The "Melbourne Model" in Outline. (July 17, 2006)

    A concise outline of the the current state of the redesign of the University of Melbourne's curricula known as the "Melbourne Model".

• From 2008 undergraduates will have to study a quarter of their degree in subjects outside their chosen field.

• Students taking one of six new undergraduate degrees --  arts, science, bioscience, commerce, environments or music -- will be asked to choose from a list of complementary subjects drawn up by their faculty. A decision on a seventh bachelor degree - in philosophy, politics and economics is pending.

• The university will reduce the number of subjects taught and by 2016 student numbers will have beeen reduced by 4,000.

• New graduate or masters degrees offered from 2008 will be in law, nursing, education, architecture and urban planning, forestry science, and public policy and management.

• professional disciplines - including medicine, engineering, veterinary science and dental science - will also remain undergraduate courses initially, before moving to graduate level over the next five years.