MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Medicine Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Graduate diplomas
CONTENTS
- Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (by distance education)
- Graduate Diploma in Immunology
- Graduate Diploma in Microbiology
- Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health
- Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences
- Graduate Diploma in Rural Health
- Graduate Diploma in Venereology
General information
The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine offers a course leading to the
degree of Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. This course is
designed to assist clinicians who wish to familiarise themselves with clinical
research methodology and to individuals employed in public health related
positions who wish to upgrade their skills in epidemiology. The course, which
may be completed in one year full-time or over two years part-time, requires
the completion of eight units of the present Master of Public Health degree.
The content of these units is primarily related to epidemiology and
biostatistics. The course aims to provide a detailed understanding of these
subjects to a level that enables critical and detailed appraisal of
epidemiological literature and the conduct of projects requiring
epidemiological and biostatistical expertise.
Candidates must have a university degree or equivalent and have had at least
two years, preferably longer, postgraduate work experience in a health-related
field before undertaking the course.
Course structure
Compulsory units include MPH1012 (Epidemiology and biostatistics), MPH2002
(Clinical epidemiology), and MPH2013 (Epidemiological research methods).
Elective units are chosen from a list of options relevant to epidemiology and
biostatistics and currently available within the Master of Public Health
program. At present these include MPH2025 (Principles and practice of public
health), MPH1003 (Environmental and communicable hazards), MPH2007 (Chronic
disease epidemiology), MPH2020 (Medical demography), MPH2009 (Drug
epidemiology) and MPH2018 (Infectious disease epidemiology).
Asssessment
Assessment is by written examinations and assignments.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the head of the Department of Social and
Preventive Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.
General information
The Department of Community Medicine offers a Graduate Diploma in Family
Medicine through a distance education mode. The objectives of the degree are to
(1) foster general-practitioner critical appraisal skills in reference to the
nature of the discipline, its daily practice and its literature and research
basis; (2) to provide a course of study for general practitioners wishing to
expand their knowledge and skills in areas relevant to general practice, to
meet their own personal and professional needs as well as the needs of the
patients and the community in which they practice; and (3) to enlarge the pool
of potential general practice teachers and researchers which will help enhance
the quality and status of general practice teaching and research amongst
professionals and in the wider community. Opportunities exist to upgrade the
graduate diploma to the masters degree through additional coursework and a
minor thesis. The graduate diploma is conducted over two years (part-time). The
course is available for graduates with a minimum of two years postgraduate
experience who are currently registered by the medical board in their
respective State or who have a qualification which is registrable in a State of
the Commonwealth. Preference will be given to applicants currently employed in
active general practice. This course is particularly suitable for doctors in
rural practice anywhere in Australia.
Course structure
The course consists of two compulsory units: MFM2000 (Academic basis of general
practice/family medicine) and MFM2006 (Introduction to research methods in
general practice/family medicine) and three electives chosen from MFM2007
(Learning and teaching in family medicine), preventive care, musculoskeletal
medicine, computers in medicine, palliative care, electrocardiography, rational
prescribing, issues in rural health, clinical nutrition, occupational health
and safety, dermatology, women's health, child health, practice management,
family therapy and counselling skills, community geriatrics, ethics,
acupuncture, menopause, stress management and pain management. Further units
will be added as the course evolves.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework participation, assignments with occasional special
projects and formal examinations from time to time.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Community Medicine, 867
Centre Road, East Bentleigh 3165.
General information
The Department of Pathology and Immunology provides a course leading to the
degree of Graduate Diploma in Immunology. The course may be taken either as a
full-time one-year course or as a part-time course over two years.
The course is designed to provide training in laboratory immunology as it
applies to medical and paramedical problems in hospitals and industrial and
other biological laboratories. Candidates may be accepted from medical, dental,
veterinary and science graduates with interests in the practical aspects of
immunology.
Although the course will include some instruction in research methods, it is
not intended primarily as preparation for a research career in immunology, (for
which the BSc(Hons) course is more appropriate). Factors which will be taken
into consideration when selecting candidates will be their academic record,
their career since graduating, and an assessment of their ability to profit
from the course.
Course structure
The course comprises three sections. (1) A basic course in general immunology
which includes lectures, seminars, practical classes and demonstrations. (2) A
concurrent course in applied immunology including laboratory diagnostic work
and immunopathology. The candidates are expected to be able to perform the
diagnostic and other basic procedures carried out in the various laboratories
and to be able to interpret the significance of test results. (3) A supervised
project related to a topic studied in section 2, with special emphasis on the
design and conduct of an investigation and experience in the use of appropriate
techniques rather than its intrinsic interest as a research project. Where
possible, the project will be tailored to the candidate's special area of
interest.
Assessment
Assessment is by two 2000-word essays, laboratory workbooks for practical
classes and laboratory rotations, written examination, practical examination
and research project report.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the head of the Department of Pathology and
Immunology, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran
3181.
General information
The Department of Microbiology provides a course leading to a Graduate Diploma
in Microbiology. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course
or as a part-time course over two years.
The course aims to provide instruction in current ideas and techniques of
microbiology both to graduates whose background is mainly in other subjects and
to those with some knowledge of microbiology who wish to undertake further
training or retraining. The first group may include persons who have graduated
and are following a professional career in some other discipline and need to
acquire an understanding of microbiology.
Although the course will include some instruction in research methods, it is
not intended primarily as a preparation for a research career in microbiology
(for which the BSc(Hons) course or the MSc preliminary course are more
appropriate); nor is it intended to be taken immediately after an undergraduate
course in microbiology. Factors which will be taken into consideration when
selecting candidates will be their academic record, their career since
graduating, and an assessment of their ability to profit from the course.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of written examinations, assignments and completion of a
short research project.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be made to the head of the Department of Microbiology, Monash
University, Clayton 3168.
General information
The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health, offered by the Department of
Social and Preventive Medicine, is designed to provide broad training in the
principles and practice of occupational health, especially the provision of
occupational health services. The course is open to medical and non-medical
graduates with related science or health background.
Description of course
Four pairs of units, each pair consisting of one half-day per week over
fourteen weeks, are completed over two (part-time) years. These units are
MPH1028 (Toxicology I); MPH1001 (Advanced toxicology); MPH2022 (Occupational
hygiene); and MPH2026 (Special topics in occupational health); MPH1019 (Legal
and management aspects of occupational health); MPH1008 (Diseases of
occupation); MPH2014 (Ergonomics); MPH2010 (Disease prevention and
rehabilitation). In June between semesters one and two of the first year of the
course, there is a full-day course on epidemiology in occupational health
(MPH1039).
Assessment
Assessment will comprise written examinations, assignments, practical exercises
and student presentation. The teaching methods include lectures, workshops,
case studies and workplace visits. In addition to formal tuition time, extra
reading and assignments may take an extra six hours per week.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Social and Preventive
Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.
General information
The Institute of Reproduction and Development, in association with Prince
Henry's Institute of Medical Research, provides a course leading to a Graduate
Diploma in Reproductive Sciences. The course may be taken either as a full-time
one-year course or as a part-time course over two years.
The aims and objectives of the course are to provide a detailed training in
current theories and principles of reproductive biology and medicine;
instruction and experience in various practical skills currently in use; and an
understanding of changing issues in reproduction and the implications of new
reproductive technologies.
The Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences provides suitable training to
effectively implement, maintain and develop procedures in the fields of
breeding improvement programs; IVF technology; reproductive diseases; clinical
and basic laboratory activities; and commercial ventures.
Candidates must have a biological, medical, paramedical, agricultural or
vetinary sciences degree from an approved tertiary institution, or
qualifications and experience which are deemed equivalent.
Course structure (DRS1008, DRS2009 [full-time] or DRS1010, DRS1012, DRS2011,
DRS2013 [part-time])
The main elements of the course are:
+ lectures covering topics including physiology of human and animal
reproduction; fertilisation and its manipulation; regulation of fertility;
infertility - its diagnosis and treatment in men and women; ethics; sexually
transmitted diseases; pregnancy and parturition; pregnancy disorders; and
neonates;
+ practical classes which provide students with the necessary laboratory
and research skills to undertake research in the reproductive sciences;
+ a journal club which provides students with experience in reviewing,
discussing and analysing scientific journal articles in a tutorial format;
+ specialisation to allow students to concentrate on particular areas of
reproductive biology (students can develop skills and specialised expertise in
one of the following areas: human reproduction, animal reproduction, women's
health, basic laboratory skills, fetal and neonatal physiology, embryology);
+ assignments consisting of literature reviews on specific areas of the
reproductive sciences, and practical electives involving students in a series
of related practical laboratory skills in their chosen area of research.
+ a research project in which students undertake a short-term
self-contained project applying a variety of different techniques and
consolidating their practical skills.
Assessment
Assessment is by written examinations, practical reports, practical electives,
written assignments, and the written and oral report for the research
project.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to Ms T Hocking, Department of Anatomy, Monash
University, Clayton 3168.
General information
The Department of Community Medicine offers a distance education course leading
to the degree of Graduate Diploma in Rural Health. The degree is undertaken
full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
The course aims are to produce graduates who are well equipped to provide high
quality health care specifically oriented to the health needs of rural
communities; to develop and extend the knowledge, skills and attitude of rural
health care professionals; and to prepare health practitioners to live and work
in rural communities.
Candidates are selected on the basis of academic and professional merit.
Preference is given to candidates who hold current registration in a relevant
health discipline and who are working in rural areas or are preparing for a
career in rural practice. Candidates must have a minimum of a pass bachelors
degree or a qualification deemed equivalent and a minimum period of one year's
relevant clinical experience.
Course structure
The course consists of four compulsory generic core subjects and four
discipline-specific clinical practice subjects. The compulsory core subjects
are:
+ Rural health issues and practice;
+ Research methods;
+ Rural health politics and policy;
+ Health education and promotion.
Students may choose either to complete four elective subjects (such as Primary
health care, Aboriginal health, Women's health, Occupational health and safety,
Applied pharmacology, Rural medicine, Mental health, Nutrition and health
practices, Critical care, Care for the elderly, Rural health service management
and Drug and alcohol issues in rural communities) or may take a minimum of one
of those subjects and up to three individually negotiated clinical practice
subjects. These subjects will be negotiated with the relevant subject
coordinator.
Assessment
Assessment is by written assignments and papers, projects, student journals,
literature review and formal assessment.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to Dr R Hall, Centre for Rural Health, Latrobe
Regional Hospital, Ollerton Avenue, Moe, 3825.
General information
The Department of Microbiology provides a course leading to a Graduate Diploma
in Venereology. The course may be taken either as a full-time one-year course
or as a part-time course over two years. Candidates for this course must be
medical practitioners licensed to practice in the State of Victoria.
The aim of the course is to provide specialist practitioners, or general
practitioners who have an interest in this field, with a sound knowledge of the
clinical and theoretical aspects of the sexually transmissible diseases (STDs)
and special training in their diagnosis and management.
Course structure
Coursework
+ Basic sciences and microbiological aspects of the sexually transmissible
pathogens - lectures, practical classes and laboratory seminars on basic
microbiology, diagnostic techniques and their interpretation. The aim is to
provide detailed knowledge on laboratory aspects of STDs, as well as
instruction in practical microscopic and cultural techniques applicable to STD
practices.
+ Clinical epidemiology - lectures and seminars on epidemiology of STDs ,
the development of critical appraisal of published material and an
understanding of research methodology and research communication.
+ Clinical venereological practice - lectures by practising venereologists
on clinical approaches to the major genital infection syndromes.
+ Sexual health - lectures and seminars on the sexual health aspect of
venereological practice, including contraception, infertility, sexual assault,
sex workers and special-risk groups.
Clinical sessions
Candidates are required to undertake the equivalent of fifty clinical sessions
to complete the course.
Class presentations
Each candidate will be expected to prepare a detailed case study and present it
at a combined meeting of the Venereology Society of Victoria and the Victorian
Chapter of the Australasian College of Venereologists. In addition, the study
should be written up as a case study or literature review in a form suitable
for publication.
Assessment
Assessment is by combined practical and theoretical examination, written
assignments and examinations, supervisors reports and case presentations.
Inquiries
Further information can be obtained from Dr G Cross, Dr I Denham or Dr J
Savage, Department of Microbiology, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital,
Commercial Road, Prahran 3181.
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