordance with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' framework
  2. Apply advanced clinical reasoning related to the pathophysiology of neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal systems in intensive care nursing
  3. Demonstrate structured holistic assessment of an intensive care patient involving neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal systems
  4. Plan evidenced based care for an ICU patient applying clinical reasoning related to the pathophysiology of their illness.
  5. Critique evidence related to assessment and therapeutic interventions used in the planning of care.
  6. Assess basic haemodynamic monitoring and analyse and interpret 12 lead ECGs, blood gas data and advanced respiratory findings, critically evaluating management of patient instability.
  7. Provide and evaluate care for patients requiring high flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation.
  8. Provide and evaluate care for patients requiring intubation, mechanical ventilation, respiratory weaning, tracheostomy and extubation
  9. Attain competency in advanced life support including safely transporting ICU patients to other clinical areas
  10. Define and state classifications of shock describing pathophysiology and causes, clinical features, treatment and stages of shock.
  11. Critically evaluate pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions used to manage neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal system conditions in specialist nursing practice

Fieldwork

Students must be working as a Registered Nurse in an Intensive Care Unit for a minimum of 3 days/week

Assessment

  • End of semester written exam (3 hours) (40% )(hurdle)
  • ISAP Case (2,250 words) (30%)
  • 4 x online Respondus lock down browser mediated quizzes (30%)
  • Clinical Assessment and Performance Appraisal Hurdle (hurdle)

Workload requirements

6 hours of contact hours and 6 hours of self- directed study per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5924 - Intensive care nursing 2

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Rose Jaspers

Coordinator(s)

Rose Jaspers

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5923

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the development of advanced practice skills and knowledge necessary to work in an Intensive Care Unit.

Key concepts covered include: pathophysiology and management of sepsis, multi organ dysfunction syndrome, acute lung injury, neurological alterations and management, and support of renal function. There will be investigation of the development of advanced Intensive Care therapies.

The extended skills and expertise of an intensive care nurse covered include: advanced ventilation strategies, advanced haemodynamic monitoring, cardiac pacing, intra-aortic balloon pump therapy, and continuous renal replacement therapies and advanced neurological monitoring.

This unit builds on the skills and knowledge of the Registered Nurse working in Intensive Care and applies this to complex patient presentations. These areas include trauma, emergency, paediatrics, obstetrics, cardiac surgery, post anaesthesia and pain management

The unit also has a focus on the applied psychosocial and ethical elements of intensive care nursing including complex decision making, end of life care and organ donation. The student will develop skills to provide an advanced level of care to Intensive Care patients and their significant others across age, socio-cultural and economic groups.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss pathophysiology, assessment (including advanced haemodynamic monitoring) and treatment of sepsis and multi-organ failure
  2. Adapt the core principles of intensive care nursing to specialist patient populations
  3. Define restrictive and obstructive lung disease, identifying pathogenicity and demonstrate advanced ventilation strategies and rescue therapies
  4. Identify pathophysiological reasons for continuous renal replacement therapy and demonstrate its use and care of the patient
  5. Investigate the continued development of intensive care therapies, analysing contemporary nursing issues, critically evaluate evidence then express ideas for future areas of research and development
  6. Explore ethical and moral issues associated with the provision of intensive care to patients.
  7. Discuss the pathophysiology of neurological presentations of patients to ICU and define monitoring and interventions of this neurosurgical group of ICU patients
  8. Perform and reflect on clinical practice in accordance with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' practice standards
  9. Explore different types of emergency presentations to intensive care and critically analyse nursing management strategies

Fieldwork

Students must be working as a Registered Nurse in an Intensive Care Unit for a minimum of 3 days/week

Assessment

  • End of semester written exam (3 hours) (40% )(hurdle)
  • Written assignment (3,000 words) (30%)
  • 4 x online Respondus lock down browser mediated quizzes 30%
  • Clinical Assessment and Performance Appraisals (hurdle)

Workload requirements

56 hours lectures/workshops

144 hours self-directed learning

288 hours clinical practise (i.e. minimum 3 days per week)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5925 - Emergency nursing 1

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Kelli Innes.

Coordinator(s)

Ms Kelli Innes

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prohibitions

NUR5703

Synopsis

The emergency nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage patients in the emergency department. This unit will enable the student to develop an understanding of the pathophysiology of disease processes, which will underpin the assessment and emergency management of disease processes including respiratory, cardiac, renal, endocrine, and mental health emergencies, and shock. The principles of ventilation will be examined. Preparation for mass casualty events will be explored. The unit also encompasses the development of skills which will enable the student to provide support for patient's families and significant others in the emergency department.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the pathophysiological processes underpinning complex disease states.
  2. Plan and implement appropriate, age specific, culturally relevant, therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex disease states.
  3. Plan and execute the assessment and management of an adult patient with a complex illness or injury.
  4. Articulate and demonstrate the principles used to manage a medical emergency in all age groups within an emergency department.
  5. Communicate professionally and with empathy with patients, their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  6. Identify the needs of the patient's family and significant others in the emergency department and plan appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs.
  7. Explore and evaluate the clinical application of nursing research and theoretical literature to selected problems related to the above groups in emergency care.
  8. Identify and critique emergency nursing resources and strategies to respond to mass casualty events.
  9. Outline the purpose and scope of the Australasian Triage Scale.

Fieldwork

Students must be working in an emergency department a minimum of 3 days/week.

Assessment

  • Written Assessment: case study (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Participation in discussion board (10%)
  • Online invigilated quiz (10%)
  • Exam (3 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Clinical Assessments (Pass/Fail Hurdle)
  • Clinical Performance Appraisal (Pass/Fail Hurdle)

Workload requirements

56 hours lectures / workshops, 144 hours self-directed work (including guided online learning), 288 hours clinical practice.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5926 - Emergency nursing 2

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Julia Morphet

Coordinator(s)

Dr Julia Morphet

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Second semester 2018 (Flexible)

Prerequisites

NUR5925

Prohibitions

NUR5704

Synopsis

The emergency nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage patients in the emergency department. This advanced emergency nursing unit will enable the student to develop an understanding of disease processes (pathophysiology), which will underpin the assessment and emergency management of abdominal, neurological and obstetric emergencies, trauma and burns. The unit will prepare the student to provide an advanced level of care to emergency patients across age groups, and from all socio/ cultural and economic groups.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss the pathophysiological processes underpinning complex disease or injury states.
  2. Critically analyse patient assessment findings and prioritise appropriate, age specific, culturally relevant, therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex disease or injury states.
  3. Review and critique the evidence underpinning complex patient interventions.
  4. Plan and execute the assessment and management of a paediatric patient with a complex illness or injury.
  5. Apply age specific principles of ventilation in management of a ventilated patient.
  6. Demonstrate and evaluate independent triage practice based on the Australasian Triage Scale.
  7. Critically evaluate the care of the patient and family in the provision of end of life care and organ donation in the emergency department.
  8. Critically evaluate and apply nursing research to selected emergency patient care.
  9. Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues related to the nursing management of the critically ill patient.
  10. Develop and role model the essential elements of leadership and management for emergency nursing.

Fieldwork

Students must be working in an emergency department a minimum of 3 days/week.

Assessment

  • Written Assessment (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Participation in discussion board (10%)
  • iSAP Case (2,500 words) (10%)
  • Exam (3 hour) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Clinical Assessments (Pass/Fail Hurdle)
  • Clinical Performance Appraisal (Pass/Fail Hurdle)

Workload requirements

56 hours lectures / workshops, 144 hours self-directed work (including guided online learning), 288 hours clinical practice.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUR5927 - Advanced medical/surgical nursing practice 1

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

NUR5703.

Synopsis

The advance practice general nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage clients/patients in a hospital environment. This unit will enable students to develop proficiency in the holistic management of patients with cardiac, respiratory and renal dysfunction, and shock. The unit also encompasses the development of skills which will enable the student to provide support for patients' families and significant others in the hospital environment.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Locate and critically appraise data to support advanced medical/surgical nursing practice.
  2. Synthesise information in order to plan and implement appropriate, evidence-based, person-centred therapeutic interventions for medical and surgical patients experiencing cardiovascular, respiratory and renal dysfunction, and shock.
  3. Synthesise information in order to plan and implement appropriate, evidence-based, person-centred therapeutic interventions for medical and surgical patients who experience psychological and behavioural management dysfunction.
  4. Plan and implement therapeutic interventions which are age specific and culturally relevant.
  5. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in caring for patients and their families and working with members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  6. Identify the needs of the patient's family and significant others and plan appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs.

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in an approved medical or surgical unit for a minimum of 3 days per week.

Assessment

  • Clinical assessment tool (Pass / Fail)
  • Examination (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Case presentation - complex patient discharge management (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment (3,000 words) (30%)

Students must achieve a pass in the final examination and Clinical assessment to achieve a pass in the unit.

Workload requirements

12 hours per week including self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUR5928 - Advanced medical/surgical nursing practice 2

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

NUR5703, NUR5927Not offered in 2018.

Co-requisites

NUR5704.

Synopsis

The advance practice general nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage clients/patients in a hospital environment. This unit will enable students to develop proficiency in the holistic management of patients with gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine and musculoskeletal dysfunction, and trauma. The unit will prepare the student to provide an advanced level of care to medical and surgical patients across age groups, and from all socio-cultural and economic groups.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Locate and critically appraise data to support advanced medical/surgical nursing practice.
  2. Synthesise information in order to plan and implement appropriate, evidence-based, person-centred therapeutic interventions for medical and surgical patients experiencing gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine and musculoskeletal dysfunction, and trauma.
  3. Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues related to the nursing management of medical and surgical patients.
  4. Analyse the application of interpersonal skills in the management of patients, families and significant others who are experiencing grief, loss or what they perceive to be a crisis.
  5. Critically analyse the clinical, situational and professional issues supporting and complicating advanced practice in medical and surgical nursing.
  6. Critically evaluate approaches to patient safety and clinical risk management.

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in an approved medical or surgical unit for a minimum of 3 days per week

Assessment

  • Clinical assessment (Pass / Fail)
  • Examination (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Written assignment (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Case presentation on complex patient safety issue/clinical risk (3,000 words) (30%)

Students must achieve a pass in the final examination and Clinical Assessment to achieve a pass in the unit.

Workload requirements

12 hours per week including self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery


NUT4001 - Foundations of dietetic practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Ms Amanda Anderson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in M6002 Master of Dietetics

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the profession of dietetics, commencing their pathway to becoming experts in food (knowledge and application) and culturally competent, self-aware healthcare professionals. This unit is tailored for the non cognate path for Masters of Dietetics (96CP) under the course architecture project. Students coming through the cognate path will receive credit for this subject and be eligible to proceed into the 72 CP Masters program.

The unit initially focuses on health behaviours, assessment of nutritional status, growth and development, physical activity and nutritional requirements for groups across the lifespan from infancy to old age. The unit will incorporate elements of professional development, cultural competency about food and eating patterns, and content around the Australian food supply system including food regulation and law.

Concepts of health education and promotion will enhance students' knowledge and ability to communicate nutrition messages effectively to groups and individuals as well as teamwork and reflection. Students will be introduced to reflective practice, commencing a professional portfolio and will be engaged via adult learning teaching and learning principles as they begin to develop their professional identity.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Investigate foods, food ingredients and varied cultural eating patterns found in Australia.
  2. Evaluate varying nutritional needs, growth and development and human behaviour across the lifespan consistent with best available evidence.
  3. Discuss physical activity guidelines, evidence and recommendations across the lifespan.
  4. Explore psychological, cultural, personal, economic, environmental and social factors and their influence on health and eating behaviours.
  5. Relate the theoretical basis of health education and health promotion to planning, implementing and evaluating a creative group education session designed to support behaviour change.
  6. Evaluate different methods for the collection of dietary intake data from individuals and populations.
  7. Integrate and apply the knowledge and technical skills required to assess nutritional status.
  8. Critically evaluate regulations relating to food labelling, food composition and food-related claims in Australia.
  9. Describe the process of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) in food production and supply and design a HACCP plan.
  10. Extend communication skills relevant to the professional context in a range of written and oral approaches.
  11. Practice professional attitudes, skills and behaviours including critical reflection and team work required for healthcare practice.
  12. Evaluate practice of self and peers.

Assessment

Professional portfolio (6,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Group education assignment (20%)

Final exam (30%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On Campus: This unit will run over one semester with an average of 24 hours per week allocated to both contact and private study with the majority of time dedicated to contact hours. For example:

  • 8 hours of lectures and tutorials
  • 4-8 hours of private reading/self-study
  • 4-8 hours preparation for and contribution to tutorials.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5001 - Introduction to dietetic skills

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Dr Simone Gibson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT3002, NUT3082 and NUT4001.

Co-requisites

NUT5002 and must be enrolled in Master of Dietetics.

Synopsis

This unit uses chronic disease as the foundations and basis for dietetic students to develop their core dietetic practice assessment, counselling and management skills. There is an emphasis on person centred care and simulation provides a key platform for learning in this unit. A formative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) sits within this unit to assist students' readiness for placement. Students are introduced to the healthcare system and a range of health care settings via an introductory clinical placement. This aims to commence the application of the nutrition care process, the use of food as a therapeutic tool, clinical reasoning, reflection and advanced communication and interpersonal skills required for dietetic practice. Attendance at this placement is compulsory. This unit supports students' progression towards entry level competencies in individual case management in the healthcare setting. Placement may take place outside of regular semester times. Students must have valid police check, WWC check and immunisation certificates in order to participate in clinical placements

The key themes explored in this unit are Theme 1: Personal Development and Professional Practice, Theme 3: Fundamentals of Health and Disease, Theme 4: Food from Science to Systems coupled with partial integration of content and application from Theme 2: Determinants and Influences on Population Health and Nutrition.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply and integrate knowledge of chronic disease into nutrition assessment and management plans using case based learning, simulation and placement experience in the healthcare environment.
  2. Employ core dietetic practice skills - including interpretation of data, collection and analysis of dietary data, nutrition assessment, communication and intervention strategies to formulate and evaluate the elements of effective client centred nutrition care planning and delivery.
  3. Apply knowledge and experience in a healthcare setting to begin practicing safely and professionally both autonomously and as part of the health care team.
  4. Integrate a comprehensive knowledge of food diversity and food composition into dietetic practice.
  5. Incorporate nutrition counselling theory and a range of communication strategies in developing practical, relevant and targeted nutrition interventions for various audiences.
  6. Utilise reflection, professional and personal communication and teamwork skills to assist in critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Fieldwork

Placement: 10 days.

Assessment

  • Exam (3 hours) (30%) (Hurdle)
  • OSCE (25%) (Hurdle with guided reflection)
  • Self-developed clinical resource (2,000 words) (15%)
  • 2 x Case reports (750 words each) (20%)
  • Reflections: critical incident (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Placement including professional behaviour appraisal form (Pass / Fail) (Ungraded)

Hurdle: At least 80% attendance at all learning and teaching sessions.

Workload requirements

3 days (x 6 hours per day ) over 10 weeks - a combination of lectures, workshops, practical activities and simulated learning experiences. Students will also be expected to undertake self-directed study related to the unit content and complete assessment tasks as defined.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5002 - Practice and research in public health nutrition

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Suzanne Kleve

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT3002, NUT3082 and NUT4001.

Co-requisites

NUT5001 and must be enrolled in Master of Dietetics.

Synopsis

This unit is predominantly a fieldwork experience that will challenge students to integrate their academic training and to synthesise knowledge into a practical public health nutrition project based in the community setting. The unit requires students to manage a project that addresses a public health nutrition issue. Students will participate in program planning within a work environment and provide tangible benefit to their participating organisation. Students will be responsible for designing a project, collection and analysis of data and synthesis of findings into a report. Principles of information evaluation, workload management, communication, teamwork and responsibility for project management will also be developed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply the social, environmental, economic and political determinants of nutrition status to a priority public health nutrition area.
  2. Plan, implement and evaluate systems based, population health approaches and solutions to priority nutrition issues.
  3. Apply the research process using appropriate methods of collection and analysis for both qualitative and quantitative data.
  4. Contribute to an evidence-based, population approach to improve population nutrition health in a community setting.
  5. Advocate for policy change to benefit health and nutrition outcomes for populations.
  6. Employ critical and scientific writing and communication skills to document and report findings of project in professional and scientific fora.
  7. Practice professional leadership to promote the role of nutrition.
  8. Establish effective working partnerships, networks, collaborations with a range of team members and stakeholders.
  9. Adopt a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice and evaluate practice on an on-going basis.

Fieldwork

30-38 hours per week for 7 weeks plus an additional 2 days site/project orientation.

Assessment

  • Project proposal (20%)
  • Project report (30%) (includes peer review weighting)
  • Project oral presentation (10%)
  • Standardised oral exam (30%) (Hurdle)
  • Competency portfolio (10%) (Hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement: Much of the assessment in this unit provides evidence of achievement towards the Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia.

Achievement of competence is an accreditation requirement and thus these tasks have been made hurdles.

Workload requirements

300 hours practical placement 7 weeks equivalent.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5003 - Dietetic practice 1

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Amanda Anderson

Coordinator(s)

Ms Evelyn Volders

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT5001.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6002.

Synopsis

This unit uses a range of clinical conditions and diseases as the foundation and basis for dietetic students to further develop their core dietetic practice skills and develop skills in dietetic education and case management in the academic setting in preparation for placement. There is an emphasis and focus on person centred care and using simulation and case based learning to provide a key platform for learning in this unit. Preparing students for individual case management and clinical placement is a key focus of this unit. Broader issues regarding healthcare systems and healthcare provision, management, ethics in healthcare and quality improvement are covered in this unit. Students' professional competencies are further developed and this unit supports fulfilment of prescribed competencies as outlined by the Dietitians Association of Australia.

The key themes explored in this unit are; Theme 1: Personal Development and Professional Practice and Theme 3: Fundamentals of Health and Disease, coupled with partial integration of content and application from Theme 4: Food from Science to Systems.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the role of diet in the aetiology, prevention, and management of a range of clinical conditions and diseases in preparation for clinical case management.
  2. Integrate knowledge of science and disease into nutrition assessment and management of clinical cases including consideration of broader issues regarding healthcare systems and provision, management, ethics and quality improvement.
  3. Demonstrate core skills in the clinical dietetic process to formulate effective case management plans including prioritising care and discharge planning.
  4. Integrate personal, social, clinical, cultural, physiological, ethical, environmental and economic factors into clinical reasoning and decision making in case management.
  5. Apply an evidence based approach to clinical case management.
  6. Identify and critically review evidence in clinical dietetics communicating practice applications.
  7. Incorporate theories of behaviour change and learning theory in counselling and education skills to support effective dietetic case management.
  8. Communicate appropriately and broadly both written and orally.
  9. Critically reflect on practice extending self-awareness, insight and cultural competency linking to professionalism.

Assessment

  • Exam (3 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Case based workbook (Individual) (6,000 words) (30%)
  • Evidence based education resource (2 x double sided A4 equivalents) (10%)
  • Self-developed placement handbook (10%)
  • Professional behaviour appraisal form (Ungraded) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

This unit will run predominantly over Weeks 1-8 of semester with an average of 24 hours per week allocated including contact and private study hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5004 - Food for dietetic practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jorja Collins

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT5001.

Co-requisites

NUT5003. Must be enrolled in course M6002.

Synopsis

This unit is focussed on extending students' food composition, food therapeutic and food systems knowledge to support dietetic practice with integration and application in the practical and placement setting. There is extension of students' research and problem solving skills in managing placement based food service challenges. Students' personal and professional competencies are further developed. This unit supports fulfilment of prescribed competencies as outlined by the Dietitians Association of Australia. The teaching and learning strategies will encompass lectures, group teaching, tutorials, practical sessions, self-directed learning and a placement based project. Placement may take place outside of regular semester times. Students must have valid police check, WWC check and immunisation certificates in order to participate in clinical placements

The key themes explored in this unit are Theme 4: Food from Science to Systems and Theme 3: Fundamentals of Health and Disease, coupled with partial integration of content and application from Theme 1: Personal Development and Professional Practice and Theme 2: Determinants and Influences on Population Health and Nutrition.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Integrate food composition and practical food knowledge to a range of therapeutic applications to support dietetic practice.
  2. Compare, contrast and evaluate food service systems across healthcare settings including key regulatory and accreditation systems relevant to food service management.
  3. Demonstrate technical skills in analysis and evaluation of a food service system.
  4. Formulate and communicate strategies to provide safe and nutritious food in food service settings.
  5. Implement, evaluate and disseminate results of activities that support delivery of quality nutrition and food standards within a food service.
  6. Apply research practice skills and innovative problem solving to food service management challenges.
  7. Apply the principles of management in food service including organisational management, human resource management and production management.
  8. Utilise reflection, professional and personal communication and teamwork skills.

Fieldwork

Students will be allocated placement sites to conduct a food service project for 20 days. This placement will be arranged by the University however students will be responsible for travel and accommodation costs if required.

Assessment

  • Written Placement Project report (4,000 words) & Presentation (10 minutes) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Food product marketing proposal (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Practical activities manual and reflection (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Oral presentation of training module for food service/health care staff (20 minutes) (10%)
  • Menu Analysis Executive Report (2,000 words) (20%)

Hurdle: Professionalism Development Form (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

There is an average of 12 hours per week allocated including contact and private study hours during the theory component. The placement is 20 days at 8 hours per day, thus averaged over a semester contributes an additional 12 hours per week. There is no exam for this unit. The placement in a food service setting may need to be outside of regular university semester times.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5005 - Dietetic practice 2

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Amanda Anderson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT5001, NUT5003, NUT5004.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6002.

Synopsis

This unit is predominantly a placement based unit to support students' progression and fulfilment of entry level competencies in individual case management in a healthcare setting. Placement may take place outside of regular semester times. Students must have a valid police check, WWC check and immunisation certificates in order to participate in clinical placements

The key themes explored in this unit are Theme 3: Fundamentals of Health and Disease, Theme 1: Personal Development and Professional Practice and Theme 4: Food from Science to Systems as students' progress and integrate their dietetic practice skills and competencies working in the healthcare environment. There is partial integration of content and application from Theme 2: Determinants and Influences on Population Health and Nutrition.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply specialised knowledge of science, nutrition, diet and disease into assessment, education, and management of clinical cases in a healthcare environment.
  2. Integrate personal, social, clinical, cultural, dietary, economic, environmental, ethical, medical and physiological factors into clinical reasoning and decision making in client centred case management in the healthcare environment.
  3. Achieve entry-level competencies to support individual case management across a range of clients.
  4. Apply an evidence based approach to support clinical case management.
  5. Integrate knowledge of food service systems and processes into case management.
  6. Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills in all professional interactions with peers, colleagues, clients and other stakeholders in the healthcare and academic environment.
  7. Work effectively as a member of the dietetic and broader healthcare team to demonstrate mastery of dietetic practice.
  8. Practice safely, effectively and professionally.
  9. Reflect critically on practice extending self-awareness, insight and cultural competency.

Fieldwork

Each student will be allocated to a healthcare site of a placement partner of Monash University and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics for a total of 36 placement days. University staff are involved in final placement assessment and signing off of entry level competency for the profession for the relevant units.

Assessment

Practical competencies (Pass/fail; hurdle) which encompasses

  • Placement portfolio
  • Case studies
  • Evidence of interprofessional learning
  • Critical incident reflection and action plan

Attendance (Ungraded; hurdle)

Professional Behaviour appraisal (Ungraded; hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement: Much of the assessment in this unit provides evidence of achievement towards the Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia.

Achievement of competence is an accreditation requirement and thus these tasks have been made hurdles

Workload requirements

Students will spend the majority of time for this unit allocated to a healthcare setting (8 Weeks of either 4 or 5 days per week - a total of 36 days). Students will also be expected to attend tutorials and presentations in the academic setting (scheduled around placement commitments) with the remaining time allocated for private study. Students are expected to attend placement for the equivalent of full time hours during their scheduled placement weeks. It is also expected that students undertake private study outside of placement hours. Placements may extend into non standard university semester time.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


NUT5006 - Practice and research in dietetics

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Chief examiner(s)

Evelyn Volders

Coordinator(s)

Dr Judi Porter

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

NUT5003, NUT5004, NUT5005.

Co-requisites

NUT5005

Must be enrolled in course M6002.

Synopsis

This unit fosters student's problem solving skills. It aims to extend students' research and dietetics knowledge and skills across a range of practice contexts to solve strategic and priority dietetics practice problems and scenarios in preparation to enter the workforce. This unit prepares students to enter the profession through consolidating professional practice skills and integrating learning across typical work contexts of practice of a dietitian.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically review nutrition and dietetic practice, identifying gaps in knowledge and apply valid and relevant conclusions and recommendations for practice improvement.
  2. Utilise research, leadership, communication (including negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution) and management principles and skills in approaching solutions to practice problems.
  3. Work effectively as a member of a team creating innovative solutions to nutrition and dietetics practice problems.
  4. Apply the principles of human resource management, budgeting and risk management to project management and research.
  5. Synthesise and analyse information/data collected from practice and communicate scientifically.
  6. Plan and evaluate own personal and professional development in preparation for entry into the profession.
  7. Synthesise key learning from the degree as an entry level Dietitian and articulate areas of strength and areas for development post-graduation.

Assessment

  • Scientific paper (Individual) (Quantitative research project: 4, 000 words) (Qualitative research project: 5,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Peer review (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Competency review and CPD plan (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Teamwork assignment: Oral presentation (20 minutes) (5%) and report (2,500 words) (25%)
  • Attendance and participation (At least 85%)
  • Professional behaviour appraisal form (Ungraded) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

This 12 credit point unit requires an equivalent of 24 hours per week of study including contact and private study hours. This unit will be front loaded at the beginning of the semester and towards the end of semester Week 10-12 with an intensive teaching block). The remaining time during semester is allocated for self directed learning and private study to progress learning in the unit during the clinical placement. A significant amount of learning is self directed and autonomous in this unit.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC4010 - Foundations of occupational therapy

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 3 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4515.

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the profession of occupational therapy and key knowledge, skills and attitudes that are essential for professional practice. Theoretical foundations of occupational therapy will include: theoretical concepts and models underpinning health and occupational therapy practice; principles and mechanisms underlying the relationship between the person, their environment and occupations, and how this relates to human health and wellbeing, and the occupational therapist within the interdisciplinary team. Legal, cultural and ethical issues relevant to professional practice will be explored. Students will learn beginning communication and interviewing skills together with other pre-clinical skills, such as safe practice. Students will develop beginning skills in occupational therapy problem solving and clinical reasoning processes. Case scenarios will be used throughout. Students will undertake simulated and practice based learning throughout the semester 2 days per week.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and explain the role of an occupational therapist, in relation to the historical origins of the profession, current practice, and similarities and differences from other health professionals within an interdisciplinary team.
  2. Explain, apply and differentiate the principles of client centred care and clinical reasoning used in occupational therapy practice situations.
  3. Apply, compare and contrast key features of occupation-focussed - models of practice with the World Health Organisation International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
  4. Identify the socio-cultural, economic and physical determinants of health and describe how these affect care provision in practice situations.
  5. Understand concepts related to the lived experience of a person with disability and identify challenges and barriers likely to confront a person with a disability and how these affect participation in the community.
  6. Describe ethical and legal issues pertinent to a practising occupational therapist, identify best practice professional conduct and safety issues in the workplace.
  7. Prepare for, participate in interviews and communicate in a manner that reflects the professional behaviour of an occupational therapist.
  8. Describe client handling principles and how assistive technology equipment is prescribed and used.
  9. Reflect on individual and group learning, and their application to working in teams.
  10. Locate, retrieve, evaluate and use resources that inform understanding about health and occupational issues.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork placement: 2 days per week.

Assessment

  • Completion of disability experience: (1) record and barriers and (2) reflective journal summary (1,000 words) (10%)
  • One x Class presentation (10 minutes) (5%)
  • Fieldwork reflective journal (1,000 words) (5%)
  • Group assignment: Comparison of three models of practice (in groups of three) (2,000 words each person) (25%)
  • Written examination: Consisting of 3 invigilated online examinations of 40 minutes duration in weeks 3, 6 and 9 (10% each = 30%)
  • Triple jump examination, including written examination, oral examination and peer review (25%)

Hurdle:

  • Attendance at least 80% PBLs and practice sessions.
  • Successful completion of simulated and other practice sessions, including (1) timesheet and (2) reflective journal, including values exchange exercises.

Workload requirements

10 hours on-campus per week, 2 days fieldwork per week, and 6 hours online lecture material.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC4020 - Humans as occupational beings

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 4 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC4010.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4515.

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the relationship between occupation health and well-being that supports occupational therapy practice from a lifespan perspective, and will explore experiences of engaging in occupation from psychological and occupational processes inherent in development. It will examine the progressive cognitive, behavioural, emotional, psychosocial and occupational changes occurring with age and when people's occupations are disrupted through disability, illness or occupational deprivation. Students will engage in experiential activities, self-reflection and interactive teaching and experiential learning and teaching to develop skills in occupational analysis, critical appraisal of literature and research, teamwork, client centered practice and culturally sensitive intentional communication. Case scenarios will be used throughout and students will undertake practice- based learning throughout the semester.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and explain how human occupation is classified and how humans use time;
  2. Examine the influences of person-environment-occupation interactions on peoples' health and wellbeing;
  3. Articulate and contrast contemporary developmental lifespan concepts, theories and research;
  4. Examine, compare and contrast the physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social and occupational aspects of human development across the lifespan, and the influence on development of external factors;
  5. Source and appraise literature related to the physical, social, cultural, economic, political and institutional environments of individuals and groups and comment on the validity of this information for occupation-based practices;
  6. Describe observations and critique these in relationship to developmental theories about typical childhood occupations;
  7. Demonstrate effective communication and interview skills for practice and professional behaviour;
  8. Describe and apply the clinical reasoning process to the occupational therapy process in a practice situation;
  9. Identify data collection methods, collect and analyse data on the occupational performance of self and others that inform understanding about health and key occupational issues and concepts for practice;
  10. Identify and describe types of research frameworks and approaches to data analysis applied in contemporary developmental lifespan research.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork placement: up to 14 hours per week.

Assessment

  • Group presentation on self care occupations (10-15 minutes, 4-5 group members) (5%)
  • Reflective essay using time budgets to study human occupation (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Report from observation of a child (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Essay on the relationship between development, and functioning at specific life stages (1,500 words) (15%)
  • On-line quiz x 2 x 30 minutes each hours) (15%)
  • Triple Jump Part 1 (written exam) and Part 2 (oral exam) (1.5 hours) (20%)
  • Oral peer examiner (10 minutes) (5%)

Hurdle requirement:

  • Attendance at least 80% of the scenario-based tutorials, practical skills sessions and seminars including class data collection exercises unless documentary evidence (such as a medical certificate) is provided.
  • Self evaluation and reflective group participation in scenario-based tutorials including practical class presentations
  • Successful completion of Community Based Experience including completion of reflective journal

Workload requirements

9 weeks of academic/fieldwork (accelerated program). PBL tutorials (5 hours per week on campus), lectures (4-6 hours per week on-line), practicals (4-6 hours per week on campus), fieldwork placement weeks 1-9 (up to 14 hours per week).

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC4030 - Occupational performance, capabilities and components

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth
Ms Linda Barclay

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 1 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC4020.

Synopsis

This unit introduces the mechanisms and consequences of problems related to mental, sensory, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and biomechanical capacities that underpin occupational engagement and occupational performance. Students integrate this knowledge into OT and related theories/models of practice. They develop clinical questions, and acquire knowledge and skills from the process of describing and evaluating occupational performance, and critiquing assessment tools for evaluating occupational engagement/performance. Students will explore different practice contexts in which participation in occupation takes place. Case scenarios will be used throughout and students will undertake practice-based learning for 2 days per week throughout the term (135 hours).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate and apply skills in self reflection, critical appraisal, critical reasoning and critical thinking skills to case-based learning and to fieldwork practice, and behave in a manner appropriate for professional practice in both the academic and clinical environment, including interacting respectfully with different members of the health care team, consumers and carers.
  2. Recognize the challenges and rights of consumers and carers, and integrate their lived experience of health methods into service planning and delivery by acknowledging their expertise.
  3. Describe the importance of multicultural diversity and cultural relationships to professional practice.
  4. Explain the mechanisms and consequences of problems related to mental/psychosocial, physical and social capacities of humans, across the lifespan and apply knowledge of body functions, body structures and related clinical conditions to occupational performance challenges for clients of occupational therapy.
  5. Describe and apply key theoretical models of human occupation to client-centred occupational therapy assessment, goal setting, intervention, and follow-up evaluation.
  6. Describe and apply the principles of occupational analysis and grading and adaptation of occupations to a therapy situation.
  7. Describe and apply the clinical reasoning process to the occupational therapy process and formulate appropriate occupational therapy goals and objectives for specific clients.
  8. Select, administer and critique assessment methods used in occupational therapy practice including initial assessment interview using this information to evaluate occupational performance and occupational engagement.
  9. Accurately record and document professional information.
  10. Locate, retrieve and use resources to inform decision making about health and occupational issues.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week. Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus.

Assessment

  • Review of 2 clinical assessment tools (1,500 words) (10%)
  • Exam (1.5 hours) (10%)
  • Exam (2 hours) (25%)
  • Clinical workbook (3,000 words) (20%)
  • Case-based occupational analysis (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Written/oral exam (1.5 hours) (15%)
  • Practice skill test (10 minutes) (5%)
  • Presentation of two case scenarios for peer and tutor feedback (10 minutes each) (5%)

Hurdle requirement:

  • Successful completion of fieldwork including attendance at fieldwork briefing; submission of (i) a completed and signed Student Placement Evaluation Form - Revised (SPEF-R) (ii) signed timesheet and (iii) Student Review of Placement form; and (iv) reflective journal
  • One 1,000 word reflective journal
  • Two self evaluations of group participation
  • Attendance at 80% of scenario based tutorials, practical skills sessions and seminars, unless a medical certificate is provided.

Workload requirements

This unit will run for 9 weeks of academic/fieldwork followed by one week Swot Vac, one week of exams and one week vacation. As this is an accelerated program, the workload demands are more than would be expected of an undergraduate 12 CP unit as it is run over 9 rather than 12 weeks.

PBL Tutorials - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Lectures - 4 hours per week (online)

Practicals - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week

Private study - 12 hours per week

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC4040 - Enabling occupation 1

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Ms Linda Barclay
Ms Kirsty Pope

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 2 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC4030

Synopsis

In this unit students will begin to describe, apply and critique the principles of assessment and intervention for clients with problems related to capacities to engage in activities, occupations, and participation in community life. Case-based scenarios will relate to people across the lifespan. Intervention principles will also incorporate environmental supports and barriers (advocacy, organisational change, environmental adaptation), and evidence-based practice. This unit also provides knowledge and skills necessary to understand different research methodologies, critique and evaluate the usefulness and quality of research evidence that supports evidence-based practice. Students will be guided through the process of how to ask clinically relevant questions, search for evidence, and critically appraise published research. Students will undertake practice-based learning for 2 days per week throughout the term (135 hours). The focus of fieldwork is on the development of core occupational therapy skills and students are required to demonstrate skills in data gathering, intervention/program planning, implementation and evaluation, recording and reporting and practice these skills in a sensitive, ethical and professional manner.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills in self-assessment and the provision of constructive feedback to others.
  2. Describe typical occupational therapy theories, intervention strategies, methods and modalities used with clients of occupational therapy presenting with physical, mental/psychosocial, cognitive, social and other related occupational performance challenges.
  3. Apply principles of client-centred practice, activity and occupational analysis, grading and adapting equipment, tasks, activities and environments, and energy conservation to enhance occupational participation and performance with clients.
  4. Describe common musculoskeletal, medical, surgical, neurological, mental/psychosocial disease processes relevant to clients of occupational therapy and their occupational sequelae.
  5. Evaluate a home/office for home/workplace modifications, use technical drawing techniques and write recommendations for home/workplace modification professionals and describe the role of external agencies (e.g. Archicentre, TADVIC and the SWEP) and use of Australian Standards in home modification.
  6. Demonstrate the use and principles of orthotic fabrication using low temperature thermoplastic materials and justify design, manufacture and application of a specific orthosis.
  7. Select, measure, prescribe and use appropriate assistive equipment to enable client occupational participation and performance (e.g. mobility equipment, lifting devices/hoists, pressure care equipment and communication devices).
  8. Describe different quantitative and quantitative research methods and methodologies, and critique research strategies relevant to occupational therapy practice.
  9. Describe ethical research issues and practices.
  10. Describe and demonstrate how to apply the principles of evidence-based practice using best evidence available for practice.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week. Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus.

Assessment

  • Home modifications and SWEP Application (1500 words) (10%)
  • Quizzes (3 x 30 minutes) (MCQ/SAQ) (25%)
  • Applied oral exam with peer discussion (1.5 hours) (25%)
  • Critically appraised paper x 2(2 x 1200 words) (20%)
  • BMA Exam (MCQ/SAQ) (1.5 hours) (20%)

Workload requirements

This unit will run for 9 weeks of academic/fieldwork followed by one week Swot Vac, one week of exams and one week vacation. As this is an accelerated program, the workload demands are more than would be expected of an undergraduate 12 CP unit as it is run over 9 rather than 12 weeks.

PBL Tutorials - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Lectures - 4 hours per week (online)

Practicals - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week

Private study - 12 hours per week.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5050 - Enabling occupation 2

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 3 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC4040.

Synopsis

In this second intervention unit, student will further describe, apply and critique the principles of assessment and intervention for individual and groups of clients who are restricted in their ability to engage in activities, occupations, and participate in community life. Intervention principles will also incorporate environmental supports and barriers (advocacy, organisational change, environmental adaptation) and evidence-based practice. The common characteristics of primary care will form the framework including issues of expanded access, multi-professional service teams, optimal service coordination, and a focus on patient empowerment and the application of technology to health promotion. Prevention and health promotion systems relevant to primary care will be examined, and the evidence and theoretical base for preventive (behavioural) counselling, brief interventions, health education practice, methods of tailoring strategies to client needs, motivational interviewing techniques, motivating change and preventing relapse will be explored. Approaches to adopting health promotion strategies and building capacity for health promotion in others will be explored.

This unit also gives students an advanced overview of the skills necessary to critique and evaluate research evidence. Students will be introduced to methodologies related to evaluating and conducting mixed-method survey-based research using questionnaires. This will provide the foundation to integrate clinically relevant evidence into daily professional practice as well as skills to be able assist with quality assurance activities using survey methodology. A fieldwork block of 3 weeks full time will conclude the term (112 hours).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Take responsibility for own attitudes and behaviour, and maintain the legal, ethical and professional standards and emergency procedures set by the fieldwork facility, Monash University, and OT AUSTRALIA code of ethics;
  2. Appraise the complex and interacting factors that contribute to notions of culture and cultural relationships, health and illness and multicultural diversity to professional practice and citizenship;
  3. Identify further common medical, surgical, neurological, musculoskeletal, biopsychosocial and developmental conditions that can present in clients of occupational therapy, and their occupational sequela;
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the frameworks that underpin health promotion and the application of health promotion principles and demonstrate how health care and health promotion is operationalized and evaluated in clinical settings and how it is used in program planning;
  5. Formulate integrated reasoning involving purposeful and meaningful occupation; client-centred/family centred practice; occupational therapy theory and practice; identity as an occupational therapist; and thinking critically, reasoning and reflecting to the development and implementation of occupationally relevant intervention strategies;
  6. Identify gaps in intervention practice knowledge, develop a researchable clinical intervention question and search databases for best evidence to support practice gaps;
  7. Choose and critique best evidence available for occupational therapy individual and group intervention strategies, methods and modalities used with clients of occupational therapy presenting with physical, mental/psychosocial, cognitive, social, and other related occupational performance challenges;
  8. Select, appraise, design and implement quantitative and qualitative; questionnaires/scales/survey data used to gather data, and interpret and report results;
  9. Effectively communicate with other members of the team and refer appropriately including planning and producing a health promotion pamphlet or poster;
  10. Write relevant, concise and comprehensive reports and pamphlets and substantiate both written and oral reporting with information from a range of empirical and other data sources.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork - 3 week placement (112 hours). Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus.

Assessment

  • Mixed-methods survey report (3,500 words, 7000 in pairs, 10,000 in three) (25%)
  • Oral examination (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Health promotion program plan and group presentation (5,000 words and 20 minutes) (35%)
  • 2 x article review presentations (10%)

Hurdle requirements

  • Successful completion of 3 weeks of fieldwork (Hurdle)
  • Student evaluation of group process/Self role analysis (Hurdle)
  • Group work reflection (Hurdle)
  • Health Promotion: progress report (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Evidence based practice tests (2x 1 hour) (Hurdle)
  • Attendance at 80% of tutorials, skills classes and fieldwork placement (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

This unit will run for 9 weeks of academic/fieldwork followed by one week Swot Vac, one week of exams, 3 weeks of fieldwork and one week vacation. As this is an accelerated program, the workload demands are more than would be expected of an undergraduate 12 CP unit as it is run over 9 rather than 12 weeks.

PBL Tutorials - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Lectures - 4 hours per week (online)

Practicals - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Fieldwork - Placement 3 weeks full time (112 hours)

Private study - 12 hours per week.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5060 - Enabling occupation 3

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Ms Kirsty Pope

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 4 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC5050.

Synopsis

In this unit, students begin to shift their view beyond the occupational challenges facing individuals, to consider the ways in which the occupations, health and well-being of groups, communities, and populations' may be impacted on by social, political and organisational factors. Students apply advanced clinical reasoning and intervention skills in case based scenarios applied to groups of people and communities who are experiencing complex health and social problems rather than individuals. The cases chosen highlight the multiple approaches to occupational intervention, both individual/clinical and community/prevention.

Additionally, students, individually or in pairs, will work in collaboration with a sponsoring agency to address a specific need while completing their participatory practice fieldwork placement for 2 days per week (135 hours). Students will be allocated a project identified by the agency. Students will then be guided by academic staff through the process of making initial contact with their agency and the first phase of project management, which involves collaborating with agency members to "scope" an organisationally useful, and occupationally relevant project or program. Students will be required to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and to develop a project proposal that meets the needs and aims of the agency. Students will develop skills in project design and management and work within a community partnership model to address a community/population health based occupational issue for the collaborating agency.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical appraisal, critical reasoning and critical thinking skills through application of theory into primary care, health promotion and population health in scenario based learning and in a practice setting;
  2. Appraise the influence of government policy on the development of services and associated funding systems available to prevent ill health and promote health and wellbeing, the role of community, national and international agencies, and their functions in the prevention of ill health, the promotion of health and wellbeing, and rehabilitation and how this relates to occupational therapy practice;
  3. Apply intervention principles for promoting change among individuals to whole communities;
  4. Demonstrate the rights of consumers and carers and strategies to involve consumers and carers in service planning, delivery and evaluation through interacting with them in an ethical and socially responsible approach to practice and practice based enquiry;
  5. Describe and appraise principles and approaches to advocacy and lobbying;
  6. Analyse the principles of, skills associated with program development, program management, evaluation and resource management;
  7. Take responsibility for own attitudes and behaviour, by acknowledging prejudices, limitations, and lack of knowledge, and commitment to change and growth as a result of professional development, and reflective learning;
  8. Undertake a needs analysis by scoping an organizationally useful and occupationally relevant project or program and use findings of assessments/needs analyses to develop programs using best available evidence;
  9. Apply program management skills such as applying resource management and function as a project manager and liaise with an organization to define a project;
  10. Consult with service providers, community leaders, consumers and carers about their rights, service choices, and options and demonstrate power sharing with them in relationships the development of a partnership approach to service development and provision and setting priorities for change; and share resources in a mutual educational process to facilitate decision making and advocacy about service choices, and options.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week. Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus.

Assessment

  • Oral and written exam (2 hours) including peer assessment (30%)
  • Population health assignment (3,000 words) (15%)
  • Contemporary practice presentation (15 minutes) (5%)
  • Presentation (20 minutes) (5%)
  • Written preliminary project proposal (1,000 words) (5%)
  • Oral presentation of situation profile findings and preliminary action plan (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Project Action Plan Proposal (2,500 words minimum) (30%)

Hurdle:

  • Project progress update reports.
  • Successful completion of fieldwork including submission of (i) a completed and signed Student Placement Evaluation Form - Revised (SPEF-R) (ii) signed timesheet and (iii) Student Review of Placement form; and (iv) reflective journal and 2 summary reports.
  • Attendance at 80% of tutorials, supervisory meetings and fieldwork placement hours unless a medical certificate is provided.

Workload requirements

This unit will run for 9 weeks of academic/fieldwork followed by one week Swot Vac, one week of exams and one week vacation. As this is an accelerated program, the workload demands are more than would be expected of an undergraduate 12 CP unit as it is run over 9 rather than 12 weeks.

PBL Tutorials - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Lectures - 4 hours per week (online)

Practicals - 4 hours per week (on campus)

Fieldwork (Placement weeks 1-9) - up to 12 hours per week

Private study - 12 hours per week.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5070 - Transition to practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Ms Kirsty Pope

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • Term 1 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC5060.

Prohibitions

OCC4071, OCC4081.

Synopsis

Students will refine knowledge and skills in professional self management appropriate for practice as entry level occupational therapists. They will identify and document their learning needs for their final fieldwork placement and develop the ability to set objectives for personal practice development. Strategies for identifying and meeting individual professional development needs, the legal and ethical requirements for professional competency at graduate level, the role of the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) and the credentialing process will be critiqued. The unit also includes content on recruitment and selection processes.

Concurrently, students will work within a community partnership model to address a community/population health based issue for the collaborating agency (135 fieldwork hours). Students will act as a project manager by implementation, evaluation and reporting on their project commenced in OCC5060. They will transmit this knowledge, skills and ideas to professional and non-professional audiences.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Examine, critique and organise learning needs to guide current and future learning to maintain competence and professional development that meet professional standard guidelines and credentialing processes in occupational therapy;
  2. Identify, evaluate and critique a range of professional support strategies that can be used to enhance professional practice;
  3. Appraise the key requirements of recruitment and selection processes, and compose an effective application for a professional position;
  4. Examine Government policy and the function of local, state and national agencies funding health delivery and how these bodies direct resources to effect planning and service delivery;
  5. Investigate, analyse, synthesise and critically reflect on a complex theoretical concept or problem in an area of occupational therapy practice;
  6. Demonstrate technical knowledge and ability to communicate effectively on a complex theoretical concept or problem in an area of occupational therapy practice that contributes to professional practice or scholarship;
  7. Plan, implement, evaluate and critique reflectively a substantial community-based project that has occupational relevance;
  8. Demonstrate communication and technical skills to interpret and justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions appropriate for occupational therapy and non-occupational therapy audiences;
  9. Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

Fieldwork

Placement weeks 1-9 - up to 12 hours per week. Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus.

Assessment

  • Complete a learning contract that outlines learning needs and identified learning gaps (2,000 words) (15%)
  • Critically analyse a current professional issue in the form of a 'viewpoint' article (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Peer evaluation of critical analysis (750 words) (10%)
  • Conference poster abstract (between 2 - 3 students) (250 words) (5%)
  • Oral electronic poster presentation defense (between 2 - 3 students) (20 minutes) (10%)
  • Submission of project report detailing process, findings and recommendations (between 2 - 3 students) (5,000 words) (40%)

Hurdle requirements:

  • Attendance of at least 80% of tutorials, participation in mock interview, interview with placement supervisor, supervisory meetings and fieldwork placement hours.
  • Successful completion of fieldwork including submission of (i) a completed and signed student placement evaluation form - revised (SPEF-R) (ii) signed timesheet and (iii) student review of placement form; and (iv) reflective journal and 2 summary reports
  • Submission of midway project progress report (1,500 words)
  • Compose an effective curriculum vitae and letter of application for a professional position.

Workload requirements

This unit will run for 9 weeks of academic/fieldwork followed by one week SwotVac, and one week of exams. As this is an accelerated program, the workload demands are more than would be expected of an undergraduate 12 credit poiny unit as it is run over 9 rather than 12 weeks.

  • Seminar - 4 hours per week (on campus)
  • Workshops - 2 hours fortnightly (on campus)
  • Fieldwork - Placement weeks 1-9 - up to 12 hours per week including supervisory meetings - 6 hours across term
  • Private study - 8 hours per week.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5080 - Advanced professional practice

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Dr Lisa O'Brien

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

OCC5070.

Prohibitions

OCC4082, OCC4092.

Synopsis

Students will complete a range of on-line and workbook tasks while undertaking an 8 week, full time, fieldwork placement. In this placement they will consider their own role within human service organizations and apply and critique contemporary practice knowledge in leadership and management, supervision and mentoring, organizational behaviour, change management, organizational governance and service quality, professional development, and complex, program based multidisciplinary teams. A learning contract developed in OCC5070 will be used to guide fieldwork learning. Fieldwork provides students with the opportunity to develop, integrate and enhance their practice skills to reach an entry level of competence in occupational therapy prior to graduation. By the end of the fieldwork placement, students will be managing a caseload of clients independently. A portfolio assessment will be used to encourage reflection, a self-directed approach to learning and to provide a record of professional competencies as these are developing.

Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviours at the level expected of a new graduate occupational therapist as assessed through the SPEF-R;
  2. Demonstrate autonomous and competent application of all stages of the occupational therapy process to the level expected of a new graduate in occupational therapy according to the Australian Minimum Competency Standards for New Graduate Occupational Therapists;
  3. Reflect, develop and critique personal and professional learning using an electronic portfolio in preparation for professional accreditation, including opportunities for supervision and a plan for continual professional development that reflects a self-directed and life-long approach to learning;
  4. Implement, critique and evaluate strategies to effectively meet own learning needs using a learning contract;
  5. Provide effective occupational therapy service considering the broad political, legal and industrial issues in the workplace, profession and client group;
  6. Critique and devise strategies to address the change management processes, human resource management and service planning and delivery structures within an organization;
  7. Critique professional issues arising from contemporary practice as a result of organisational and team management, finance and partnering with consumer groups;
  8. Create an original scenario that highlights evidence-based occupational therapy intervention/s for a client or group in the context of a client's total service provision from an agency or organisation.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork comprises 4.5 days per week for 8 weeks. Fieldwork will require students to travel to fieldwork locations. These may be near or away from the campus. It is possible that this placement could be undertaken anywhere in the world subject to the standard of supervision as well as legal requirements as the accompanying teaching and learning activities are completed online.

Assessment

  • E-portfolio (including 2,000 words reflective statement) (30%)
  • Oral portfolio & defence (20%)
  • Completion of on-line discussion group and Zoom meeting tasks (2 x 5 minute presentations and 2 x peer reviews of a presentation) (25%)
  • Case study (2,000 words) (25%)

Workload requirements

Students will complete full time fieldwork for 4.5 days per week (33 hours) for 8 weeks plus self directed on-line learning tasks (4 hours per week) to support networking with peers.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5121 - Advanced adaptive and assistive technology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Coordinator(s)

TBA

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

Assistive technology promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they otherwise would have great difficulty or not be able to accomplish. This unit will involve problem solving and clinical reasoning to help the students to develop into competent assistive technology professionals and providers. The course will consist of information relating to social and political aspects of people with disability and technology. The areas of Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access will be studied in detail. Students will choose one area for their first assignment, and will attend 2 separate clinics each of 4 hours duration to observe clinical practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of a range of clinical conditions for whom various assistive technologies are applicable;
  2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the barriers and enhancers created by using assistive and adaptive technologies for disabled people;
  3. Describe the social and political aspects of disability with reference to assistive and adaptive technologies;
  4. Develop and describe appropriate assistive technology provision for clients with specific conditions, supported with sound clinical reasoning;
  5. Demonstrate advanced skills in assessing, applying for funding and prescribing a range of Assistive Technology Devices for clients in everyday practice;
  6. Understand and implement the principles of adaptive and assistive technology in the areas of: Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access;
  7. Display specialist information in one of the areas of Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access;
  8. Demonstrate professional competence in searching and summarising (verbally and in writing) the scientific literature on a specific topic related to assistive technology.

Assessment

  • Seminar presentation (20%)
  • Essay (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Literature review (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Exam (30%)

Workload requirements

40 hours attendance in lectures/practicums (block mode), 4 hours clinic attendance (over 2 separate occasions), 16 hours seminar attendance (including a 20 minute presentation), 2 written assignments (1,000 and 2,000 words).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5131 - Advanced assessment of children: Methods, policy, ethics and issues

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Ted Brown

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Ted Brown

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit will provide an in depth overview of the issues related to the assessment of children (ethical, legal, professional, educational, clinical). The unit will start by introducing the reasons, uses, and purposes of assessment. Specific methods (e.g.observation, objective performance, parent-report) related to the assessment of children will be reviewed. Particular attention will be paid to issues related to family-centred practice and assessing children in naturalistic environments. Different contexts (e.g., clinic, community, school, home) where assessment is completed, issues related to the assessment of children at different age levels / developmental levels and the evaluation of children with special needs will be discussed. Ethical, policy and legal issues related to the assessment of children will be presented and critiqued. Specific types of assessment tools, scales, and instruments appropriate for use with children will be presented and reviewed. This will provide a broad base of 7 knowledge and skills for occupational therapy and other health professional students wishing to work with children and families in clinical, educational, home, and community settings.

Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students will:

  1. Describe the characteristics, types, and methods of assessment best suited for use with children and their families
  2. Develop and describe assessment approaches appropriate for children at different developmental levels and for children with special needs
  3. Describe the assessment approaches that best fit with naturalistic assessment and family centred practice
  4. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of ethical, policy, and legal issues related to the assessment of children
  5. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of assessment tools, scales, and instruments used to evaluate the skills, interests, roles, and abilities of children
  6. Demonstrate competence in searching, describing, summarising, and presenting (verbally and in writing) the evidence from research literature on a specific topic related to child assessment.

Assessment

  • Participation during class and tutorial group discussions (10%)
  • Critique and scoping review of an instrument, tool or scale used to assess children (2,500 words) (40%)
  • Mock assessment report of school-age child & professional reflection (3,000 words) (50%)
  • Achieving a minimum grade of 50% on the AT4, failure to achieve a grade of 50% or more on AT4 may result in failing the unit (Hurdle)
  • 100% attendance requirements for all tutorials, seminars and practical skills sessions, unless a medical certificate is provided. (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On Campus: 3 hours per week of lectures plus 1 hour per week of tutorial. 8 hours per week of private study (reading, literature review, practicing skills, preparation of assignments, and other self-directed learning activities). Averaged over the 12 week semester - a total of 156 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5141 - Occupational therapy for children with a disability and their families

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Suzanne Wakefield

Coordinator(s)

Ms Suzanne Wakefield

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This course is about occupational therapy for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Etiology and epidemiology of conditions will be reviewed. The impact of accommodating the significant needs of a child with a disability in a family will be described and the impact on family member's and occupational therapy service delivery will be explored in depth. Students will learn about occupational therapy methods using the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF) and family centred practice. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment and students will examine several case studies in detail.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Compare the WHO ICF, Social model of disability, the premises of the United Nations Charter on the rights of the child and occupational therapy practice for students with neurodevelopmental disability.
  2. Evaluate the impact of culture and environmental influences on the capabilities and participation of children with neurodevelopmental disability.
  3. Accurately describe the most common causes and co-existing conditions that occur with a diagnosis that results in developmental and functional challenges.
  4. Design an occupational therapy program that is appropriate for a specific child, from the perspective of one of the major approaches that facilitates the participation of children with neurodevelopment disabilities in daily life.
  5. Evaluate impairments of body structure and function in children with developmental and functional challenges.
  6. Evaluate a child with a motor challenge who has limitations in self care, leisure and play skills and preschool or school related productive occupations.
  7. Select appropriate occupational therapy intervention to improve a child's capabilities in childhood occupations.
  8. Develop learner centred goals and explain the occupational therapy management options for improving the child's participation in home, school and community life.
  9. Demonstrate creation of family centred occupational therapy goals and home programs, including professional report writing skills appropriate to the needs of parents.
  10. Critique evidence based practice approaches to occupational therapy children with neurodevelopment disability.

Assessment

  • Presentation at a seminar (30 mins) (20%) and a submission of a summary (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Short quizzes (3,500 words total over 8 weeks) (70%)
  • Attendance requirements
  • Active participation in online discussion boards, research reviews and proposals

Workload requirements

60 hours interaction with online lectures and course material, and participation in online tutorials, communications with other students and tutor (online delivery only), 16 hours seminar attendance (including one day in the initial week and one in the last week with a 30 minute presentation), 1 written assignment (1,000 words), 8 discussion postings (3,500 words); 88 hours of private study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


OCC5161 - Human occupation and health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Occupational Therapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Louise Farnworth

Coordinator(s)

Professor Ellie Fossey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Synopsis

This unit offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge related to contemporary occupational therapy theory and practice that will provide advanced revision of material that may have been covered in an undergraduate curriculum, but also will introduce new developments as well as critique theoretical perspectives and practices in human occupation focused services often undertaken by occupational therapists. The unit will overview and critique literature related to historical and current conceptual understandings of human activity and occupation, and occupation-based, culturally sensitive practices including: definitions and classifications of occupation, time use, occupational balance, person-environment-occupation models of practice, occupational identity and occupational adaptation. It will take a lifespan approach and is relevant to all areas of occupational therapy practice in building healthy communities. Literature will be primarily sourced from occupational therapy and occupational science. In this unit students will also develop the skills required for evidence-based, reflective, client/person-centred practice, critical evaluation of literature and professional verbal and written forms of communication of occupation-based practice concepts.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe current theories on human activity and occupation from occupational science and occupational therapy literature.
  2. Explain perspectives on defining and classifying human activity/occupation.
  3. Demonstrate use of concepts related to time use, occupational balance, habit and routine, occupational adaptation and its relationship to a person's health and well-being in case study activities.
  4. Explain dimensions of meaning related to occupation, occupational potential, occupational identity and occupational justice.
  5. Describe person-environment-occupation interactions models of practice and their relationship to a person's health and well-being, and ethical and culturally sensitive practice.
  6. Demonstrate competence in searching, describing, critiquing, summarising, and presenting (verbally and in written communication) the evidence from research literature on a specific topic related to occupational-based practice.

Assessment

  • Presentation (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Essay (4,000 words) (60%) (hurdle)
  • Critique of an contemporary occupational issue (1,000 words) (20%)

Hurdle requirement:

  • Participation in 80% of online classes

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5200 - Introduction to aeromedical and retrieval concepts

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Matthew Shepherd
Mr Rod Mason

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit is designed to provide an introduction to the concepts of working within an aeromedical environment.

The content within this unit will cover the foundation aspects of various areas of speciality within the aeromedical setting.

Fundamental concepts covered within this unit include: Basics of aviation, Introduction to meteorology, Aviation physiology, Retrieval and flight co-ordination, Crew resource management, and

Survival skills.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Examine and explain the basics of aviation, including meteorology in relation to both rotary and fixed wing aircraft;
  2. Apply principles of aviation physiology within a practical work environment;
  3. Evaluate the integral role of retrieval medicine within the broader health care system, identifying all of the factors to be considered when coordinating an aero medical retrieval;
  4. Identify and discuss integral parts of Aviation safety including Crew Resource Management (CRM);
  5. Identify and employ safety considerations when working around both rotary and fixed wing aircraft;
  6. Synthesise and explain self-preservation techniques and examine a variety of considerations in relation to surviving an incident.

Assessment

  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case Studies) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Online MCQ quiz (10%)
  • Portfolio (3000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5210 - Aeromedical and retrieval professional practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Dr Tim Gray

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

Aeromedicine and retrieval work is a multi-disciplinary process that ensures the best outcomes for patient care.

This unit will explore the essentials of professionalism, critical thinking, problem solving, planning, peer review and reflective practices that are essential to health professionals operating in a context of constrained resources, and who, after graduation, may practice on fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Demonstrate advanced communication skills in a range of operational circumstances, including the participation in critical incident debriefing;
  2. Apply effective and professional leadership skills in complex, stressed and/or time-critical environments both in the team environment or working independently
  3. Engage effectively and cooperatively with a comprehensive range of co-professional agencies and/or professional roles which support their practice;
  4. Integrate effective reflective practice, peer review and other methods of evaluation for the purpose of continued personal and professional growth and demonstrating professional behaviours;
  5. Synthesise the best available evidence and research base to support the formulation and implementation of critical care decision pathways;
  6. Recognise hazards, limitations, and/or barriers to effective practice within their operational environment and construct strategies for managing them.

Assessment

  • Examination (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Portfolio (60%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5220 - Aeromedical and retrieval clinical 1: Advanced life support/critical care

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Rod Mason

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit will explore the specific modifications to clinical practice required when adapting to the aeromedical environment. Unit content will address the effects of altitude on susceptible medical, surgical and traumatic conditions and will emphasise the importance of appropriate in-flight equipment commonly used for patient monitoring and ventilatory and circulatory support.

The formulation of clinical management strategies including the prediction and prevention of potential aeromedical problems to ensure the safe and efficient transport of patients will be emphasised.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Predict the specific effects of altitude on susceptible medical, surgical and traumatic conditions;
  2. Generate pharmacotherapeutic and fluid administration plans to manage common conditions requiring aeromedical transport, demonstrating effective forward planning to manage potential complications that may arise;
  3. Formulate holistic patient care plans appropriate to the professional practice level of the student;
  4. Devise clinical management strategies which will predict and prevent potential aeromedical problems which affect safe and efficient patient transport;
  5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of medical equipment utilised in the care of patients during flight; and
  6. Evaluate the pivotal role of teamwork within the aeromedical retrieval environment

Assessment

  • Online MCQ quiz (10%)
  • Final exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case studies)(2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Portfolio (3000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5230 - Aeromedical and retrieval coordination

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Shaun Whitmore

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit will promote the development of a broad and critical conceptual and practical understanding of critical care mission coordination within retrieval systems.

The unit will cover a broad range of systems and process skills for the practitioner, ensuring their knowledge and understanding of the complexities and dependencies within critical care and retrieval systems.

It also considers in depth, the cognitive skills required in coordination, in order to fully understand and manage complex planning, risk mitigation, mission logistics and communication methods. The unit will also focus on specific standards and guidelines in the delivery of retrieval coordination.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Analyse the functions and relationships of the components of aeromedical and retrieval systems, and their integration with the broader health system;
  2. Describe the functions and processes relating to the complexities of planning and logistics in retrieval systems, and their relationships with other health system components;
  3. Formulate planning skills to facilitate efficient multi platform planning and retrieval tasking, along with their integration with call-taking and dispatch systems;
  4. Evaluate and formulate coordination strategies to minimise mission risk and maximise efficiency in crew and platform selection, along with recognition of factors that would preclude mission tasking;
  5. Analyse the principles of aviation logistics and platform selection, and how they may be impacted by variables such as weather, duty times, and resource availability;
  6. Formulate Aeromedical Management plans to operate in conjunction with hospital emergency response plans, multi patient incidents/disaster/military response, along with search and rescue and other emergency response providers.

Assessment

  • Clinical Discussion Forums (1500 words) (20%)
  • Final exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case studies) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Portfolio (2500 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5240 - Aeromedical retrieval rescue

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Darren Hodge

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit addresses the role of the aeromedical team and the use of fixed and rotary wing aircraft within search and rescue.

The content related to air search techniques will include search patterns, homing techniques and observer procedures.

Rescue techniques will focus on the rotary wing aircraft aeromedical rescue team and the specific skill of stabilising and packaging the patient for winching to safety.

The safety requirements of search and rescue will be emphasised, and post impact land survival techniques, water safety and sea survival will be discussed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Appraise the role of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and the aeromedical team in search and rescue;
  2. Explain air search techniques including the role of the observer;
  3. Determine the specific requirements for packaging patients for rescue;
  4. Evaluate different survival techniques on land and in sea;
  5. Participate in helicopter winching techniques; and
  6. Identify the required elements of aeromedical retrieval rescue pertaining to their professional role.

Assessment

  • Online MCQ quiz (10%)
  • Final exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case studies) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Portfolio (3000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5250 - Aeromedical and retrieval clinical 2: Intensive care

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Rod Mason

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit specifically addresses the fundamental requirements for effective planning, leadership and the provision of definitive care for the complex retrieval and repatriation of sick and injured patients, both within the specialised aeromedical and also in non-specialised (commercial aircraft).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Describe the facilities and equipment available on non dedicated aeromedical airlines (including commercial airlines) to facilitate care of the patient during flight;
  2. Explain the implications of common international travel conventions and legal requirements related to moving patients, equipment and drugs from port to port to the successful and safe retrieval of the patient;
  3. Predict the specific effects of altitude on susceptible medical, surgical and traumatic conditions;
  4. Generate pharmacotherapeutic and fluid administration plans to manage common conditions requiring aeromedical transport, demonstrating effective forward planning to manage potential complications that may arise;
  5. Formulate holistic patient care plans appropriate to the professional practice level of the student, demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of medical equipment;
  6. Devise clinical management strategies which will predict and prevent potential aeromedical problems which affect safe and efficient patient transport;

Assessment

  • Online MCQ quiz (10%)
  • Final exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case studies) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Portfolio (3000) (50%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5320 - Extended care paramedicine 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Ms Caroline Martin

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

PAR5400 and PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit will introduce the scope, context and role of the extended care paramedic practitioner including the obligations, documentation and reporting requirements as well as referral options and pathways for patients. This unit will also focus on the advanced assessment, management, prescribing and referral of patients with musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries in the out-of-hospital environment.

Unit content will address the reduction of uncomplicated shoulder and patella dislocations, wound care including suturing and wound glue, local anaesthetic administration and sedation for minor musculoskeletal procedures as well as post-procedure care including prescribing opioid analgesics and NSAIDs.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit.

It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate core knowledge of the normal structure, function and development of the human body at all stages of life.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the aetiology, pathology, symptoms and signs, natural history, and prognosis of common ailments in children, adolescents, adults and the aged.
  3. Recognise risk factors for disease or injury, while using appropriate screening tools to be able to triage patients to remain in their home, refer to general practice or other appropriate health services.
  4. Select and interpret appropriate, cost-effective diagnostic tools and use them as an adjunct to the history and physical examination findings to formulate an appropriate diagnosis, differential diagnosis and implement an appropriate management plan.
  5. Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and reflect critically on the justifications for decisions using an evidence-based approach.
  6. Identify emergent cases and complex conditions beyond the paramedic's range of medical knowledge and competence.
  7. Recognise the limitations of the student's medical knowledge, and how this relates to scope of practice, patient safety and their role within the broader health care team.

Assessment

  • Examination (50%)
  • Portfolio (50%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5330 - Extended care paramedicine 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Ms Janet Curtis

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

PAR5400 and PAR5410

Co-requisites

M6015, 3876, 3877, 3878

Synopsis

This unit will focus on the advanced assessment, management, prescribing and referral of patients with acute and chronic gastrointestinal complaints as well as patients presenting with infection, inflammation and chronic wound healing in the out of hospital environment.

This unit will cover the acute management of urinary catheters, PEG's, otoscope use for ENT assessment and non-complicated foreign body object removal.

This unit will also cover the acute management or appropriate prescribing of non-opioid analgesics, local anaesthetics, antiemetics, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs related to the presentations or conditions covered in this unit of study.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit. It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Examine and apply knowledge of normal gastrointestinal and genitourinary anatomy and physiology to describe the structure and function as well as common abnormalities and significant acute or chronic pathologies associated with these two systems;
  2. Analyse the common causes, clinical assessments, complications and outcomes associated with foreign body objects in both adult and paediatric patients;
  3. Implement knowledge, skills and evidence based practice to safely and professionally manage acute complications associated with urinary catheters, PEG's and non-complicated foreign body object removal;
  4. Formulate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes using the relevant drugs available for the extended care paramedic in the management of acute or chronic gastrointestinal and genitourinary conditions including appropriate and judicious use of antibiotics, non-opioid analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antipyretic drugs;
  5. Synthesise how community emergency health practitioners might relate to and coordinate with hospital emergency departments, general practitioners and other healthcare services for optimal patient-centred outcomes in the management of these conditions.
  6. Reflect on the acute or chronic presentations beyond the technical skill, scope of clinical practice or diagnostic capabilities of an extended care paramedic as it relates to the management of gastrointestinal, genitourinary or foreign body object removal presentations.

Assessment

  • Clinical practice discussion forum (5%)
  • Student clinical skill/procedure exemplar videos x 2 (8 minutes each)25%
  • Literature review (2000 words) (30%)
  • Final exam (mcq's, saq's and case studies) (2 hours) (hurdle)(40%)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education learning and 6 hours of private study /self-directed learning per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5400 - Principles of advanced care paramedic practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Ms Karen Zaleski

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit introduces concepts related to providing patient care and interventions at an advanced care level.

The content relates to the enhancement of existing clinical skills and knowledge, and specifically aims to challenge students in the areas of: advanced patient assessment, clinical decision making, managing complex patients and scenes, and demonstrating clinical and scene leadership.

Concepts related to reflective practice and the effects of human factors on decision making capabilities will also be explored.

Within this unit, students will be required to develop and demonstrate postgraduate level academic skills in sourcing and appraising contemporary evidence, as well as the maturation of skills in scientific writing and appropriate referencing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Interpret the contemporary research evidence base as it relates to the provision of advanced paramedic interventions in the pre-hospital setting and the evolution of care in Australia;
  2. Formulate an advanced management plan for complex patients based on a systematic advanced patient assessment and inclusive of available interventions for intensive care, flight and/or extended care paramedics;
  3. Justify treatment decision pathways for complex patient presentations based on a differentiated understanding of the underlying anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology;
  4. Determine the effects of 'human factors' on the effective management of complex patients and dynamic case settings and reflect on available measures to improve situational awareness and scene leadership;
  5. Appraise the ethical and professional frameworks within advanced paramedic practice and identify the process by which professional guidelines and protocols are developed;
  6. Evaluate the qualities of professionalism and leadership in the role of the advanced care paramedic and the importance of effective communication and collaboration within complex scenes.

Assessment

  • Online MCQ quiz (10%)
  • Final exam (40%)
  • Portfolio (50%)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5410 - Pharmacotherapy and clinical toxicology in advanced care paramedic practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Emma Stam

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit aims to extend the knowledge of students as it relates to the foundation principles of pharmacology and clinical toxicology.

Specifically, students will be challenged to integrate the fundamental concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics as the basis for devising pharmacotherapeutic regimes as an advanced care practitioner.

Clinical decision pathways for patients will be explored using the contemporary evidence base to support and justify management plans, whilst incorporating available drug options for advanced care practitioners.

Students will be required to evaluate and justify their clinical decisions utilising a risk/benefit framework as the basis for formulating pharmacotherapeutic treatment regimes for patients.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Apply the principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and clinical toxicology to clinical practice
  2. Distinguish between the indications, actions, adverse reactions and contraindications for commonly prescribed medications in the advanced care paramedic environment;
  3. Formulate appropriate clinical decisions as they relate to pharmacotherapy within the advanced care paramedic context;
  4. Devise and communicate an appropriate education strategy for patients, based on their individual medication/drug regimes factoring in social and political influences on drug use;
  5. Identify and select appropriate medication regimes for specific clinical conditions in the pre-hospital advanced care clinical environment;
  6. Evaluate the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with prescription and administration of drugs/medications in the paramedic's jurisdiction

Assessment

  • Concept Map Series (20%)
  • 4 x Evidence Based Practice Forums (10% each, 40% overall)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5420 - Intensive care management of cardiac conditions

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Ross Salathiel
Mrs Emma Stam

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PAR5400, PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to an advanced level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the intensive care management of patients with chest pain.

Specific topics include: cardiac anatomy and physiology, ischaemic heart disease, cardiovascular pathology, the systematic interpretation of electrocardiographic rhythms and related waveforms, and specific pharmacotherapies used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit.

It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Explain the epidemiology of cardiac disease
  2. Systematically Interpret common ECGs and relate waveform morphology to the underlying structure and function of the heart;
  3. Formulate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes using the relevant drugs available for the intensive care management of cardiac conditions;
  4. Implement knowledge, skills and evidence based practice to professionally manage a cardiac emergency as an intensive care paramedic;
  5. Assess the benefits of pre-hospital advanced cardiac life support and the related role of the intensive care paramedic;
  6. Evaluate how community emergency health practitioners might relate to and coordinate with coronary care units in the management of patients with emergency cardiac conditions.

Assessment

  • 3 x iSAP Case Studies (1,000 words each) (15% each, 45% overall)
  • ECG in-semester Quiz (15%)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of internet learning or and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week. If completed on-campus sessions, students will be expected to attend the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials per week and complete a minimum of 6 hours of self-directed learning.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5430 - Intensive care management of respiratory conditions

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Rob Lasslett
Mr Nathan Stam

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PAR5400, PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to an advanced level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the intensive care management of patients with respiratory conditions.

Specific topics include: respiratory anatomy and physiology, common respiratory diseases and related pathologies, the advanced respiratory assessment, diagnosis and management of respiratory emergencies including specific pharmacotherapeutic interventions.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit.

It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Analyse the epidemiology of respiratory disease and construct a natural history of the pathology related to acute and chronic respiratory conditions;
  2. Synthesise the epidemiology of acute and chronic respiratory diseases;
  3. Formulate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes using the relevant drugs available for the intensive care management of respiratory conditions;
  4. Implement knowledge, skills and evidence based practice to professionally manage a respiratory emergency as an intensive care paramedic;
  5. Formulate treatment pathways through the application of clinical decision-making frameworks and problem-solving;
  6. Assess the benefits of pre-hospital intensive care and the related role of the Intensive Care Paramedic.

Assessment

  • 4 x Clinical procedure exemplar videos (10 minutes each) (40%) (hurdle)
  • 4 x Problem Based Learning Forums (1,600 words) (20%)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week. If completed on-campus, students will be expected to complete the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars or online tutorials per week in addition to 6 hours of self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5440 - Intensive care management of trauma and environmental conditions

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Tim Andrews

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PAR5400, PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Notes

Please note, this unit has had the following change/s during 2017: amendment to unit coordinator.

For previous handbook information please contact the Faculty office.

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to an advanced level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the intensive care management of patients with traumatic and environmental conditions. Trauma care is approached from the contextual perspective of contemporary trauma systems, time critical guidelines and trauma triage criteria. Specific traumatic injuries are explored in depth and are related to student development of advanced skills to effectively manage these conditions.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit.

It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Examine and apply knowledge of the structure of trauma systems and define the related trauma triage criteria including the benefits of pre-hospital support and the related role of community emergency health practitioners;
  2. Analyse the pathophysiology of common traumatic and environmental conditions as it relates to specific intensive care interventions and clinical management strategies;
  3. Formulate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes using the relevant drugs available for the intensive care management of trauma and environmental conditions;
  4. Implement knowledge, skills and evidence based practice to professionally manage trauma and environmental emergencies as an intensive care paramedic;
  5. Synthesise the epidemiology of traumatic injuries and environmental conditions;
  6. Determine the likely ongoing management of patients in hospital critical care units using the framework of a trauma system.

Assessment

  • Clinical procedure exemplar videos x 4 (10 minutes each) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical Practice Discussion Forums x 4 (1,600 words) (20%)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

If completed on-campus, students will be expected to complete the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars or online tutorials per week in addition to 6 hours of self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5450 - Advanced care paramedic management of paediatric and obstetric patients

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Ms Caroline Martin

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)
  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Prerequisites

PAR5400, PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit addresses the advanced care principles related to the further development of knowledge, understanding and skill for providing emergency treatment and intervention to the obstetric patient as well as the paediatric and neonatal population.

Previous clinical experience at an advanced life support level is employed as the basis for identifying key differences and additional interventions appropriate to the management of obstetric complications or the pregnant patient who has sustained physical trauma or who presents with a medical emergency.

Outcomes

UPon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to effectively manage obstetric emergencies and provide advanced care for the pregnant patient presenting with physical trauma and/or a medical emergency;
  2. Relate the pathophysiology of common paediatric conditions to the early identification of conditions with potential to result in an emergency presentation;
  3. Formulate treatment pathways for the effective management of paediatric and obstetric emergencies including appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes, and demonstrating forward planning for ongoing management;
  4. Synthesise the contemporary evidence base and employ the principles of best practice into the management of paediatric and neonatal trauma and medical emergencies, using a clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model;
  5. Evaluate the psychological and physiological responses of children to illness and injury compared to the adult population;
  6. Interpret the epidemiology of paediatric and obstetric conditions including the common patterns of paediatric and obstetric injury and related contemporary interventions and management;

Assessment

  • iSAP Case Study (1,000 words) (10%)
  • 2x Evidence Based Practice Forums (10% each, 20% overall)
  • 2x Case-Based Exemplar Videos (15% each, 30% overall)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

If completed on-campus, students will be expected to complete the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars or online tutorials per week in addition to 6 hours of self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5460 - Transition to practice in the intensive care simulated environment

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Edda Courtney
Mr Bart Cresswell

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Prerequisites

PAR5420, PAR5430, PAR5440, PAR5480

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Prohibitions

PAR5470

Synopsis

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Explain the impact of human factors upon the development of expert clinical decision making and clinical judgement
  2. Analyse an emergency situation and demonstrate both scene and clinical leadership to formulate and implement appropriate clinical care
  3. Competently perform high ranging life-saving clinical skills safely and efficiently in a simulated environment
  4. Competently perform a range of paramedic skills including advanced airway management, diagnostics and the administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
  5. Apply theoretic concepts of paramedicine to a simulated clinical setting
  6. Evaluate the outcome of the simulation, using reflective practice as the basis for improvements to their ongoing patient care practices.

Outcomes

This units aims to prepare the student for clinical practice by using simulation-training methods to improve the understanding of human factors and their impact on the quality of team-based clinical care within the specific emergency paramedic environment.

The unit will allow the student to implement key clinical skills and practice clinical judgment, clinical decision making with implementation of management within a broad range of simulated emergencies and objective, structured clinical exams (OSCEs).

Assessment

  • Portfolio (50%)
  • OSCE (50%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of internet learning or and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week. If completed on-campus sessions, students will be expected to attend the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials per week and complete a minimum of 6 hours of self-directed learning.

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of internet learning or and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week prior to engaging in the simulation exercises.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5470 - Transition to intensive care clinical practicum

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Andrew Bishop
Dr Ravina Ravi

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PAR5420, PAR5430, PAR5440, PAR5480

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Prohibitions

PAR5460

Synopsis

This unit involves the student operating demonstrating competency as a novice intensive care paramedic based in their local clinical environment and under the direct supervision or mentorship of a suitably qualified and experienced clinical teacher. The student will be supported to develop the skills, attributes and justified decision-making capabilities of a safe and competent novice intensive care paramedic.

It is expected that the knowledge and skills developed in the course will be able to be applied in current clinical practice and in preparation for an intensive care internship.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Reflect on their own clinical experience and identify and arrange suitable learning experiences to maintain ongoing clinical development as a result of the clinical experience in the field;
  2. Demonstrate the development of clinical, professional and leadership capabilities from novice to a safe and clinically competent Intensive Care Paramedic;
  3. Formulate a response to real life emergency problems from the initiation of emergency medical services; to assimilate information quickly and to communicate it clearly and unambiguously;
  4. Apply theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the emergency management of a broad range of cardiac conditions, medical conditions, trauma and environmental conditions in the adult and paediatric patient using an appropriate intensive care paramedic clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model;
  5. Construct a culturally sensitive approach to the recognition and management of the reactions of patients and family to acute illness or injury;
  6. Reflect upon the operational and clinical aspects of intensive care paramedicine in the student's clinical context.

Assessment

  • Student exemplar videos (60%)
  • Evidence based practice forum (30%)
  • Reflective clinical practice (10%)

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PAR5480 - Intensive care management of medical conditions

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nathan Stam

Coordinator(s)

Mr Nathan Stam
Mr Rob Lasslett

Unit guides

Offered

Notting Hill

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PAR5400, PAR5410

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 3876, 3877, 3878, M6015

Synopsis

This unit addresses the theoretical underpinnings required to develop in the student an appropriate level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the provision of care to the adult population in the circumstances of commonly encountered medical emergencies.

Previous clinical experience of the student is employed as the benchmark for identifying the key differences in the advanced life support measures and interventions available to manage these conditions as an intensive care paramedic.

Students must be actively engaged in appropriate clinical practice, clinical placements or clinical simulation to achieve the outcomes of this unit.

It is expected that students will gain an advanced authority to practice after demonstrating the requisite clinical knowledge, skills and training of this unit as per the local statutory guidelines after completing an internship at the end of their course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Analyse the epidemiology of acute and chronic medical illness/disease and synthesise the available contemporary evidence base to inform and/or support improvements in the approach to the management of medical emergencies;
  2. Formulate treatment pathways for medical patients through the application of clinical decision-making frameworks and problem-solving;
  3. Formulate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic regimes using the relevant drugs available for the intensive care management of medical conditions;
  4. Implement knowledge, skills and evidence based practice to professionally manage a medical emergency as an intensive care paramedic;
  5. Assess the benefits of pre-hospital advanced medical interventions and the related role of the intensive care paramedic in the management of medical conditions;
  6. Evaluate how community emergency health practitioners might relate to and coordinate with hospital intensive care units in the management of patients with emergency medical conditions.

Assessment

  • 4 x Problem Based Learning forums (1,600 words) (20%)
  • Assignment (2,500 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Final Exam (MCQ, SAQ and Case Studies) (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to complete at least 6 hours of distance education directed learning and a minimum of 6 hours of private study and self-directed learning per week.

If completed on-campus, students will be expected to complete the equivalent of 6 hours of lectures, seminars or online tutorials per week in addition to 6 hours of self-directed learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PHC5012 - Community based palliative care for health practitioners

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Primary Health Care

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Lyn Clearihan

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Lyn Clearihan

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

MAP5003.

Co-requisites

Concurrent clinical practice is desirable and beneficial to successfully complete this unit but not a requirement.

Synopsis

This unit will examine the issues facing the management of patients in the community who require palliative care in the 21st century, including harm minimisation, how to manage acute illness in a 'dying' patient and the problems faced in accompanying the patient on their terminal life journey. The unit will address the challenges and complexities for community based practitioners in the diagnostic process when managing patients with a terminal condition that involves multisystem disease and multiple health issues. It also explores the journey faced by practitioners, their patients and their carers in the transition from a cure pathway to a care pathway. The Unit encourages practitioners to draw upon their own clinical experiences and is designed to foster the development of greater clinical insight into the care of both patient and practitioner, while fostering a deeper appreciation of the strengths of team-based care.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the strengths and benefits of a palliative care approach in a community setting for a patient who is suffering with a life limiting illness.
  2. Critically appraise the evidence-based options of care for acute symptom management problems in a patient at end of life.
  3. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills to manage a range of clinical scenarios related to community based palliative care.
  4. Discriminate between strategies that address the medico-legal issues, which may arise before, during and after death.
  5. Describe the ethical dilemmas that may confront a healthcare practitioner when managing a dying patient and describe strategies for dealing with them.
  6. Use evidence based management tools to assist in effectively implementing team based care for patients.
  7. Create a strategy for implementing a self-care plan when managing palliative patients.

Assessment

  • 6 x Activity linked assessment tasks (500-800 words / 5-10 minute discussion response each) (10% x 6 = 60%)
  • Collaborative case study (500 - 1,000 words) (15%)
  • PowerPoint presentation (15%)
  • Essay (2,500 words) or equivalent PowerPoint presentation (10%)
  • Participation in discussion forums (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Participation in online activities and discussion boards is estimated to take approximately 3 hours per week. Assessment activities, prescribed reading, recommended reading, student interactions, reflection on relevant clinical practice and private study is estimated to take approximately 9 hours per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PHC5301 - Preventative health and management of chronic disease

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of General Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Eli Ristevski

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jan Coles

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Students must NOT choose a topic previously competed in PHC5303 or PHC5304

Synopsis

This unit has been created in collaboration with the Department of General Practice for students undertaking studies in ONE of the following four topics:

  • Health care for older people
  • Issues in General Practice prescribing
  • Prevention in General Practice and Primary Care
  • Chronic disease management.

Students undertaking this unit must choose only one topic. Each topic is equivalent to 6 credit points.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

Health care for older people

  1. Critically analyse the patient-centred orientation of existing published guidelines for aged care, including aspects of patient experience and expectations as determined by their psycho-socio-cultural environment
  2. Create and justify a database of resources and processes that will optimise team-based care of the aged, including available community-based supports
  3. Analyse a small self-audit of aged patients who take multiple medications (or attend multiple healthcare providers) and develop a strategy to optimise patient safety and the management of medico-legal risk
  4. Create a plan for quality improvement in one area of aged care that is informed by evidence-based assessment and practice

    Issues in General Practice prescribing

  5. Discuss the Australian and international use of prescribed medication in terms of research directions, funding, rates of prescribing, the major stakeholders, the influences on prescribing and policy directions such as quality use of medicines initiatives
  6. Demonstrate the use of a particular model for deciding the most appropriate therapeutic medication for a particular condition
  7. Demonstrate knowledge, practice and skill in a chosen prescribing situation in general practice, including the therapeutic medications used, and the particular steps necessary for safe prescribing
  8. Demonstrate critical thinking in reviewing the evidence about a medication via a planned and recorded interview with a pharmaceutical detailer
  9. Create a plan for improving the quality of prescribing in your own practice or within the clinic, using audit and feedback

    Prevention in General Practice and Primary Care

  10. Explain why prevention is a priority for general practice and primary care with particular reference to chronic disease and the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors in the student's country of origin
  11. Reflect on the role of General Practitioners and members of the General Practice and Primary Care team in delivering preventive care
  12. Appraise the evidence supporting preventive care interventions in General Practice and Primary Care and identify current evidence practice gaps
  13. Critically analyse patient perceptions of prevention and the role of General Practitioners in preventive care
  14. Identify the barriers and facilitators to optimal delivery of prevention in General Practice and Primary Care settings
  15. Describe and evaluate strategies to improve delivery and uptake of preventive care in General Practice and Primary Care settings
  16. Locate, retrieve and use current evidence based guidelines, tools, resources and recommendations for prevention in General Practice and Primary Care settings and suggest an implementation plan for their application in practice

    Chronic disease management

  17. Describe the burden, distribution and determinants of chronic disease within their own country and internationally
  18. Analyse the place of Primary Care (General Practice) in the management of chronic diseases with particular reference to their own country and health care system
  19. Describe responses to the challenges of chronic disease management as embodied in models such as the chronic care model (Wagner) and their own country's responses to the challenges of this field
  20. Evaluate their current work-place performance in managing chronic disease, utilising audit and comparison with chosen standards or guidelines
  21. Plan change within the student's current work-place to improve chronic disease management, utilising their previous evaluations, known effective interventions and published guides, templates and financial modelling

Fieldwork

See individual topic guides for details - some topics will require students to write up cases on patients they have seen in practice, to write up journals based on clinical activity and/or to perform audits on clinical activity

Assessment

Health care for older people

  • Therapeutic Research Task - Analysis of guidelines (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Therapeutic Research Task - Development of resources (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Therapeutic Research Task - Audit (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Therapeutic Research Task - Plan for quality improvement (1,500 words) (25%)

Issues in General Practice prescribing

  • Clinical Research Task - Written essay (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Decision Task - Case report (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Decision Task - Case report (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Decision Task - Case report - hurdle
  • Clinical Research Task - Written plan for quality improvement (1,500 words) (25%)

Prevention in General Practice and Primary Care

  • Literature review (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Practice policy document (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Case study: Preventive care intervention report (2,000 words) (30%)

Hurdle requirement:

  • Online activities comprising 15-20 short written tasks (2,000 words)

Chronic disease management

  • Clinical Research Task -Essay (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Research Task - Best practice audit (1500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Research Task - Change management plan (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical Decision task - Case report (1500 words) (25%)

Workload requirements

Equivalent of 12 hours a week in 6 credit point units run over 12 weeks

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PHC5302 - Common problems in primary care

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of General Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Eli Ristevski

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jan Coles

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prohibitions

Students must NOT choose a topic previously competed in PHC5304 or PHC5303

Synopsis

This unit has been created in collaboration with the Department of General Practice for students undertaking studies in ONE of the following five topics:

  • Depressive and anxiety disorders in General Practice
  • Mindfulness-based stress management
  • Dermatology.

Students undertaking this unit must choose only one topic. Each topic is equivalent to 6 credit points.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

Depressive and anxiety disorders in General Practice

  1. Interpret the principal psychiatric classification system currently in use, and apply it, in conjunction with appropriate clinical reasoning skills, to determine whether or not a patient has a depressive or anxiety disorder.
  2. Determine the risk factors and underlying causes of depressive and anxiety disorders, and argue how these influence treatment.
  3. Devise and implement a systematic approach to assessing the severity of different types of depressive and anxiety disorders, including their morbidity and mortality.
  4. Devise and implement a systematic approach to the management of depressive and anxiety disorders, which includes a synthesis of the best available evidence, in addition to considering patient wishes and circumstances, community resources and the clinician's experience.
  5. Distinguish between the presentations in General Practice of different types of depressive and anxiety disorders.
  6. Devise a plan for future personal practice and professional development in the diagnosis and management of patients with depressive and anxiety disorders.

    Mindfulness-based stress management

  7. Critically review the significant body of research linking psychological states like stress with a range of illnesses and lifestyle including disciplines within mind-body medicine such as neuroplasticity, psychoneuroimmunology and psychogenomics.
  8. Critically review research demonstrating the benefits of psychological interventions like stress management and mindfulness
  9. Practice the mindfulness meditation exercises in their various forms and critique their effectiveness.
  10. Apply the principles of the mindfulness-based cognitive strategies and critique their effectiveness.
  11. Critically reflect on their own experience of stress and ways in which they manage it.
  12. Develop and implement mindfulness-based stress management in practice.
  13. Demonstrate professional skills as a counsellor in mindfulness-based stress management.

    Women's sexual and reproductive health in General Practice (available Semester 2 2017)

  14. Analyse the psychosocial context of women's lives and apply this analysis to women's sexual and reproductive health
  15. Develop a systematic and evidence based approach to the diagnosis and management of women's sexual and reproductive health issues which commonly present in the General Practice setting
  16. Evaluate those factors contributing to the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy and based on best available evidence formulate an appropriate response that addresses these issues in the General Practice setting
  17. Develop a systematic and evidence based approach to contraceptive counselling and counselling for unplanned pregnancy and sexual problems
  18. Critically appraise the evidence concerning hormone replacement therapy and screening for cervical, breast and ovarian cancer
  19. Evaluate the health outcomes of violence against women and formulate appropriate responses in the General Practice setting based on best available practice evidence

    Child health (available Semester 1 2017)

  20. Develop a systematic and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of child health issues which commonly present in the Primary Health Care setting
  21. Assess child development using valid and reliable assessment instruments, determine deviations from the norm and formulate appropriate management strategies in the Primary Health Care setting
  22. Formulate a comprehensive management plan surrounding child health by collaborating with other health professionals
  23. Analyse the psychosocial and environmental context of children's lives and apply this analysis to child health.
  24. Identify paediatric emergencies which commonly present in the Primary Health Care setting and formulate an appropriate initial management plan
  25. Effectively use the available literature to inform ongoing learning needs relating to child health

    Dermatology

  26. Analyse how the structural components of the skin function in both healthy and diseased states
  27. Demonstrate a systematic approach to generating and exploring an appropriate list of differential diagnoses, in a patient with a dermatological complaint
  28. Deduce what further investigations, if any, are required, to aid diagnosis
  29. Devise and implement a systematic approach to the management of dermatological disorders, which includes a synthesis of the best available evidence, patient wishes and circumstances, community resources and the clinician's experience
  30. Devise a plan for future personal practice and professional development in the diagnosis and management of patients with dermatological conditions

Fieldwork

See individual topic guides for details - some topics will require students to write up cases on patients they have seen in practice, to write up journals based on clinical activity and/or to perform audits on clinical activity

Assessment

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in General Practice

  • Case study - Depressive Disorder (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Case study - Anxiety Disorder (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical decision tasks (1 hour) (20%)

Hurdle requirement:

Throughout this unit there are a number of activities (eg: discussion forums, individual wikis, group wikis, quizzes and virtual patients). Satisfactory participation in ALL of these activities is a requirement in order to progress through this unit.

Mindfulness-based stress management

Scientific stream:

  • Clinical decision tasks (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Essay (1,500 words) (25%)

Practical stream:

  • Journal - personal (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Journal - clinical (1,000 words) (20%)

Hurdle: Throughout this unit there are a number of activities (eg: discussion forums, individual wikis, group wikis, quizzes and virtual patients).

Satisfactory participation in ALL of these activities is a requirement in order to progress through this unit.

Women's sexual and reproductive health in General Practice (available Semester 2 2017)

  • Clinical decision task (case study 2,000 words) (25%)
  • Clinical research tasks (amounting to a total of 6,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Clinical research task (audit of current practice in one of the areas of contraception, screening or menopause (2,000 words) (25%)

Child health

  • Case report (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Case scenario report (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Individual structured oral presentation (20 minutes) (30%)
  • Clinical decision tasks at the end of each module (up to 2,500 words in total) (10% for each module) (40%) (hurdle)

Hurdle requirement:

Throughout this unit there are a number of activities (eg: discussion forums, individual wikis, group wikis, quizzes and virtual patients).

Satisfactory participation in ALL of these activities is a requirement in order to progress through this unit.

Dermatology

  • Pictorial case studies (1.5 hours) (25%)
  • Pictorial case studies (1.5 hours) (25%)
  • Case report (2,500 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Hurdle requirements:

Throughout this unit there are a number of activities (eg: discussion forums, individual wikis, group wikis, quizzes and virtual patients).

Satisfactory participation in ALL of these activities is a requirement in order to progress through this unit.

Workload requirements

Equivalent of 12 hours a week in 6 credit point units run over 12 weeks

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


POM5001 - Perioperative management of the cardiac patient

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Anaesthesia Teaching and Research

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Paul Myles

Coordinator(s)

Dr Enjarn Lin
Dr Stuart Hastings

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information please contact Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/anaesthesia-board/contactus.html).

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Notes

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit for POM5001 for those who have completed the Monash University/ Alfred Short Course in Perioperative Medicine will no longer apply for those undertaking the short course from 2014. It will still apply to those who have completed the short course prior to this date.

Synopsis

Cardiac disease is increasing in prevalence and creates a number of perioperative diagnostic and management dilemmas. This unit aims to consolidate and extend the student's knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiac disease, and review the perioperative interventions that can be applied to improve patient outcome.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Correlate the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, cardiac failure, hypertension, valvular lesions and pulmonary hypertension with patient history and clinical examination.
  2. Critically appraise the perioperative management plan for a patient with pre-existing cardiovascular disease who is undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
  3. Use the findings from perioperative cardiac investigations to stratify a patient's perioperative cardiovascular risk.
  4. Perform a thorough examination of the cardiac patient and formulate a suitable/appropriate/feasible management plan.
  5. Organize an appropriate perioperative plan to maximize the patient's perioperative outcome.
  6. Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary perioperative medicine team.

Assessment

  • Long Essay (3,000 words) (28%)
  • Short Essay (1,000 words) (12%)
  • Group Case discussion (2,500 words per group) (10%)
  • 2 x iSAP Cases (1,500 words each) (20% each) (40% total)
  • MCQ Exam (1 hour) (10%)

Workload requirements

20-24 hours per week of time commitment (on average).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


POM5002 - Acute perioperative medicine

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Anaesthesia Teaching and Research

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Paul Myles

Coordinator(s)

Dr Jamie Smart
Dr Simon Hendel

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information please contact Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/anaesthesia-board/contactus.html).

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

The focus of this unit is for the participant to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills in managing the trauma patient in the acute setting, as well as the chronic patient with an acute exacerbation of their disease. It will focus on strategies to improve the outcome for these patients. Participants will gain practical knowledge of ventilation strategies and circulatory support strategies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Diagnose and treat patients with a range of chronic medical diseases, with a focus on the perioperative period.
  2. Explain various ventilation strategies that assist in improving respiratory outcomes in the acute trauma patient, as well as the patient with chronic lung disease.
  3. Justify the rationale for using various fluids (including blood products) to maintain circulatory and nutritional support.
  4. Explain the pathophysiological processes that occur in a patient in the setting of acute trauma.
  5. Correlate the pathophysiological mechanisms in acute trauma with the patient's clinical signs and symptoms.
  6. Formulate a perioperative management plan for patients with complex respiratory conditions
  7. Critically review issues relating to retrieval of the acutely ill patient.
  8. With appropriate collaboration formulate a defensible/appropriate management plan for an acutely unwell perioperative patient.

Assessment

  • Long Essay (3,000 words) (28%)
  • Short Essay (1,000 words) (12%)
  • Group Case discussion (2,500 words per group) (10%)
  • 2 x iSAP Cases (1,500 words each) (20% each) (40% total)
  • MCQ Exam (1 hour) (10%)

Workload requirements

20-24 hours per week of time commitment (on average).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


POM5003 - Organ dysfunction 1

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Anaesthesia Teaching and Research

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Paul Myles

Coordinator(s)

Dr Arvinder Grover
Dr Maryanne Balkin

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information please contact Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/anaesthesia-board/contactus.html).

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

Students will gain knowledge of the pathogenesis and perioperative management of patients with endocrine, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal and coagulation dysfunction. In addition, students will learn to apply basic analgesic principles to the management of patients with perioperative pain problems.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endocrine disorders including diabetes, obesity and sleep apnoea, and their impact on the perioperative patient
  2. Formulate an appropriate/effective/suitable/feasible perioperative management plan for patients with endocrine disorders and/or dysfunction
  3. Explain the impact of renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal dysfunction on the patient during the perioperative period
  4. Identify commonly used anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents, understand their pharmacology and justify their use in the perioperative period
  5. Justify the use of thromboprophylaxis during the perioperative period.
  6. Recognise the patient with acute, complex acute and chronic pain and correlate their condition to the underlying pathophysiology.
  7. Critically evaluate the use of commonly used analgesics and apply these to a management plan.
  8. Assess the relevance of the science of genomics to perioperative medicine.
  9. Describe the perioperative management of patients undergoing lung resection and the particular problems relating to malignancies in the mediastinum.
  10. Identify the key issues associated with Advanced Care Planning and develop a plan for discussing end of life care with patients and their families.

Assessment

  • Long Essay (3,000 words) (28%)
  • Short Essay (1,000 words) (12%)
  • Group Case discussion (2,500 words per group) (10%)
  • 2 x iSAP Cases (1,500 words each) (20% each) (40% total)
  • MCQ Exam (1 hour) (10%)

Workload requirements

20-24 hours per week of time commitment (on average).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


POM5004 - Organ dysfunction 2

12 points, SCA Band 3, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Anaesthesia Teaching and Research

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Paul Myles

Coordinator(s)

Dr Christine Ball
Dr Jamie Smart

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information please contact Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/anaesthesia-board/contactus.html).

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

Students will gain knowledge of the pathogenesis and perioperative management of patients with infectious diseases, neurological and neuromuscular disorders, high risk obstetrics and psychiatric disorders. In addition, students will learn to identify the impact of ageing and geriatric care and optimize the management of these patients in the perioperative period.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the impact of infectious diseases on the perioperative management of patients and formulate a perioperative management plan for these patients.
  2. Recognise the causes of high risk pregnancies and evaluate the rationale for optimum patient outcome for mother and child in these conditions.
  3. Explain the pathophysiology of neurological and neuromuscular disorders and formulate a management plan for the perioperative care of these patients
  4. Describe the changes of ageing and geriatric care on physiology and apply this knowledge to formulate a perioperative management plan which addresses these changes.
  5. Formulate a perioperative management plan that is appropriate for a patient with psychiatric disorders.

Assessment

  • Long Essay (3,000 words) (28%)
  • Short Essay (1,000 words) (12%)
  • Group Case discussion (2,500 words per group) (10%)
  • 2 x iSAP Cases (1,500 words each) (20% each) (40% total)
  • MCQ Exam (1 hour) (10%)

Workload requirements

20-24 hours per week of time commitment (on average).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


POM5005 - Human factors for patient safety

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Anaesthesia Teaching and Research

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Paul Myles

Coordinator(s)

Stuart Marshall
Raphaela Schnittker

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes 3896, M6027, 3900, M5007, M6008, M6023, M6024, M6026, M6027.

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to the science of Human Factors (Ergonomics) and how it applies to the health system and patient care.

It introduces key concepts of safety science and how human factors affect organisations and systems at a large scale (also termed Macroergonomics).

This unit is only available to students in the Master of Medicine or those with a clinical background.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Outline the wide ranging, multidisciplinary nature of human factors engineering and discuss how lessons from other domains have been applied to health.
  2. Explain the alignment between incident reporting systems and accident causation models.
  3. Explain the concepts of 'Safety II' and 'Resilience' and apply them to an area of health care.
  4. Describe how risk perception is affected by psychological, cultural and personal experiences
  5. Explain the differences between safety culture and climate and why they are important in clinical settings
  6. Apply principles of reporting systems, accountability and organisational learning to the investigation of a failed clinical service.

Assessment

  • Short essay (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Literature review (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Major Essay (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

12 hours per week on average

  • 6 hours per week for self-directed learning
  • 6 hours per week for teacher-directed learning

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4032 - Abnormal psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDP course codes (M5013/4525) or the Single Unit course code (3900).

Synopsis

This unit covers all important aspects of abnormal behaviour: historical influences, theory, assessment, specific psychopathologies, treatment methods, and legal issues. Both the scientific and professional aspects of abnormal psychology are presented. Students will be provided with a broad and comprehensive review of abnormal behaviour, by studying and contrasting different theoretical perspectives.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply detailed knowledge of personality, biological processes and human development to abnormal behaviour contrasting historical and current major theoretical perspectives.
  2. Distinguish between and analyse the psychological, genetic, environmental and biological determinants of human behaviour.
  3. Attain insight into the way the theoretical perspective adopted by a clinician can influence the manner of explaining how a psychological disorder develops and how it is treated.
  4. Demonstrate applied knowledge in methods of assessing psychological disorders and the main systems of classifying disorders.
  5. Identify and select suitable methods for assessing psychological disorders and examine and critique the advantages and disadvantages of classifying abnormal behaviour.
  6. Demonstrate an advanced level of skill in critical evaluation of previous research and communication of findings to a broad audience.

Assessment

  • Case study reports (20%)
  • Reflective clinical commentary (15%)
  • Lab report (35%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4041 - Psychological testing and ethics

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDP course codes (M5013/4525) or the Single Unit course code (3900).

Synopsis

Testing and assessment is a major component of psychological research and practice. This unit introduces the principles and processes of test development, test administration and test interpretation. Some widely used psychological tests will be described and critiqued on a number of criteria including test reliability and validity. The unit also covers theories of ability and how our thinking about human abilities is influenced by our cultural framework.

The unit will also provide students with a strong foundation in professional ethics for psychologists. Students will also gain an advanced knowledge of the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of practising psychologists. These ethical principles will then be applied to specific ethical dilemmas and case studies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the steps involved in psychological test development.
  2. Critically evaluate the psychometric properties of psychological tests including reliability and validity.
  3. Examine and contrast diverse applications of a range of psychological testing techniques.
  4. Compare and critically appraise the relevant theories of intelligence.
  5. Communicate the social implications of psychological testing and its application in society.
  6. Demonstrate in depth knowledge of the key ethical principles surrounding psychological practice and assessment.
  7. Apply ethical principles to generate possible solutions to ethical dilemmas.

Assessment

  • Psychological testing assignment (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Ethics assignment (1,500 words) (35%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (35%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes. This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4051 - Research design and analysis

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4111, PSY4122.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

This unit expands upon topics in research design and analysis initially presented in the foundational psychology units. Students will further develop their understanding of the research process and some of the most commonly used methods of statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software package. Specific topics covered include: parametric and nonparametric procedures to compare two or more independent or matched samples; correlation and linear regression; planned and post hoc comparison techniques; power and sample size considerations; interpretation of output; experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research strategies; between- and within-subjects designs; and ethics. There is a strong practical component to the unit, including authentic assessments and regular hands-on tutorial experiences, designed to advance your competency in applying a range of common research techniques and analyses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically review methodological, ethical and statistical issues associated with designing and evaluating empirical research within the discipline of psychology.
  2. Communicate scientific ideas, procedures, results, and conclusions using appropriate language, formats, and digital technology.
  3. Analyse single-factor quantitative data by selecting the appropriate statistical test, evaluating its assumptions, and interpreting test results within the applicable boundaries.
  4. Apply IT skills to enter, organise, and analyse data (e.g., using statistical software, such as SPSS).
  5. Formulate research questions and apply problem-solving skills to develop a plan for systematically addressing these questions through empirical research.

Assessment

  • 3 x Journal entry tasks (30%)
  • Applied research design task (35%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (35%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4062 - Research methods and theory

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDP course codes (M5013/4525) or the Single Unit course code (3900).

Synopsis

In this unit, students will continue their training in research via three components. First, research design and analysis topics presented in earlier units will be explored at a more advanced theoretical level. The major focus of this component will be analysis of variance and multiple regression. Second, students will develop experience performing statistical analyses using SPSS. Finally, students will continue their training in research design and analysis by undertaking a research project under the supervision of a member of staff.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate theoretical, methodological and ethical issues associated with designing and evaluating research.
  2. Conduct and reflect on each stage of the research process, from formulating original research questions to interpreting and reporting results.
  3. Utilize teamwork to solve challenges associated with research.
  4. Select appropriate statistical analyses for a range of research designs.
  5. Analyse and interpret factorial analyses of variance and multiple regression.
  6. Apply digital literacy to enter, analyse and interpret data (e.g., using appropriate statistical software).
  7. Communicate scientific ideas, procedures, results, and conclusions using appropriate language, formats, and digital technology.

Assessment

  • Critical evaluation tasks (30%)
  • Research project report (50%) (hurdle)
  • 5 x Secure online quizzes (20%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4081 - Perception and cognition

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDP course codes (M5013/4525) or the Single Unit course code (3900).

Synopsis

As a specific example of cognitive psychology, the first half of this unit covers sensory processes involved in vision, audition and speech perception. Coding mechanisms common to different modalities are emphasised to help students understand general mechanisms of sensory coding and perceptual processing. The second half of the unit encompasses the acquisition, organisation, and retrieval of knowledge and aims to cover cognitive psychology more generally. It includes emphasis on contemporary research techniques, cognitive architecture, attentional processes, models of learning and memory, mental imagery, language and higher-order thinking.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate the practical and theoretical skills underlying several major methods for conducting cognitive and perceptual psychological research
  2. critique the central problem faced by any perceptual system and be able to use this as a framework to evaluate the evolution of perceptual principles and current theories of perception
  3. critically summarise the broad principles of perception which apply to all modalities including neuropsychological mechanisms at the level of receptors, pathways, and brain structures; top down and bottom up processing, feature detection and the constructive nature of perception
  4. examine and compare the sensory and perceptual processes specific to vision, audition and speech perception
  5. evaluate and critique the major theoretical and research approaches within cognitive psychology
  6. critically review historical and current theory on cognitive processes, such as learning, memory, attention, language, problem solving and decision making.

Assessment

  • Critical essay (30%)
  • Lab report (40%)
  • Secure online quizzes (30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4111 - Psychology 1A

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

Introduction to the discipline of psychology as a behavioural science. Topics include personality, the biological bases of behaviour, sensation and perception, an introduction to theories of learning and development, plus an introduction to the historical origins of the discipline. Online activities (for example interactive skills development, formative quiz presentations) and discussion forums, aim to enhance students' understanding of the lecture material and provide training in research techniques.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Discriminate between key psychological theories related to learning, development, sensation and personality.
  2. Summarize how the major historical frameworks and biological discoveries have shaped the modern scientific discipline of psychology.
  3. Apply psychological principles and theories to real-world situations.
  4. Demonstrate communication and IT skills in the presentation of an oral report.
  5. Research the literature on a topic of relevance and synthesise findings into a concise report.

Assessment

  • Critical evaluation tasks (10%)
  • Article matrix (15%)
  • Oral presentation (15%)
  • Systematic review (20%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4122 - Psychology 1B

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

Introduction to the discipline of psychology as a behavioural science. Lecture topics include Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, plus an introduction to research design and analysis. Online activities and discussion forums enhance students' understanding of the lecture and assessment material and provide training in research techniques.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse theories on how behaviour is socially influenced.
  2. Evaluate diagnostic practices related to schizophrenia, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
  3. Evaluate aspects of human memory.
  4. Critically analyse empirical studies.
  5. Synthesize testable hypotheses in social, abnormal, and/or cognitive psychology.
  6. Define experimental variables so they can be quantitatively measured (a skill known as operationalising).
  7. Design a simple research study and use basic statistics to analyse the associated data.

Assessment

  • Critical evaluation tasks (15%)
  • Research proposal (45%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4131 - Developmental and biological psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4111, PSY4122.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

Psychology is a scientific discipline which spans a diverse range of areas. This unit provides a continuation of two psychology topics that you will have learnt about in the foundational units. Developmental psychology encompasses physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes across the life span and how these are shaped by macrosystems such as culture, and microsystems such as peers and the family. Biological psychology includes states of consciousness, mental disorders and addiction, mechanisms and disorders of learning and memory, and the regulation of emotional and motivated states. Unit activities provide further training in research techniques, report writing, oral presentations and teamwork.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe how the range of human thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are underpinned by physiological and neural processes.
  2. Identify the structural, chemical, and functional changes in the brain that accompany normal human development.
  3. Evaluate the interplay between familial and cultural factors in determining the course of development from birth through to old age.
  4. Compose a cohesive account of the etiology, neuropathology, and behavioural sequelae of a select developmental disorder, using current research.
  5. Develop a literature review and interpret research results through comparison with past studies on a biological psychology topic.
  6. Apply widely used psychological tests to an assessment of human behaviour.

Assessment

  • Quasi-Lab report (25%)
  • Oral presentation and reflection (20%)
  • Developmental assessment report (20%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (35%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4140 - Introduction to counselling

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

This unit covers all important introductory aspects of counselling. Themes to be covered include theories of counselling, evaluation of how personal beliefs and values influence the counselling process and legal and ethical issues in counselling psychology. Students will be provided with a broad overview of the field of counselling psychology and will be expected to be able to compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives and reflect on how these perspectives would influence their (potential) counselling style and practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain and contrast a variety of theoretical approaches to counselling including individual, group and systems approaches.
  2. Critically analyse specific concepts and techniques used by various theoretical approaches to counselling.
  3. Recognise and reflect upon the influence of personal values and beliefs on the counselling process.
  4. Identify and provide solutions to ethical and legal issues, and develop skills in ethical decision making in counselling.
  5. Explain which theoretical perspectives within counselling (including concepts and techniques) best fits with the students' own values, beliefs and experiences and therefore would be more likely to be adopted by the student to use within their own potential counselling practice in the future.
  6. Communicate the importance of the guidelines available to psychologists, and explain where to access the appropriate and relevant guidelines.

Assessment

  • Reflective clinical commentaries (2 x 500 words each) (20%)
  • Essay (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Simulated counselling session with reflective commentary (10 mins + 750 words) (30%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4151 - Personality and social psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

This unit covers the key themes of social psychology and personality. The history and the philosophy of the different schools of social psychology and personality are examined to highlight changes in our understanding of social identity, meaning and relationships. The first half of the unit will demonstrate how social psychology theories, such as behaviour in groups, aggression, attraction, dehumanisation and attitude change, are applied and critiqued in light of contemporary behaviour and new knowledge. In the second half of the unit, several different personality theories will be compared and contrasted including psychoanalytic, phenomenological, trait, and social learning approaches to personality.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically summarise, analyse and evaluate the major theoretical and research approaches within the field of social psychology.
  2. Compare and contrast historical and current theory on social processes and relate these to both individual factors and interpersonal relationships.
  3. Apply social psychology theories to a range of contemporary social questions, including belonging, identity, attraction, aggression, conflict and negotiation.
  4. Critically evaluate, and explain the origins and underlying assumptions of the psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, learning, trait and biological theories of personality.
  5. Assess social psychology and personality theories and approaches in relation to gender, ethnicity and cultural diversity.
  6. Review and evaluate the practical applications, experimental procedures and research directions and goals associated with the above social psychology and personality theories.

Assessment

  • Lab report (1,500 words) (35%)
  • Critical essay (1,500 words) (35%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4170 - Neuroscience of cognition and behaviour

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Miss Leah Braganza

Coordinator(s)

Ms Eloise Perini

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

PSY4051, PSY4131.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in either of the GDP course codes (M5013 or 4525).

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for human cognition and behaviour, with a particular focus on understanding leading methodology and technologies employed in brain-behaviour relationships. By exploring brain-behaviour interactions through an in-depth examination of a selection of cognitive abilities and behaviours, this unit will guide students to establish an understanding of the mechanisms behind cognitive control and social cognition, control of action, perception, sleep and pain. Technologies utilised by neuroscientists, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), electroencephalography (EEG), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), will be considered during the course of this unit.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate issues underpinning the relationship between brain processes and cognition and behaviour
  2. Synthesise contemporary research and theoretical issues in key areas of neuroscience
  3. Critically analyse the range of research tools and paradigms used within different domains of neuroscientific research, including the characterisation of neurological disease
  4. Demonstrate skills relating to research design and analysis of neuroscientific technologies that are incorporated across the graduate psychology program.

Assessment

  • Poster (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Video presentation (10 minutes) (20%)
  • Experiment design (1,000 words) (30%)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

  1. video lecture materials;
  2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
  3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
  4. weekly readings;
  5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
  6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4400 - Psychology research project: final grade

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephen Mckenzie

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

PSY4404

Synopsis

Under the supervision of suitable academic staff, students undertake components of a research thesis within PSY4402, PSY4403 and PSY4404.

The incorporation of feedback received within these units is submitted within PSY4404. This unit awards the overall research thesis grade.

Outcomes

PSY4400 is a requirement for successful completion of the GDPA course.

Upon completion of this unit, students should have demonstrated the necessary integration of research skills and knowledge to prepare a research thesis.

Assessment

Research thesis (12,000 words) (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4401 - Psychology research project: Statistics and research design for professional psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Stephen McKenzie

Coordinator(s)

Dr Janelle Levesque

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelor's Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society, or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average (70%) for third year psychology units.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (M5003)

Prohibitions

PSY4001, PSY4002, PSY4011, PSY4012, PSY4021, PSY4022, PSY4100 and PSY4210

Notes

Students are required to finalise the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) application and receive approval from MUHREC prior to commencement of enrolment in PSY4403.

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a thorough understanding of statistical concepts to enable them to be informed in their chosen field. The unit begins with a review of univariate statistics and introduction to the philosophy of research design and analysis. More advanced statistical techniques are then systematically introduced. There is a focus on the understanding of the issues that may arise around the choice of appropriate statistical technique and preparation of data; critiquing decisions made to assist in the interpretation of findings. The content will be set in a context of the needs of professional psychologists and researchers whose interests present unusual methodological demands, which in turn may influence choices in research approach and statistical technique.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe a range of methodological and philosophical principles in research design, analysis and interpretation;
  2. Describe, apply and evaluate research designs and analyses used by psychologists;
  3. Apply scientific research principles to data in practice;
  4. Critique data with a view to preparation, analysis and interpretation;
  5. Operate SPSS to analyse data for analysis;
  6. Critique and record decisions made in the process of research examples distinguishing between fact and inference in sets of analyses.

Assessment

  • Essay (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Lab report (2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • 6 x Secure multiple choice quizzes (20 minutes each) (30% total)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs)

Weekly readings (4-6hrs)

Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment)

Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4402 - Psychology research project: Literature review

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephen McKenzie

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelor's Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average (70%) for third year psychology units.

PSY4401

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (M5003)

Prohibitions

PSY4001, PSY4002, PSY4011, PSY4012, PSY4021, PSY4022, PSY4100 and PSY4210

Notes

Students are required to finalise the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) application and receive approval from MUHREC prior to commencement of enrolment in PSY4403.

Synopsis

The overall GDPA research project is divided into three units, PSY4402, PSY4403 AND PSY4404, beginning with this unit, PSY4402. The collective aim of these units is to increase students' understanding of theoretical and methodological aspects of research, develop analytic, research and communication skills, as well as provide students with advanced knowledge in the science and practice of psychology. The research project meets the requirements of the Australian Psychological Society for Associate Membership.

The aim of PSY4402 is to enable students to produce a high quality research project component, consisting of the production of a research report introduction/ literature review.

Students will undertake a supervised research project that aims to provide training in both discipline specific and generic research skills, and form the basis of a literature review and research report presented at the end of the course. The thesis introduction/ literature review component of the research report will consist of a description of the students' project, a detailed review of the relevant literature, and a statement of the research hypotheses to be tested. Students will be provided with course materials and guidance to help them produce a high quality research proposal, source and synthesise appropriate research findings, and coherently synthesise this into a research project. The development of these skills and their application to the production of the introduction/ literature review component of the students' research project will build on their research and writing skills developed in previous courses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain how their own research fits into a broader research context;
  2. Produce a testable proposal for research that will contribute to the development of knowledge in a particular area of psychology;
  3. Develop and demonstrate high level skill in sourcing, reading and synthesising relevant psychological literature into a coherent research review;
  4. Generate coherent and testable hypotheses that will allow a contribution to the development of knowledge in a particular area of psychology;
  5. Explain how their data collection, analyses and interpretation will be informed by the need to advance existing knowledge in a particular area of psychology.

Assessment

  • Research Project Proposal Presentation (5 minutes plus 2 minutes questions) (20%)
  • Research Project: Introduction (3,500 - 4,000 words) (60%) (hurdle)
  • Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee application (900 - 1,200 words) and an Explanatory Statement (1000 - 1,250 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion including with other students and with their research project supervisors (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4403 - Psychology research project: Methodology and data collection

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Stephen McKenzie

Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephen McKenzie

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelor's Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average (70%) for third year psychology units.

PSY4402

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (M5003)

Prohibitions

PSY4001, PSY4002, PSY4011, PSY4012, PSY4021, PSY4022, PSY4100, PSY4210

Notes

Students are required to finalise the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) application and receive approval from MUHREC prior to commencement of enrolment in PSY4403. The approval statement from MUHREC is required to be submitted as evidence of this during the orientation to the unit.

Synopsis

The overall GDPA research project is divided into three units, PSY4402, PSY4403 AND PSY4404, beginning with PSY4402.

The collective aim of these units is to increase students' understanding of theoretical and methodological aspects of research, develop analytic, research and communication skills, as well as provide students with advanced knowledge in the science and practice of psychology.

The research project meets the requirements of the Australian Psychological Society for Associate Membership.

The aim of PSY4403 is to enable students to produce a high quality research project component, consisting of the production of a research project methods section, and research project data accumulation.

This unit forms part of students' undertaking of a supervised research project that aims to provide training in both discipline specific and generic research skills.

The methods section of the GDPA research report will consist of a description of the methods to be used to answer the research questions, and the accumulation component of the research project will consist of accumulation of research data via the conducting of experiments, surveys, and database access.

Students will be provided with course materials and guidance to help them produce high quality research methods and data accumulation research project components, and to coherently synthesise these into the overall research project.

The development of these skills and their application to the production of quality research method and data accumulation components will build on students' research and writing skills developed in previous courses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain how their own research fits into a broader research context;
  2. Prepare a description of the research methods that will be used to appropriately answer the research project's research questions;
  3. Develop and demonstrate high level skill in writing up the research methods section of a research report;
  4. Acquire research data that can be appropriately analysed and used as the basis for answering research questions and testing research hypotheses;
  5. Select and justify the selection of appropriate statistical and other analysis methods;
  6. Communicate the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project, and reflect on individual transferable skills and characteristics relevant to professional research

Assessment

  • Research methods of the research project (1,100 - 1,400 words) (45%) (hurdle)
  • Graduate attributes presentation (3 minutes plus 2 minutes questions) (15%)
  • Data report and statistical analysis plan(1,000 - 1,200 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4404 - Psychology research project: results and discussion

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephen McKenzie

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 1 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 3 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 5 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelor's Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average (70%) for third year psychology units.

PSY4403

Co-requisites

Handbook: Must be enrolled in Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (M5003), must be enrolled in PSY4400

Prohibitions

PSY4001, PSY4002, PSY4011, PSY4012, PSY4021, PSY4022, PSY4100, PSY4210

Synopsis

The overall GDPA research project is divided into three units, PSY4402, PSY4403 AND PSY4404, beginning with PSY4402.

The collective aim of these units is to increase students' understanding of theoretical and methodological aspects of research, develop analytic, research and communication skills, as well as provide students with advanced knowledge in the science and practice of psychology.

The research project meets the requirements of the Australian Psychological Society for Associate Membership.

The aim of PSY4404 is to enable students to produce high quality research project components, consisting of research report results and discussion sections.

This unit forms part of students' undertaking of a supervised research project that aims to provide training in both discipline specific and generic research skills.

The results component of the GDPA research report will consist of conducting and writing up of the results of statistical and other analyses of data in order to answer research questions and test research hypotheses.

The discussion component of the GDPA research report will consist of relating research results and methods to the research report introduction, including the literature review and hypotheses, and discussing how the student's results have contributed to knowledge of the research area.

Students will be provided with course materials and guidance to help them produce high quality results and discussion research report components, and to coherently synthesise these into the overall research project.

The development of these skills and their application to the production of the quality data accumulation and results of the research project will build on students' research and writing skills developed in previous courses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain how their research fits into a broader research context.
  2. Select , use and interpret results from statistical tests appropriate to answering research questions and testing hypotheses
  3. Analyse and present results from statistical tests in appropriate visual and written formats
  4. Produce research results relevant to a particular area of psychology;
  5. Interpret, evaluate and appraise research results and appropriately relate them to research hypotheses;
  6. Relate research results to existing research and identify further research that needs to be conducted to advance existing knowledge in a particular area of psychology;
  7. Explain how statistical analyses and interpretation, and its relationship to existing research, will be informed by the need to advance existing knowledge in a particular area of psychology.

Assessment

  • Results component of the research thesis (1,200 - 2,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Discussion component of research thesis (3,000 - 3,700 words) (60%) (hurdle)
  • Integration of assessor's feedback on each previously submitted thesis components (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4405 - Ethical and professional issues in psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Chantal Roddy

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDPA course code (M5003) or the Single Unit course code (M3900).

Prohibitions

PSY4220

Synopsis

The unit will focus on ethical, legal and professional issues related to psychological practice. Conceptual (e.g. theories and definitions) and practical issues (e.g. common ethical dilemmas and case study appraisals) will be addressed. Some of the issues to be addressed include: legislation governing psychologists, professional organisations, codes of professional conduct, and ethical issues raised by: conflicts of interest, children as clients, using psychological tests, and the provision of psychological services to a multi-cultural population, managing the suicidal client, the reporting of child abuse, and service delivery over the internet.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the purpose of legislation relating to the practice of psychology and how to comply with such legislation, and the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity and cohesiveness of the profession;
  2. Identify and review the ethical principles to be adhered to in psychological practice;
  3. Evaluate and make high level judgements of the psychologist's responsibilities in relation to clients;
  4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of appropriate professional behaviour, and generate solutions to potentially complex situations;
  5. Apply, plan, and initiate decision making strategies to assist in the maintenance of ethical conduct.

Assessment

  • Group presentation (25 minutes) (40%)
  • Essay (1500 words)(30%)
  • Secure Online Quizzes(MCQ)(30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs)

Weekly readings (4-6hrs)

Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment)

Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4406 - Psychological assessment and intervention

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Lisa Burke

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDPA course code (M5003) or the Single Unit course code (M3900).

Prohibitions

PSY4503, PSY4270

Synopsis

This unit will provide students with a theoretical and practical overview of individual differences, and how these may be assessed and treated using evidence-based approaches. The course of study will include the theoretical background to the development of classes of tests, detailed examination of a range of models of ability and other individual difference issues. Test evaluation methods and a review of recent trends in test development theory will also be covered. The unit will also cover the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a range of psychological tests and classification tools in various psychological settings. An overview of evidence-based interventions for common clinical disorders will also be discussed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and discuss theoretical bases for undertaking psychological tests, and the place of psychological assessment in various settings of psychological practice;
  2. Select, administer, score and interpret psychological assessments, including common psychiatric conditions, neurocognitive abilities, and personality traits;
  3. Integrate and summarise information obtained during psychological assessments in the form of a professional report;
  4. Describe and discuss limitations of psychological assessment tools and how they can be misused, and assess the ethical considerations of administering, interpreting, and reporting of test results;
  5. Appraise approaches to psychological intervention from the theoretical and empirical evidence bases;
  6. Integrate assessment and intervention knowledge and skills for behavioural changes and symptom improvements.

Assessment

  • Essay (1500 words) (30%)
  • Psychological report and summary (1500 words)(40%)
  • Secure online Quizzes (MCQ)(30%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs)

Weekly readings (4-6hrs)

Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment)

Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4407 - Psychology in industry: Pathways to employment

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Bernice Plant

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDPA course code (M5003) or the Single Unit course code (M3900).

Synopsis

The unit will assist students to identify and enhance specific employability skills acquired throughout the undergraduate study of psychology. The unit also aims to familiarise students with the steps required to become a registered and licensed psychologist in Australia, and the various career pathways available, both specific and beyond the profession of psychology. The ways in which their knowledge and skills are relevant to other industries will also be explored.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits, and communicate this effectively and creatively;
  2. Demonstrate insight and synthesise knowledge of their own behaviour and mental processes, and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement;
  3. Identify, evaluate, consolidate and build on employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills;
  4. Critically evaluate the value of psychological knowledge in the general context of work and life;
  5. Identify the breadth of opportunity students have as graduates, as well as review and plan towards the specific routes into professional psychology.

Assessment

  • Self assessment report (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Group presentation (21-35 minutes) (40%) (hurdle)
  • 6 x Secure online quizzes (MCQ) (5% each) (30% total)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs)

Weekly readings (4-6hrs)

Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment)

Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4408 - Perspectives in clinical and developmental neuroscience

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Janelle Levesque

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 4 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDPA course code (M5003) or the Single Unit course code (M3900).

Prohibitions

PSY4408

Synopsis

This elective is interdisciplinary, taking a lifespan approach to examine elements of neuroscience, developmental psychology, and mental health and illness, while also focusing on examines selected topical issues in psychology with a focus on mental health and illness.

The unit focuses on aspects of mental health and illness that integrate traditional clinical information (e.g. symptoms, prevalence, aetiology), neuroscience (both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders), and evidence-based treatments. The broad scope of mental health and illness is reflected in the choice of topics, and these topics may change to reflect current issues and debate within the field.

The included topics reflect specific psychopathologies (e.g. posttraumatic stress disorder), specific life stages (e.g. childhood and adolescence), broad issues in mental health that transcend specific disorders (e.g. sleep, social support), and examine mental health in numerous settings (e.g. clinical, medical, and occupational).

The overall goal of the unit is for students to develop an interest in current issues in the field, while recognising that psychologists need to be informed by research in several areas (e.g. neuroscience, developmental psychology, clinical trials) while recognising the potential translational nature of their work

Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this unit students will be able to:

  1. Discuss current and future research directions in mental health with academics and peers;
  2. Identify and discuss how basic neuroscience, developmental psychology, behavioural research, and clinical research inform and complement each other in the understanding of mental health issues;
  3. Evaluate contentious theories and review the evidence related to neuroscience and mental health;
  4. Formulate a review question, identify relevant literature and write a cohesive review on the selected topic;
  5. Develop advanced communication skills that demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts, and articulate complex knowledge and ideas;
  6. Describe how research in developmental psychology, neuroscience and mental health can be translated into practice.

Assessment

  • Research symposium (10-12 minutes) (30%)
  • Critical review (2500 words) (Hurdle) (40%)
  • Secure Online MCQ Quizzes (six in total) (30% (6 x 5%)

Hurdle Requirement: Students must pass the critical review to pass the unit

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY4409 - 21st century applications of psychology

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Filia Garivaldis

Coordinator(s)

Dr Lauren Shaw

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Online

  • Teaching Period 2 2018 (Online)
  • Teaching Period 6 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Students can be enrolled in these units using either the GDPA course code (M5003) or the Single Unit course code (M3900).

Synopsis

This elective is multidisciplinary, addressing the full range of applications of psychological theory and evidence.

The unit content is divided into 6 modules with the following themes: the mind/body and self (e.g. body modification, embodied cognition, the 'selfies' epidemic), family and relationships (e.g. step-families, same-sex families), society and culture (e.g. modern racism, psychological perspectives in terrorism, acculturation and integration within multicultural Australia), health, stress and coping (e.g. resilience, positive education, cross-cultural approaches to therapy), ePsychology (e.g. cyber-bullying, virtual reality, artificial intelligences), and psychology of work (e.g. flow, flourishing).

The broad scope of psychology is reflected in the choices students will have for assessment, and these topics may change to reflect current issues and debate.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:

  1. Discuss current and future research directions in a range of applied areas of psychology;
  2. Identify and discuss how psychological evidence informs and advances societal and individual change;
  3. Evaluate contemporary theories and review the evidence related to contemporary applied areas of psychology;
  4. Identify a problem or issue, locate and review relevant literature, and propose a psychological intervention strategy that address this problem of issue;
  5. Articulate and communicate complex knowledge and ideas;
  6. Describe how research in psychology can be translated into practice.

Assessment

  • Individual Presentation (10-12 minutes) (30%)
  • Critical Review (2500 words) (Hurdle) (40%)
  • Secure Online MCQ Quizzes (six in total) (30%) (6 x 5%)

Workload requirements

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6101 - Psychopathology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr James Courtney

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Psychopathology is delivered over two semesters respectively and aims to educate students with a working knowledge of formal mental disorders. A concurrent aim is to equip students with the clinical skills required to assess, formulate and diagnose clients presenting with a variety of clinical conditions related to mental health. This unit introduces students to initial concepts in the field of psychopathology, and contributes to the development of skills necessary for clinical practice. This unit also includes a module focused on drug classifications; legal control of drug use; pharmacokinetics; variability in response to drugs; chemical transmission and neuro receptors.

Outcomes

  1. Conduct a psychiatric clinical interview and concurrent mental status examination.
  2. Engage in appropriate ethical behaviour during clinical interviews, such as gaining informed consent and identifying ethical dilemmas.
  3. Complete a thorough and accurate written evaluation of a client (e.g. clinical assessment report).
  4. Understand and discuss major classes of psychiatric illness across the life span.
  5. Construct initial formulation and diagnosis of common psychiatric problems.
  6. Reflect on and evaluate assessment and clinical interviewing skills.
  7. Effectively and appropriately contribute to case discussions regarding formulation and diagnoses.
  8. Understand the basic concepts of psychopharmacology with particular reference to recent advances in the fields of psychiatric medication, cognitive enhancers and neuro-protective agents, and substance abuse.

Assessment

Participation & Role Play (Hurdle Requirement)

Mental Status Examination (15%)

Psychological Report (20%)

Take-home Exam (30%)

Participation & Role Play (Hurdle Requirement)

Psychopharmacology Test (15%)

Psychological Report (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6102 - Psychological assessment

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to general principles of adult psychological assessment. They will learn how to apply a range of cognitive, behavioural and personality assessment techniques. Students will be exposed to a range of different tests and scales and will learn how to administer, score and interpret them. They will learn how to formulate psychological assessment findings and communicate this information to a range of stakeholders. Furthermore, students will cover important aspects of assessment including psychometric, ethical and cultural issues.

Outcomes

  1. Critically evaluate and manage psychological assessment referrals.
  2. Design and appraise findings from behavioural observation for initial psychological assessment.
  3. Select cognitive and personality assessment tools appropriate for individual referrals and administer assessments in a standardised fashion.
  4. Appropriately score and interpret data from cognitive and personality assessments and integrate these within client case formulations
  5. Communicate assessment findings to a range of stakeholders across different mediums.

Assessment

Psychological Measure Evaluation (35%)

  • Behavioural Assessment (Hurdle requirement)
  • Administration and Scoring of PAI (Hurdle requirement)
  • Administration and Scoring of WAIS-IV and WMS-IV (Hurdle requirement)

Case Report (65%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6103 - Legal and ethical principles in clinical psychology practice and research

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton
Dr Katrina Simpson

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Norton
Dr Katrina Simpson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will develop an understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist

and of legal and ethical principles governing professional practice and

research in psychology. Students will review relevant legislation and

ethical/professional standards and develop ethically and culturally sensitive

psychological practices. This unit equips students with the necessary skills

to design research and analyse data for their thesis, placements, and

employment. After completing this unit successfully, students should be

able to undertake a comprehensive program evaluation as well as a single

subject design, and complete their thesis, confidently and competently with

training in the application of practical research skill training. Material will be presented from a student centered learning approach with theoretical and conceptual delivery in the form of lectures, applied weekly analyses, and introductions into multilevel modelling and structural equation modelling.

Outcomes

  1. Understand the legal and ethical principles which govern research and professional practice in psychology;
  2. Appraise Australian codes of professional conduct in psychology to such issues as confidentiality, informed consent, freedom of information, intra and inter professional relationships, responsibilities, and professional conduct;
  3. Define the professional role/s of the clinical psychologist, and differentiate roles, responsibilities, and relationships with other health professionals;
  4. Develop, maintain, and conclude appropriate professional relationships with clients;
  5. Appraise the intercultural and ethnic issues that impact on psychological practice;
  6. Design the main phases of the key research approaches, including program evaluations, single subject designs, experiments, quasi-experiments, and qualitative projects;
  7. Accommodate the considerations and complications of these approaches, (e.g., sampling biases, spurious variables, common method variance, suppressors, non-recursive relationships, confounds, consequential validity, asymmetric transfer, mediators, moderators, stakeholder needs, economic evaluation, family wise errors, power, autocorrelation, and nonlinear dynamics);

  8. Apply multivariate statistics techniques to address some of these complications, such as ANCOVA, discriminant function analysis, logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, canonical correlation, and factor analysis;
  9. Recognize the fundamental principles of more advanced concepts, which can then be explored through additional reading, including HLM, grounded theory, survival analyses, meta-analyses, catastrophe theory, signal detection theory, ARIMA, interim designs, Bayesian theory, and structural equation modelling;
  10. Develop creative and insightful methods to maximise the utility of research; and;
  11. Justify and report the procedures and techniques that were utilised

Assessment

Research Workbook Journal (10%)

Research Proposal and MUHREC application (35%)

Ethical Dilemmas Evaluations (30%)

  • Peer Counselling Skills Video (Hurdle requirement)
  • Non-peer counselling video and self-evaluation (Hurdle requirement)

End of Semester Examination (25%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6104 - Cognitive behaviour therapies: processes and applications

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Full year 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and the delivery of psychological interventions more broadly. The emphasis here is on understanding CBT theory and the related techniques of intervention, understanding the psychological issues faced by clients, and bringing the two together in formulation and treatment planning. We start by introducing students to the theory of CBT and the process of assessment and formulation and how to structure therapy. Students also learn how to develop focused treatment plans, appropriately implement treatment as required by a placement setting under supervision, report intervention outcomes appropriately, and have an understanding of the underlying theories of such interventions. Key CBT processes such as guided discovery and collaboration are highlighted. Students are supported to learn and apply the core skills of CBT including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, problem-solving and relaxation. Finally, these tools and techniques are applied to clients across the age range with cognitive impairment, depression, anger, and anxiety.

Outcomes

This unit provides students with knowledge and skills related to both generic therapeutic competences as well as competences related specifically to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

By the end of the unit, students should demonstrate capacity to:

  1. Develop and maintain a strong therapeutic relationship with clients that includes managing the emotional content of sessions;
  2. Identify and appraise the theoretical basis for interventions in a range of CBTs;
  3. Formulate comprehensive case formulations and tailored CBT treatment plans;
  4. Apply tailored CBT techniques for a range of case presentations;
  5. Organize and evaluate ongoing self-reflective practice.

Assessment

Skills practices and written submission - Guided discovery (20%)

Skills practice - Reviewing homework (10%)

Video recording and written reflection - Sharing formulations (25%)

Formulation and treatment plan (20%)

Presentation (15%)

Resource Kit (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6105 - Clinical development psychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit aims to ensure that students are familiar with disorders that occur during childhood and adolescence. Diagnosis and classification, aetiology of the major disorders occurring in childhood and adolescence, as well as the major forms of treatment and management based on recent research will be covered. Various disorders will be examined including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression.

Students will be expected to develop competence in the application of diagnostic classification systems to children but also will be encouraged to critically evaluate such systems and be aware of their limitations in paediatric populations. A component of this unit will be devoted to formal psychological, especially cognitive, assessment of children and adolescents. Although the major focus of this unit will be on the identification and assessment of disorders and assessment of cognitive abilities in children, the use of various treatment modalities with children, adolescents, and their families will also be discussed with an emphasis on cognitive behavioural approaches.

Outcomes

  1. At the end of this unit, students will be able to understand the diagnosis, classification, and aetiology of the major disorders occurring in childhood and adolescence;
  2. Understand the principles of interviewing and assessing children and adolescents;
  3. Ensure students are competent in the administration of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV);
  4. Familiarize students with the major forms of treatment and management; and
  5. Develop student's competencies in writing a clinical case formulation for a child presenting with a clinical developmental disorder.

Assessment

Formulation Report (40%)

WISC-IV Administration and Scoring (Hurdle Requirement)

Take Home Exam (60%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6161 - Legal and ethical principles in clinical neuropsychology practice and research

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Peter Norton
Dr Katrina Simpson

Coordinator(s)

Professor Peter Norton
Dr Katrina Simpson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will develop an understanding of the role of a clinical neuropsychologist and of legal and ethical principles governing professional practice and research in psychology. Students will review relevant legislation and ethical/professional standards and develop ethically and culturally sensitive psychological practices. This unit equips students with the necessary skills to design research and analyse data for their thesis, placements, and employment. After completing this unit successfully, students should be able to undertake a comprehensive program evaluation as well as a single subject design, and complete their thesis, confidently and competently with training in the application of practical research skill training. Material will be presented from a student centred learning approach with theoretical and conceptual delivery in the form of lectures, applied weekly analyses, and introductions into multilevel modelling and structural equation modelling.

Outcomes

  1. Understand the legal and ethical principles which govern research and professional practice in psychology;
  2. Appraise Australian codes of professional conduct in psychology to such issues as confidentiality, informed consent, freedom of information, intra and inter professional relationships, responsibilities, and professional conduct;
  3. Define the professional role/s of the clinical neuropsychologist, and differentiate roles, responsibilities, and relationships with other health professionals;
  4. Develop, maintain, and conclude appropriate professional relationships with clients;
  5. Appraise the intercultural and ethnic issues that impact on psychological practice;
  6. Design the main phases of the key research approaches, including program evaluations, single subject designs, experiments, quasi-experiments, and qualitative projects;
  7. Accommodate the considerations and complications of these approaches, (e.g., sampling biases, spurious variables, common method variance, suppressors, non-recursive relationships, confounds, consequential validity, asymmetric transfer, mediators, moderators, stakeholder needs, economic evaluation, family wise errors, power, autocorrelation, and nonlinear dynamics);
  8. Apply multivariate statistics techniques to address some of these complications, such as ANCOVA, discriminant function analysis, logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, canonical correlation, and factor analysis;
  9. Recognize the fundamental principles of more advanced concepts, which can then be explored through additional reading, including HLM, grounded theory, survival analyses, meta-analyses, catastrophe theory, signal detection theory, ARIMA, interim designs, Bayesian theory, and structural equation modelling;
  10. Develop creative and insightful methods to maximise the utility of research; and;
  11. Justify and report the procedures and techniques that were utilised

Assessment

Research Workbook - Journal (10%)

Research Proposal and MUHREC application (35%)

Ethical Dilemmas Evaluations (30%)

  • Peer Counselling Skills Video (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Non-peer counseling video and self-evaluation (Hurdle Requirement)

End of Semester Exam (25%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6162 - Neuroanatomy and models of cognition for the clinical neuropsychologist

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Julie Stout

Coordinator(s)

Professor Julie Stout

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This subject has two components. The Neuroanatomy component reviews the neuroanatomy of the human brain and spinal cord at the level of detail required by the practising clinical neuropsychologist. Emphasis is placed on structure-function relationships, and how different brain regions interact to regulate complex cognitive skills. Students also learn about the clinical neurological examination and neuroimaging, with an emphasis placed on what these methods allow us to infer regarding underlying neuroanatomy and lesions. Students learn:

  1. to identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord, using prosected specimens, models and cross-sectional images;
  2. to understand the structural and functional relationships between these features;
  3. to be able to apply this knowledge to the clinical situation.

    The second component of this subject, Models of Cognition considers neuropsychological disorders from perspectives taken in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology. In particular, there will be an emphasis on establishing conceptual frameworks for understanding neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and motor features of neurocognitive disorders, and for approaching clinical assessment and rehabilitation.

Outcomes

At the completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  1. Identify the major components of pathways associated with smell, vision, hearing, touch, balance, taste, movement, memory, emotion, and language;
  2. Be familiar with the external anatomy of the brain, to be able to name and identify each part and describe its contribution to behavioural and cognitive function;
  3. Be able to identify the main subcortical nuclei and their functions;
  4. Be able to identify the fibre tracts in the brain and spinal cord and describe their function;
  5. Be able to identify each major blood vessel in the brain and describe the functional consequences of infarction for each vessel;
  6. Be fluent in the terminology used to navigate the brain and describe brain structures;
  7. Be knowledgeable about the clinical neurological examination and how neurologists denote and interpret their findings;
  8. Be familiar with the most common forms of imaging relevant to clinical neurology and neuropsychology;
  9. Have a view of how cognition and behaviour are implemented in neural tissues from the cellular to systems levels of analysis;
  10. Have knowledge of neural bases of attention, language, visuospatial functions, memory, executive functions, emotion processing, and complex adaptive behaviours, in both in normality and pathology;
  11. Understand the current theoretical models proposed to account for neuropsychological impairments.

Assessment

Neuroanatomy

  • Weekly Assignments (40%)
  • Final Assessment (10%)

Models

  • Concept Map (15%)
  • Weekly Assignments (25%)
  • Class Presentation (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6163 - Neuropsychological assessment and neuropsychological syndromes

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This subject has two components. In the Neuropsychological Assessment component, students will be introduced to the scientist-practitioner model of neuropsychology, incorporating a hypothesis testing approach to assessment. Students will be exposed to a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches designed to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. They will learn how to select which tests are most appropriate in specific clinical situations and how to administer, score and interpret each measure. Formulation and report writing skills will be imparted in addition to competencies relating to psychoeducation and recommendation provision. Specific issues regarding assessment of decision making capacity, acute assessment, longitudinal assessment and assessment of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be covered.

In the Neuropsychological Syndromes component, students will become familiar with the pathophysiology, principles of neuropsychological assessment, psychosocial and treatment issues relating to a number of the most common neuropsychological syndromes, including traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disorders, dementias, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV-related disorders, neoplasms, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, drug and alcohol-related disorders. Sessions will feature guest lecturers who are experts in their fields.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Be able to critically evaluate a wide range of neuropsychological tests and scales designed to assess numerous aspects of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning;
  2. Be able to plan neuropsychological assessments, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate to specific clinical contexts and referrals (eg; across the lifespan, cross-cultural assessment etc.);
  3. Be able to interpret and integrate information obtained during neuropsychological assessment to formulate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's neuropsychological function;
  4. Be able to disseminate neuropsychological assessment findings across a range of formats (reports, verbal feedback) and audiences (other clinicians, clients, family);
  5. Be able to provide a verbal description of the neuropsychological deficits associated with common inherited and acquired neuropsychological disorders;
  6. Be able to recognise and differentiate between common syndromes on the basis of the patient's history, presentation and assessment results;
  7. Feel confident in planning and executing a formal assessment of a patient presenting with each syndrome;
  8. Be aware of psychosocial and treatment issues associated with each disorder.

Assessment

Take Home Exercises (Hurdle Requirement)

Case 1 (15%)

Case 2 (15%)

Case 3 (20%)

Neuropsychological Syndromes Weekly Assignments (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6164 - Developmental Neuropsychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Renee Testa

Coordinator(s)

Dr Renee Testa

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students are introduced to issues relevant to the neuropsychological assessment and management of children and adolescents. The development of the central nervous system, with emphasis on developmental stages, cognitive development, neurodevelopmental abnormalities and theories associated with recovery of function, will be reviewed. Students examine the neuropsychological sequelae of common, acquired cerebral disorders, such as traumatic brain injury, epilepsy and childhood cancers. The sequelae of congenital and developmental disorders, such learning disability, are also be explored. Psychosocial and treatment issues associated with these disorders are also be addressed together with guidelines for paediatric clinical practice. Students also become familiar with the use of appropriate paediatric neuropsychology assessment tools and learn the skills required to obtain a comprehensive history from parents, teachers, hospital case notes and other relevant information sources. The importance of conveying neuropsychological findings and recommendations in a clear and interpretable manner for non-psychology professionals, such as teachers and carers, is also be an area of focus.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Be familiar with the main stages of central nervous system development, and the impact of these stages on normal cognitive functioning;
  2. Be fully aware of the impact that various neurodevelopmental disorders, various neuropsychiatric disorders or several kinds of acquired brain injury might be expected to have on the development of cognitive skills;
  3. Be familiar with theories of recovery function during childhood and adolescence, and appropriate rehabilitation and management strategies;
  4. Be competent in taking a comprehensive case history, in selecting and administering neuropsychological tests suitable for each developmental period, and interpreting the results of these;
  5. Be able to effectively impart their neuropsychological findings and recommendations to non-professionals such as parents and teachers; and
  6. Feel confident working with children, parents, teachers and professional childcare workers.

Assessment

Case Study (33.3%)

WISC-V Assessment (33.3%)

Summary of a specific Neurodevelopmental disorder (33.4%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6201 - Psychopathology and theories and techniques of intervention

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis
Dr James Courtney

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis
Dr James Courtney

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This subject provides clinical neuropsychology students with important grounding in clinical psychology. Psychopathology aim to educate students with a working knowledge of formal mental disorders. A concurrent aim is to equip students with the clinical skills required to assess, formulate and diagnose clients presenting with a variety of clinical conditions related to mental health. This unit introduces students to initial concepts in the field of psychopathology, and contributes to the development of skills necessary for clinical practice. The Theories and Techniques of Intervention subunit provides students with training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and the delivery of psychological interventions more broadly. The emphasis here is on understanding CBT theory and the related techniques of intervention, understanding the psychological issues faced by clients, and bringing the two together in formulation. We start by introducing students to the theory of CBT and the process of assessment and formulation and how to structure therapy. Key CBT processes such as guided discovery and collaboration are highlighted. Then students are supported to learn and apply the core skills of CBT including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, problem-solving and relaxation. Finally, these tools and techniques are applied to clients across the age range with cognitive impairment, depression, anger, and anxiety.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Conduct a clinical interview and concurrent mental status examination;
  2. Engage in appropriate ethical behaviour during clinical interviews, such as gaining informed consent and identifying ethical dilemmas;
  3. Complete an accurate written evaluation of a client (e.g. clinical assessment report);
  4. Understand and discuss major classes of psychiatric illness across the life span;
  5. Feel competent in the initial formulation and diagnosis of a common psychiatric problems;
  6. Effectively and appropriately contribute to case discussions regarding formulation and diagnoses and reflect on and evaluate assessment and clinical interviewing skills;
  7. Have developed the following generic therapeutic competencies:
    • Knowledge of mental health problems, ethical and professional guidelines, and a model of therapy (and the ability to draw on and apply this knowledge when providing psychological interventions)
    • Ability to engage the client, foster and maintain a good therapeutic alliance, and to grasp the client's perspective and 'world view'
    • Ability to deal with emotional content of sessions
    • Ability to manage endings
    • Ability to undertake an assessment
  8. Have developed the following basic CBT competencies:
    • Knowledge of basic principles of CBT and rationale for treatment, common cognitive biases relevant to CBT, and the role of safety-seeking behaviours
    • Ability to explain and demonstrate rationale for CBT to client
    • Ability to agree goals for intervention
    • Ability to structure sessions
    • Ability to use measures and self-monitoring to guide therapy and to monitor outcome
    • Ability to devise a maintenance cycle and use this to this set targets
    • Problem solving
    • Relapse prevention
  9. Have developed the following Specific CBT techniques:
    • Exposure techniques
    • Applied relaxation
    • Activity monitoring and scheduling
    • Guided discovery and Socratic questioning
    • Ability to develop a formulation with the client

Assessment

Psychopathology:

  • Participation & Role Play (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Mental Status Examination (10%)
  • Psychological Report (15%)
  • Take-home Exam (25%)

Theories and Techniques of Intervention:

  • Skills Practice and Written Submission (20%)
  • Skills Practice - Reviewing Homework (5%)
  • Video recording and Written Reflection (25%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6202 - Psychopharmacology and advanced psychopathology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Antonio Verdejo-Garcia

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Antonio Verdejo-Garcia

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit aims to provide an overview of the neuropsychopharmacology of drugs, and of the main drugs used in the treatment of mental health and neurological disorders.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Understand the basic concepts of psychopharmacology with particular reference to recent advances in the fields of psychiatric medication, cognitive enhancers and neuroprotective agents, and substance abuse;
  2. Have a broad understanding of commonly prescribed psychoactive drugs, legal and illegal drugs and other commonly abused substances;
  3. Be able to comment on the likely physiological and psychological effects in a particular individual of a specific drug (together with possible drug interactions), and to prepare a written report on the topic;
  4. Be able to critically think about current issues in clinical psychopharmacology and in research concerning treatment approaches;
  5. Have a broader knowledge of and diagnostic skills in psychiatric disorders, specifically in bereavement and delirium, from attendance at 2 Psychopathology II lectures.

Assessment

Project Presentation (30%)

Take-home Psychopharmacology Test (70%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6203 - Recovery of function and rehabilitation after brain injury

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

Students will develop an understanding of principles of injury and recovery of function and of neuropsychological rehabilitation. They will learn how to assess the needs of and set goals in the context of rehabilitation. They will learn strategies to rehabilitate everyday problems arising from impairments of attention, memory, executive function, language and visuo-spatial function and to manage behavioural problems and psychological issues in both adults and children of all ages in both hospital and community settings. They will also learn how to assess the efficacy of techniques used in rehabilitation and management. Participants will receive information from other allied health professionals regarding rehabilitative approaches used by these professions and discuss how a multidisciplinary approach can be used to provide substantial benefits to the brain-injured individual and their family.

Outcomes

This unit aims to equip students with the conceptual information necessary for them to work effectively in a rehabilitation setting.

On completion of the unit students will:

  1. Have acquired a good understanding of current theories and models of recovery of brain function after neurological damage;
  2. Be familiar with recent research examining plasticity and reorganisation in the primate brain;
  3. Be informed about the current World Health Organisation (WHO) framework for conceptualising disability in terms of impairment of function, activity limitation and participation restriction;
  4. Know how clinical neuropsychologists and other allied health professionals assess function following neurological damage and set rehabilitation goals;
  5. Be familiar with current rehabilitative interventions for specific neuropsychological disorders, in adults and children of all ages in the hospital and the community and the methods commonly used to assess the effectiveness of these interventions;
  6. Be familiar with methods of managing behaviour problems.

Assessment

Take-home Assignment (20%)

Case Study Report and Class Presentation (80%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6204 - Clinical neuropsychology

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Coordinator(s)

Dr Rene Stolwyk

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with information on the roles of the neuropsychologist within the health setting, the assessment techniques commonly used by neuropsychologists, common neuropsychological syndromes, and the process of rehabilitation for those with neuropsychological impairment.

Outcomes

  1. Be familiar with basic functions of key neuroanatomical brain regions and be able to apply this to brain-behaviour relationships;
  2. Understand key principles underlying neuropsychological assessment and formulation;
  3. Have a understanding of key neuropsychological syndromes that are regularly encountered in clinical psychology practice;
  4. Be able to interpret neuropsychological reports and apply recommendations relevant to clinical psychology.

Assessment

Case Report 1 (33%)

Case Report 2 (33%)

Case Report 3 (34%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6205 - Introductory placement and case analysis (clinical psychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr James Courtney
Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney
Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit supports the first step towards clinical practice for students in their roles as provisionally registered psychologists. Conducted at the Monash Psychology Centre (MPC), students will manage individual outpatient caseloads under close supervision. Clinical presentations at the MPC include issues drawn from across the lifespan, as well as assessment and associated report writing. Attendance at specified clinical meetings and group supervision is also required. Students will also observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Psychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be:

  1. Expected to have gained an appreciation of the role of a psychologist in clinical practice, and to have an understanding of the delivery of a professional service to patients/clients and other parties;
  2. To have acquired an understanding of the context of the delivery of psychological services and the particular function this serves to the individual and the broader community;
  3. To have developed an appreciation of the competing demands on service delivery and the range of issues that can impact on clinical practice;
  4. Expected to become proficient in establishing rapport with patients, administering, scoring and interpreting a range of formal assessment instruments, and then integrating this information with other clinical data to inform diagnoses, treatment planning and written reports;
  5. Expected to have developed an initial understanding of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team and the role of its various members;
  6. Confidently present case presentations;
  7. Formulate hypotheses, conduct semi-structured clinical interviews, select appropriate tests, integrate and interpret findings to respond to referral questions and formulate a treatment plan for a variety of clinical psychological referrals.

Assessment

Clinical OSCE 1 (Hurdle Requirement)

Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)

Mid-Placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

End-placement review (Hurdle Requirement)

Clinical logbook (Hurdle Requirement)

Class Contribution (Hurdle Requirement)

Case Presentation (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6206 - Intermediate placement and case analysis (clinical psychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr James Courtney
Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney
Associate Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit represents the second phase of training towards clinical practice for students in their roles as provisionally registered psychologists. Placements are arranged via a network of external providers or speciality clinics at the MPC, with due regard given to the longer-term interests of the student. Students will be closely supervised in accordance with regulatory guidelines and should aim to achieve a specified number of direct client hours and practicum hours towards meeting registration requirements. Students will also observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Psychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should have:

  1. Developed skills and confidence in applying theoretical knowledge to the psychological treatment of individuals with relatively uncomplicated emotional and/or behavioural problems, as well as skills towards the assessment of treatment outcomes;
  2. Developed an awareness of the intricacy of the therapeutic relationship, and the contribution of their personal qualities within this structure;
  3. The ability to understand the complexities of the agency's role in service delivery, with the capacity to extend towards the conceptualisation of strategies that could improve service delivery;
  4. The ability to contribute to 'best practice' service delivery, drawn from academic and clinical training experiences to date;
  5. Developed a working knowledge of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team and the role of its various members;
  6. Confidently present case presentations;
  7. Formulate hypotheses, conduct semi-structured clinical interviews, select appropriate tests, integrate and interpret findings to respond to referral questions and formulate a treatment plan for a variety of clinical psychological referrals.

Assessment

Clinical OSCE 2 (Hurdle Requirement)

Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)

Mid-Placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

End-placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

Clinical Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)

Class Contribution (Hurdle Requirement)

Case Presentation (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6207 - Health psychology and behavioural medicine

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Laura Jobson

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit provides an advanced level introduction to the growing field of health psychology and behavioural medicine. Building on the students' knowledge of psychopathology and psychological therapies, the focus here is the application of health psychology principles and interventions to a variety of clinical health contexts. Students will be provided with an overview of health and illness in Australia and the key theoretical frameworks for conceptualising health behaviour. Psychological issues related to acute illness and injury and chronic illness and disability across the life span will be explored and the related clinical interventions will be highlighted. Students will also receive specialist information regarding psychological issues related to a number of key disorders and diseases. Over the course of the unit, students will be expected to integrate health psychology principles and procedures with their knowledge of clinical psychology and demonstrate competence in providing more holistic formulations of and treatment approaches to clinical issues.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the scope of the related fields of health psychology and behavioural medicine, and their history;
  2. Have an awareness of rates of disease and illness in Australia, including Indigenous health;
  3. Understand the main models of health behaviour and behaviour change;
  4. Understand the goals and methods of health promotion and the prevention of disease;
  5. Understand how to develop conceptual models of patient problems, and how to plan and implement interventions based on the model and the relevant empirical literature;
  6. Demonstrate competence in providing holistic and integrated formulations of clinical presentations that include a health perspective;
  7. Be aware of specific clinical tools and techniques that might be applied in clinical health settings;
  8. Understand how to assess and manage, or contribute to the management, of a number of exemplar disorders/problems namely diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and cancer;
  9. Feel confident to discuss health related concerns with their clients;
  10. Understand the role of a clinical psychologist in clinical health settings and professional issues related to working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Assessment

Written Report (Formulation and Treatment Plan) (20%)

Written Report (Formulation and Treatment Plan) (30%)

Take Home Exam (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6208 - Introductory placement and case analysis (clinical neuropsychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Adam McKay
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit aims to begin the process of applying theoretical knowledge acquired in the first year of coursework to the clinical setting. The first component is Case Analysis I and II, which occurs weekly in Year 1 Semester 2 and Year 2 semester 1. Students will observe oral case presentations given by experienced clinicians and other students. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues. They will assess two cases and present them to the class, once in each semester.

In Semester 1 of Year 2 they will commence their introductory placement. It is expected that the focus of the introductory placement will be on gaining confidence and competence in core clinical areas such as assessment skills (eg. Test selection, administration, interpretation), case formulation, and written/oral communication of assessment findings. Students will begin to gain an appreciation of the role of a neuropsychologist in professional practice, how it interacts with other staff in the setting, and the service it provides to the individual and the wider community.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit student will have:

  1. Become familiar with the format of oral presentations suitable for a number of different audiences;
  2. Become able to participate confidently in case discussions;
  3. An improved ability to formulate hypotheses, select appropriate tests, interpret findings, integrate findings to respond to referral questions and formulate a management plan for a variety of neuropsychological referrals;
  4. Become more informed about current issues in the field of clinical neuropsychology;
  5. Developed sufficient rapport with staff members to seek assistance when it is required during later years of the course;
  6. Acquired an understanding of the context of the delivery of the service and the particular function it serves to the individual and the community at large;
  7. Developed an appreciation of the competing demands on service delivery and the range of issues which impact on service delivery;
  8. Become proficient in establishing rapport with patients, administering and scoring the commonly used intellectual, diagnostic and personality tests, integrating the results and providing appropriate oral and written reports;
  9. Developed an understanding of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team and the role of its various members;
  10. Build knowledge and introductory skills in ethics, legal and professional issues relevant to clinical practice.

Assessment

Case Analysis:

  • Case Presentation (Pass/Fail)
  • Class Participation (Hurdle Requirement)

Introductory Placement:

  • Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Mid-Placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Student Diary (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Participation in OSCE (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6209 - Intermediate placement and case analysis (clinical neuropsychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Adam McKay
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay
Professor Jennie Ponsford

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

In the intermediate placement it is anticipated that students will be consolidating key neuropsychological skills such as test administration, scoring and interpretation, while requiring less support from their supervisor for these activities. Students should be developing competencies in history taking, hypothesis-testing, case formulation, giving feedback and interventions. At this stage, students will be expected to carry a client load with moderate supervisory support. Opportunities for student and supervisor observation are recommended to facilitate skill development, although emphasis of direct supervision may shift to observation of more complex aspects of practice (e.g., history-taking,feedback) rather than observation of testing. Students are expected to develop a deeper understanding of the psychologist's role within the service and to show increased independent thought in supervision sessions.

Students will observe and actively participate in case formulation, interpretation and discussion of potential interventions based on oral case presentations given by other students and will each present a case from their placement to the class. They will be exposed to a variety of different presentation styles designed to cater for specific audiences and will learn to evaluate case material in an objective and critical manner. They will participate in discussions of clinical issues and recent developments in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology and will be challenged to remain informed about such developments and issues.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

  1. Have developed skill and confidence in applying their theoretical knowledge to the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of individuals with relatively uncomplicated neurological, psychiatric, developmental and general medical issues;
  2. Become proficient in establishing rapport with patients, administering and scoring the commonly used neuropsychological tests, integrating the results with the history, and providing appropriate oral and written reports;
  3. Have an improved ability to formulate hypotheses, select appropriate tests, interpret findings, integrate findings to respond to referral questions and formulate a management plan for a variety of neuropsychological referrals and discuss this with the class;
  4. Be able to independently run a neuropsychological assessment by the end of this placement, although supervisor input may be required with more complex cases particularly during history taking;
  5. Be more likely to be contributing information in feedback sessions with clients;
  6. Have the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of the agency's role in service delivery and to service delivery and to independently contribute to the development of strategies for improved service delivery;
  7. Become more informed about current issues in the field of clinical neuropsychology;
  8. Expand knowledge and skills in ethics, legal and professional issues relevant to clinical practice.

Assessment

Case Analysis:

  • Case Presentation (Pass/Fail)
  • Class Participation (Hurdle Requirement)

Intermediate Placement:

  • Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Mid-Placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Student Diary (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle Requirement)
  • Participation in OSCE (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6301 - Advanced placement and case analysis (clinical psychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr James Courtney

Coordinator(s)

Dr James Courtney

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit represents the final phase of training towards clinical practice for students in their roles as provisionally registered psychologists. Placements are arranged via a network of external providers or speciality clinics at the MPC, with due regard given to the longer-term interests of the student. Students will be closely supervised in accordance with regulatory guidelines and should aim to achieve the specified number of direct client hours and practicum hours towards meeting full registration needs.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students' skills should be extended to:

  1. Include management of individuals identified with more serious and challenging presenting issues;
  2. The ability to develop and deliver intervention strategies across a range of presentations consistent with current psychological principles and their implementation within service delivery systems;
  3. To have developed an appreciation of the competing demands on service delivery and the range of issues that can impact on clinical practice;
  4. Understand the complexities and challenges associated with the provision of clinical services to a range of client groups, and a concurrent appreciation of the context in which the service is provided;
  5. A robust understanding of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team, the role of its various members, and the ability to work within this environment.

Assessment

Clinical OSCE 3 (Hurdle Requirement)

Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)

Mid-Placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

End-placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

Clinical Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PSY6302 - Advanced placement and case analysis (clinical neuropsychology)

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit aims to further consolidate and hone key neuropsychological competencies with minimal direct supervision. At the end of this placement, students have generally completed the Masters equivalent of placement time and so are expected to have developed sufficient competency in their various clinical and professional skills such that they could operate as a generalist registered psychologist.

Outcomes

  1. Students will need to independently administer assessment and intervention techniques, provide oral and written reports;
  2. Consult to allied and medical professionals across a range of areas that reflect an understanding of the current knowledge of best practice;
  3. Students will be expected to carry a client load with minimal direct supervisory support;
  4. A full understanding of the complexities of provision of services should be apparent with evidence of appreciation of the wider context in which the client operates and in which the service is provided.

Assessment

Placement Contract (Hurdle Requirement)

Mid-placement Review (Hurdle Requirement)

Student Diary (Hurdle Requirement)

Student Case/Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)

Supervisor Logbook (Hurdle Requirement)

Final Student Assessment Report (Hurdle Requirement)

Final Supervisor Assessment Report (Hurdle Requirement)

Participate in OSCE (Hurdle Requirement)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


PTY5100 - Enhancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60013 Master of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice

Notes

Students must submit valid preclinical documentation, as listed in the course handbook, to Administration staff by the deadline specified and communicated to students. Failure to submit these mandatory documents may result in students being unable to complete the course.

Synopsis

This unit will cover an introduction to physiotherapy assessment and management options for children with a range of conditions who present to physiotherapists. Aetiology and epidemiology of examples of neurological, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and complex conditions and the physiotherapy role in evaluation are described. The skills required for communication with children, families, carers and other health professionals are also considered. An emphasis on establishing competence and confidence to work autonomously whilst identifying limits to own practice is stressed. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with a single face to face day at the conclusion of the unit. A selection of case studies selected from acute, subacute and community settings will be used to explore learning outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of normal development across the spectrum of childhood, within the context of normal variations.
  2. Identify paediatric conditions which are appropriate for physiotherapy intervention and recognise the scope of a comprehensive paediatric physiotherapy assessment.
  3. Synthesise the elements of a comprehensive paediatric physiotherapy assessment for children presenting with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.
  4. Conduct prioritised systematic assessments using appropriate assessment tools for different paediatric conditions across the spectrum of childhood and adolescence.
  5. Analyse and communicate the important findings of their paediatric physiotherapy assessments that warrant further assessment and / or intervention and / or referral to other practitioners.
  6. Identify and apply appropriate evidenced based or best practise interventions to specific paediatric conditions.

Assessment

  • Online quizzes x 4 (Summative) (35%)
  • Online exam (MCQ and short answers) (1 hour) (Summative) (20%)
  • Clinical Guideline activity (1,000 words) (Summative) (15%)
  • Guided paediatric case study (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Attendance requirement (face to face day, available also via video footage) (Hurdle)
  • Contribution to 4 x discussion boards (one per module, as per unit guide) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor (online delivery only, block mode), plus self-directed study time. An additional 8 hours of face to face day attendance or video footage viewing required.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


PTY5101 - Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: Cerebral palsy

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60013.

Synopsis

This unit will cover components of physiotherapy assessment and management options for children with cerebral palsy who present to physiotherapists. Aetiology and epidemiology of cerebral palsy, and the physiotherapy role in evaluation and management of children with this condition are described. An emphasis on establishing competence and confidence to work autonomously whilst identifying limits to own practice is stressed. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with a single face to face day at the conclusion of the unit. A selection of case studies drawn from the acute, subacute and community settings will be used to explore learning outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe relevant embryology in regards to the timing of cerebral insults that result in a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and an understanding of common risk factors leading to the diagnosis
  2. Identify and select appropriate outcome measures for children with cerebral palsy across the age span using the ICF model
  3. Identify and describe the principles of physiotherapy management in cerebral palsy
  4. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of burst versus ongoing therapy prescription across childhood in cerebral palsy within a multidisciplinary framework
  5. Summarise the complexity in equipment prescription in cerebral palsy across the life span
  6. Synthesise the complexities around transition from paediatric to adult services in adolescents with cerebral palsy using a multidisciplinary framework
  7. Demonstrate sensitive and appropriate communication at all times when working with children, their parents/carers
  8. Demonstrate appropriate and professional communication with other health care professionals, both internal and external to their own health care setting.

Assessment

  • Online quizzes x 4 (Summative) (35%)
  • Online exam (MCQ and short answers) (1 hour) (Summative) (20%)
  • Clinical Guideline activity (1,000 words) (Summative) (15%)
  • Guided paediatric case study (2,000 words) (Summative) (30%)
  • Attendance requirement (Face to face day, available also via video footage) (Hurdle)
  • Contribution to 4 x discussion boards (One per module, as per unit guide) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor (online delivery only, block mode), plus self-directed study time. An additional 8 hours of face to face day attendance or video footage viewing required.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


PTY5102 - Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: Neonates and infants

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60013.

Synopsis

This unit will cover components of physiotherapy assessment and management options for neonates and infants with a range of conditions who present to physiotherapists. Aetiology and epidemiology of examples of conditions experienced by neonates and infants, and the physiotherapy role in evaluation of neonates and infants are described. An emphasis on establishing competence and confidence to work autonomously whilst identifying limits to own practice is stressed. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with a single face to face day at the conclusion of the unit. A selection of case studies drawn from the special care nursery, subacute and community settings will be used to explore learning outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the phases of neonatal neurological and respiratory development and the features of each developmental phase.
  2. Apply knowledge of typical neonatal and infant development to the clinical physiotherapy management of neonates and infants.
  3. Define the principles of developmental care and apply these to clinical practice with the neonatal population.
  4. Identify and analyse standardised outcome measures appropriate for assessment of the neonatal and infant population.
  5. Synthesise the multiple physiotherapy strategies available to address deviations from typical development in the neonatal and infant populations.
  6. Describe a comprehensive musculo-skeletal physiotherapy assessment of the newborn and the infant.
  7. Describe the management of common musculo-skeletal disorders of infancy
  8. Demonstrate sensitive and appropriate communication at all times when working with children, their parents/carers and other health care professionals.

Assessment

  • Online weekly quizzes (Summative) (35%)
  • Online exam (MCQ and short answers) (Summative) (20%)
  • Clinical guideline activity (1,000 words) (Summative) (15%)
  • Guided paediatric case study (2,000 words) (Summative) (30%)
  • Attendance requirement (face to face day, available also via video footage) (Hurdle)
  • Contribution to 4 x discussion boards (one per module as per unit guide instructions) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor (online delivery only, block mode), plus self-directed study time. An additional 8 hours of face to face day attendance or video footage viewing required.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


PTY5103 - Principles of paediatric physiotherapy

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60013.

Synopsis

This unit will introduce principles underpinning physiotherapy assessment and treatment for paediatric conditions. It will cover common assessment tools, principles of family-centred practice, and introduce age-appropriate interventions for infants and children. Case-based examples will illustrate key components of paediatric physiotherapy practice and facilitate the achievement of learning objectives. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify key milestones of motor development across infancy and childhood.
  2. Describe key elements of motor development during infancy.
    • Postural control
    • Transitions between postures
    • Acquisition of upper limb dexterity
  3. Identify and describe key elements of the acquisition of locomotion skill.
  4. Identify common causes of developmental motor delay.
  5. Critique some commonly applied tests of infant and child motor development.
  6. Analyse the key elements of family-centred practice.
  7. Describe key members of a multidisciplinary paediatric team and their roles.
  8. Formulate a treatment approach to facilitate motor skill acquisition in a child with developmental delay.

Assessment

  • Online quizzes x 3 (30%)
  • Online exam (MCQ and short answers) (1 hour) (20%)
  • Paediatric assessment tool activity (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Guided paediatric case study (2,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

40 hours interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor (online delivery only), additional self-directed study time.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


PTY5104 - Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: Complex and chronic conditions

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60013.

Synopsis

This unit will cover components of physiotherapy assessment and management options for children of all ages with a range of complex and chronic conditions. Aetiology and epidemiology of chronic and complex conditions experienced by paediatric clients, and the physiotherapy role in evaluation are described. An emphasis on establishing competence and confidence to work autonomously whilst identifying limits to own practice is stressed. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with a single face to face day at the conclusion of the unit. A selection of case studies drawn from acute, subacute and community settings will be used to explore learning outcomes.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the aetiology and pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, progressive neuromuscular disorders, burns and plastics and traumatic brain injury in the paediatric client.
  2. Critically analyse the key elements of physiotherapy assessment for chronic and complex conditions in the paediatric population.
  3. Identify and analyse standardised outcome measures appropriate for use in chronic and complex conditions in the paediatric population.
  4. Critically analyse the key elements of physiotherapy treatment for chronic and complex conditions in the paediatric population.
  5. Synthesise the evidence underpinning physiotherapy treatment selection for chronic and complex conditions in the paediatric population.

Assessment

  • 4 x secure online quizzes (45 minutes each) (35%)
  • Secure online examination (60 minutes) (20%)
  • Guided case study assignment (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Clinical guidelines assignment (1,000 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor and self-directed study time (online delivery only, block mode). An additional 8 hours of face to face day attendance or video footage viewing required.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


PTY5105 - Advanced physiotherapy clinical skills and project

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Physiotherapy

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Prue Morgan

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Adrienne Harvey

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

Prerequisites

MAP5003, PTY5100, and any two of PTY5101, PTY5102, PTY5104.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M60011, M60013.

Notes

Students must submit valid preclinical documentation, as listed in the course handbook, to Administration staff by the deadline specified and communicated to students. Failure to submit these mandatory documents may result in students being unable to complete the course.

Synopsis

This final unit will allow consolidation of advanced clinical practice. Skills in critical decision-making and clinical reasoning ability for the management of complex conditions will be emphasised.

Problem solving and advanced clinical skills within the context of client or family-centred practice will be explored.

Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with individually tailored clinical experiences.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify key performance characteristics of an advanced practice physiotherapist
  2. Interpret and relate theories supporting the physiotherapy management of relevant conditions.
  3. critically evaluate the evidence underpinning relevant physiotherapy practice, including identification of levels of evidence, systematic and narrative reviews
  4. demonstrate knowledge of multidisciplinary management in the context of client and/or family centred practice
  5. formulate and answer a clinical question exploring an issue in advanced physiotherapy practice
  6. develop and evaluate an intervention to address an issue in advanced physiotherapy practice
  7. Contribute and guide verbal and written discussion of individualised patient issues, with an advanced level of clinical reasoning
  8. communicate effectively and supportively with the multidisciplinary team, patient and family/carers, both written and verbally

Assessment

  • Professional portfolio (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Clinical practice journal (2,000 words) (25%)
  • Clinical evidence review activity (2,000 words) (25%)
  • Clinical project report (2500-3000 words) plus poster (400 - 600 words) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Contribution to 4 x discussion boards (Hurdle)
  • Attendance requirement (individualised clinical experience; >80%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor, plus an equal amount of self-directed study time. An additional up to 5 days of individualised clinical experience will be scheduled.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Physiotherapy

Paediatric physiotherapy


RAD4500 - Multislice CT and evidence based practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6001.

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of CT Radiography Practice and the Master of Radiography Practice. It extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of multislice computed tomography (CT) and the protocols and processing methods used to image the whole body. The physical principles underpinning 3-D volumetric imaging will be contextualised within the axial, SSH and MSH scanning modes/systems. The techniques for processing and visualising 3-D images will be critically analysed. The unit will describe the physical and mathematical principles related to multi-planar reformats, maximum intensity projection, slab maximum intensity projection, surface rendering or shaded surface display and volume rendering. Protocols, patient preparation and monitoring, positioning, post-processing techniques and dose optimisation related to CT biopsies, interventional CT, virtual endoscopy, and CT angiography will be described and evaluated from within an evidence-based framework. The unit will conclude with an introduction to image interpretation of the brain and CTPA and the application of quality assurance and quality control principles to multislice CT imaging.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the physical and mathematical principles of multi-planar reformats, maximum intensity projection, slab maximum intensity projection, surface rendering and volume rendering, and their significance to multislice CT imaging;
  2. Differentiate between axial, SSH and MSH scanning modes/systems, and describe how oversampling techniques are used in the collection, processing and visualisation of 3-D images;
  3. Select the appropriate CT protocol and post processing techniques including dose optimisation for core and fine needle biopsies; CT angiographic studies and virtual colonoscopies from within an evidence-based framework;
  4. Distinguish between normal and abnormal appearances CT brain and CTPA in the acute setting;
  5. Accurately implement the principles of quality assurance and quality control to multislice CT imaging.

Assessment

  • Online examination (90 minutes) (30%)
  • 2 x Advanced CT clinical case studies (1,500 words each) (50%)
  • Technical quality assurance and quality control report (1,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4501 - MRI imaging and evidence based practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6001.

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of CT Radiography Practice and the Master of Radiography Practice for students who are required to complete a 72 credit point Master's program. It extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of MRI and addresses safety and the protocols and processing methods used to image the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis and the knee and shoulder. The unit will introduce the student to the concept of evidence - based health care practice and how the principles apply to MRI radiography practice. The unit will examine the role played by the radiographer in the operationalization of safety principles within the MRI suite. Clinical indications and the preparation of the patient including the correct positioning methods for the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis, knee and shoulder will be addressed. The purpose of the common sequences used to image the specific organs and structures will be covered and students will learn how to select the most appropriate imaging protocol for the common sequences from within an evidence - based framework. The unit will enable students to recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of the common pathologies affecting the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis, knee and shoulder. The unit will conclude with an examination of the application of quality assurance and quality control principles to MRI imaging.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of evidence-based health care practice to the delivery of MRI imaging in the clinical context.
  2. Explain the role played by the radiographer in the application of safety principles within the MRI suite.
  3. Describe a range of clinical indications, patient presentations, patient preparation and positioning methods for MRI studies of the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis, the knee and shoulder.
  4. Select the appropriate MRI protocol and post processing techniques for MRI studies of the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis, the knee and shoulder from within an evidence-based framework.
  5. Recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of common pathologies affecting the brain, spine, upper abdomen, pelvis, the knee and shoulder.
  6. Accurately apply the principles of quality assurance and quality control to MRI imaging in the clinical context.

Assessment

  • 1 x Secure online MCQ examination covering the principles of MRI safety, sequence selection and imaging parameters (60 minutes) (20%)
  • 1 x Secure online image recognition and analysis examination (60 minutes) 20%)
  • 2 x Advanced MRI clinical case studies (1,500 words each) (40%)
  • 1 x technical quality assurance and quality control report (1,000 words) (20%)

Each element of assessment is a hurdle requirement for the unit.

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4502 - Principles of general radiography image interpretation

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Course:

Master of Advanced Medical Imaging Practice (Course Code M60014): OR

Master of Specialist Paramedic Practice (Course Code M6015): OR

Master of Emergency Health (Course Code 3878)

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of CT Radiography Practice and the Master of Advanced Medical Imaging Practice for students who are required to complete a 72 credit point Master's program.

It extends the knowledge students have in relation to imaging pathology into the field of image interpretation.

The unit will provide students with a detailed consideration of the psychophysics underpinning visual perception and the phenomenon of pattern recognition.

The unit will address the radiographic interpretation of skeletal disease and skeletal trauma and the chest and abdomen including issues around the complexity of interpreting the radiographic patterns associated with injuries to the spine.

The unit will provide the opportunity for students to reinforce their existing knowledge related to normal anatomy and normal variants and the growing bone and the mature skeleton on general radiographic images.

Finally, the unit will require students to reflect upon their current clinical decision making processes and extend these processes into the area of general radiography commenting and the concept of the radiographer health assessment.

This unit can also be offered as an elective to current Monash University students enrolled in a requisite Master's degree course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Distinguish between sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and interpretation error in relation to the interpretation of general radiographic images.
  2. Critically apply the knowledge of the psychophysics of vision to patterns seen in radiographic images of the skeleton, chest and abdomen.
  3. Apply a logical method to the radiographic evaluation of bones, soft tissues and joints of the skeletal system, chest and abdomen.
  4. Recognise the characteristics of the radiographic representation of common pathologies affecting the skeletal system, chest and abdomen.
  5. Create a series of evidence based radiographic comments related to the interpretation of general radiographic images.
  6. Exercise professional judgement in respect to delivery of general radiographic services.

Fieldwork

Students enrolled in this unit must be employed in a clinical or academic position with access to medical imaging.

Assessment

  • 3 x Online image recognition and analysis examinations (45 minutes each) (20% each) (60%)
  • 1 x iSAP Image Interpretation Case report (2,000 words) (25%)
  • 1 x Completion of a psychophysics assignment (1,500 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4503 - Magnetic resonance imaging: Physics, instrumentation and safety

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in the Bachelor or Radiation Science

Synopsis

The physics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presented, with particular application to clinical diagnostic imaging.

The unit covers the basic physics of magnetic dipoles and magnetic spin resonance, along with descriptions of the instrumentation common to all clinical imagers.

The factors that determine the contrast and spatial resolution achievable in MRI are discussed.

The free induction decay (FID) signal sampling and image reconstruction methods are reviewed, as are the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and image artefacts that typically occur in MRI. Patient and MRI staff safety issues posed by magnetic and radio frequency fields are presented, along with current issues posed by use of contrast agents.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Justify the physical design and operational requirements for a typical clinical MRI system
  2. Explain the imaging parameters that define the contrast sensitivity in MRI
  3. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of gradient and spin echo recovery techniques
  4. Present logical arguments for use of different contrast agents in clinical practice
  5. Justify the reasons for precautions that are taken in MRI to ensure staff and patient safety
  6. Recognise deficiencies in images, such as reconstruction artefacts, identify the cause of such problems, and implement strategies to correct or attenuate image artefacts

Assessment

  • Two secure online examinations (45 minutes each) (30%)
  • Technical quality assurance and quality control report (2,000 words) (25%)
  • Written assignment based on a set research topic (3000 words) (45%)

Hurdle Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

On-line delivery - course designed only for post graduate students.

There will be video clips and video-conferences available throughout the course to assist in directing students. Discussion forums will be initiated to further direct student outcomes.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4504 - Magnetic resonance imaging: Musculoskeletal system

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Michael Farrell

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RAD4503

Synopsis

This unit extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and addresses safety and the protocols and processing methods used to image the upper and lower extremity.

The unit will introduce the student to the concept of evidence - based health care practice and how the principles apply to MRI practice.

The unit will examine the role played by the practitioner in the application of safety principles within the MRI suite. Clinical indications and the preparation of the patient including the correct positioning methods for the upper and lower extremity will be addressed.

The purpose of the common sequences used to image specific structures will be covered and students will learn how to select the most appropriate imaging protocol for the common sequences from within an evidence - based framework.

The unit will enable students to recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of the common pathologies affecting the extremities.

The unit will conclude with an examination of the application of quality assurance and quality control principles to MRI imaging of the musculo-skeletal system.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Apply principles of evidence-based health care practice to MRI imaging in the clinical context
  2. Explain the role played by the practitioner in the application of safety principles within the MRI suite
  3. Describe a range of clinical indications, patient presentations, patient preparation and positioning methods for MRI studies of the extremities
  4. Select the appropriate MRI protocol and post processing techniques for MRI studies of the extremities from within an evidence-based framework
  5. Recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of common pathologies affecting the upper and lower extremity
  6. Apply the principles of quality assurance and quality control to MRI imaging in the clinical context

Fieldwork

Ideally this unit requires the student to have access to a clinical MRI machine and either observe or actively participate in MR examinations of the body areas being studied.

Assessment

  • Secure online examination (45 minutes) (15%)
  • Two secure online image recognition and analysis examinations (45 minutes each) (15% each = total 30%)
  • 2 x Advanced MRI clinical case studies (1,500 words each) (40%)
  • Technical quality assurance and quality control report (1,500 words) (15%) Hurdle + Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

On-line delivery - course designed only for post graduate students.

There will be video clips and video-conferences available throughout the course to assist in directing students. Discussion forums will be initiated to further direct student outcomes.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4505 - Magnetic resonance imaging: Head, spine abdomen and pelvis

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Michael Farrell

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RAD4503

Synopsis

This unit extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and addresses safety and the protocols and processing methods used to image the brain, spine, upper abdomen and pelvis.

The unit will introduce the student to the concept of evidence - based health care practice and how the principles apply to MRI practice.

Clinical indications and the preparation of the patient including the correct positioning methods for the brain, spine, upper abdomen, and pelvis will be addressed.

The purpose of the common sequences used to image the specific organs and structures will be covered and students will learn how to select the most appropriate imaging protocol for the common sequences from within an evidence - based framework.

The unit will enable students to recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of the common pathologies affecting the brain, spine, upper abdomen, and pelvis.

The unit will conclude with an examination of the application of quality assurance and quality control principles to MRI imaging of the brain and torso.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply principles of evidence-based health care practice to MRI imaging in the clinical context
  2. Explain the role played by the practitioner in the application of safety principles within the MRI suite
  3. Describe a range of clinical indications, patient presentations, patient preparation and positioning methods for MRI studies of the brain, spine, upper abdomen and pelvis
  4. Select the appropriate MRI protocol and post processing techniques for MRI studies of the brain, spine, upper abdomen and pelvis from within an evidence-based framework
  5. Recognise the characteristics of the MRI representation of common pathologies affecting the brain, spine, upper abdomen and pelvis
  6. Apply the principles of quality assurance and quality control to MRI imaging in the clinical context

Fieldwork

This unit requires the student to have access to a clinical MRI machine and either observe or actively participate in MR examinations of the body areas being studied.

Assessment

  • Secure online examination (45 minutes) (15%)
  • Two secure online image recognition and analysis examinations (15% each = total 30%) (30%)
  • 2 x Advanced MRI clinical case studies (1,500 words each) (40%)
  • Technical quality assurance and quality control report (1,000 words) (15%) Hurdle Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

On-line delivery - course designed only for post graduate students.

There will be video clips and video-conferences available throughout the course to assist in directing students. Discussion forums will be initiated to further direct student outcomes

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD4506 - Magnetic resonance imaging: Advanced imaging techniques

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Michael Farrell

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RAD4503

Synopsis

This unit extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and addresses safety and the protocols and processing methods used to complement clinical imaging.

The unit will introduce the student to advanced MR imaging techniques, including cardiac and cardiovascular imaging, functional MRI and interventional MRI.

The unit will examine, in detail, the role played by the practitioner in the application of safety principles within the MRI suite.

Clinical indications and the preparation of the patient including the correct positioning methods for clinical examinations will be addressed. Application of MR to research of brain and heart will be explored.

Basic image analysis and quantification methods will be described and the unit will conclude with an examination of the application of quality assurance principles to advanced MR imaging.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Conduct pre-scanning screening for advanced MR imaging of patients and research participants and provide clear instructions of the procedure prior to performing MRI scans to the expert stage of professional development, whilst being cognisant of complex safety issues including the use of contrast agents
  2. Correlate the appropriate MRI imaging sequence with the clinical indications for advanced clinical and research imaging
  3. Recognise and describe the MRI appearance of a range of anatomical structures and pathologies so the technical quality of clinical images may be evaluated
  4. Explain the use of quality assurance measures relevant to advanced MRI
  5. Identify on-going professional development needs in relation to MRI scanning in the cardiovascular, interventional and research setting
  6. Critically reflect upon the role of MRI in advanced health care practice

Assessment

  • Secure online examination (45 minutes) (15%)
  • Two secure online image recognition and analysis examinations (45 minutes each) (15% each = total 30%)
  • Clinical portfolio (3,000 words) (40%)
  • Technical quality assurance and quality control report (1,500 words) (15%)

Hurdle Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

On-line delivery - course designed only for post graduate students.

There will be video clips and video-conferences available throughout the course to assist in directing students. Discussion forums will be initiated to further direct student outcomes.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science


RAD5105 - Pathology for advanced medical imaging practice

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr Wendy MacLeod

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003.

Synopsis

This unit extends a radiographer's existing knowledge of gross pathology affecting the adult and paediatric patient.

The unit will address the current understanding of disease and mechanisms of trauma affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, abdominal and muscular skeletal systems.

Consideration will also be given to the way in which pathology affects normal physiology and the consequences this understanding has for the accurate interpretation of radiographic images including CT images.

Additionally the unit will provide an opportunity for radiographers to explore health problems observed in practice using a case-based approach.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast skeletal pathology and comment on their radiographic characteristics.
  2. Identify complex cardio/respiratory pathology demonstrated on radiographic and CT images
  3. Critically assess the aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation and complications of abdominal pathology and how imaging can aid in diagnosis.
  4. Critically apply knowledge of CNS pathologies to determine the differential diagnosis in CNS imaging

Assessment

  • 4 x Short Image Case Analysis (2.5% each, total=10%)
  • 4 x Image Analysis Assignments (10% each, total=40%)
  • 4 x online MCQ tests (2.5% each, total=10%)
  • 2 x Clinical Case Studies (20% each, total= 40%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 6 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 6 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5107 - Hybrid and molecular imaging

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr Matthew Dimmock

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003, RAD5105 and RAD5106, as well as one of RAD5108 or RAD5110.

Notes

You must have access to a PC with a minimum of 15GB spare hard disk space to be able to download and run the Virtual Machine that contains the software relevant to completing this course. Your PC must also be able to run the latest version of the VirtualBox software (https://www.virtualbox.org/).

Synopsis

This extends knowledge of the basic physical principles of molecular imaging and introduces the methodologies that underpin the advancements in hybrid imaging.

The unit will introduce the student to the current state-of-the-art in multi-modal 3-D volumetric imaging.

This imaging paradigm will be contextualised with respect to the different combinations of the individual imaging modalities and protocols which are combined to form hybrid images.

The CT, MRI, Ultrasound, SPECT and PET modalities will be discussed in detail, with particular attention paid to the technological advancements that have facilitated the development of fully-hybrid scanning geometries.

The techniques for processing and visualising 3-D images will be critically analysed.

The unit will describe the physical and mathematical principles related to image registration, segmentation and partitioning.

Aspects relating to patient positioning and monitoring for image enhancement and registration will also be discussed.

The unit will conclude with an examination of the application of quality assurance and quality control principles to the various modality combinations that constitute hybrid imaging.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate how the different combinations of the individual imaging protocols within hybrid imaging can be utilised to enhance disease diagnosis. The protocols of particular relevance include CT, MRI, Ultrasound, SPECT and PET.
  2. Differentiate between hybrid and multi-modal imaging and explain the challenges that arise in trying to align images both temporally and spatially.
  3. Explain the physical and mathematical principles of image registration, segmentation and partitioning.
  4. Identify and implement the appropriate multi-modal protocols to combine anatomical and functional imaging modalities for cardiovascular and oncological conditions within an evidence based framework.
  5. Accurately apply the principles of quality assurance and quality control to hybrid imaging.

Assessment

  • Open book applied image processing tasks (15%)
  • Open book medical imaging, multimodality & hybrid imaging tasks (30%)
  • Evidence based clinical application review (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Hybrid imaging quality assurance report (1,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 6 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 6 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5108 - Advanced general radiography image interpretation 1

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003, RAD5105, RAD5106.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon existing knowledge about the features of normal and abnormal radiographic images radiographers have acquired through previous study and clinical practice. The unit will require students to use verified methodologies to interpret radiographic images involving trauma, sport injuries, arthritic diseases and neoplasm affecting the appendicular and axial skeleton of adults and paediatric patients. Advanced knowledge of the biomedical management of trauma and disease together with a detailed understanding of the associated radiographic representation of these pathologies will enable students to provide informed and evidence based comments about their images. The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of image interpretation and provide the tools to better understand and address the issues prevalent in today's health care environment. The unit will contextualise the practice of radiographic image interpretation within the broader context of the health care system and analyse the inter-professional and collaborative mechanisms that lead to a broadening of practice boundaries.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the major features of the medical management of conditions affecting the appendicular and axial skeleton in the adult and paediatric patient.
  2. Critically apply knowledge of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, search error, detection error and interpretation error in the interpretation of radiographic images of the appendicular and axial skeleton in the adult and paediatric patient.
  3. Use knowledge of common and acute pathologies affecting the appendicular and axial skeleton in the adult and paediatric patient in the creation of a radiographic comment about the images produced to demonstrate these pathologies.
  4. Consistently apply a rigorous and defensible clinical decision making framework to the creation of radiographic commenting in relation to the interpretation of radiographic images of the appendicular and axial skeleton in the adult and paediatric patient.
  5. Contextualise radiographic decision-making within the broader framework of health services and inter-professional collaboration.

Fieldwork

Students enrolled in this unit must be employed in a clinical or academic position with access to medical imaging.

Assessment

  • 3 x Secure online tests (15% each) (45%)
  • 3 x Advanced radiography case studies (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Clinical portfolio (5,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5109 - Advanced general radiography image interpretation 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003, RAD5105, RAD5106, RAD5108.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon existing knowledge about the features of normal and abnormal radiographic images radiographers have acquired through previous study and clinical practice. The unit will require students to use verified methodologies to interpret radiographic images of general and more complex conditions including trauma affecting the chest and abdomen in adults and paediatric patients. Advanced knowledge of the biomedical management of trauma and disease together with a detailed understanding of the associated radiographic representation of these pathologies will enable students to provide informed and evidence based comments about their images. The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of image interpretation and provide the tools to better understand and address the issues prevalent in today's health care environment. The unit will contextualise the practice of radiographic image interpretation within the broader context of the health care system and analyse the inter-professional and collaborative mechanisms that lead to a broadening of practice boundaries.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the major features of the emergency medical management of conditions affecting the chest and abdomen in the adult and paediatric patient.
  2. Critically apply knowledge of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, search error, detection error and interpretation error in the interpretation of radiographic images of the chest and abdomen in the adult and paediatric patient.
  3. Use knowledge of common and acute pathologies affecting the chest and abdomen in the adult and paediatric patient in the creation of a radiographic comment about the images produced to demonstrate these pathologies.
  4. Consistently apply a rigorous and defensible clinical decision making framework to the creation of radiographic commenting in relation to the interpretation of radiographic images of the chest and abdomen in the adult and paediatric patient.
  5. Contextualise radiographic decision-making within the broader framework of health services and inter-professional collaboration.

Fieldwork

Students enrolled in this unit must be employed in a clinical or academic position with access to medical imaging.

Assessment

  • 2 x Secure online examinations (60 minutes each) (20% each) (40%)
  • 2 x Advanced radiography case studies (1,500 words each) (10% each) (20%)
  • Clinical portfolio (2,000 words) (40%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 6 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 6 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5110 - Advanced CT and clinical decision making 1

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003, RAD5105.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon existing knowledge radiographers have about modern multislice CT practice including dose reduction strategies and the need to tailor the CT protocol to the clinical indications.

The unit will require

radiographers to use verified methodologies to implement a range of advanced CT protocols and post-processing approaches when dealing with patients who present for cerebral and neurological CT examinations.

Radiographers will critically examine the evidence informed body of knowledge about CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP and effective dose, and implement dose minimisation techniques/strategies in adult and paediatric cerebral and neurological CT examinations.

The unit will address the issue of the widespread use of iodinated radiographic contrast media through an in-depth analysis of risks and benefits for the adult and paediatric patient presenting for CT.

The unit will teach radiographers best practice in relation to the production of high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images from images from brain and body perfusion, and CTA through the competent use of advanced workstations.

The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of image interpretation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, radiographers will be able to:

  1. Communicate an informed understanding of the principles of CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP and effective dose
  2. Implement dose minimisation techniques/strategies in clinical CT practice ;
  3. Critically apply knowledge of pharmacological principles of intravenous iodinated contrast media
  4. Critically assess risk factors and contraindications to the use of intravenous iodinated contrast media in advanced CT practice
  5. Analyse and refine CT pre-examination patient questionnaires
  6. Implement evidence based CT imaging protocols for brain and body perfusion studies based on clinical indications
  7. Provide high quality patient care while managing health service resources
  8. Produce and critically evaluate high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images from cerebral, neck, thoracic, abdominal, and extremity arteries CTA studies through the competent use of advanced workstations
  9. Communicate the CT appearances of a range of common vascular disorders
  10. Foster inter-professional collaboration through communication of CT risks, methodology and CT appearance of common pathology

Assessment

  • Secure online test (60 minutes) (10%)
  • Secure online test (90 minutes) (20%)
  • 3 x Advanced CT radiography case studies (1,500 words) (10% each) (30%)
  • Clinical portfolio (5,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5111 - Advanced CT and clinical decision making 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003, RAD5103, RAD5105, RAD5106, RAD5110.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon the first in a series of two advanced CT radiography practice units that incorporate clinical experience with evidence informed research into modern multislice CT

practice.

The unit will require radiographers to use verified methodologies to implement a range of CT protocols with paediatric patients in an adult imaging centre as well as advanced CT protocols and post-processing approaches with adult patients who present for lung analysis, cardiac CT studies and musculo-skeletal conditions where CT is the primary imaging modality.

Radiographers will critically examine the evidence informed body of knowledge about CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP, effective dose and implement dose minimisation techniques/strategies in lung analysis CT, cardiac studies and musculo-skeletal CT examinations.

The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of the delivery of contrast media in the examinations addressed in the unit and the creation of high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images through the competent use of advanced workstations.

Upon completion of this unit, Radiographers will be able to inform the multi-disciplinary team about technical aspects and normal and abnormal CT appearances of musculo-skeletal and lung CT examinations.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, radiographers will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate aspects of scanner design, techniques and protocols for imaging for the paediatric patient in an adult medical imaging setting.
  2. Apply the principles of CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP and effective dose and implement potential dose minimisation techniques/strategies in clinical CT practice in relation to CAD CT, cardiac studies, paediatric CT, Dual Energy CT and musculoskeletal CT

  3. Inform the inter-professional health care team of risks and benefits associated with radiographic contrast media in paediatric, trauma, cardiac and Dual Energy CT examinations.
  4. Implement evidence based CT imaging protocols for trauma, lung analysis, cardiac studies and musculo-skeletal examinations taking into account intravenous contrast requirement, clinical indications, patient care, healthcare resources and inter-professional collaboration.
  5. Produce and critically evaluate high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images from cardiac, and musculo-skeletal studies through the competent use of advanced workstations.
  6. Communicate the CT appearances of common musculo-skeletal and lung disorders.

Assessment

  • 2 x Secure online tests (60 minutes each) (15% each) (30%)
  • 2 x Advanced CT radiography case studies (15% each) (30%)
  • Clinical portfolio (2500 words) (40%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 6 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 6 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5112 - Advanced MRI and clinical decision making 1

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6001

Synopsis

This unit enables experienced MR practitioners to develop skills that will prepare them to assume leadership roles in regards to the provision of high quality MR clinical services within complex organisations. It will facilitate the integration of knowledge and skills developed in previous units and promote high level clinical decision making within an evidence based framework.

Students will critique current approaches and techniques for improving the quality and safety of MR practice and apply these approaches and techniques to developing evidence based plans and interventions to elements of modern MR practice of interest to them. By design this unit will promote the development of advanced clinical-decision-making skills and the capacity to work within multidisciplinary health care teams. The unit will provide the opportunity for students to negotiate and set personal learning goals in consultation with the unit coordinator and clinical mentor.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of evidence-based health care practice to the delivery of MRI imaging in the clinical context
  2. Identify and analyse patterns or trends related to quality of service, risks and safety both in the MR suite and across the profession.
  3. Critique approaches and techniques for improving the delivery of safe and effective MR services
  4. Plan an evidence based MR practice project that addresses a specific MR practice issue
  5. Apply contemporary approaches and techniques in developing plans and interventions for improving the delivery of high quality MR service
  6. Collect, analyse and synthesise information about the identified issues to inform changes to MR practice
  7. Recommend evidence based solutions to MR practice issues
  8. Create a scholarly report demonstrating the capacity to effect change to practice within a collaborative framework
  9. Communicate evidence based findings and recommendations to a wider professional audience

Assessment

  • Evidence based project plan (1,000 words) (10%)
  • 4 advanced clinical intervention case studies (1,000 words each) (40%)
  • Scholarly Report (4,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Case presentation in a mediated online discussion forum (10%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus - 12 hours per week for 12 weeks. No residential component is required. On-line delivery only for post graduate students.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging


RAD5113 - Advanced MRI and clinical decision-making 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Coordinator(s)

Dr Mark Strudwick

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

MAP5003

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in M6001

Synopsis

This unit builds upon existing knowledge radiographers have about modern MR practice including the need to tailor the use of MR protocols to oncology imaging.

The unit will require radiographers to use verified methodologies to implement a range of advanced MR protocols and post-processing approaches when dealing with patients who present for MR examinations specific to oncology diagnosis and followup.

Radiographers will critically examine the evidence informed body of knowledge about MR spectroscopy (MRS) as applied to research volunteers and cancer diagnosis in adult patients.

The unit will address the issue of the types of spectroscopic techniques used in current practice and being researched for future use in oncology.

The unit will require radiographers to investigate best practice in relation to the production of high quality research and diagnostic MR spectrograms through advanced hardware and software.

The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of interpretation of MRS.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Apply the principles of evidence-based health care practice to the delivery of MRI imaging in the clinical and research context.
  2. Explain the principles of MR spectroscopy.
  3. Implement and assist in the development of advanced MRS techniques, protocols and post-processing approaches for clinical and research applications.
  4. Describe a range of clinical indications, patient presentations, patient preparation and positioning methods for MRS studies in clinical and research.
  5. Assess and clearly communicate analyses from MRS studies.
  6. Analyse and refine MR pre-examination patient questionnaires.

Assessment

4 x advanced case studies (1,500 words each) (25% each = total 100%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus - 6 hours per week for 12 weeks. No residential component is required. On-line delivery only for post graduate students.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Radiography and medical imaging


RAD5201 - Emergency image interpretation 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Post graduate students only

Synopsis

This unit is an elective unit within the Master of Clinical Medicine (Emergency Medicine and Trauma specialisms).

The unit will examine the psychophysics of visual perception and the phenomenon of pattern recognition as a precursor to the development of sound radiographic image interpretation skills.

Students will be provided with opportunities to reinforce their existing knowledge of normal radiographic anatomy including skeletal variants in adults and children.

The unit will specifically develop interpretative skills in the assessment of radiographic images of common conditions affecting the long bones, girdles, cervical spine and chest within the trauma and emergency setting.

The unit will conclude with an introduction to the physical principles underpinning the generation of CT images of the head and neck and develop skills in the interpretation of these images.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Distinguish between sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in relation to the interpretation of radiographic images in the emergency and trauma context.
  2. Critically apply the knowledge of the psychophysics of vision to patterns seen in radiographic images of the long bones, girdles, spine and chest.
  3. Apply a logical method to the accurate interpretation of normal and abnormal radiographic images of the long bones, girdles, spine and chest acquired in the emergency and trauma context.
  4. Generate informed opinions about radiographic images of common conditions affecting the long bones, girdles, cervical spine and chest in the emergency and trauma context.
  5. Differentiate between the various projection modes used to generate multislice CT images of the head and neck.
  6. Accurately distinguish between normal and abnormal appearances on multislice CT images of the head and neck.

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in clinical positions within emergency and trauma hospital based contexts with access to medical imaging.

Assessment

  • Online imaging anatomy analysis and recognition examination (45 minutes) (20%)
  • 1 secure online examination (30 minutes) (15%)
  • 1 x online radiographic image interpretation examination (45 minutes) (20%)
  • 1 x online CT image interpretation examination (45 minutes) (20%)
  • Completion of a medical image portfolio (25 images and reports) (25%)

Hurdle Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

Off-campus, 6 hours teacher directed activities via Moodle learning management system. 6 hours of self-directed study in the clinical workplace.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RAD5202 - Emergency image interpretation 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Imelda Williams

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RAD5201

Synopsis

This unit is an elective unit within the Master of Clinical Medicine (Emergency Medicine and Trauma specialisms) and builds upon the knowledge of image interpretation developed in RAD5201.

The unit will provide the opportunity for students to reinforce their existing knowledge of sectional imaging anatomy of the head, chest and abdomen including vascular sectional imaging anatomy.

It will address the physical principles underpinning the generation of angiographic CT images and CT perfusion studies of relevance to the emergency and trauma setting. The unit will address current issues related to the use of contrast media in CT angiography and perfusion studies to inform subsequent analysis of images generated within the emergency and trauma setting.

The unit will also extend interpretative skills in the assessment of radiographic images in the trauma and emergency setting to include the abdomen and thoraco-lumbar spine.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the physical principles underpinning the generation of CT angiographic images including CT pulmonary angiography and CT perfusion studies of relevance to the emergency and trauma setting.
  2. Apply knowledge of the use of intravenous iodinated contrast media in CT angiography, CT pulmonary angiography and perfusion CT studies to the interpretation of these images generated in the emergency and trauma context.
  3. Differentiate between the bony, soft tissue and vascular structures the chest and thorax and the contents of the abdomen on sectional CT images.
  4. Apply a logical method to the interpretation of radiographic images of the abdomen and thoraco-lumbar spine acquired in the emergency and trauma context
  5. Accurately distinguish between normal and abnormal appearances on multislice CT images of the thorax and abdomen

Fieldwork

Students must be employed in clinical positions within emergency and trauma hospital based contexts with access to medical imaging.

Assessment

  • Secure online examination - sectional imaging anatomy recognition (45 minutes) (20%)
  • Secure online examination - advanced physical principles of CT and contrast media in CT (30 minutes) (20%)
  • CT image interpretation examination (45 minutes) (20%)
  • Medical image portfolio (25 images and reports) (25%)

Hurdle Requirement: Each element of assessment is a hurdle for this unit

Workload requirements

12 hours per week for 12 weeks including 6 hours of teacher directed learning and 6 hours of self-directed learning. No residential component is required. On-line delivery only.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

CT radiography

Medical ultrasound


RTP4101 - Professional issues in radiation therapy 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kellie Knight

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6001.

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy practice. The unit is designed to build on the undergraduate knowledge of medico-legal, ethical issues, communication and cultural competence as related to the practice of radiation therapy. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of health care regulation. Medico-legal principles relating to assault and negligence, and how these are applied to radiation therapy, will be studied and students will reflect on the impact of these in their own practice. In addition students will also examine current ethical theories and evaluate their applicability to the practice of radiation therapy. Whilst studying these topics, practitioners will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature, reflecting on their experiences from clinical practice to further develop and build their critical analysis skills.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appraise medico-legal principles and reflect on their application to clinical practice, describing how the system of health care is regulated in Australia;
  2. Explain in detail the laws relating to assault and negligence and relate these to radiation therapy practice;
  3. Analyse current ethical theories and how they relate to the practice of radiation therapy;
  4. Evaluate the role of principles-based ethics in radiation therapy;
  5. Appraise communication theories and describe how these apply to professional practice;
  6. Evaluate the perspectives related to cultural competence and describe their relevance to professional practice.

Assessment

  • 2 x Online examinations (30 minutes each) (20%)
  • Problem-based learning clinical action plan (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Reflective comparative report (2,000 words) (30%)
  • 3 x Reflective portfolio entries (500 words each) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTP4102 - Professional issues in radiation therapy 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Kellie Knight

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6001.

Notes

Please note, this unit has had the following change/s during 2017: amendment to unit coordinator.

For previous handbook information please contact the Faculty office.

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy practice. The unit is designed to build on the undergraduate knowledge of psychology and reflective practice. This unit will consist of two key themes, psychological responses to cancer diagnosis and treatment and reflective practice. In Theme 1 students will gain in-depth knowledge on the psychological theories relating to responses to cancer diagnosis, the effects of treatment, grief and death and dying. Students will be able to analyse and describe the cause, nature, presentation and course of psychological responses in people with cancer. Coping mechanisms will be evaluated for cancer patients along the life continuum. In Theme 2, the principles of reflective practice and how these are applied to radiation therapy practice will be studied. In addition, students will also evaluate the role of professional portfolios in documenting reflections and their value to evidencing continuing professional development.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe in detail the cause and nature of psychological/psychiatric problems in cancer patients.
  2. Analyse the presentation and course of psychological/psychiatric problems in people with cancer, reflecting on clinical practice.
  3. Evaluate coping mechanisms and adjustment disorders in radiation oncology patients.
  4. Critically analyse the theories of reflection and apply these in reflecting on practice.
  5. Appraise the role of reflective practice in enhancing patient care in radiation therapy.
  6. Demonstrate the role of reflective practice in a professional portfolio.

Assessment

  • 2 x Online examinations (30 minutes each) (20%)
  • Problem-based learning clinical action plan (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Reflective comparative report (2,000 words) (30%)
  • 3 x Reflective portfolio entries (500 words each) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTP4103 - Specialised techniques in radiation therapy

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Ms Catherine Osborne

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6001.

Synopsis

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy practice. It will demonstrate how the principles of evidence based health care practice apply to the specialised radiation therapy techniques of Tomotherapy, Proton Therapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic radiosurgery/radiation therapy equipment such as Cyberknife and Gammaknife. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the quality assurance and physical principles underpinning each of these specialized radiation therapy techniques. Analytical skills will also be developed in relation to the planning, treatment and verification processes for each technique. In addition, students will analyse novel dose and fractionation regimes with respect to radiobiological models.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Operationalize the principles of evidence based health care practice to the delivery of specialised radiation therapy techniques in the clinical context.
  2. Describe in detail the physical principles and equipment required to deliver a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
  3. Critically analyse the role that quality assurance and quality management systems play in the implementation and day-to-day use of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
  4. Appraise the planning and dosimetry principles for a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
  5. Evaluate and reflect on approaches to treatment delivery using a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
  6. Analyse the approaches to treatment verification for a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.

Assessment

  • Scientific essay (4,000 words) (50%)
  • 2 x Reflective Moodle discussion submissions (500 words each) (20%)
  • Individual structured oral presentation (20 minutes) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTP5101 - Patient care and assessment in radiation therapy

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This is the second core unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice. It is designed to meet the needs of Radiation Therapists seeking to extend their knowledge and skills in patient care, assessment and toxicity management. The unit will allow students to develop the skills to formulate strategies to assist in managing patient care and treatment compliance through communication and cultural competence. Students will critically evaluate the tools used to assess and monitor the condition of patients during their treatment course. Students will also analyse information management in relation to their current roles in supporting patients. The assessment and monitoring tools used in evaluating the effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment will be investigated and their application to radiation therapy practice appraised.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appraise the issues associated with information literacy and provision of information to cancer patients prior to, during and after radiation therapy
  2. Evaluate and reflect on communication theory relating to patient care, assessment and compliance with treatment
  3. Analyse the concept of cultural competence reflecting on how this may impact on patient care and management
  4. Explain the concept of emotional intelligence and describe how this can be used in patient care strategies
  5. Analyse the impact of cancer diagnosis and the effects of radiation therapy on quality of life
  6. Evaluate the tools which are used for the assessment of patient health, performance status, well-being and satisfaction
  7. Distinguish between the range of toxicity assessment tools used in radiation therapy and apply this to your current practice.

Assessment

  • Reflective analysis (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Report (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Evidence-based critical case analysis (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Comparative analysis (3,000 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Medical radiations and radiation therapy


RTP5102 - Current issues in radiation therapy and oncology

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Ms Catherine Osborne

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This foundation unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice is designed to meet the needs of Radiation Therapists seeking to advance their understanding and extend their knowledge of current issues which impact on radiation therapy and oncology service delivery. Workforce issues related to radiation therapy and oncology service delivery will be studied and students will evaluate the factors that impact on resource management. Students will study government policy, quality assurance systems, standards, and novel initiatives in relation to radiation therapy and oncology. Issues associated with rural and regional radiation oncology service delivery and cultural and demographic factors that affect utilisation of radiation oncology services will also be discussed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and synthesise the impact of a range of factors on radiation oncology service delivery with respect to your local context
  2. Critically evaluate current and future workforce issues with respect to your local context, reflecting on your professional experience
  3. Appraise the impact of cultural and other demographic factors on cancer control and radiation therapy utilisation
  4. Discuss government initiatives and policies in relation radiation oncology service delivery
  5. Evaluate national and international radiation therapy and oncology standards and reflect on your experience of implementation of standards in your clinical centre
  6. Explain quality assurance requirements in radiation therapy, reflecting on the impact of implementation of these on radiation therapy service delivery
  7. Appraise the barriers and enables to regional and rural radiation oncology service delivery
  8. Evaluate current and future factors impacting on resource management in radiation therapy service delivery with respect to your local context.

Assessment

  • Evidence-based business case (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Structured oral presentation (Individual) (20 minutes) (20%)
  • Critical reflection on the presentation (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Journal article (3,000 words) (25%)
  • Moodle discussion board posting (1,000 words) (10%)
  • 2 x Reflective evidence-based responses (500 words each) (10%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Medical radiations and radiation therapy


RTP5103 - Contemporary approaches to radiation therapy of the breast

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This is an elective unit in the Radiation Therapy stream of the Master of Advanced Health Care Practice. It is designed to build on the practitioners' knowledge and experience in radiation therapy of the breast. Students will extend their understanding of radiation therapy dose and fractionation schedules, localisation, planning, treatment and verification techniques for breast cancer. The unit will present the current issues facing radiation therapy planning and treatment of breast cancer, including the radiobiological rationale for contemporary and novel dose and fractionation schedules. Current and future approaches to irradiation of the breast will be appraised, with reference to the evidence base and reflections from clinical practice. Students will explore the use of multi-modality imaging in the planning and verification of breast cancer treatments.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the relationship between radiobiology and dose/fractionation regimes for breast cancer with respect to novel schedules, reflecting on issues associated with their implementation.
  2. Justify the selection of imaging modalities utilised in the diagnosis, planning and treatment verification of breast cancer.
  3. Analyse and reflect on current and novel radiation therapy planning techniques for breast cancer.
  4. Evaluate the emerging approaches to radiation therapy for breast cancer and reflect on the issues associated with implementation of these.
  5. Appraise side effects and their management in relation to radiation therapy of the breast and discuss the role of toxicity scoring tools in assessing these.
  6. Analyse patient care and management strategies for patients with breast cancer in relation to optimizing health and well-being during the course of radiation therapy.

Assessment

  • Literature review (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Clinical action plan (1,500 words) (20%)
  • 2 x Evidence-based reports (1,000 words each) (10%)
  • Responses to peer's planning report (500 words) (5%)
  • 2 x Evidence-based reports (1,000 words each) (10%)
  • Responses to peer's planning report (500 words) (5%)
  • Evidence-based critique (2,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Medical radiations and radiation therapy


RTP5104 - Advanced imaging for radiation therapy

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This elective unit is designed to meet the needs of Radiation Therapists seeking to extend their understanding of the principles and application of imaging techniques in clinical practice. Techniques such as such as image fusion and registration, image guidance and adaptive radiation therapy will be studied with a requirement for the student to reflect on clinical practice. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the imaging equipment used in pre-treatment and treatment imaging processes and critically reflect on its application in clinical practice. Students will be able to critically evaluate a range of issues associated with on-treatment imaging, quality assurance and accuracy and reproducibility.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse image fusion and registration techniques and equipment reflecting on their application to clinical practice.
  2. Evaluate contemporary approaches and convention related to volume delineation.
  3. Describe in detail the techniques and equipment used for pre-treatment imaging and on-treatment imaging and matching.
  4. Appraise and reflect on issues associated with the implementation multi-modality imaging in planning and treatment in your clinical centre.
  5. Analyse the rationale for employing image matching and adaptive radiation therapy protocols.
  6. Evaluate the role of quality assurance in relation pre-treatment and on-treatment imaging.

Assessment

  • Clinical action plan (1,500 words) and comparative reflective analysis (1,000 words) (20%)
  • Evidence-based imaging protocol (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Oral case presentation (Individual) (20 minutes) (30%)
  • Reflective peer review (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Written analysis of quality assurance in radiation therapy treatment imaging (2,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Medical radiations and radiation therapy


RTS4101 - Radiation therapy science 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Kealley
Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

RTS4102, RTS4103. Must be enrolled in Master of Medical Radiations or the Radiation Sciences stream of the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

Synopsis

The focus of this unit is an in-depth understanding of the key facets of radiation physics. Students will be able to define radiation and radioactive decay. Students will be able to describe in detail the interactions of radiation with matter, and explain how radiation is detected and measured. Students will gain an appreciation for the importance of radiation safety, and will be encouraged to critically reflect on the implications of radiation protection in their clinical experiences. Students will also be given an introduction to medical radiations instrumentation and techniques, with emphasis on the fusion of the conceptual theory with the practical applications. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature and their previous experiences of studying physics.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Define and calculate radioactivity, and describe in detail radioactive decay processes;
  2. Explain the scientific concepts involving the production and properties of ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the physical processes involved in the interactions of ionising and non-ionising radiation with matter;
  3. Discuss the principles of, and equipment used for, radiation detection and measurement;
  4. Describe the importance of radiation safety and analyse the techniques and engineering controls used in radiation protection;
  5. Recognise and describe the basic design features, operating principles and the quality assurance checks for medical radiation equipment;
  6. Describe the principles and practice of Radiation Treatment Planning.

Assessment

  • Narrated Infographic (20%)
  • Presentation (20%)
  • Mid-semester test (1 hour) (10%)
  • Written invigilated examination (2 hours) (50%) (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS4102 - Radiation therapy science 2

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Ms Catherine Osborne

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

RTS4101, RTS4103.

Synopsis

This unit is the first of three units dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation therapy planning and treatment. This unit will cover anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology of the: integumentary, female reproductive, male reproductive, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems. In addition students will also analyse and evaluate the principles of radiation therapy planning for metastatic disease and palliative care. Students will appraise and identify cross sectional and 3D anatomy from a range of imaging modalities including CT, MRI and PET. Students will gain in-depth knowledge on the molecular basis of cancer. Students will be able to analyse and describe cancer management strategies, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, and synthesis these with individual patient diagnosis and staging. This unit will introduce a series of professional issues; communication, ethics, patient care, cultural awareness and occupational health and safety as they relate to radiation therapy. Students will undertake a 1 week clinical orientation to allow for the development of beginner level professional and technical skills. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build their critical analysis skills.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe in detail the principles related to cancer biology, the molecular basis of cancer, familial cancers, and the metastatic and systemic effects of cancer.
  2. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to: male and female reproductive, integumentary, lower digestive, urinary and renal, and lower respiratory systems.
  3. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning, treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the male and female reproductive, integumentary, lower digestive, urinary and renal, and lower respiratory systems.
  4. Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems.
  5. Evaluate the role of surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and other management strategies used to treat malignancies.
  6. Appraise the influence of socio-cultural factors on patient attitudes and responses to radiation therapy.
  7. Describe and apply the principles of radiation safety, quality management, occupational health and safety and organisational policy related to radiation therapy practice.
  8. Analyse and synthesis communication principles and techniques related to radiation therapy practice.
  9. Evaluate the principles of multidisciplinary team working and apply these to radiation therapy practice.
  10. Describe the process of reflective practice and demonstrate critical reflection on experience.

Fieldwork

1 week of clinical orientation.

Assessment

  • Examination (3 hours) (50%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Two assignments (3,000 words each) (30%)

Hurdle:

  • All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit; and
  • Successful completion of the Clinical Orientation Workbook.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS4103 - Radiation therapy science 3

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Kealley
Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

RTS4101, RTS4102. Must be enrolled in Master of Medical Radiations or the Radiation Sciences stream of the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the action of ionising radiation on living things at the cellular level and the resulting effects on organs, tissues and the whole body. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge on the biological effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the mechanisms of repair to biological damage. Students will be able to describe the systemic and total body responses to early/late effects of radiation. Students will undertake a critical review on how the effects of radiation on biological tissue can be utilised in the practice of radiation therapy. Students will acquire an appreciation of the potential hazards present in different radiation therapy procedures, and focus on the principles of dose reduction, while maximising the information produced from a particular dose of ionising or non-ionising radiation. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the major bio-effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation and explain the severity and risks associated with these bio-effects;
  2. Discuss the known biological effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation on cells and tissues;
  3. Calculate the radiation dose, and appraise the current scientific theories relating to the risk associated with radiation dose;
  4. Explain the rationale used to determine the most appropriate procedure with regard to biological effects;
  5. Describe the modifications to procedural technique, required to maximise the benefit from a particular dose of ionising or non-ionising radiation;
  6. Outline the principles of radiation safety, protection and ALARA, and justify the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiations.

Assessment

  • Scientific Poster (20%)
  • Presentation (20%)
  • Critical Review (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Written invigilated examination (2 hours) (50%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS4104 - Radiation therapy principles and practice 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

BMA1011, BMA1012

Co-requisites

M20024 or M2013, RAD3002

Synopsis

This unit is the first of two units dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation therapy planning and treatment.

This unit explores the use of radiation therapy to treat metastatic disease.

The principles of patient centred interdisciplinary oncology are also discussed. The unit introduces the fundamental concepts related to radiation therapy planning and dosimetry, building on what the student learned in RTS2101 (Fundamentals of cancer and its management).

A systems-based approach will be used to deliver anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology of the; female reproductive and male reproductive systems.

For each of the cancers studied, radiation therapy planning and dosimetry and treatment will be explored. Patient care principles will be introduced together with alternate management strategies.

This unit will allow students to contextualise professional issues introduced in years 1 and 2 of the program such as; communication, ethics, patient care, cultural awareness and occupational health and safety as they relate to radiation therapy in the context of patient management in the radiation therapy centre.

This unit will include a 2 week clinical placement in a radiation therapy centre in planning or treatment. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build their critical analysis skills.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to the male and female reproductive systems
  2. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning and pre-treatment imaging techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the male and female reproductive systems.
  3. Critically analyse radiation therapy treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the male and female reproductive systems.
  4. Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems
  5. Analyse, apply and reflect on theories of human communication, empathy, occupational health and radiation safety of the working environment, within a professional standards and ethical/legal context
  6. Implement radiation therapy planning or treatment and patient management protocols across a range of patients and evaluate their efficacy at the level of a 'beginner/novice practitioner';

Fieldwork

Two weeks of clinical placement in a radiation oncology department.

Assessment

  • Planning or treatment case analysis (1,000 words) (20%)
  • iSAP clinical action plan and reflective analysis (3,000 words) (30%)
  • End of semester exam (2 hours) (40%)
  • Clinical skills assessment and workbook (10%)

Hurdle

  • 80% attendance at tutorials and lab sessions
  • Students must pass each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

1 hour lecture, and a 2 hour tutorial per week, 9 hours of self-directed interaction with Moodle based tasks, readings and activities per week and online support sessions.

Two weeks of clinical placement in a radiation oncology department.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS4105 - Radiation therapy principles and practice 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis.

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

RTS4104 Radiation therapy principles and practice 1

Co-requisites

M20024 or M2013

Synopsis

This unit is the second of two units dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation therapy planning and treatment.

The unit further builds on the fundamental concepts related to radiation therapy planning and dosimetry that students acquired in RTS4104.

A systems-based approach will be used to deliver anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology of the: integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems. For each of the cancers studied, radiation therapy management and patient care will be introduced together with alternate management strategies.

This unit will include a 2 week clinical placement in a radiation therapy centre in planning or treatment. This unit will allow students to contextualise professional issues introduced in year 1 and 2 of the program such as; communication, ethics, patient care, cultural awareness and occupational health and safety as they relate to radiation therapy.

Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build their critical analysis skills.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems
  2. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning and pre-treatment imaging techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems
  3. Critically analyse radiation therapy treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems.
  4. Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems
  5. Analyse, apply and reflect on theories of human communication, empathy, occupational health and radiation safety of the working environment, within a professional standards and ethical/legal context
  6. Implement radiation therapy planning or treatment and patient management protocols across a range of patients and evaluate their efficacy at the level of a 'beginner/novice practitioner';

Fieldwork

Two weeks of clinical placement in a radiation oncology department.

Assessment

  • Planning or treatment case analysis (1,000 words) (20%)
  • iSAP clinical action plan and reflective analysis (3,000 words) (30%)
  • End of semester exam (2 hours) (40%)
  • Clinical skills assessment and workbook (10%)

Hurdles

  • 80% attendance at tutorials and lab sessions
  • Students must pass each element of assessment to pass the unit

Workload requirements

1 hour lecture, and a 2 hour tutorial per week, 9 hours of self-directed interaction with Moodle based tasks, readings and activities per week and online support sessions.

Two weeks of clinical placement in a radiation oncology department.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5101 - Radiation therapy science 4

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright
Mrs Nabita Singh

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103, RTS5110.

Co-requisites

RTS5102, RTS5103.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to provide students with knowledge of the Australian health care system, medico-legal, ethical issues, and psychology as related to the practice of radiation therapy. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of health care regulation. Medico-legal and ethical principles relating to the practice of radiation therapy will be studied. Students will gain in-depth knowledge on the psychological theories relating to responses to a cancer diagnosis, coping, the effects of treatment, grief and death and dying. Students will be able to analyse and describe the cause, nature, presentation and course of psychological responses in people with cancer. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build their skills of critical analysis.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appraise medico-legal principles and reflect on their application to clinical practice, describing the Australian health care system and its regulation;
  2. Evaluate the laws relating to assault and negligence and relate these to radiation therapy practice;
  3. Analyse and reflect on ethical theories, including principles-based ethics, and how they relate to the practice of radiation therapy;
  4. Critically appraise the legal and ethical issues related to dealing with patients with special needs;
  5. Analyse the cause and nature of psychological/psychiatric responses in cancer patients;
  6. Examine coping mechanisms and adjustment disorders in radiation oncology patients in a culturally competent manner.

Assessment

  • Examination (2 hours) (50%)
  • Two written word assignments (2,000 words each) (50%)

Hurdle:

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5102 - Radiation therapy science 5

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Kealley
Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103, RTS5110.

Co-requisites

RTS5101, RTS5103.

Synopsis

This unit covers advanced medical radiations physics with a specific focus on image formation and instrumentation. Students will gain an in-depth conceptual understanding of the instrumentation used for each of the diagnostic imaging modalities. Students will undertake a critical review of the physical properties responsible for image formation. Students will acquire an appreciation of the Image Registration process and the importance of combination imaging in radiation therapy. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge in the underlying theory and corresponding advancements in clinical radiation therapy instrumentation. Students will apply this knowledge in a critical review of advanced radiation therapy techniques.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Illustrate the principles of operation and image formation of CT, PET, MRI and Ultrasound modalities reflecting on their use in radiation therapy;
  2. Discuss Image Registration and evaluate the advantages gained from combination imaging;
  3. Describe the scientific concepts and analyse the clinical applications of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy;
  4. Evaluate the principles of Image-Guided Radiotherapy, describing the instrumentation and equipment used;
  5. Appraise the advanced techniques of radiation therapy including Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Brachytherapy.

Assessment

  • Scientific poster with narration and audio (20%),
  • Presentation (20 minutes) (20%),
  • Critical review (1,000 words) (10%),
  • Written invigilated examination (2 hours) (50%) (hurdle)

Hurdle Requirement: To pass this unit, students must:

  • Achieve a combined mark of 50% or more of the available marks for the Scientific Poster, Presentation and Critical Review assessments.
  • Achieve 50% or more of the available marks for the written examination.
  • Students must pass the exam to pass the unit.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5103 - Radiation therapy science 6

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Ms Catherine Osborne

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103, RTS5110.

Co-requisites

RTS5101, RTS5102.

Synopsis

This unit is the second of three units dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation therapy planning and treatment. This unit will cover the: loco-motor, lymphatic, cardio-vascular, and haematological systems. In addition students will also analyse and evaluate the principles of quality assurance and how they relate to the practice of radiation therapy. Students will gain in-depth knowledge on the role applications of image verification in radiation therapy treatment delivery. Students will be able to analyse and evaluate radiation therapy beam modification devices and planning evaluation tools. This unit includes one week of clinically oriented simulated learning and a four week clinical placement that will allow students to develop further clinical and professional skills to a beginner/intermediate beginner level. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to: loco-motor, lymphatic, and cardiovascular systems.
  2. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning, treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards, the evidence-base and personal reflections for: the loco-motor, lymphatic, and cardiovascular systems and demonstrate beginner level planning, treatment and verification procedures for a range of diagnoses.
  3. Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems, demonstrating the provision of beginner level multi-disciplinary patient care, management, communication and professional skills for a range of patients.
  4. Describe the process of how 3D datasets are generated and evaluate the clinical use of 3D images for planning and verification.
  5. Describe in detail and apply the principles of radiation safety, quality management, occupational health and safety.
  6. Appraise protocols, procedures and legal requirements used for incident reporting.
  7. Appraise the imaging modalities used for treatment verification and demonstrate beginner level image matching.
  8. Analyse and synthesis the principles and clinical applications of plan evaluation tools, demonstrating beginner level use of these.
  9. Evaluate the rationale for use of beam modification accessories.
  10. Describe and discuss effective and respectful working collaborations with the multi-disciplinary team.

Fieldwork

4 weeks clinical placement + 1 week clinically oriented simulated learning.

Assessment

  • Examination (3 hours) (50%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (10%)
  • Two assignments (3,000 words each) (30%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Hurdle:

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5104 - Radiation therapy science 7

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Ms Catherine Osborne

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103, RTS5101, RTS5102, RTS5103, RTS5110.

Co-requisites

RTS5105, RTS5120.

Synopsis

This unit is the third and final unit dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation therapy planning and treatment. This unit will cover paediatric radiation therapy along with the central nervous, upper digestive, upper respiratory, endocrine systems, and organs of special sense. Students will analyse 3D imaging datasets, CT, MRI and PET and describe how they relate to individual patient management. Students will gain knowledge on the role and clinical applications of brachytherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, tomo-therapy and proton therapy. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to paediatric tumours, upper respiratory, upper digestive, endocrine, central nervous systems, and organs of special sense.
  2. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning, treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards, the evidence-base and personal reflections for the above tumour groups.
  3. Evaluate with reference to the evidence-base and personal reflections acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems.
  4. Appraise the role of CT, MRI, PET and Ultrasound imaging for diagnosis, radiation therapy planning and treatment verification.
  5. Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to evaluate images for radiation therapy patients.
  6. Describe in detail brachytherapy principles, protocols, and techniques.
  7. Synthesis the principles and clinical applications of specialist radiation therapy techniques, including radiosurgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, tomo-therapy, and proton therapy.
  8. Demonstrate critical reflection on practice.

Assessment

  • Examination (3 hours) (50%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Two assignments (3,000 words each) (30%)

Hurdle:

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5105 - Radiation therapy science 8

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright
Dr Kellie Knight

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

RTS5104, RTS5120.

Synopsis

The unit introduces students to the principles and practice of evidence-based practice and research. Students will gain in-depth knowledge on research methods. Students will be able to analyse and describe quantitative and qualitative research designs, and demonstrate how to apply these to the field of radiation therapy. Different methods of data collection, analysis, interpretation, communication and subsequent critique of the findings will be presented. The unit will allow an in-depth exploration of the evidence-based practice paradigm and students will demonstrate how research findings can influence patient care and management in radiation therapy. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature, reflecting on their experiences from clinical practice to further develop and build their skills of critical analysis.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the role of research in radiation therapy, reflecting on experiences in clinical practice.
  2. Appraise the scope of research conducted in radiation therapy, radiation oncology and related disciplines.
  3. Evaluate different methods of knowledge acquisition; analysing and synthesising the moral, ethical and legal responsibilities of research.
  4. Describe in detail the key concepts, methods and different approaches used in qualitative and quantitative research design.
  5. Appraise evidence and research findings relevant to radiation therapy.
  6. Define evidence based practice and evaluate its implications for health care delivery in radiation therapy.

Assessment

  • Research plan (2,000 words) (40%)
  • Evidence based literature review (4,000 words) (60%)

Hurdle:

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5110 - Radiation therapy science and practice 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Summer semester A 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103.

Synopsis

This clinical unit consists of 2 weeks of clinically oriented simulated learning and 8 weeks of clinical placement experience. This will allow students to begin developing both their technical and professional skills within the field of radiation therapy. This unit will also provide students with the opportunity to practice infection control, occupational health and safety, radiation safety; communication and administrative skills. Students will demonstrate the characteristics of a beginning reflective practitioner.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse, apply and reflect on theories of human communication, empathy, occupational health and radiation safety of the working environment, within a professional standards and ethics context;
  2. Record and obtain information from individuals employing appropriate observation and interviewing skills, such that the information generated may be integrated with advanced scientific theory and knowledge to provide quality levels of patient care;
  3. Apply the principles of anatomy pathophysiology and radiation oncology in the radiation therapy clinical environment, critically reflecting on these for individual patient cases;
  4. Critically reflect upon multi-disciplinary radiation therapy practice and identify on-going professional development needs with respect to planning, treatment and patient management;
  5. Implement radiation therapy planning, treatment and patient management protocols across a diverse range of patients and evaluate their efficacy at the level of a 'beginner/novice practitioner';
  6. Evaluate the principles of palliative care, reflecting on patient management strategies in the radiation oncology palliative care sector.

Fieldwork

8 weeks clinical placement + 2 weeks clinically oriented simulated learning.

Assessment

  • Four case reports (50%):
    1. Communication case report (500 words)
    2. Empathy case report (500 words)
    3. Treatment case report (1,000 words)
    4. Planning case report (1,000 words)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)
  • Written assignment (2,000 words) (40%)

Hurdle:

  • All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit; and
  • Successful completion of Professional Practice Portfolio.

Workload requirements

8 weeks clinical placement + 2 weeks clinically oriented simulated learning.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


RTS5120 - Radiation therapy science and practice 2

0 points, SCA Band 2, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Coordinator(s)

Dr Caroline Wright

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 to First semester 2019 (Off-campus Day)

Prerequisites

RTS4101, RTS4102, RTS4103, RTS5101, RTS5102, RTS5103..

Co-requisites

RTS5104, RTS5105.

Synopsis

This unit is a period of professional clinical experience undertaken in the workplace to enable students to develop competency. Students will practice under the supervision of qualified staff, and a clinical workbook will be provided to enable students to document their professional and technical development.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply their knowledge to the practice of Medical Radiations;
  2. Demonstrate initiative, problem solving and decision making skills;
  3. Act in a responsible, safe and ethical manner and apply these principles to practice;
  4. Complete specified tasks and procedures within appropriate time frames;
  5. Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, carers and members of the health care team;
  6. Incorporate the evidence based paradigm into their practice;
  7. Recognise the limitations of their knowledge and experience and seek advice when required;
  8. Practice their profession at the level of the competent practitioner.

Fieldwork

44 weeks of continuous clinical placement.

Assessment

Hurdle:

  • Pass each end-of-semester final clinical skills assessment and portfolio submission
  • Pass the end of year clinical moderation in planning, treatment and professional reflection.

Workload requirements

44 weeks of continuous clinical placement.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON4000 - Physics of medical ultrasound and instrumentation

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course M6005.

Synopsis

This unit addresses scientific and technical principles of diagnostic ultrasound and the scanning modes. The fundamentals of ultrasound transducers, continuous-wave and pulse-wave high frequency sound, A-mode, M-mode and B-mode diagnostic ultrasound scanning, the Doppler effect, spectral Doppler, colour and power Doppler and associated instrumentation are introduced. Recent developments in harmonic imaging and the use of contrast agents are presented. Safety issues are also covered including an understanding of bio-effects and bio-hazards. Students will develop skills in the recognition of image artefacts, the implementation of a quality assurance program and in optimising image quality.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate and communicate a broad and critical conceptual understanding of:

  1. ultrasound production, propagation and tissue interactions and the focusing and steering of ultrasound beams;
  2. the instrumentation, performance and use of A-mode, real-time B-mode and M-mode scanning in ultrasound practice;
  3. the Doppler effect and Doppler modes used in diagnostic ultrasound to image vascular flow including spectral, colour and power modes;
  4. image quality, relevant image processing, the recognition of artefacts and instrument calibration;
  5. safety issues in medical ultrasound, bio-effects and potential bio-hazards;
  6. advances in harmonic imaging the use of contrast agents and future trends on transducer technologies.

Assessment

  • Pearson secure online exam (1 hour) (25%)
  • Written exam (2 hours) (55%)
  • Assignment (2,000 words) (20%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in the combined written examination and Pearson secure online exam tasks.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON4010 - Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Must be enrolled in course 3433.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code M6005.

Synopsis

This unit initially explores the main stages of embryonic development and then addresses specific systems such as the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system in more detail. The second major component addresses the gross, regional and sectional anatomy of the thyroid, abdomen and pelvis, the vascular, musculoskeletal, hepatobiliary and genitourinary systems along with examples of pathophysiology relevant to medical ultrasound. A key component throughout this unit is the development of image evaluation skills in relation to the cross-sectional, coronal and sagittal display of these structures and their surrounding regional anatomy.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and explain the major stages of embryology, and the specific embryonic development of the digestive, genitourinary, and central nervous system;
  2. Describe and identify the normal structure and function of the vascular system, and explain common vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and deep vein thrombosis and their risk factors and symptoms;
  3. Describe the musculoskeletal system in general, explain the anatomy and relevant pathophysiology of the shoulder and knee in detail, and identify normal anatomy;
  4. Identify regional abdominal anatomy, including cross-sectional anatomy, and explain the pathophysiology of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas;
  5. Describe the normal anatomy, physiology and common pathologies of the thyroid and breast, and identify normal anatomy;
  6. Identify regional pelvic anatomy, including cross-sectional anatomy, and explain the pathophysiology of the urinary and reproductive systems.

Assessment

  • Pearson secure online exam (1.5 hours) (40%)
  • Written exam (1.5 hours) (40%)
  • Assignment (2000 words) (20%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in the combined written examination and Pearson secure online exam tasks.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5000 - Ultrasound research

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

Graduate Diploma units (SON4000, SON4010, SON5020, SON5021, SON5022, SON5023, SON5024, SON5025) and SRH5003.

Synopsis

The unit aims to facilitate the process of research in medical ultrasound. Firstly, the unit will extend the knowledge and understanding of research methodology gained in the research methods unit and additionally focus attention upon a range of practical, technical and management issues associated with the conduct of scientific research. The unit will facilitate student access to academics or clinicians offering projects and who will support the student during all stages of the inquiry process.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will have gained knowledge and understanding of the research process; an increased capacity to critically appraise the literature; a capacity to apply research findings to their clinical practice; a capacity to communicate research findings to the wider community; and an enhanced capacity to extend the critical, ethical and creative research stance to their everyday clinical practice.

They will:

  1. Gain greater insight into the worthiness of the ultrasound and medical literature and the veracity of new knowledge as it applies to clinical practice;
  2. Gain experience in identifying research problems in medical ultrasound and developing a research plan that will assist in the resolution of the research question;
  3. Develop knowledge and understanding of the practical, technical and management issues associated with the design and conduct of a research project;
  4. Gain experience in identifying ethical aspects of a research project and the subsequent process of gaining Ethics Approval;
  5. Develop skills in applying a particular research method to the resolution of a research question;
  6. Develop skills in logical and critical thought and analysis;
  7. Develop skills in the process whereby the development of new knowledge and understanding can be communicated in a coherent manner to a wider professional audience;
  8. Gain skills in self organisation in terms of the completion of a project within a set time frame; and
  9. Develop the capacity to extend the critical, ethical and creative stance to the clinical setting.

Assessment

  • Literature and research plan (5,000 words) (25%)
  • Reflective research diary (2,000 words) (5%)
  • Oral presentation (15 minutes) (10%)
  • Research report (4,000 words) (60%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must submit all assessment tasks and obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in the research report.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5020 - Sonographic professional skills and sonography of the breast and thyroid

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

The initial component introduces key principles of medicolegal practice, medical ethics and professional communication. In the second part of the unit, the breast and thyroid are used as exemplars to relate these principles to the practice of medical ultrasound. Sonographic scanning methods and techniques for examinations of the breast and thyroid will be introduced, information gathering techniques and the elements of a clinical history will be discussed, interpretational skills in respect to the recognition of the sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants and disease processes affecting the breast and the thyroid will be developed.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. interpret, compare and explain the key principles of medical law, medical ethics and the control of infection;
  2. identify and describe potential medico-legal and ethical situations arising from sonographic practice and the communication of sonographic findings to patients, radiologists or sonologists and referring medical practitioners;
  3. apply information gathering techniques, summarize information and record a clinical history;
  4. perform routine sonographic examinations of the breast and thyroid safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
  5. identify and describe normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the breast and thyroid and related artefacts;
  6. recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and describe the limitations of ultrasound in regards to imaging the breast and thyroid.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)
  • Reflective journal (25%) consisting of Journal Part A Medico legal. 1500 words (15%), and Journal Part B Ethics. 1000 words (10%)
  • 2 x Clinical assignments (1,000 words (10%) each)
  • Written examination (1 hour) (30%)
  • Image recognition examination (30 min) (15%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

Hurdle Requirement: Minimum clinical experience (as demonstrated by case numbers) is a requirement for professional course accreditation with the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5021 - Sonographic abdominal imaging

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods and standard protocols related to examinations of adult liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, spleen, retroperitoneum, abdominal wall and related vascular structures. The scientific principles underpinning tissue harmonic imaging and use of contrast agents in abdominal sonography. Interpretational skills in respect to recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants, disease processes and ability to modify standard sonographic approaches with regards to the clinical question and patient presentation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify, describe and justify the selection of protocols, imaging parameters, equipment and transducers for sonographic examinations of the upper abdomen;
  2. perform routine sonographic examinations of the upper abdomen safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer:
  3. identify and describe normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the organs and structures in the upper abdomen and related artefacts;
  4. recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and describe the limitations of ultrasound in regards to imaging the upper abdomen;
  5. implement Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate in upper abdominal ultrasound imaging;
  6. explain the application of contrast agents and tissue harmonic imaging in abdominal sonography, and describe and implement quality assurance principles in abdominal imaging.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5022 - Sonographic imaging of the reproductive system

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods, standard protocols and interpretational skills for recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants and disease processes associated with the female pelvis, the scrotum and its contents. Appreciation of when to modify standard approaches to the clinical question and patient presentation and recognise limitations of ultrasound in relation to other medical imaging and laparoscopic examinations of the reproductive system.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify, describe and justify the selection of imaging parameters, equipment and transducers, infection control measures and consent protocols for sonographic examinations of the female pelvis and the scrotum;
  2. perform routine transabdominal and transvaginal scanning of the female pelvis and routine sonographic examinations of the scrotum safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
  3. identify and describe the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the male and female reproductive systems and related artefacts;
  4. recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and describe the limitations of ultrasound in regards to imaging the male and female reproductive systems;
  5. implement Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate in ultrasound imaging of the male and female reproductive systems;
  6. describe and implement quality assurance principles to sonographic imaging of the male and female reproductive systems.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • 2 x 1,500 words assignments (30%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5023 - Obstetric sonography

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

Review of human genetics, pregnancy and human development. Scanning methods/techniques including transabdominal, transvaginal, transperineal related to sonography of the 3 trimesters of pregnancy, evaluation of ectopic pregnancy and assisted fertilisation techniques. Ethical principals re-examined in light of this medical speciality. Ultrasound of multiple pregnancies, obstetric ultrasound interventional techniques, sonographic assessment of gestational age and growth and use of ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies and diagnosis of foetal death in utero. Physical principles of visualising surfaces in 3D and their applications for obstetric ultrasound.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify, describe and explain fetal and placental development, circulation and anomalies;
  2. describe and explain the genetics, indications and use of ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies and the application of ethics in obstetric ultrasound examinations;
  3. describe and explain appropriate sonographic imaging techniques to demonstrate normal embryonic processes and pathology visible in the first trimester, including ectopic pregnancy, normal and abnormal feto-placental anatomy;
  4. assess gestational age and growth in the second and third trimesters and growth disorders in the third trimester;
  5. implement the knowledge and interpretative skills gained in this unit to perform routine transabdominal, transvaginal and transperineal sonographic examinations involving the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters in both single and multiple pregnancies safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer*
  6. recognise and describe placental abnormalities and foetal death, normal embryonic processes and pathology visible in the first, second and third trimesters.

    * The level of the competency obtained will be dependent on access to obstetric ultrasound clinical experience. There is provision to perform to a lower standard (advanced beginner) as many students now have limited or restricted access to ultrasound practice.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5024 - Musculoskeletal, neonatal and paediatric sonography

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods and standard protocols related to examinations of the musculoskeletal system and paediatric brain, hips and abdomen. Interpretational skills in respect to recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants, disease processes and the ability to modify standard sonographic approaches with regards to the clinical question and patient presentation. Particular attention will be paid to the principles of neonatal and paediatric patient care.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify, describe and justify the selection of imaging parameters, equipment and transducers, infection control measures and consent protocols for sonographic examinations of the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen;
  2. perform routine sonographic examinations of the shoulder and/or paediatric kidneys safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
  3. identify and describe the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen and related artefacts;
  4. recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and explain the limitations of ultrasound in regards to imaging the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen;
  5. implement Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate in musculoskeletal and paediatric ultrasound imaging;
  6. describe and implement patient care and quality assurance principles to sonographic imaging.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of the requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SON5025 - Sonographic vascular and postoperative imaging

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Michal Schneider

Coordinator(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods, techniques and protocols related to selected examinations of the cardiovascular system. Gross anatomical structure and function and relevant pathophysiological disorders associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems. Interpretational skills in respect to artefacts and the sonographic appearances of the examinations addressed will be gained. The process of organ rejection and the role of ultrasound in the postoperative evaluation of liver and renal transplants. Quality assurance, sonographic measurement techniques, the utilisation of specific duplex modalities and the use of stents and grafts in vascular surgery.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify, describe and justify the selection of imaging parameters, and equipment, as well as patient care and quality assurance principles for vascular, transplant and postoperative ultrasound examinations;
  2. perform routine vascular ultrasound examinations, including functional measurements of selected vessels of the cardiovascular system to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
  3. identify and describe the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the upper and lower limb venous and arterial systems and carotid and vertebral arteries on ultrasound images and related artefacts;
  4. recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and explain the limitations of ultrasound in regards to vascular and transplant imaging;
  5. Explain, justify and implement the use of Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques in vascular imaging and the assessment of blood flow and organ perfusion;
  6. describe and explain the gross structure and pathophysiological processes including organ rejection associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

  • Compulsory attainment of the requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
  • 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
  • Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
  • Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
  • Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SRH5000 - Health and health care planning for communities

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Rural Health

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Shane Bullock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Anton Isaacs

Not offered in 2018

Prohibitions

SRH3001.

Synopsis

In this unit, students will explore how communities are defined as groups of individuals connected by common attributes.

These attributes can include, but are not limited to, geography, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, socio-economic status, age, family, and family structure.

Students will learn how to locate and employ data to describe community characteristics including measures of health, the various health services available to the community, and any health-service gaps.

Students will also examine the principles of Burden of Disease and how it impacts on health outcomes and service planning.

Finally, students will translate this knowledge, devising a plan to address health needs and service deficiencies of a community of interest.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the characteristics, health advantages and risks associated with different communities.
  2. Access and analyse data to develop a community profile.
  3. Apply the principles of 'Burden of Disease' (BoD) as it relates to different communities.
  4. Critically examine a major health deficiency in a community of interest.
  5. Develop a plan to address the health needs and health service deficiencies in a community of interest.

Assessment

  • Community definitions and profile (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Burden of disease analysis (2,000 words) (35%)
  • Strategic plan (2,500 words) (35%) (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SRH5001 - Research methods for health

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Rural Health

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Shane Bullock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Keith Sutton

Unit guides

Offered

Moe

  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Prohibitions

SRH5003.

Synopsis

This unit is an introduction to health care research.

Students will learn how to formulate research questions, examine different research methodologies and critically appraise a research study.

Students also learn how to search for and review literature and formulate a research question that addresses a gap in the evidence.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Discriminate between research methods and determine their applicability to health care research.
  2. Formulate a research question which is appropriate for the evidence gap.
  3. Develop a research design that is appropriate to the research question.
  4. Critically appraise research reports;
  5. Undertake a literature search and synthesis of a topic area within health care.

Assessment

  • Case Study 1 - Qualitative Research Question & Design (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Case Study 2 - Quantitative Research Question & Design (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Critical Appraisal of a Research Paper (900 words) (10%) (hurdle)
  • Literature Search & Proposed Research Question (1,500 words) (30%) (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SRH5003 - Designing and conducting health research

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Rural Health

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Shane Bullock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Melinda Goodyear

Unit guides

Offered

Moe

  • First semester 2018 (Online)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prohibitions

SRH5001 and SRH5032.

Synopsis

This unit is an introduction to research methods used in health research.

It aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge of research design and methods used in undertaking research, and the practical skills to conduct their own research.

Students will develop skills in formulating research questions, searching the literature for evidence, identifying and understanding the components of rigorous research design, appropriate data collection and analysis techniques, and ensuring research is conducted in an ethically and culturally sensitive manner.

By the end of the unit, student will have the necessary knowledge and skills to initiate their own research project as the basis for a minor thesis, or to conduct a research project within their workplace.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically differentiate between research traditions and methods;
  2. Undertake a search and synthesis of the research literature and critically appraise the findings;
  3. Formulate a research question that addresses an evidence gap in the health care literature;
  4. Articulate the ethical considerations in promoting ethical conduct in health research;
  5. Design a research project that includes a method appropriate to the research question;
  6. Formulate a research protocol that is rigorous and feasible;
  7. Communicate the use of research as a basis for decision-making in health care policy & practice;
  8. Explain and apply the principles of academic integrity when conducting research.

Assessment

  • Web based quizzes (MCQ) (1 hour) (10%)
  • Literature review (3,000 words) (30%)
  • Research question discussion forum (250 words) (hurdle)
  • Research proposal presentation (20 mins and 1000 words) (30%)
  • Ethical considerations (1,500 words) (20% (hurdle)
  • Reflection exercise (1,000 words) (10% ) (hurdle)
  • Research Integrity Module (2 hours) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

For this distance education unit, students are expected to undertake their work during private study time. Students will be expected to log onto Moodle on a regular basis for announcements and updates.

Students will need to undertake readings (available via Moodle) and view online materials (e.g. PowerPoint/audio/visual material).

Students will also be required to undertake regular formative activities. Students will be required to undertake all assessment activities as these are all hurdle requirements to ensure that all learning objectives are covered. The assessments will require preparation ranging from readings, writing and undertaking online activities (quizzes and forum discussions).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SRH5032 - Applied research for health practitioners

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Rural Health

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Shane Bullock

Coordinator(s)

Dr Eleanor Mitchell

Unit guides

Offered

Moe

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prerequisites

SRH5001 (only conditional to Master of Mental Health Science Students).

Prohibitions

SRH5003.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to support in the preparation for the independent research project.

The unit will facilitate the capacity to translate thoughts and interests around health care into a sound research project by undertaking a critical review of the literature, and developing a research proposal which is feasible and ethical.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Communicate an understanding of the use of research as a basis for decision making in the health care policy and clinical arena particularly in its application to health care practice;
  2. Formulate a research question that addresses an evidence gap in health care;
  3. Undertake a critical analysis of the research literature in response to the proposed research question;
  4. Develop a research proposal which explains the selection of appropriate research questions, designs and implementation plans within a health or community setting;
  5. Articulate the ethical considerations in promoting ethical conduct in research.

Assessment

  • Literature Review (2500 words) 35%
  • Research Proposal (2,000 words) 35%,
  • Ethical Considerations (1,500 words) 30% (Hurdle).

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SWM5003 - Planning for supervised professional practice placement 1

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Shelley Turner

Coordinator(s)

Lauren Wills

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in 3669, M6012, SWM5102

Synopsis

This unit is structured to assist students in Planning and preparing for Supervised Professional Practice 1 (first Placement).

The unit consists of 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings.

Students complete Faculty and Departmental compliance requirements in this unit in order to proceed to a supervised professional practice placement.

The unit is a prerequisite for SWM5103

Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this unit students will be able to:

  1. Research and apply skills and knowledge which demonstrate judgement and defined responsibility in relation to Faculty and department compliance and readiness for placement
  2. Interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas in a professional manner within tutorials and briefings
  3. Analyse, synthesise and reflect on the roles and responsibilities of those involved in supervised professional practice placement - the university, the student, and the host organisation by participating in tutorial/briefing activities
  4. Research and apply establish theories in relation to the service system with particular reference to Medicare and Centrelink by participating in tutorials/briefings
  5. Interpret and transmit the importance of supervision when undertaking supervised professional practice placement by participating in tutorial/briefings
  6. Analyse, synthesise and reflect on the importance of preparing effectively for supervised professional practice placement, by completing required tutorials/briefings, and mandatory Faculty and Departmental compliance requirements for placement.

Assessment

  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 1 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 2 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 3 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 4 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 5 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 6(hurdle)

Each hurdle builds on the previous hurdle

Workload requirements

Students will participate in 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings, comprising a mix of in class and online activities (up to 14 hours)

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will participate in 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings, comprising online activities (up to 14 hours)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SWM5008 - Planning for supervised professional practice placement 2

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Shelley Turner

Coordinator(s)

Lauren Wills

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5103 and SWM5102

Co-requisites

Master of Social Work (Qualifying) - 3969, M6012

Synopsis

This unit is structured to assist students in Planning and preparing for Supervised Professional Practice 2 (final Placement).

The unit consists of 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings.

Students complete Faculty and Departmental compliance requirements in this unit in order to proceed to a supervised professional practice placement.

The unit is a prerequisite for SWM5108

Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this unit students will be able to:

  1. Analyse and synthesise skills and knowledge which demonstrate judgement and defined responsibility in relation to Faculty and department compliance and readiness for placement
  2. Analyse, reflect and build on learning achieved in supervised professional practice 1 through participation in tutorials/briefings
  3. Interpret and transmit knowledge of roles and responsibilities of those involved in supervised professional practice placement - the university, the student, and the host organisation by participating in tutorial/briefing activities
  4. Integrate theory for social work practice by refining, expanding, and consolidating learning achieved during first placement in preparation for final placement, and through participation in tutorial/briefing activities
  5. Interpret, analyse and synthesise the importance of supervision when undertaking supervised professional practice placement through participation in tutorial/briefing activities
  6. Apply knowledge and skills which demonstrate autonomy, judgement, adaptability and responsibility in preparing effectively for supervised professional practice placement, by completing preparation for placement mandatory requirements such as Faculty and Departmental compliance documentation, and by participating in tutorials/briefings.

Assessment

  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 1 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 2 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 3 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 4 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 5 (hurdle)
  • Preplacement tutorial/briefing 6 (hurdle)

Each hurdle builds on the previous hurdle

Workload requirements

Students will participate in 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings, comprising a mix of in class and online activities (up to 14 hours)

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students will participate in 6 preplacement tutorial/briefings, comprising online activities (up to 14 hours)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SWM5100 - Social work: Fields of practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

TO BE CONFIRMED

Coordinator(s)

Dr Samone McCurdy

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit offers an overview of the history and contemporary context of social work practice within a framework of understanding the connection between social issues, policy development and strategies for sustainable change at both local and global levels. The unit is underpinned by notions of social justice and human rights and offers a preview of topics that will be studied in greater depth in subsequent units within the course.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the nature of social work in a range of contexts and settings as well as describe contemporary debates about the nature of social work.
  2. Critically analyse the ethical value base of social work with particular reference to human rights and the promotion of social justice.
  3. Critically analyse key global social policy issues including, but not limited to, mass movement of people, climate change, reconstruction and poverty.
  4. Critically review and analyse contemporary trends in the delivery of social work services.
  5. Articulate the nature of social change and the strategies to achieve this.

Assessment

  • iSAP case study (1,000 words) (25%)
  • Annotated bibliography (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Examination (1.5 hours) (35%)

Workload requirements

4 contact hours (2 hours seminars, 2 hours tutorial and 8 hours of self-paced study)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5101 - Human rights, law and ethics contexts for social work practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Deborah Western

Coordinator(s)

Dr Bernadette Saunders

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the history and evolution of the international human rights regime, current debates about human rights locally, nationally and internationally, as well as ethical codes and decision-making processes as they apply to social work practice. The unit provides opportunities for students to explore the foundations of the Australian legal system in a human rights framework and the legal contexts within which social workers practice. The unit addresses concepts of moral philosophy underpinning the AASW Code of Ethics and explores the foundations of ethical decision-making. In line with Monash University's commitment to human rights and social justice, the unit has an overarching human rights approach, within which legal and ethical practice occurs.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe how international human rights regimes have evolved.
  2. Identify relevant human rights documents, access and apply them in social work practice situations.
  3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Australian Legal System, its international context, and the importance of legal knowledge to competent social work practice, including record keeping and report writing.
  4. Find, read, consider, apply, and critically evaluate legislation, and how it informs and impacts social work practice.
  5. Identify, describe and critically reflect upon legal and ethical issues and dilemmas.
  6. Implement ethical decision making processes in social work practice.

Assessment

  • Written assignment related to law, the Australian legal system and the student's observation of court or tribunal proceedings (2,000 words) (35%)
  • An ethical decision-making response to a case study (3,000 words) (55%) (Hurdle)
  • Online multiple choice and other types of questions (1,000 words) (10%)

Workload requirements

6 hours teacher directed study + 6 hours student directed study

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Students are required to observe at least one court or tribunal hearing.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5102 - Critical social work 1: Frameworks for practice with children and families

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Catherine Flynn

Coordinator(s)

Dr Uschi Bay

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit covers child, adolescent and adult development with an emphasis on the development of resilience across the life course. A particular focus is on risk and protective factors at individual, family, community and societal levels that impede or enhance development. The unit has three parts:

  • a human development component that covers child, adolescent and adult development with an emphasis on the development of resilience across the life course. A particular focus is on the risk and protective factors at individual, family, community and societal levels that impede or enhance child, adolescent and adult development.
  • a social work practice theory section provides an orientation to the theory of direct social work practice with individuals and families focusing on one to one work with individuals and on working with family groups.
  • a skills component that provides the opportunity for students to learn, and apply the direct social work practice skills that include assessment, engagement and the development of intervention strategies through the use of role plays, case studies and problem based learning.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and identify the specific biopsychosocial developmental needs that arise in childhood, adolescence and adulthood to inform direct social work practice with individuals and families.
  2. Explain how risk and protective factors may enhance or impede the development of resilience in childhood, adolescence and adulthood and consider how to apply this knowledge in working with individuals and families.
  3. Assess the biopsychosocial development of a child, adolescent and adult using a social work framework and analyse the structural factors that have impacted on the client's biopsychosocial development.
  4. Critically evaluate the values and assumptions underpinning various theoretical approaches to human development, such as psychodynamic, ecological systems and cognitive behavioural theories.
  5. Synthesise the key evidence in relation to the effectiveness of different theories, frameworks and models applied approaches to direct social work practice.
  6. Analyse critically the elements of social work processes including assessment, engagement, the worker/client relationship and referral for the purpose of improving practice.
  7. Research and apply key principles in working with children and families from diverse and Indigenous cultures.
  8. Demonstrate appropriate and reflexive use of 'self' in the professional helping relationship, based on an awareness of self and others, including assessment of familial, social and cultural contexts.

Assessment

  • Critical reflection (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Case study analysis (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Biopyschosocial assessment (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Role play assessment activity (1,000 words) (20%)

Workload requirements

This subject runs for 11 weeks. A twelve point unit requires twenty four hours per week or

312 hours per semester. On campus students will attend for four and a half hours face to face contact per week that will include two and a half hours of lectures and two hours of tutorials.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Off-campus students participate in 35 hours residential workshops, four hours per week on online activities and 18 hours per week on private study.

Off-campus students are required to attend a compulsory on-campus workshop for successful completion of this unit, where social work practice skills will be taught.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5103 - Supervised professional practice 1

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Shelley Turner

Coordinator(s)

Lauren Wills

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102 and SWM5003

Synopsis

Supervised Professional Practice 1 enables students to observe, practice and critically reflect on the role of social work in a health or human services context and to develop an emerging professional social work identity.

The unit comprises a minimum of 500 hours of supervised field education. Students are allocated to a suitable placement provider, which may focus on direct practice; community development; or social research, policy or project work.

Students are supported to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice skills and are supervised in the field by a qualified and experienced social work Field Educator and an allocated University Liaison Person.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply the AASW Code of Ethics to the practice context.
  2. Identify the placement provider's legal and political context within the health and human services field.
  3. Explain the legislation and social policies that influence the field of practice.
  4. Articulate the theories and methods relevant to the placement context and critically reflect on their use and application.
  5. Apply effective communication skills within the placement context.
  6. Assume responsibility for self-learning and professional development while on placement.
  7. Critically apply knowledge of assessment, intervention and referral skills to the field of practice.
  8. Critically analyse different types of social research and their application to social work in the context of the placement setting.
  9. Interpret and adapt knowledge of cultural diversity in order to work in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner in a social work context.

    Students must also provide evidence of completion of at least 500 hours of field placement.

Fieldwork

The AASW set down the workload requirements for a Field Placement: 500 hours

Assessment

  • 14 x Weekly structured critical reflection (200 words each)
  • 14 Completed records of supervision (100 words each)
  • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Checklist (100 words)
  • Self-care plan (1,000 words)
  • Brief literature review (500 words)
  • Observed demonstration of communication skills (Part A) (20 minutes)
  • Mid-placement review report (500 words)
  • Observed demonstration of communication skills (Part B - critical reflection) (10 minutes)
  • Personal professional practice framework (2,500 words)
  • Final placement review report (500 words)
  • Completed placement timesheet

Mid-way through the placement, the allocated social work Field Educator and the student should review and assess the student's progress and performance against each of the nine key Learning Areas, using the rating guide provided in the Placement Workbook. This forms the basis for the Mid-placement Report, which provides the student with formative feedback for the remainder of the placement.

Towards the end of the placement, the allocated social work Field Educator and the student should review and assess the student's progress and performance against each of the nine key Learning Areas, using the rating guide provided in the Placement Workbook. This forms the basis for the Final Placement Report, which provides the student with summative feedback about their placement performance and a recommendation to the University for a pass or fail grade.

To meet AASW accreditation requirements and pass the unit, the student must reach a level of 'beginning capability' (2) for all nine Learning Areas by the end of the placement. This means the student is capable of practicing under close guidance and supervision.

The unit is pass grade only (PGO).

Workload requirements

The AASW set down the workload requirements for a Field Placement.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5104 - Critical social work 2: Frameworks for practice in health and mental health

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Rosemary Sheehan

Coordinator(s)

Dr Melissa Petrakis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102.

Synopsis

This unit provides an ecological approach to the understanding of contemporary health and mental health concerns that impact on the individuals and families who come to the attention of social work. The subject incorporates weekly direct practice skills seminars to develop key skills for effective social work practice in the health and mental health fields. Social Work interfaces with a range of clients and practice contexts in community health and mental health, in disability, in drug and alcohol settings, in rural and regional settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify appropriate competencies for the practice domains that intersect with mental health, including legal and statutory responsibilities.
  2. Demonstrate key communication and assessment skills necessary for effective practice with a range of clients in diverse health settings.
  3. Reflect critically on their practice- specifically the integration of theory and practice in challenging client situations.
  4. Describe specific health problems, recognise the social and psychological components, causes and consequences of ill-health, and have a critical awareness of the socio-economic dimension of health problems.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the practice and policy frameworks that animate health and mental health and consumer services in Australia.
  6. Articulate the factors that influence health and mental health needs of clients and propose distinct and distinctive responses to these.
  7. Assess the nature of health and mental health issues and the contributions made by the wide range of professional groups who work with individuals experiencing mental illness.
  8. Identify key issues and demonstrate skills in working effectively with clients in health and mental health settings.
  9. Structure and present a report on a substantive health issue.

Assessment

  • Literature review (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Case study (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Essay (3,000 words) (50%)
  • Reflective journal (3,000 words)

Students must pass all assessment tasks to successfully complete the unit.

Workload requirements

The unit runs for 12 weeks. Students are expected to undertake 312 hours per semester study. Students are expected to use their study time to attend on-campus lectures and workshops, undertake the weekly unit tasks as set out in the Unit Outline and in the off-campus Unit Guide.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Off-campus students are required to attend a compulsory on-campus workshop for successful completion of this unit, where social work practice skills will be taught.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5105 - Social work practice and research

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Catherine Flynn

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Flynn

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102

Synopsis

In all fields of contemporary social work, practitioners need the skills to effectively consume, produce and apply research knowledge, to ensure that actions are based on appropriate and critiqued evidence. Research is a powerful intervention tool through which change can be achieved with individuals, groups and communities.

This unit is offered as part of the core requirements of the professional association, the AASW. Social work research is seen to be informed by a clear value base and driven to deliver socially constructive outcomes. The unit will explore research processes, presenting a structured approach to the implementation of a research proposal.

There will be particular emphasis on research in practice: program evaluation, needs analyses and program development; as well as the ethical underpinnings of all research. The overall aim of this unit is to encourage students to become critically reflective, research minded practitioners, who contribute in an ongoing way to the knowledge base of the profession.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the contributions of research to the wider social work skill and knowledge base and to socially constructive outcomes.
  2. Articulate the most common research methods evident in social work research and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different research methods that can be applied to social work.
  3. Critically analyse key approaches to social work practice research.
  4. Demonstrate the knowledge required to evaluate and choose relevant research methods for a range of social work research projects.
  5. Critically evaluate existing research literature, especially in terms of research design.
  6. Design a social work practice research project that meets rigorous and evidence-based design principles.
  7. Identify the ethical issues that need to be considered with respect to the conduct of human research projects.

Assessment

  • Preparatory research tasks (500 words) (10%)
  • Critical literature review (2000 words) (35%)
  • Research proposal (2500 words) (55%) (hurdle)

Workload requirements

The unit runs for 12 weeks. On-campus students are expected to undertake 144 hours per semester study. Students are expected to use their study time to attend on-campus lectures and workshops, undertake the weekly unit tasks as set out in the Unit Outline, including readings and to complete three assignment tasks.

DE students need to undertake the weekly readings online activities and complete three assignment tasks.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5106 - Critical social work 3: Community engagement group project

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Fiona McDermott

Coordinator(s)

Dr Deborah Western

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102

Prohibitions

SWM5113

Synopsis

Group work is a major social work intervention method. In professional practice in the field, social workers are required to practise effective group work interventions in diverse settings, with families, service users, stakeholders, community groups, inter-agency networks, colleagues in the workplace and in policy environments. Students will develop a relationship with a community group or organisation. The unit requires students to work effectively in groups to compare and analyse community groups in which they have been a member.

The unit has a focus on the theory and practice of group work, including the historical development of this social work method, planning and implementing a group work intervention, communication in groups, group leadership and facilitation styles, and managing group dynamics. Students will also learn how to negotiate and navigate a community engagement process with a community group or organisation in the field and successfully complete a 'real-world' group project.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe and critically analyse the processes of group development and group dynamics in effective and ineffective groups.
  2. Apply the principles of group development and group dynamics to the development, facilitation and evaluation of a group project.
  3. Explain how group work practice involves effective evidence-based community engagement processes.
  4. Critically reflect on their own ability to work in groups.
  5. Negotiate, manage and document the planning and completion of a group activity.

Assessment

  • Group project report (1,500 words) (30%)
  • Group presentation (15%)
  • Critical reflection and analysis essay (2,500 words) (55%)

Students must pass the critical reflection and analysis essay in order to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

The unit runs for 12 weeks. Students are expected to undertake 156 hours of study per semester. Students are expected to use their study time to attend on-campus lectures and workshops, undertake the weekly unit tasks as set out in the Unit Outline and in the off-campus Unit Guide (off campus students), which include set readings.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Mandatory attendance is required by off-campus students for a 2 day workshop in semester 1 during the mid-semester break at the Caulfield campus. Dates to be advised at the beginning of Semester 1.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5108 - Supervised professional practice 2

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Shelley Turner

Coordinator(s)

Lauren Wills

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102 and SWM5008 and SWM5103

Synopsis

Supervised Professional Practice 2 enables students to observe, practice and critically reflect on the role of social work in a health or human services context and to further develop a professional social work identity.

The unit comprises a minimum of 500 hours of supervised field education. Students are allocated to a suitable placement provider, which may focus on direct practice; community development; or social research, policy or project work.

Students are supported to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice skills and are supervised in the field by a qualified and experienced social work Field Educator and an allocated University Liaison Person.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply the AASW Code of Ethics to the practice context.
  2. Identify the placement provider's legal and political context within the health and human services field.
  3. Explain the legislation and social policies that influence the field of practice.
  4. Articulate the theories and methods relevant to the placement context and critically reflect on their use and application.
  5. Apply effective communication skills within the placement context.
  6. Assume responsibility for self-learning and professional development while on placement.
  7. Critically apply knowledge of assessment, intervention and referral skills to the field of practice.
  8. Critically analyse different types of social research and their application to social work in the context of the placement setting.
  9. Interpret and adapt knowledge of cultural diversity in order to work in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner in a social work context.

    Students must also provide evidence of completion of at least 500 hours of field placement.

Fieldwork

The AASW set down the workload requirements for a Field Placement: 500 hours

Assessment

  • 14 x Weekly structured critical reflection (200 words each)
  • 14 Completed records of supervision (100 words each)
  • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Checklist (100 words)
  • Self-care plan (1,000 words)
  • Brief literature review (500 words)
  • Observed demonstration of communication skills (Part A) (20 minutes)
  • Mid-placement review report (500 words)
  • Observed demonstration of communication skills (Part B - critical reflection) (10 minutes)
  • Personal professional practice framework (2,500 words)
  • Final placement review report (500 words)
  • Completed placement timesheet

Mid-way through the placement, the allocated social work Field Educator and the student should review and assess the student's progress and performance against each of the nine key Learning Areas, using the rating guide provided in the Placement Workbook. This forms the basis for the Mid-placement Report, which provides the student with formative feedback for the remainder of the placement.

Towards the end of the placement, the allocated social work Field Educator and the student should review and assess the student's progress and performance against each of the nine key Learning Areas, using the rating guide provided in the Placement Workbook. This forms the basis for the Final Placement Report, which provides the student with summative feedback about their placement performance and a recommendation to the University for a pass or fail grade.

To meet AASW accreditation requirements and pass the unit, the student must reach a level of 'capable' (3) for all nine Learning Areas by the end of the placement. This means the student is capable of practicing independently at the level expected of a newly qualifying practitioner.

The unit is pass grade only (PGO).

Workload requirements

The AASW set down the workload requirements for a Field Placement: 500 hours

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5109 - Critical social work 4: Social policy, social change and community practice

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Samone McCurdy

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Philip Mendes

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to the specific role of social work in social policy analysis and community practice and advocacy. Areas covered will include the meaning and nature of social policy, the key trends and philosophies underlying the positions of the major political parties, the key theories and ideological perspectives in social policy, the link between social policy and the goals and actions of social work, the impact of social structure and social policy on welfare service consumers, the implementation of social policy interventions in everyday social work practice, ideological critiques of the welfare state, the role, strategies and effectiveness of lobby groups in social policy debates, the link between local and global welfare trends, the concepts of community and community work, and the role of community work skills and strategies in social work practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the meaning and nature of social policy, and to be able to hypothesize the ways it can be understood from different theoretical and practical points of view.
  2. Compare and contrast the way political parties deal with social policy issues, and evaluate the key trends and philosophies underlying the positions of major political parties.
  3. Construct the link between social policy and the goals and values of social work.
  4. Analyse the impact of social structure and social policy on welfare service users.
  5. Analyse the role of community practice in social work settings.
  6. Apply a range of roles and strategies in community practice.

Assessment

  • Essay 1 (1,250 words) (30%)
  • Essay 2 (3,250 words) (60%)
  • Community practice exercise or Off-campus Workshop attendance and participation (10%)

Workload requirements

The unit runs for 8 weeks (via a combination of live and online lectures) for on-campus students and 10 weeks for off-campus students, beginning in Week 6 of semester via the three day compulsory off-campus workshop on August 29-31].

On-campus students are expected to undertake 156 hours per semester study. Students are expected to use their study time to attend on-campus lectures and workshops, undertake weekly readings as set out in the Unit Outline, and to complete three assignment tasks. This unit will be taught in a total of approximately 36 hours contact time over 8/10 weeks following the completion of the second fieldwork placement (SWM5108) for full-time students.

Please note: The teaching dates for this unit vary from the standard teaching datesstandard teaching dates (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/dates/census) for this teaching period.

Unit discontinuation and penalty dates for these units are different to other units taught in the same teaching period.

Please refer to the information available on the Faculty's non-standard teaching datesFaculty's non-standard teaching dates (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/non-standard-dates.html) page to avoid academic and financial penaltiesacademic and financial penalties (http://www.monash.edu/enrolments/processes/change/add-or-discontinue-units#penalties).

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Off-campus students are expected to undertake 156 hours per semester in private study, completing readings and other tasks as outlined on the Blackboard site in the off-campus Unit Guide, and to complete two assignment tasks. Off-campus students are required to attend a 2 day workshop at Caulfield Campus in September.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5110 - Advances in direct social work practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Margaret Alston

Coordinator(s)

Professor Chris Trotter

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

Theories and knowledge regarding direct work with clients in a variety of social work settings. The context of casework practice and some alternative methods of working with individuals and groups.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand the role and purpose of casework, the sources of knowledge in casework and the relevance of outcome evaluation.
  2. Critically analyse their own practice and at least one casework theory.

Assessment

  • Essay 1 (6,000 words) (70%)
  • Topic synopsis (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Essay 2 (2,000 words) (20%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5111 - Leadership in social work and human services

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Melissa Petrakis

Coordinator(s)

Debbie Ling

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102

Prohibitions

SWM5113

Synopsis

This unit will introduce students to an understanding of leadership in the human services in Australia as a requirement for social work practice, one that is not always understood or accepted professionally. The human services sector is expanding in the numbers of its component organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, and in the size and complexity of the component parts. Leadership of social change and social justice in the human services is now at a premium, having been given little attention in the past or currently. Little is known of leadership requirements in this sector particularly as contrasted with other service sectors. Students undertaking this unit will be introduced to theories of leadership of humanservice organisations, their programs and policies, and leadership of the new organisational phenomena in this sector, large community service departments, non-governmental consortia, and advocacy organisations. They will also be introduced to other notions of leadership in social work - leadership through research, advocacy and community action.

Subsequently, theories of leadership will be placed against the experiences and views of current social work leaders in this sector, who will be active participants in this unit, so that students gain some understanding of what leadership comprises, what priority actual leaders place on the various aspects of leadership, and what research and theory underpins actual leadership in the policy development, planning and delivery of social services today.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe leadership within a professional social work framework through analysis of historical and current leadership examples from the human services sector.
  2. Critically analyse theories of leadership for the human services in Australia.
  3. Contrast leadership theories with selected leaders' experiences and identify and analyse the differences.
  4. Articulate where leadership opportunities and responsibilities exist within the human services sector.
  5. Identify the components of leadership in the humanservices sector and the distinguishing features of leadership in the human services field.

Assessment

  • A critical analysis of contemporary leadership theories in the light of presentations in the classroom and conveyed online, from social work leaders during the unit (2,000 words) (40%)
  • An assessment of their own actual and potential contribution to social work leadership, based on critical reflection on practice experience,current data on leadership in a specific field of practice and analysis of relevant literature (2,500 words) (60%)

Students must pass both assessment tasks in order to complete the unit successfully.

Workload requirements

This unit is taught over an 8 week period beginning in Week 8 of semester, with an expected 156 hours of study.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

3 hours per week.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5112 - Research for social work practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Deb Western

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Flynn

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102.

Co-requisites

Restricted to Master of Social Work (M6012).

Prohibitions

SWM5105.

Synopsis

In all fields of contemporary social work, practitioners need the skills to effectively consume, produce and apply research knowledge, to ensure that actions are based on appropriate and critiqued evidence. Research is a powerful intervention tool through which change can be achieved with individuals, groups and communities. This unit is offered as part of the core requirements of the professional association, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Social work research is seen to be informed by a clear value base and driven to deliver socially constructive outcomes. The unit will explore research processes, presenting a structured approach to the implementation of a research proposal. There will be particular emphasis on research in practice, program evaluation, and program development, as well as the ethical underpinnings of all research. The overall aim of this unit is to encourage students to become critically reflective, research minded practitioners, who contribute in an ongoing way to the knowledge base of the profession. Students will engage in a range of learning activities, including interactive lectures, workshops, cross-disciplinary masterclasses and integrated online learning. Students will focus on learning the language and terminology of research, within a reflective practice framework.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Appraise the contribution of research to the wider social work skill and knowledge base and to socially constructive outcomes.
  2. Locate and appraise existing research literature, to guide research and practice.
  3. Examine common approaches evident in social work research, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of these to make appropriate methodological choices.
  4. Identify the ethical issues relevant to the conduct of human research and devise appropriate strategies to manage these concerns.
  5. Utilise professional ethical principles to balance the rights and protection of potentially vulnerable research participants.
  6. Design a social work practice research project that is methodologically rigorous, feasible and ethical.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to choose appropriate data analysis strategies.
  8. Draw on a critically reflexive approach to ensure rigour and transparency in research.

Assessment

  • Preparatory research overview (500 words) 10%
  • Literature review (2500 - 3000 words) 25%
  • Research proposal (3500 - 4000 words) 35%
  • Reflective evaluation of learning and presentation (500 words) 20%
  • In-class exam (1000 words ) 10%

Workload requirements

  • This unit is taught intensively, via day and distance education, over a 9 week period, beginning in Semester 2 Orientation week
  • As a double weighted unit, a total of 288 hours of study is expected to be completed over the semester; this will include in-class or online seminars, tutorial activities, reflective journal, weekly readings, and assignment preparation
  • One (1) day of on-campus attendance will be required for distance education students.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SWM5113 - Critical social work 3: Group work and social work leadership

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Deb Western

Coordinator(s)

Emily Armstrong
Rachel Averbukh

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2018 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

SWM5102

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in M6012

Prohibitions

SWM5111, SWM5106

Synopsis

Group work is a major social work intervention method. Social workers are required to practise effective group work interventions in diverse settings; with families, service users, stakeholders, community groups, inter-agency networks, colleagues and in policy environments.

The unit has a focus on the theory and practice of group work, including communication in groups, group dynamics, understanding the 'life' of a group, and group leadership and facilitation.

The unit requires students to work effectively in a student group to 1) compare and analyse community groups in which they have been a member and 2) to reflect on and analyse the dynamics of their student group.

Students will be introduced to leadership theories in relation to human service organisations, their programs and policies. Social work leadership that works toward social justice and social change through, for example, research, advocacy, policy development, service delivery, and community action will be examined. Theories of leadership will be placed against the experiences and views of current social work leaders.

Students will appraise the arguments for and against the existence of a specific social work leadership 'style/s', and critique leadership qualities in relation to community groups.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and critically analyse the processes of group development and group dynamics, including the role of leadership, in effective and ineffective groups
  2. Apply the principles of group development and group dynamics, including the role of leadership, to the development, facilitation and evaluation of a group project
  3. Describe and critique leadership within a professional social work framework
  4. Critically analyse historical and current theories of leadership for and within the human services sector
  5. Formulate and critically assess a procedure for leading a change process as a social worker in a human services context
  6. Critically reflect on their ability to work in groups and engage in a leadership role

Assessment

  • Leadership essay (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • A critical examination of group work assignment (2,500 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Group presentation (10 minutes) (20%)

Workload requirements

This unit runs for 8 weeks beginning in Week 8 of semester.

On-campus students: Average number of 3 hours contact time per week (lectures and tutorials). Nine hours of self-directed study time per week - class preparation, assignment and examination preparation including work in a student group and associated weekly readings.

Off-campus students: Twelve hours of study per week - weekly readings, online activities, work within a student group, assignment and examination preparation and associated readings.

Two (2) days of on-campus attendance will be required for distance education students.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two days of on-campus attendance in late August/early September during semester two is required for practical work and for group presentations.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


SWM5120 - Criminology and social work

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Chris Trotter

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Chris Trotter

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

The major focus of this unit is on effective methods of working with offenders in the community after they have been placed on court orders. It discusses the objectives of correctional programs and what works best for whom in terms of reducing re-offending.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the nature and function of criminal justice organisations and networks in Australia;
  2. Analyse and interpret the meanings of competing and complex objectives underlying criminal justice policy and practice;
  3. Critically evaluate, assess and explain research findings in relation to effective interventions in criminal justice;
  4. Analyse and evaluate theory and research underlying risk assessment models;
  5. Critically analyse theories of criminal behaviour, and formulate hypotheses about their relevance to criminal justice policy and practice;
  6. Create a specific research question and formulate a response to this question by identifying, analysing and synthesising relevant published research;
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of at least one of the specialist programs directed towards offenders;
  8. Demonstrate the capacity to develop a coherent question or hypothesis which can guide an analysis of a specific corrections program or intervention.

Assessment

  • Essay (4,000 words) (40%)
  • Essay (5,000 words) (60%)

Hurdles: Written report (200 words), Outline of assignment 1 (100 words), and Essay Plan (200 words)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5160 - The child in society: Promoting children's wellbeing and responding to child maltreatment

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Bernadette Saunders

Coordinator(s)

Dr Bernadette Saunders

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

This unit explores a number of issues related to social work practice that involves children; particularly children whose well-being may be at risk or who have suffered child abuse or neglect. Attention will be drawn to the relationship between the child, the family, the community and the state, with a particular focus on children's perspectives, children's status, and children's rights.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe complex relationships between the child, the family, the community and the state.
  2. Reflect upon and evaluate/critique complex relationships between the child, the family, the community and the state.
  3. Describe, reflect upon and document considered responses to, historical and current perceptions of children, the family, and child well-being.
  4. Describe, reflect upon and document, considered responses to historical and current perceptions of child protection concerns.
  5. Identify legislation in relation to specific fields of child welfare, child protection, child abuse and/or child neglect.
  6. Identify and document links and discrepancies between policy and practice in relation to specific fields of child welfare, child protection, child abuse and/or child neglect.
  7. Propose well-informed written suggestions for desirable law reform, and/or changes to current policies.
  8. Propose well-informed, written suggestions for improvements in current attitudes towards children and responses to families.

Assessment

  • An annotated bibliography of an issue related to childhood or children in society (2,500 words) (30%)
  • Detailed plan/selected reference list for major essay (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Major essay (4,500 words) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • Online participation - commentary/discussion 1,000 words (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5170 - Applied research study

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Deb Western

Coordinator(s)

Deb Western

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Prerequisites

SWM5190 or SWM5112

Synopsis

Unit content will be developed between the student and an appointed staff supervisor. One piece of assessment will be developed and completed by the student for this unit.

The nature and content of the assessment itself will vary from student to student depending upon their area of interest, the skill area they wish to develop and, in some cases, the requirements of their work organisation.

Topics could include small research projects such as evaluations of particular health and welfare programs, pilot studies, literature reviews, or the learning and implementation of particular social work approaches or theories.

The research study or project generally takes the form of an academic project or an advanced practicum project. Where this unit is completed as part of Course no. M6012 (MSWQ), the assessment task will comprise a research dissertation.

The focus may be on any field in which social workers are employed, dependant on staff availability to supervise. Projects will typically fall within the core research areas of the Social Work Department.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Work collaboratively with an academic supervisor on the development of an assessment topic and during the completion of the assessment.
  2. Integrate research knowledge with past and present professional experience.
  3. Work collaboratively with an academic supervisor on the development of an assessment topic and during the completion of the assessment.
  4. Combine advanced specialised research knowledge and skills to develop a research-based practice at clinical, program and policy levels.
  5. Articulate specialised practice and knowledge and skills in while developing the research report, evaluation report or assignment.
  6. Develop and appraise personal role as a professional social work practitioner-researcher.
  7. Develop and appraise personal role as a professional social work practitioner-researcher.
  8. Prepare a report which would be suitable for publication

Assessment

Research report, evaluation report or assignment (9,000 words) (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5180 - Management of human resources in the social services

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Deborah Western

Coordinator(s)

Dr Deborah Western

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary theory and practice in human resources management, including:
    • the nature and characteristics of the social and community services (health and welfare) workforce industrial relations in this workforce
    • the different types of organisations in this industrial sector and consequent differences in workforce patterns
    • theories of human resources management as they relate to the health and welfare workforce, and especially to social work staff
    • administrative control of staff
    • professional development of staff
    • support of staff
    • mediation within and between organisations
    • professional staff recruitment; and
    • supervising professional staff in general and through organisational transition.
  2. Consider, analyse, discuss and apply these concepts and theories in your practice as a manager.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Determine and critically analyse the nature and characteristics of the social and community services (health and welfare) workforce;
  2. Compare and contrast the different types of organisations in this industrial sector, and consequent differences in workforce patterns and expectations;
  3. Apply and appraise contemporary theories of human resources management as they relate to the health and welfare workforce, especially in relation to social work staff;
  4. Examine and critique the roles and responsibilities of managers in the social and community services;
  5. Illustrate and evaluate the impact of change within organisations, and the role of managers in effective change management;
  6. Utilise and critique evaluation strategies and processes in relation to program and/or organisational change;
  7. Determine and distinguish the styles and skills inherent in social work management compared with the management styles and skills of other professionals
  8. Propose and critique a program, project, policy or role change that, as managers, they could introduce in their organisations
  9. Review and analyse the styles, skills and knowledge employed in their own practice as a manager.
  10. Discuss and compare their managerial experiences and learnings with colleagues.

Assessment

  • Hurdle requirement of reflective exercises (equivalent to 1,000 words)
  • Essay 1 (2,000 words) (30%)
  • Essay or presentation 2 (6,000 words or equivalent) (70%)

Essay or presentation 2 must be passed in order for the unit to be passed.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5190 - Social work research

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rosemary Sheehan

Coordinator(s)

Professor Rosemary Sheehan

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

Topics include the purpose of research and its place in social work; research ethics including intellectual property issues; research designs including qualitative, quantitative, exploratory and experimental methods; developing research questions and hypotheses; sampling and data analysis including statistical analysis and writing research reports.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should have developed an understanding of:

  1. ethical issues relating to research with humans;
  2. issues relating to the place and role of different types of research in Social Work;
  3. the principles underlying qualitative and quantitative research;
  4. research design, research questions and data collection methods;
  5. a range of statistical techniques and when it is appropriate to use them.

    Students are also required to demonstrate their ability to develop a research proposal.

Assessment

One or two assignments totalling 9,000 words including a research proposal (100%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5200 - Social work in a hospital context

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Fiona McDermott

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Fiona McDermott

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course code: 0019, 3969 or M6012

Synopsis

This unit will enable students to understand the tasks and roles of social workers practicing in hospital settings. The varied roles of social workers and their tasks in relation to making assessments will be considered. Topics include the history and roles of social workers in hospital settings, the ethical dilemas posed by contemporary health care practice, and the importance of practitioner-driven research.Current issues which impact on social work practice in hospital contexts will be explored including national policies, the social determinants of health, and the impact of globalisation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Analyse hospital and health care systems and identify the roles and skills of social workers in hospital context
  2. Describe and analyse the challenges and opportunities facing social workers in hospital context
  3. Critically analyse the health care system in relation to social work in hospital context
  4. Assess the impact of current health care policies on social work practice in hospital contexts
  5. Integrate research findings with practice interventions used by social workers in hospital contexts
  6. Evaluate usefulness of social work theories and practice models in assessing patients' needs in hospital settings
  7. Apply assessment frameworks in analysing patients' psychosocial needs in hospital settings

Assessment

  • Interview (written report) (1,000 words) (10%)
  • Policy analysis (paper) (1,700 words( (15%)
  • Research literature review (template & written report) (2,700 words) (30%)
  • Case study analysis (paper) (2,700 words) (30%)
  • Class activities and participation (10%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5220 - Longevity and social work

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Chris Trotter

Coordinator(s)

TO BE CONFIRMED

Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

This unit presents aspects of contemporary social work policy and practice in ageing through a lens of longevity and ongoing change. Aging is conceptualised in dynamic and innovative ways that reflect and encourage changing perceptions, theoretical understandings and possibilities of this transition phase. The impact of dimensions such as gender, class, location, diversity and spirituality on the transition phases of ageing will be explored. The notion of risk will be examined as an underlying tension in social work practice in this field.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Review contemporary debates about life transitions with a focus on ageing.
  2. Evaluate concepts of ageing and longevity using dimensions such as gender, class, time, space and place.
  3. Assess current and emerging theories of ageing and their relevance to social work.
  4. Critically analyse the notion of risk and its implications for social work practice in this area.
  5. Examine relevant social work policy and practice issues in longevity and ageing.
  6. Apply a multi-dimensional approach in a specific area of ageing.

Assessment

  • Case study analysis (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Narrative interview (3,500 words) (25%)
  • Literature review (4,000 words) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Online participation (2,000 words) (15%)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5241 - Mental health practice

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Melissa Petrakis

Coordinator(s)

Melissa Petrakis

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

This unit introduces postgraduate students to the epistemologies of practice in mental health and a critical analysis of contemporary mental health issues. It provides advanced knowledge about the context and consequences of mental illness for individuals, families and the broader community. Social Work interfaces with a range of clients and practice contexts, in community and mental health, in disability, child protection, drug and alcohol and criminal justice systems. The unit provides an ecological approach to understanding and intervention in the mental health field.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Articulate mental health practice and policy frameworks in Australia.
  2. Explain historical, social and political factors that have contributed to contemporary mental health practice and policy.
  3. Identify appropriate competencies for practice in mental health including legal and statutory responsibilities.
  4. Determine specific factors that contribute to and influence client mental health challenges and needs.
  5. Articulate and synthesize the objectives and practice approaches in the service system constructed to meet these mental health challenges and needs.
  6. Critically reflect upon the inter-disciplinary roles and contributions made by the key professional groups working in mental health service delivery in clinical and community settings.
  7. Critically evaluate service programs, their objectives and practice models, in mental health settings.
  8. Critically evaluate the research approaches, paradigms and methods being used to answer practice-based questions in mental health.
  9. Analyse contemporary mental health issues, including service delivery gaps, innovation opportunities and political priorities.

Assessment

  • Online discussion participation (10%)
  • Critical reflection 1 (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Critical reflection 2 (1,500 words) (20%)
  • Major assignment (3,000 words) (50%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

Students in OCDL mode have the unit presented as a unit book which contains weekly seminar readings and exercises and may include an online teaching component. This unit runs for 12 weeks. Students are expected to undertake twelve hours per week study in addition to completing weekly unit tasks set readings.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5250 - Clinical supervision: Becoming a professional developer

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Uschi Bay

Coordinator(s)

Dr Uschi Bay

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

This unit has been designed for front line supervisors of human service delivery and allied health staff. Although the unit draws on frameworks for social work supervision, front line supervisors with qualification from many disciplines will also benefit from this unit and find it contains material that is directly relevant to their workplace and their discipline. The unit will be attractive to supervisors (or potential supervisors) who wish to develop their skills in a creative and dynamic way.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the role of supervisor as that of professional developer.
  2. Identify and articulate key components of clinical supervision.
  3. Develop a supervisory contract/agreement.
  4. Consider the benefits and limitations of individual, group and peer supervision.
  5. Critically evaluate their own supervisory style.
  6. Identify and articulate strategies to create a culture of professional learning within their workplace.
  7. Identify and articulate an understanding of common blocks in supervision and how to overcome these.
  8. Develop a portfolio of their own supervisory style.

Assessment

  • Hurdle requirement (equivalent 2,000 words) 10%
  • Critical Evaluation of your own supervisory style (equivalent 3,000 words) 40%
  • Develop a supervisory portfolio (5,000 words) 50% (hurdle)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


SWM5260 - Social work in post disaster sites

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Chief examiner(s)

TBC

Coordinator(s)

Kerri Whittenbury

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

In recent decades significant climate and environmental disasters and threats have impacted on the way people and communities live.

As a consequence our ability to live sustainably will be one of the challenges of the twenty-first century. These changes have significant social impacts and this unit provides a social work perspective to this new field of practice - social work in post-disaster sites.

SWM5260 provides an international and national focus on emerging threats such as climate change, water and food insecurity, environmental disasters, terrorist actions, migration and social movements.

It also examines their gendered impacts and how these affect people and communities.

Research from across the world reveals that impacts vary significantly between women and men and across the lifespan and that these factors will affect the abilities of individuals, families and communities to adapt.

Social workers will be critical workers providing the link between people, communities and the policy environment in uncertain times.

This unit will prepare social workers to be critical change agents working in post-disaster sites.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Identify types of disasters and explain the nature and their impacts globally.
  2. Identify and assess emerging global challenges that compound the impacts of disasters.
  3. Critique the international and national policy environment concerning disasters.
  4. Interpret the historical links between social work practice and the environment.
  5. Critically analyse the nature of vulnerability, adaptive capacity, resilience and social sustainability in the context of disasters.
  6. Summarise and interpret the Social Development Goals and their link to social sustainability in the context of disasters.
  7. Articulate a critical understanding of the impacts that disasters have on the environment and how these might differ in rural and urban locations.
  8. Critique the relevance of social movements to global sustainability.
  9. Explain relevant social work responses to current and emerging social impacts of environmental disasters in local, national, and international contexts.
  10. Recognise the language of trauma and grief in the context of disasters.
  11. Analyse gendered and other factors that shape vulnerability in the context of disasters.
  12. Explain social work theories and their applications to social workers attending environmental disasters in relation to people's well-being.

Assessment

  • On-line quizzes (10%);
  • Social impacts poster (35%)
  • Analyse of emerging theories (5,000 words) (55%) (hurdle)

Off-campus attendance requirements

The unit runs for 13 weeks. For a 12 point unit, off-campus students are expected to spend 24 hours per week completing set tasks outlined in the Unit Guide, undertaking set readings and private research. Online contact such as discussion groups will be initiated by staff.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:


TRM4001 - Introduction to clinical trials

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Central Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Coordinator(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Co-requisites

TRM4002.

Synopsis

Successful clinical research is conducted under the guise of a well-constructed study question that is feasible, interesting, novel, ethical and relevant. A study design must be conceived with appropriate measures of clinical observation and intervention. This unit will establish a fundamental knowledge in drug development, conducting Clinical Trial studies, designing a good protocol, international conference on harmonisation good clinical practice (ICH-GCP) and delegation of responsibility and co-ordination. The unit provides instruction in the development of a clinical research question and creating a concise protocol that includes literature review, study design, subject sampling and recruitment, instruments and other measurement approaches, sample size, consent form, budget and timetable. The aim of the unit is to introduce students to the processes and regulations involved in developing a therapeutic through to clinical trials. Students completing this unit should be able to construct a testable clinical research question and design a protocol that is ethical, well controlled and statistically powerful. Students should also be able to identify the roles of the sponsor, the investigator, the institutional review board/ independent ethics committee and the local regulators.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Design a clinically relevant question and set of experiments.
  2. Outline Good Clinical Practice as followed by the international Conference on Harmonisation.
  3. Identify and describe the key steps in conducting a Clinical Trial including different types of human research and protocols that can be implemented.
  4. Identify and describe the key steps in the drug discovery process including identification of drug targets, Australian regulatory requirements, manufacture, development of a safety profile, clinical development and marketing.
  5. Outline how to manage regulatory documents.
  6. Outline the role of the Sponsor, the investigator, the institutional review board/ independent ethics committee and the local regulators.

Assessment

  • Invigilated online quizzes (9 x 5% = 45%)
  • Essay 1 (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Capstone project (20%)
  • Online test (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: Approximately 35 hours of face-to-face workshops delivered by ARCS Australia Pty Ltd and 35 hours of the preparation of a Capstone Project on Clinical Trial Design. The remaining 74 hours (Approximately 6 hours per week over a 12 week period) is made up of private study time completing online exercises (9 in-total), 2 major assignments (including a capstone project on Clinical Trial Design) and an end of semester online test.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


TRM4002 - Translational research

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Central Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Coordinator(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Prerequisites

Students need to have completed and passed a minimum of 96 credit points in an undergraduate Science Discipline programme prior to enrolling in this unit.

Synopsis

Translational research is a growing and exciting new discipline in medicine that deals with the development of fundamental scientific findings into tangible clinical outcomes. Translational researchers are involved in identifying a worthwhile scientific finding that can be applied to a clinical setting. Along this research and development pipeline are a series of critical check-points that provide the investigator vital tools to generate a valuable result that has merit for translation. This unit will establish a fundamental knowledge in the processes involved in developing a basic science finding through to clinical studies. The unit provides workshop-based learning in the development of discipline-specific laboratory research questions and how they are applied to broader clinical applications. The main focus of this unit is to identify how fundamental scientific questions may have multidisciplinary clinical answers. Other core learning outcomes are through understanding how scientific concepts can be marketed and communicated effectively through research pipeline procedures and the responsibilities of the researcher that may be derived from this.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify the pathways to commercialisation and compare the translation of research conducted primarily through universities with that of industry.
  2. Define the criteria for engaging in contract research projects with stakeholders from industry, government and academia.
  3. Discuss Good Laboratory and Good Manufacturing Practice in the context of commercialising protein and bio-product research.
  4. Apply Good Laboratory and Good Manufacturing Practice to the stages of scale-up, production and downstream processing of a bio-product.
  5. Identify and select platform technologies appropriate to a specific multi-disciplinary research project.
  6. Outline the key criteria for assessing promising drug candidates during the discovery process and discuss these using recently developed pharmaceutical examples.

Assessment

  • Essay 1: Intellectual property & commercialisation (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Essay 2: Bioprocessing/bioinformatics/biobanking/bioimaging/phenomics (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Media release - executive summary (500 words) (10%)
  • Online self-directed learning tasks (6 x 5% = 30%)
  • Online test (1 hour) (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: Approximately 60 contact hours either face-to-face workshops or online modules. The remaining 84 hours (7 hours per week over a 12 week period) is made up of private study time completing online exercises, 3 major assignments and an end of semester online test.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


TRM6001 - Introduction to clinical trials

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Central Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Coordinator(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Co-requisites

TRM6002.

Synopsis

Successful clinical research is conducted under the guise of a well-constructed study question that is feasible, interesting, novel, ethical and relevant. A study design must be conceived with appropriate measures of clinical observation and intervention. This unit will establish a fundamental knowledge in drug development, conducting Clinical Trial studies, designing a good protocol, international conference on harmonisation good clinical practice (ICH-GCP) and delegation of responsibility and co-ordination. The unit provides instruction in the development of a clinical research question and creating a concise protocol that includes literature review, study design, subject sampling and recruitment, instruments and other measurement approaches, sample size, consent form, budget and timetable. The aim of the unit is to introduce students to the processes and regulations involved in developing a therapeutic through to clinical trials. Students completing this unit should be able to construct a testable clinical research question and design a protocol that is ethical, well controlled and statistically powerful. Students should also be able to identify the roles of the sponsor, the investigator, the institutional review board/ independent ethics committee and the local regulators.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Design a clinically relevant question and set of experiments.
  2. Outline Good Clinical Practice as followed by the international Conference on Harmonisation.
  3. Identify and describe the key steps in conducting a Clinical Trial including different types of human research and protocols that can be implemented.
  4. Identify and describe the key steps in the drug discovery process including identification of drug targets, Australian regulatory requirements, manufacture, development of a safety profile, clinical development and marketing.
  5. Outline how to manage regulatory documents.
  6. Outline the role of the Sponsor, the investigator, the institutional review board/ independent ethics committee and the local regulators.
  7. Critically review the literature and formulate clear and testable hypotheses for a specified clinical trial.

Assessment

  • Investigated online quizzes (9 x 5%=45%)
  • Essay 1 (1,500 words) (25%)
  • Capstone project (20%)
  • Online test (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: Approximately 35 hours of face-to-face workshops delivered by ARCS Australia Pty Ltd and 35 hours of the preparation of a Capstone Project on Clinical Trial Design. The remaining 74 hours (Approximately 6hrs per week over a 12 week period) is made up of private study time completing online exercises (9 in-total), 2 major assignments (including a capstone project on Clinical Trial Design) and an end of semester online test.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


TRM6002 - Translational research: pathways to the clinic

0 points, SCA Band 3, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Central Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Coordinator(s)

Dr Steven Petratos

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Monash Medical Centre

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Translational research is a growing and exciting new discipline in medicine that involves many pathways towards developing fundamental scientific discoveries into tangible clinical outcomes. In this unit, students will learn how to identify, critically evaluate and apply translational research processes including the drug discovery pipeline, market needs, intellectual property, commercialisation and/or clinical trials. Underpinning this training, students will learn to identify and critically appraise commercial and ethical decision-making crossroads. They will also learn how to communicate scientific findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences by developing the ability to prepare a media release, a critical review of the literature and a scientific poster, conveying translational research. Translational research involves team work and leadership; students undertaking this unit will develop these abilities through engagement in a variety of team and leadership activities.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the research literature and evaluate the potential for clinical translation
  2. Examine and interpret translational research findings in medicine and communicate these to technical and non-technical audiences
  3. Critically evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of different translational research pathways to drug development, commercialisation or clinical trials.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively, either individually or in teams, to present a proposal and develop your leadership skills
  5. Identify and evaluate commercial and ethical decision-making crossroads in translational research
  6. Identify and apply translational research processes including the drug discovery pipeline, market needs, intellectual property, sourcing funding, company spin-offs and regulatory bodies

Assessment

  1. Media release and executive summary (10%)
  2. 2x online assessment quizzes: Self-directed learning tasks (total 10%)
  3. 2x workshop extended matching questions (EMQs) (total 10%)
  4. 2x oral assessments (total 20%)
  5. Critical review of research & discussion of proposed translation (40%)
  6. Poster presentation (10%)

Workload requirements

On-campus: Approximately 4 contact hours to attend media release and executive summary workshop. Approximately 8 hours to complete each online module (total 16 hours) and 6 hours of face-to-face module workshops. Up to 3 contact hours per oral presentation (total 6 hours). Approximately 2 contact hours for poster presentation. The remaining 116 hours (approx. 10 h per week over a 12 week period) comprise preparing for the media release and executive summary, the team-orientated oral presentations, the writing of a critical review of research and interpretation of translation, and a poster presentation in the postgraduate research forum.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study