Medical Science - Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate Medical Science courses / programs offered online include:

Masters by Coursework
Graduate Diploma in Medical Science (GD146)

The highly successful coursework Masters in Medical Science is offered as an online distance learning program and provides an opportunity for local and international students to gain a sought after postgraduate qualification in Medical Science without the inconvenience of having to leave their work and family.

The Masters program has been internationally accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS, UK) and has been widely acclaimed by graduates for its vocationally relevant content and inclusion of both science and management components.

Aims

This program provides an opportunity for graduates in the field of medical science to:

• Broaden and extend their knowledge in a number of developing areas of medical science.
• Examine the latest advances in laboratory medicine in an inter-disciplinary context.
• Develop skills in the use and application of information technology for education and the rapidly evolving fields of telepathology and e-health.
• Develop an understanding of business and management practices in the conduct of laboratory medicine.
• Develop competency in applying scientific method through the conduct of a research project and submission of a thesis, or a publication standard dissertation.
• Acquire independent and life-long learning skills through self-directed and contract learning activities.
• Study a range of online elective courses including, Medico-Legal Studies and Ethics, Introduction to Systems Engineering/Thinking which complement the core areas of study in program.

The combination and range of courses in the program has been developed in recognition of the significant technological and structural changes taking place in Laboratory Medicine. Adjusting to these changes requires a highly skilled and flexible scientific workforce capable of evaluating problems and applying appropriate solutions to provide a high quality service.

This is an articulated program consisting of a coursework component which comprises two thirds of the program and a research component which may include a laboratory based project and thesis (conventional pathway), or a non-laboratory based thesis in conjunction with 2 additional approved elective courses (alternative pathway). Students enroll into the Masters degree on initial enrolment, however should they wish to finish following the coursework component, they will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Medical Science.

For admission to the Masters degree applicants must have a directed degree in Medical Laboratory Science from an Australian university (or equivalent) and at least one year of work experience in the field of Laboratory Medicine, preferably at a postgraduate level. International applicants should contact the program coordinator to have their qualifications assessed for eligibility

Mode and Duration

Six semesters part-time study for Masters.
Four semesters part-time study for Graduate Diploma.

Teaching Approach

The Master of Applied Science (Medical Science) is a distance education program that utilises online learning. The teaching approach adopted in this program acknowledges that all students will be adult learners who have wide and varied backgrounds. The experiences of students will be a major resource of learning material in the program and courses (subjects).

Considerable flexibility is offered in the program including the use of Learning Contracts to enable students to focus their learning on topics in which they have a particular interest. The use of independent and self-directed learning strategies allows the student to exercise considerable control over their learning outcomes.

Fees

This is full-fee paying program. Financial assistance for Australian citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa enrolled in full-fee paying coursework programs is available through a scheme called FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP enables eligible full fee paying students to obtain an interest-free loan, up to a maximum value of $50,000 from the Commonwealth Government, to pay all or part of their tuition fees incurred from 2005 onwards. For further information see the Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) website

There are also a small number of CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) equity places available, which enable reduced course costs based on evidence of low income and other Equity criteria. Applications for these places must take place prior to the first round closing date, which is 10 November for 2005.

Program Structure

The information which follows provides a guide to the courses students will undertake in a part-time program of study. The sequence in which courses are taken is dependent on whether enrolment is in February (Semester 1) or July (Semester 2).

*Electives can be drawn from an approved list of other courses offered throughout the university and from selected external sources.

The fees for elective courses vary as they are offered by different Schools within the university. Consequently the total cost for the Masters degree will depend on the electives chosen in Option B.

Campus Information

For more information on different aspects of RMIT campuses and facilities, please click on the following links:

• Campus Maps: Bundoora Campus and City
• Public transport information
• Accommodation
• RMIT Library
• Bookshops: Bundoora and City
• Campus safety and security
• Sport and Recreation: Bundoora Netball and Sports Centre and RMIT Union Sport and Recreation Service Areas
• Student services

More Information

• Guide for prospective students(PDF file)
• How to become a student in this program (Australian resident and international applicants)
• Academic program information page
• Enrolled students: Log into the DLS Learning Hub for course guides, online learning resources and communication tools
• Related resource The Institute of Biomedical Science

For further information about this program please contact program coordinator Associate Professor Ralph Green or contact the School of Medical Sciences by phone +61 3 9925 7075 or e-mail medicalsciences@rmit.edu.au

The School of Medical Sciences offers students the opportunity to study a variety of postgraduate, degree, tertiary and higher education programs and courses at the Bundoora campus, Melbourne, Australia. A variety of online programs are also available.

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