Structure

Program Structure

The MD/MPH program is structured so that students complete three years of the MD before taking a year to focus on MPH compulsory and elective subjects, before returning to complete their final year of the MD.  In MD Discovery 4, it is expected that MD/MPH students will have a significant public health focus when completing either MEDS90042 or MEDS90044 as this subject serves as a capstone to their combined studies.

Students entering the Master of Public Health (244CW) via the MD/MPH pathway after completion of their third year of the MD will enter with 50 points advanced standing and will complete:

• 75 credit points of compulsory subjects (6 subjects)
• 50 credit points of MD Discovery 4: Clinical Scholar (MEDS90042) or Research Scholar (MEDS90044)
• 25 credit points of electives (2 subjects)

Compulsory subjects

All of: 

• POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health (12.5 points)
• POPH90013 Biostatistics (12.5 points)
• POPH90014 Epidemiology 1 (12.5 points)
• POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health (12.5 points)
• POPH90274 Applied Program Development (12.5 points)
• POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Policy (12.5 points)

MD Discovery 4

Students select 50 credit points from:

• MEDS90042 - MD Discovery 4: Clinical Scholar (50 credit points)
• MEDS90044 - MD Discovery 4: Research Scholar (50 credit points)

The MD Research or Clinical Scholar Discovery 4 subjects are designed to consolidate students’ knowledge and enable the production of a substantial piece of research or integrated clinical placement or other scholarly output that incorporates a significant public health focus. MD/MPH students are expected to complete a high-quality project demonstrating competence in the analysis and critical review of issues related to population or global health. This provides an opportunity to extend traditional medical research areas, such as the pathophysiology of disease, into the broader context of public health.

Electives

Students select 25 credit points from:

• https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/courses/244cw/majors-minors-specialisations

Many MD/MPH students will have diverse interests that can be met through combining elective subject areas. This will allow for a comprehensive education in the fundamental concepts of public health, and also other areas including: research methods; health policy; global and community health; and systems analysis.

Notes:

• Students may receive an additional 25 credits advanced standing (with credit) for Melbourne School of Population and Global Health core or elective subjects taken as Discovery. If MD students with such additional advanced standing wish to have a full course load they may elect to rescind credit for one or both of these Discovery subjects to complete additional electives.
• All MPH compulsory subjects and most elective subjects can be taken either on-campus or online allowing for a flexible mode of delivery.
• While in the MPH, MD students are put on a leave of absence from the MD