ReviewDistance learning in toxicology: Australia's RMIT program
Introduction
In 1984 RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) put forward a proposal for an accredited toxicology teaching program and established two academic positions to support it. This enabled RMIT to establish a comprehensive Masters of Applied Science in Toxicology, becoming the first institution in Australasia to offer a toxicology degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) 19 years ago. The basic structure of the program was designed to cater for graduates with diverse backgrounds in:
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Applied science and science
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Biological sciences
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Biomedical sciences
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Chemistry
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Pharmacy
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Medicine
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Veterinary science
Changes in the educational climate in Australia, coupled with the need to extend the urban student base to the national population, led to the decision to redesign the program. In 2001, the program was transformed into two stages, leading to a Graduate Diploma and Master of Applied Science in Toxicology suitable for online delivery. The program is now available to national and international students on a fee-paying basis.
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On-line program design
The modified content is based extensively on the previous face-to-face Master of Applied Science program in toxicology. It consists of modular distance-learning courses designed to equip students with essential skills for entering fields such as:
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Chemical and drug evaluation;
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Risk assessment of chemicals in the workplace;
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Environmental toxicology;
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Food toxicology.
Although it is preferable for most students to undertake the courses in sequence for the Graduate Diploma, there is no requirement to do
On-line program delivery
RMIT has established the Learning Hub, which is a Web-based gateway to RMIT University's online programs and courses for over 40,000 students. The enrolled toxicology students access their courses through this Learning Hub (Fig. 1). It enables them to extend their learning beyond the classroom to their home, workplace, library and any other location with internet access. Similarly, the staff log in to the Learning Hub to maintain and administer the online programs and courses which they have
Computer requirements for students and access to students
To undertake the RMIT toxicology program, students need access to a computer and internet. A minimum requirement would be a PC or a Mac with a reasonably recent operating system, Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader and good web browser (e.g., Netscape, MS Explorer, Safari or equivalent). Specific computer requirements are listed in Appendix B. Whilst it is possible to operate with a telephone modem (28.8 K or 56 K telephone modems), a broadband connection would be highly desirable. It is possible
Acknowledgments
Numerous staff members and visiting toxicologists have made the current RMIT Toxicology program possible. The establishment of the online delivery has also involved many individuals, but the contribution of Emma Kane, Carolyn Haskard, Peter MacKay and Cliff DaCosta have been essential.
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