Q. What is MUMUS?
A. MUMUS is the Monash University Medical Undergraduates' Society. We are a student-run organisation set up to represent and support Monash University's wide diversity of medical students. We are here to ensure the concerns of our colleagues are heard and to work closely with the faculty to ensure Monash University's medical students are receiving the best of the social and academic facets of tertiary education. If you have any queries or concerns about the course, please talk to your friendly MUMUS committee members or student representatives on relevant faculty committees. A list of which students hold positions on whic committees can be found by accessing the "committee" tab on the MUMUS website.
Q. What do “Wildfire”, “AMSA” and “Ignite” do?
A. “Wildfire” is the Monash University Rural Health Club, and it provides opportunities for rural experience, raises awareness about indigenous health and educates students about the diversity of rural health. Check the website – http://www.med.monash.edu.au/wildfire to find out more.
“AMSA” (Australian Medical Students’ Association) is the peak representative body for medical students studying at Australia’s 17 medical schools. All medical students are automatically part of AMSA. Check the website – http://www.amsa.org.au for more information.
“Ignite” is a student-run initiative aiming to improve health in developing world countries. Check the website – http://www.ignitehealth.org.au to find out more.
Q. How can my year MUMUS level representatives provide assistance?
A. By raising issues/concerns with appropriate Faculty members/committees;
by providing information and publicising events that are being organised by and for the benefit of students, including career related events; and by keeping you informed on a range of matters pertinent to your year level.
Q. How can I become involved in Monash University student activities at Clayton?
A. By contacting the “Clubs and Societies” office in the Campus Centre and/or the tables set up each year during ‘O’ Week.
Q. How do I know who’s who in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences vis a vis the MBBS course?
A. Look at the attached list ‘Key Faculty MBBS Staff 2007’ for details of staff members, what they do and how to contact them.
Q. Is there printed material that will provide information on the MBBS years?
A. “Monash, Medicine and Me” is given to 1st year students, and it can be re-visited later, as it has a range of information about the course and the Faculty.
Prior to commencing each clinical year, you will be given a comprehensive ‘Handbook’ on that year, which should tell you almost everything you need to know – so it’s a good idea to be familiar with it.
Q. Which websites will I find useful?
A. There are so many useful websites (some listed here). The best way to find the ones(s) you want is go to the ‘A – Z Index’ in either the Monash University homepage or in the Faculty’s homepage. Everything is listed alphabetically and easily navigable.
Q. Where can I find application forms for MBBS course based matters?
A. Visit the ‘forms’ website – www.med.monash.edu.au/current/student-forms.html. Alternatively, the Reception Desk in the C.M.H.S.E, Building 15 and some clinical site offices may have hard copy forms available (at the latter, check with the site administrator).
Q. What do I do if I have a problem paying my fees?
A. Contact the Manager, MBBS Student Services or the Administrative Officer, Student Support, Clayton campus (see MBBS Faculty Staff List) who can provide advice and referral.
Q. Why do I need to be familiar with WES (Web Enrolment System)?
A. As from the beginning of the 2007 academic year, MBBS students do their own re-enrolment. (Previously, this was done by Faculty staff). Students should note that failure to re-enrol on time can cause major problems, and, for international students, can breach visa requirements. Students carrying an academic or financial encumbrance need to seek advice about re-enrolling.
Q. How often do I need a ‘Police Check’ and a ‘Working with Children Check’ and what is the best way to get one? What will happen if I don’t have a current one?
A. You will need to obtain a ‘Police Check’ after enrolment into Year 1, and then renew it every year that you are enrolled in the MBBS course. A ‘Working with Children Check’ needs to be obtained once during the 5 year duration of the MBBS ( in Year 1). Visit the forms website – www.med.monash.edu.au/current/student-forms.html for information on obtaining the checks. Checks must be sighted initially by administrative staff in the C.M.H.S.E. And students are advised to carry their checks when placed at clinical sites. Failure to obtain the checks and to show them, as required, may result in encumbrances being placed on your enrolment, which can ultimately lead to exclusion from the course.
Note: students are advised that passport photographs may not be acceptable – photos taken at pharmacies are recommended.
Q. At which clinical sites are Monash MBBS students placed?
A. There are three clinical schools in which students are placed – the Central & Eastern Clinical School, comprising of the Alfred, Caulfield, Cabrini, Boxhill, Maroondah, Angliss and Sandringham Hospitals; the Southern Clinical School, comprising of Monash Medical Centre and the Dandenong and Frankston Hospitals; and the School of Rural Health, with placement sites at Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Mildura, Sale, Traralgon and Warragul.
Q. What do I do/who do I tell if I am unable to attend my clinical placement?
A. Make contact with the administrator responsible for that clinical site ASAP and explain what has happened to prevent attendance (ref. attached staff list). It is also advisable to let your placement coordinator know too.
Q. Who can provide support/information at my clinical placement site?
A. The site’s administrative office staff members are able to provide information, and/or refer you to the appropriate person/area.
Q. Are there any circumstances that would allow me to change my clinical placement site?
A. Placing students is a very complicated process, and as students’ preferences are taken into account, changes are rarely permitted. If, however, you feel there are extenuating circumstances, linked to health, family trauma etc., you should contact the relevant year co-ordinator and/or the Associate Dean, MBBS.
Q. Can I park my car at my clinical placement site?
A. Sometimes, depending on the site – the site administrative office should be able to provide information. It is very unlikely at large urban hospitals (that are usually close to public transport anyway), but more likely at the rural ones (although there is student accommodation at a range of rural sites, in, or close to the hospital).
Q. Are there a site maps for my clinical placements?
A. Most site administrative offices will have one – particularly at the larger sites
Q. Am I able to undertake overseas placements as part of my MBBS course?
A. Yes – in the ‘Student Elective Rotation’ during the final year of the course and is a minimum of 6 weeks in one location. It should be noted that an overseas Elective placement cannot be undertaken during the last rotation of Year 5).
It is also possible to do a ‘Speciality’ rotation at the Monash Malaysia Medical School during Year 5.
Students must obtain permission to do an overseas placement, from the Associate Dean, MBBS Curriculum, and it is usually at a university with which Monash University has a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’. Students are urged to consult the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade website to ascertain the political stability of their chosen country.
Q. Are fee paying international students able to transfer to a HECS place?
A. HECS places are only available to permanent residents of Australia. Students are usually required to complete their studies before applying for PR status. Exceptions may apply on the basis of marriage or refugee status, for example. If a student gains PR status, there is no guarantee that s/he can automatically take a HECS place, as the quota may be full. (The attrition rate in the MBBS course is low, which makes it less likely that there will be a HECS place available). Advice should be sought from Monash International.
Q. Can I get any extra academic support if I am having difficulties with my studies?
A. The Faculty and the University have academic support services.
The Faculty employs staff on the Clayton campus (and at the major teaching hospitals) to assist MBBS students with study skills, language and learning difficulties, examination preparation etc.
The University offers a range of support services via the Health, Wellbeing and Development Centre (in the Campus Centre, Clayton). Examples are ‘Get SMART, Strategies, Motivation, Stress Reduction and Time Management; and ‘Stress Busters’, practical techniques for dealing with pre-exam jitters.
Q. What can happen if my results are not satisfactory?
A. You may be asked to come in for an informal discussion with a course advisor/lecturer if your assignments are unsatisfactory, ie borderline or below. If you fail a key examination you may be permitted to sit a ‘supplementary’ one. If you fail that, you may have to repeat the subject (which can mean the entire year must be repeated). In some situations, remediation is offered to students, so that they have every chance to improve their performance.
If results continue to be unsatisfactory, you may be asked to appear before an ‘Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Committee’ hearing. You may have to repeat some work; and/or attend counselling sessions and/or discuss your progress regularly with an academic staff member. The worst scenario is that you may be excluded from the course.
Q. When and how can I do a Bachelor of Medical Science (B.Med.Sc.)?
How can it benefit me?
A. Students who have successfully completed one or more years of their MBBS, and have shown a special aptitude, may interrupt their studies for a year to pursue in greater depth an area of medical science of particular interest to them. This year provides students with an opportunity to learn valuable research skills.
Q. In what circumstances can I take a break from my studies?
A. You may take a year off to undertake a B.Med.Sc. (see above). You may also apply to take an ‘intermission’ for a year. This may be for travel purposes, or to enable you to work to help support you through later years of the course. In some cases students who have experienced medical problems take a year away to regain their health. In all cases you must seek permission to intermit and have it approved by a senior Faculty staff member (usually the Deputy Dean).
Q. What can and cannot be put up on MUSO?
A. Any legitimate discussion, queries, information sharing linked to your course of study may be aired via MUSO. However, students wishing to make contact with academic staff are advised to use Email.
MUSO must not be used for professional advertising, business activities, gambling or showing pornographic material. Explicit language must not be used. Unauthorised access must not be granted to others, and no copyright may be infringed.
Q. What do I do/who do I talk to if I am unwell for an extended period?
A. If you are in Years 1 or 2 you should make initial contact with the Administrative Officer, Student Support in the C.M.H.SE., either in person or by phone/Email. If you are in Years 3, 4 or 5 you should advise the Administrator at you site and the AO, Student Support. In all years, you should obtain a certificate from a medical practitioner. It may be necessary to discuss your situation with Professor Murtagh or Professor Piterman (senior Faculty student support), who can make a referral to an appropriate outside organisation (eg the Victorian Doctors Health Program) and/or support an application for intermission from study for a specified period.
Q. In what circumstances can I apply for “Special Consideration” and how do I do it?
A. You can apply to be given “Special Consideration” for an assignment mark, or an examination result (or, in some cases, a full semester of study) if you experienced a significant event at the time – connected to either your health or family/personal trauma. You do not apply for SC if you had a minor ailment or you car broke down on the day of an exam or assignment due date.
NB “Special Consideration” is not automatic when application is lodged, but if it is granted, it can mean that a mark/result is adjusted upwards (in line with a fixed matrix linked to a range of situations).
Application forms may be obtained from the C.M.H.S.E. or Faculty offices, or downloaded from the web, via www.med.monash.edu.au/current/student-forms.html. When filled out they should be lodged with the AO, Student Support within the specified time frame.
Q. What do I do/who do I talk to if need urgent financial assistance?
A. You should contact the Administrative Officer, Student Support (C.M.H.S.E.) in the first instance. This may lead to referral to the University’s financial support office (Campus Centre) or to Professor Murtagh or Professor Piterman in the Faculty. The University can provide financial help in the form of short or long term loans and it also has a bond loan scheme. The Faculty may be able to assist with short term, interest free loans. Occasionally, the Faculty may provide a ‘one-off’ amount, which is not repayable.
Q. Am I eligible for a scholarship/bursary?
A. Monash University has a range of scholarships for students in coursework programs – based on either equity or merit. Students usually apply for these at enrolment time, and successful applicants may receive payments throughout their course, as long as they maintain a 70% grade average. Details are available via www.monash.edu.au/scholarships
The Faculty has a limited amount of money available each year (coming from interest on long-standing Trust Funds) that is used for MBBS Bursaries. All enrolled students are eligible to apply (applications usually close at the end of June). Applications considered by a committee chaired by Professor Murtagh. Successful applicants may receive a payment of between $500 and $1,500, based on their level of need. Unsuccessful applicants may be considered for a $100 MMBS Bookshop (under an arrangement set up by MUMUS representatives and the University Bookshop).
Final year students can also apply for bursaries administered by the Alfred Hospital Clinical School – with applications invited in April/May each year.
Contact the Administrator, Central & Eastern Clinical School, for details.
Q. Where can I get information on Youth Allowance or other government support?
A. Contact your nearest ‘Centrelink Office’. Staff in the University’s Health, Wellbeing and Development Centre (in the Campus Centre) may also have useful information.
Q. Where can I get information on part-time jobs?
A. The Monash Careers and Employment Office (in the Campus Centre) has information on part-time work, and on such things as how many hours a student in allowed to work without jeopardising any allowances/student visas.
NB Work commitments should not interfere with attendance at lectures/tutorials and clinical placements.
Q. Can I find help with accommodation?
A. Monash Residential Services (in the Campus Centre) can assist students who are looking for accommodation – both on campus and outside.
Q. Can I get assistance if I have cultural issues?
A. Within the Faculty, the International Advisors (see MBBS Staff List) are available to provide advice and assistance on a one-to-one basis. Also, there are counsellors in the University’s Health, Wellbeing and Development Centre who come from a range of backgrounds. The Equity and Diversity Centre publishes a “Cultural Calendar” each year that lists significant religious events and the dates on which they occur.
Q. What do I do/who can I talk to if I have some concerns about the wellbeing of a fellow student/s?
A. Seek advice from the Administrative Officer, Student Support (see MBBS Staff List.
Q. What can I do if I am affected by sexual harassment?
A. Under the auspice of the University’s Equity and Diversity Centre (E&DC), there are a number of advisors, based in all Faculties and Divisions, who can provide advice and assistance in a confidential manner. Names and contact details for the advisors can be found in the E&DC’s website.
Q. What happens if there is concern about my immunisation status? How can I check my immunisation status?
A. Most MBBS students opt to discuss their immunisation status with a practitioner in the University Health Service (UHS) early in their first semester of study. If there are any concerns, the UHS will automatically follow up and provide advice.
If a student is required to provide information on his/her immunisation status during their course, a printout may be obtained from the UHS.
Q. What does the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria (MPBV) do?
A. All doctors and medical students in Victoria must be registered with the MPBV. (MBBS students’ initial registration is done at the beginning of Year 1 and the Faculty provides ‘roll-over’ information to the MPBV in subsequent years). Immediately after the MBBS graduation ceremony the MPBV organises the registration of graduating students (this usually occurs on the day after graduation, at Monash Medical Centre).
Through the Victorian Doctor’s Health Program, the MPBV is concerned with the health and well-being of doctors and students. Doctors/students may ‘self-refer’ to the Program, or be referred by others (in the case of MBBS students, by senior Faculty support staff).
The MPBV also handles complaints about doctors and it has the power to de-register a practitioner.
Q. How do privacy issues affect me as a student?
A. Monash students are obliged to provide the university with personal and contact details when they enrol in a course, but should be assured that this information remains confidential. Staff and other students are not permitted to reveal or discuss personal information about a student with anyone – within Monash or outside. De-identification of students, for assessment and results purposes, is done by the use of student ID numbers, rather than by names.
NB Students are required to keep their contact details up to date, as failure to do so may mean that important information cannot be passed on to them.
Q. Feedback is beneficial and can help future students – how do I provide it/to whom?
A. MBBS students are frequently asked to fill in questionnaires about the course, its content and delivery. Such questionnaires should be taken seriously and filled in with care.
Students can also provide relevant feedback via student representatives on MBBS and Faculty committees and via MUMUS Executive members.