Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program

Summary

From 2008 onwards the Bachelor of Medicine program will be offered jointly by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England. The curriculum for this program, based on the current University of Newcastle program, will be identical at both institutions. Candidates will have the opportunity to select the site at which they would prefer to complete the program when they lodge their direct online Joint Medical Program application to the University of Newcastle/University of New England.

The Bachelor of Medicine is characterised by a problem based and integrated curriculum with early clinical exposure and substantial community involvement. The program places great emphasis on understanding clinical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, learned in the context of the relevant basic science mechanisms and principles. The five year program is integrated which means students make connections between the different areas in medicine and the basic sciences in order to apply them to specific medical problems.

The program is community-oriented. Students are expected to understand and respect the community as a living thing. The program emphasises the promotion and maintenance of health, both of individuals and of communities. Preventive care is pursued as the most effective approach to complement treatment of the individual patient. Students are encouraged to see the individual in context, treating the patient as a whole person and in a manner consistent with their social or physical environment.

Students admitted to the program must have both the intellectual ability needed for university success and personal qualities important to practise medicine. The admission procedure selects applicants who have reached a high academic standard and have the necessary personal qualities.

The Bachelor of Medicine has a well-established reputation for innovation and the University of Newcastle/University of New England are constantly seeking ways to improve the learning experience for students.

Career opportunities

This program provides initial training for a career in any aspect of medicine. Graduates undertake a one year internship in a teaching hospital. Following internship most graduates continue to work in the NSW public hospital system for several years. Many use this period to undertake specialist training. Most specialties take a minimum of 4-5 years of further training with additional studies and exams. Graduates who choose a career in General Practice are required to complete the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Training Program. This three-year program can be entered after the intern year.

Entry requirements

Recommended Studies: Any two units of English

Additional entry requirements and selection criteria: All students are required to complete a Criminal Records Check in order to undertake clinical placements in a Public Health Facility, a Prohibited Employment Declaration in accordance with the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, a Department of Health Adult Vaccination Card, and sign a Health Records and Information Privacy ACT 2002 Student Undertaking.
Alternative selection procedures apply for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details call Wallotuka - School of Aboriginal Studies (02) 4921 6863 or email wollotuka@newcastle.edu.au.

How to apply

Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC, register to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT), apply directly to the University of Newcastle/University of New England (either rural or standard) and attend an interview if required.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent, results of UMAT and interview.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC, register to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT) , apply directly to the University of Newcastle/University of New England (either rural or standard) and attend an interview if required. Entry based on:

• previous Year 12 studies or Higher education qualifications or overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
• Results of UMAT and interview.

International Students

Direct applications from international students wishing to be considered for entry to the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program are no longer accepted.

Application Requirements

Applicants wishing to be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Medicine  - Joint Medical Program are required to lodge the following:

• A UAC application by 28 September 2007, indicating a preference for UAC code CSP 780000 and/or DFEE 781000. Late applications will be accepted upon payment of the appropriate late fee. In 2008 DFEE places are only available at the University of Newcastle.
  Note: Applicants must have Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program listed as one of their preferences with UAC by the November late closing date – any change of preference after this date to add Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program will not be considered.
• A Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program online direct university application (either rural or standard). The closing date for direct applications to be lodged for entry 2008 is 28 September 2007. The online application and the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program 2008 information booklet are available at: www.newcastle.edu.au/jmp. Late applications are not considered.
• A registration to undertake UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test). Applicants can register online at: http://umat.acer.edu.au  The on-time closing date for UMAT registrations was 1 June 2007. Subject to a late fee, registrations were accepted up until 15 June 2007. UMAT was conducted in 2007 on 25 July.

Description

IMPORTANT! You must read the Undergraduate Degree Rules. Click here to view.

The Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle pioneered an innovative curriculum that provides a range of exciting opportunities for students of medicine. The program is designed to train students in the practice of medicine.

The curriculum is centred on the concept of problem-based learning, with students working in small groups to analyse clinical problems, and acquiring an understanding of basic science and disease mechanisms in the process. Clinical and basic sciences are integrated with all the academic disciplines traditionally associated with a medical program being represented, as well as those which indicate the particular orientation of the program towards community medicine. From the beginning of their studies, students are in contact with patients, gaining clinical experience in many of the region's hospitals, various community health units and in medical practices.

The Bachelor of Medicine is a five-year full-time program. After completing a one-year internship, graduates can be registered for medical practice in all Australian states by the relevant Medical Board. The degree is also recognised for the purposes of full and provisional registration in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland by the General Medical Council (UK), in Singapore by the Singapore Medical Council and in New Zealand. Registration may be possible in other countries after passing an examination set by the registration bodies of those countries.

Credit Transfer Agreements

Credit transfer arrangements do not apply for the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Medicine requires five years of full time study. Students enrol in six courses/courses in Year 1 and four courses/units in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Clinical Placements

Most courses/units within the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program involve clinical placements and these placements vary in length. Applicants should be aware that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program will be required to undertake placements at Clinical School locations away from their university of enrolment.

Students will be required to spend up to 4 semesters away from their university of enrolment (excluding the Year 3 Health Equity Selective placement). Students may elect to undertake placements of up to 2 years in an 'away' location. Students will be responsible for all costs associated with travel and accommodation for 'away' placements.

The Clinical Schools are:

• The School of Rural Medicine (New England)/The Rural Clinical School (Newcastle) consisting of hospitals at Tamworth, Armidale, Taree, Moree and primary care settings across the Upper Hunter and New England regions.
• The Greater Newcastle Clincal School consisting of John Hunter, Newcastle Mater, Belmont, Maitland and James Fletcher Hospitals, the Royal Newcastle Centre and primary care settings in the Lower Hunter Region.
• The Central Coast Clinical School consisting of Gosford and Wyong Hospitals and primary care settings in the Central Coast region.

NOTE: The structure of the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program is continually being reviewed and updated.

Approved Courses/Units

Note: 10 units at the University of Newcastle = 6 credit points at the University of New England.

Schedule

The relevant program schedule is available within the Degree Rules and Schedules section of the Policy Library.