General Introduction
T h e University of Melbourne was established by an Act of the Victorian Parliament in 1853. T h e foundation stone of the first University building was laid in 1854 on the present University site of nineteen hectares in the northern part of the City of Mel- bourne.
Adjacent to the University site, under separate grants and titles, are the recreation grounds of almost six and a half hectares and the lands of the affiliated residential colleges covering more than eighteen hectares. T h e University also shares with the Victorian Minister of Agriculture the ownership of the Veterinary Precinct of one and a half hectares; and has interests in other external properties such as the Agriculture Field Station at Mt Derrimut, Veterinary Clinical Centre at Werribee, the Mcllwraith Centre at Mt Martha and certain properties in Parkville and Carlton. T h e State College of Victoria (Melbourne) which is adjacent to the University is not part of the University site. Maps of the main grounds and adjoining areas appear on the inside covers.
Under the Melbourne University Act the University consists of a Council; the Professors; other members of the academic staff, members of faculties and boards of studies; graduates; diplomates; undergraduates and members of the general staff de- signated by Council. A Council of up to thirty-nine members representing the Victo- rian Government, certain community interests, the graduates, the academic staff, the graduate students, the undergraduates, the affiliated colleges and the general staff is responsible for the conduct or University affairs. T h e general academic administration of the University is conducted by Faculties and Boards of Studies and supervised by the Academic Board.
T h e University Council has established a University Assembly with members elected from and by the University community. T h e Assembly is a permanent consulta- tive body and a major forum for continuing evaluation by the University community of the University's aims and achievements, and to provide for open discussion on matters of general concern to that community.
T h e University offers bachelor degree courses in Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Applied Science, Architecture, Arts, Building, Commerce, Dental Science, Education (postgraduate), Engineering, Forest Science, Law, Medicine and Surgery, Medical Science, Music, Music Education, Science, Science in Optometry, Science (Education), Social Work, Surveying, Town and Regional Planning, Veterinary Science and postgraduate diploma courses in a number of disciplines including Educa- tion and various medical specialties.
In most disciplines in which there is a degree of bachelor, degrees of master and doctor and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are available. There are also courses leading to masters' degrees in Business Administration, Building Science, Educa- tional Psychology, Engineering Science, Environmental Studies, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Landscape Architecture, Surveying Science, Urban Planning, and Veteri- nary Studies. T h e length of bachelor degree courses varies from three to six years of full-time study. T h e academic year begins in March and ends in December, and includes three teaching terms and an examination term.
T h e University is not primarily residential but there are eleven affiliated residential colleges. One, the Graduate Union, provides accommodation for postgraduate stu- dents. As well there are four halls of residence including International House, which is intended to meet the needs of overseas students, and Medley Hall which is near the University.
At its inception and for many years afterwards the University received grants from the Victorian Government, income from fees and benefactions. Since the Second World War the Australian Government has provided increasing financial support. F r o m the beginning of 1974, with the agreement of the Victorian Government, the Australian Government assumed responsibility for the governmental financial support of this and other universities and at the same time provided funds to enable tuition fees to be abolished.
I n size, the University grew slowly during its first 90 years from the original sixteen students in 1854 to 4,000 in 1945. T h i s growth was accelerated after the Second World War when the University faced increasing demands on its facilities, first by large numbers of ex-servicemen and women in the immediate postware years and then by the increasing numbers of students completing secondary school courses.
Today, with a student enrolment of about 16,000 the University is near to the maximum number of students for its limited grounds. Undergraduate enrolment has been strictly limited by the application of quotas but the University has been directing attention to the development of its postgraduate and research schools. T h e establish- ment of the new Victorian universities, Monash, La Trobe and Deakin, and the growth of other tertiary institutions have helped to meet the demand for undergraduate admis- sion.
T h e academic reputation of the University of Melbourne has long been recognized throughout the world, its graduates and former students have achieved distinction in many fields including the offices of Governor-General, State Governor and Prime Minister. Many graduates have gained fame in the arts and sciences and the professions and politics including the awards of the Nobel Prize and admission to the Order of Merit. Since the first conferring ceremony in 1856, the University has awarded more than 90,000 degrees and diplomas.
As much information as possible about the University has been included in this Calendar and in the Annual Report of Council. T h e details of subjects included in particular courses are published in the appropriate Faculty Handbook. T h e Research Report, published annually, contains information of the various research activities and the contributions made to science and literature by staff, research workers and students.
T h e periodical. University of Melbourne Gazette, reports on University activities and developments. T h e Student Information Booklet is made available free to enrolling students. Copies of University publications may be obtained from the Melbourne University Bookroom, or they may be inspected at any university in Australia and at the Association of Commonwealth Universities in London.
A D D R E S S
All general correspondence directed to the University should be addressed to the Registrar, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
Telephone: (03) 345 1844
Telex: U N I M E L AA35 185 Telegrams and Cables: U N I M E L B
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