Education for the health sciences : the Melbourne Model

From 2008 the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences will be moving to a new approach to higher education known as the Melbourne Model. The Melbourne Model involves curriculum reform aimed at creating an outstanding and distinctive experience for undergraduate and graduate students.

A new undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Biomedicine will become available from 2008 with new professional graduate courses phased in between 2008 and 2011. The Bachelor of Biomedicine will be the preferred pathway to graduate study of medicine, physiotherapy, dental science and nursing. Students can also gain entry through the new Bachelor of Science, or in the case of psychology and social work, through the new Bachelor of Arts.

Medicine

Entry to the current medical course will continue to be available to school leavers in 2008 and to graduates in 2008 and 2009. The current medical course will be replaced from 2011 with a new graduate professional degree.

Nursing

The new entry-to-practice Master of Nursing Science is available from 2008. This course provides an ideal pathway for university graduates seeking entry into the dynamic and ever expanding healthcare industry. The aim of the course is to provide graduates with a program of intensive nursing training through integrated programs of relevant theoretical and clinical practice. On completion of the course students are eligible for Division 1 registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria.

Social Work

A new graduate entry Master of Social Work is available from 2008. This course provides graduates with the opportunity of a higher level degree while achieving their professional social work qualification. The course involves rigorous preparation for social work practice and research in a diverse and challenging profession.

Dental Science

Entry to the current dental science courses will continue to be available to school leavers in 2008. The current dental science courses will be replaced from 2011 with new graduate professional degrees.

Physiotherapy

Entry to the current Bachelor of Physiotherapy will continue to be available to school leavers in 2008 and to graduates in 2008 and 2009. The current course will be replaced from 2011 with a new graduate professional degree.

Behavioural science and psychology

Psychology will be available as a subject in all of the new university Melbourne Model undergraduate degrees. The School of Behavioural Science also offers a Master of Psychology and other graduate professional degrees.

Public health and population health

The School of Population Health offers a variety of graduate professional and research degrees, including the Master of Public Health.

Honours and research degrees

For 2008, honours and research masters which can lead to PhDs and other research doctorates will remain unchanged. From 2011 we will offer even more flexible options and paths to research doctorate programs.