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Posts Tagged ‘University of Newcastle’

Monday, May 13th, 2013

University of Newcastle researches youth beating the blues with exercise

University of Newcastle researchers are investigating whether exercise is an effective treatment option for young people with depression, the university is reporting.

Currently there is limited evidence that explores exercise as a treatment for youth depression; despite exercise being recommended for adults, the University of Newcastle said.

“We want to investigate this gap in knowledge in order to improve the mental health service provision for young people,” Professor Robin Callister, of the university’s Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, told the university.

The research project, titled Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, is inviting young people aged between 15 and 25, who are clinically diagnosed with depression, to participate in a 12-week supervised exercise program, the university said.

Participants will be allocated to one of two groups. One group will start the exercise program in the next few weeks, while the other group will begin the program in about three months’ time, according to the University of Newcastle.

All aspects of the study are provided free of charge, for participants in the research study, including access to the Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre. Participants will be provided with a 12-week membership, which can be used at any time throughout the 12 weeks of the program in addition to the scheduled and supervised group sessions.

Studying at the University of Newcastle
Canadians enjoy pursuing research at the University of Newcastle because the university has a solid reputation and is ranked in Australia’s top 10 for research funding and outcome. The university has an international reputation for expertise in innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Canadian university graduates who wish to undertake independent, original research and potentially make a unique contribution to an existing body of knowledge, spend considerable time exploring higher degree research opportunities. Combining an international education experience while undertaking postgraduate research in Australia, can result in academic supervision and teaching from cutting-edge researchers who are world renowned in their fields of study.

Postgraduate research degrees are ideally suited for graduates wishing to enter academic life or to work as a researcher in their chosen field. Under expert academic supervision, postgraduate research students focus on an original, substantial research project. Entry usually requires an Honours year of study, which includes an Honours thesis or major research project. Some degrees may combine research with professional experience and/or coursework.

Additionally, Canadians love that the University of Newcastle is located in a city that is designed around Australia’s beautiful ocean coastline. The campus scenery is fantastic with bushland, forests and duck ponds right on the doorsteps of the university’s classrooms. The city of Newcastle also offers a regional setting with many activities and a lower cost of living than other major cities in Australia.

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Find out more about research opportunities at the University of Newcastle! Look further into other popular programs at the University of Newcastle. Apply through OzTREKK today.

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Newcastle public health researchers question “manflu” myth

The Man Cold. The Man Flu. Because winter is fast approaching in Australia, most people are preparing for flu season. Men are popularly maligned for wilting like cheap supermarket flowers at the first winter sniffle; however, data from Australia’s online influenza-like illness surveillance system, raises questions about the “Manflu” myth.

An analysis of the 2012 weekly surveillance data of more than 16,000 flu website participants found that there was very little difference between the average duration of illness of men and women responding to the surveys.  Women took an average of 3 days off normal duties with cough and fever, whereas men took an average of 2.8 days off. Among those ill enough to visit an emergency department, women took an average of 4 days off, whereas men took 3.5 days off.

Learn more about the Newcastle Public Health School

Combat Manflu: study at the Newcastle Public Health School

The Flutracking analysis team was split over the implications of the findings—mostly along gender lines. Men may have taken the same amount of time off as women but with less severe illness, or it may be that they really don’t wilt as easily as believed.  The decreased duration of illness among males with cough and fever visiting an emergency department could represent stoicism or perhaps that they were more likely to present to an emergency department with milder illness.

Where males and females do differ is in the timing of their illness throughout the influenza season.  Females tended to get ill earlier in the season than males and then again just after the peak of influenza activity in mid-July (winter in Australia).  This may be explained by females providing more care of ill family members.

Dr Craig Dalton, the director of the Flutracking system,  said there were many reasons why two people with the same viral infection might have different severity of disease including past immunity, genetics, and the dose of virus exposure. Dr Dalton is a Public Health Physician and a Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Health, and is supported by the Hunter Medical Research Institute. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

The Flutracking system has been able to track the severity of influenza around the country since 2008.  It demonstrated that the 2009 pandemic influenza strain, while severe in some people, mostly led to low attack rates across the community.  The 2012 influenza season was a relatively moderate influenza season but the most severe since the 2009 pandemic.

Flutracking is a joint project of the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District and is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging.

About the Master of Public Health program at the University of Newcastle

The Master of Public Health program at the University of Newcastle provides its students with opportunities to undertake professional development and develop a strong foundation in public health. The program will be of interest to individuals of all ages, at any stage of their career, who have a basic undergraduate degree in health and are working in, or intending to work in, the area of public health.

Program: Master of Public Health
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 1 year
Application deadline: While there is no set application deadline for this public health program, applicants are strongly encouraged by the University of Newcastle to submit their applications a minimum of three months prior to the program’s start date.

Entry Requirements: To be eligible to apply, you must have a bachelor degree in an approved health-related discipline; or other qualifications approved by the pro-vice-chancellor, Faculty of Health.

Apply to the University of Newcastle Public Health School!

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For more information about public health degrees, international public health degrees and epidemiology degrees, including Master of Public Health entry requirements, application deadlines, tuition fees, scholarships, please visit OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools page.

Questions? Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady at rachel@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1 866-698-7355.

Contact OzTREKK for more information about how you can study in Australia and about public health programs at Australian universities.

Friday, April 26th, 2013

University of Newcastle wins international public health conference

More than 400 medical and public health education experts will flock to Newcastle in March 2015 for The Asian Medical Education Association (AMEA) Conference 2015 to be held at the University of Newcastle, the university is reporting today.

The University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health won a bid for the prestigious international event that is expected to inject more than $1 million into the Newcastle economy, the university said.

The 2015 event will mark the first time the biennial conference has been held outside of Asia. Scheduled for March 31 to April 2, 2015, University of Newcastle said it will be attended by healthcare professionals and educators from around the world and will cover such topics as education leadership, education standards, innovation in education and challenges in clinical training.

The successful bid was led by the University of Newcastle’s Head of the School of Medicine and Public Health, Professor Ian Symonds, who worked alongside Business Events Sydney (the state’s convention bureau) and the Newcastle Convention Bureau to secure the conference, the university said.

“The University of Newcastle is ranked among the top three per cent of universities worldwide,” Symonds told Newcastle. “We have a reputation for delivering world-class innovation, with more than 40 fields of research undertaken at the university being rated at, above, or well above world standard.”

Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith told the university that the conference provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the expertise and innovation of the Public Health School and the University of Newcastle, as well as the appeal of NSW’s regions.

“The university is engaged in ground-breaking research in the fields of health and medicine and the AMEA conference is the perfect opportunity to showcase this on the world stage,” Lewis-Smith told Newcastle. “The conference will shine the spotlight not only on the university, but also on Newcastle and the vast array of venues, knowledge hubs and attractions the region has to offer.”

More about University of Newcastle Public Health School

The aim of the University of Newcastle’s Master of Public Health is to provide graduates with the skills required to improve population health through appropriate planning for the health needs of populations or specific at-risk groups; the assessment of social, behavioural and environmental determinants of health and illness; the development and implementation of effective and efficient approaches to health services and programs; and the appropriate evaluation and improvement of population health services and programs using appropriate research methods.

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You could be studying at the University of Newcastle when this conference happens! Find out more about studying public health at the University of Newcastleapply through OzTREKK today.

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

University of Newcastle researchers leapfrog ahead in world-first

University of Newcastle researchers have successfully developed a method to freeze frog embryonic cells in a world-first breakthrough that could slow the threat of extinction to hundreds of frog species.

Learn more about Newcastle's science programs

Newcastle researchers leapfrog ahead in world-first

The researchers have separated, isolated and frozen the embryonic cells of an Australian ground frog (the Striped Marsh Frog, Limnodynastes peronii), using cryopreservation techniques that will now allow for cloning.

This is the first time anyone in the world has successfully used slow-freezing techniques on amphibian cells, project leader at the University of Newcastle, Professor Michael Mahony, said.

“Almost 200 frog species have been lost in the past 30 years due to disease and a further 200 species face imminent threat—this is the worst rate of extinction of any vertebrate group,” he said.

“Amphibian eggs and early embryos, unlike human eggs and embryos, are large in size and have traditionally presented a challenge to researchers attempting to cryo-preserve and store frog genomes, as they would shatter during the freezing process.

“The new technique, developed by our University of Newcastle researchers, will act as an insurance policy to buy us time for species on the edge of extinction, as we search for answers to diseases and other threats.”

Professor Mahony said the development would have wider implications for other species facing extinction.

“Not only will it help us preserve the genetic diversity of frogs, but this discovery could also help in the conservation of other species with large embryonic cells, such as fish.”

The University of Newcastle is leading the world on research into amphibian protection. This latest discovery follows on from recent work with other universities on the Lazarus project, which generated live embryos using cells from an extinct Australian frog.

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Science Programs at the University of Newcastle

The School of Environmental and Life Sciences (SELS) at the University of Newcastle is one of the largest schools in the university, and forms part of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology. Specializations offered through the school include

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Development Studies
  • Environmental Science and Management
  • Geography and Environmental Studies
  • Earth Sciences
  • Food Science and Human Nutrition
  • Sustainable Resource Management
  • Exercise and Sports Science
  • Marine Science

This school generates enthusiasm for learning and research training that is unique because of the diverse and integrated specialties of the academics coupled with the availability of an impressive array of analytical equipment, laboratory facilities and field-research support resources.

The research and laboratory facilities are excellent and there are opportunities to develop multidisciplinary skills and build research networks via the nature of the diverse fields of expertise within the disciplines. Field work is a major component of many of the science degree programs and many opportunities exist to develop these skills in areas of geology, geography, ecology and marine biology.

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Are you interested in science and research programs at the University of Newcastle? Want to study in Australia?

Contact OzTREKK for more information about science degrees available at Australian universities.

Monday, April 15th, 2013

University of Newcastle gets a $30-million boost in federal funding

A University of Newcastle city campus has been locked in with Australian Government backing of $30 million announced today, April 15, 2013 by the Federal Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Sharon Bird, and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson.

$30 million in federal funding paves way for Newcastle city campus

$30 million in federal funding for Newcastle city campus

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said support from the Australian Government through the Education Investment Fund (EIF) Regional Priorities Round was critical in moving the city campus project, called NeW Space, off the drawing board and into development.

“From the project’s inception our Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson, has been a relentless and determined supporter to make the NeW Space Precinct a reality for the Hunter community,” Professor McMillen said.

“Investment by the Australian Government in the NeW Space Precinct will be the catalyst not only for the development of landmark facilities in Newcastle but also support the next generation of learners.”

NeW Space will be a 10,800-sqm technology-enabled precinct that will host a range of University of Newcastle-supported activities including business and law programs; digital library services and information commons; collaborative learning and research spaces; facilities for industry, professional and community engagement; and social spaces.

NeW Space will deliver state-of-the-art virtual and physical teaching and learning facilities 24/7 for our students, and technology-enabled amenities for our staff and the community,” Professor McMillen said.

NeW Space will be Newcastle’s space. For instance, our highly successful Legal Centre will be able to extend its valued support to more members of the community and the proximity to the new law courts will be a valuable asset for our students.”

Professor McMillen acknowledged the significant support the University of Newcastle had received for NeW Space across the whole Newcastle community to bring the project to fruition.

“The NSW Government has also committed $25 million to the development of NeW Space. The university is deeply grateful for the unflagging support of Tim Owen and his State colleagues, who have shared our vision by investing in the skills development of the Hunter region announced in 2011.”

Supporting the aspirations outlined in its NeW Directions Strategic Plan 2013 – 2015 in particular its education plan, the University of Newcastle will invest $40 million into the development of the NeW Space Precinct. Also, the EIF funding announced today will allow the university to redevelop existing facilities on its Callaghan campus for its enabling programs, which significantly build access and participation in higher education.

“The university is the largest provider of enabling programs in Australia. Through this additional government support, we will leverage our national position and build a world-class teaching, learning and research space dedicated to enabling students that delivers for both Newcastle and the sector,” Professor McMillen said.

About the University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle is also known worldwide for its problem-based learning programs. Used mainly in the disciplines of architecture, building, health sciences, medicine and nursing, problem-based learning places students in small groups where they solve problems they are likely to face in their working lives. In other words, it gives a purpose to learning.

The University of Newcastle at Callaghan boasts one of the best campuses in Australia. Its 120 hectares (300 acres) of natural bushland—complete with Australian wildlife—at the city’s edge offers you peace and quiet—the perfect prerequisites for successful study.

Popular programs at University of Newcastle

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Would you like to learn more about the University of Newcastle and about other Australian universities? Contact OzTREKK for the latest information about how you can study in Australia!

 

 

Monday, April 8th, 2013

University of Newcastle Public Health applications are open

Applications for the Master of Public Health program at the University of Newcastle Public Health School is now open for the 2014 intake via OzTREKK!

Apply to the University of Newcastle Public Health School

Apply to the University of Newcastle Public Health School

The Master of Public Health program at the University of Newcastle provides its students with opportunities to undertake professional development and develop a strong foundation in public health. The program will be of interest to individuals of all ages, at any stage of their career, who have a basic undergraduate degree in health and are working in, or intending to work in, the area of public health. This includes clinicians and allied health professionals, health planners and managers, individuals working in health promotion, health protection or health surveillance.

Program: Master of Public Health
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 1 year
Application deadline: While there is no set application deadline for this public health program, applicants are strongly encouraged by the University of Newcastle to submit their applications a minimum of three months prior to the program’s start date.

Entry Requirements: To be eligible to apply, you must have a bachelor degree in an approved health-related discipline; or other qualifications approved by the pro-vice-chancellor, Faculty of Health.

Apply to the University of Newcastle Public Health School!

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For more information about public health degrees, international public health degrees and epidemiology degrees, including Master of Public Health entry requirements, application deadlines, tuition fees, scholarships, please visit OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools page.

If you have any questions, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady or Admissions Manager Beth McNally.

Email Rachel at rachel@oztrekk.com or Beth at beth@oztrekk.com; or call toll free in Canada at 1 866-698-7355.

Contact OzTREKK for more information about how you can study in Australia and about public health programs at Australian universities.

 

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

University of Newcastle Nursing School applications are open for 2014

University of Newcastle Nursing School applications are open for the 2014 intake via OzTREKK.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Newcastle is one of four schools within the Faculty of Health. The school has an innovative approach to undergraduate and graduate teaching, and enjoys close collaboration with local area health services in providing clinical learning experiences for students, in the provision of graduate programs and in the conduct of clinical research.

Students will cover courses including nursing therapeutics, foundations of nursing and human bio-science. There is an option to select a mental health or aged care stream. Nursing therapeutics courses include clinical placements.

Learn more about the University of Newcastle Nursing School

Learn more about the University of Newcastle Nursing School

Program: Bachelor of Nursing
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 3 years
Application deadline: While there is no set application deadline for this nursing program, applicants are strongly encouraged by University of Newcastle to submit their applications before the end of September 2013 for the February 2014 intake.

Entry Requirements: Eligible applicants must have completed a high school diploma. Biology and/or chemistry, general English and general maths. A significant component of the program is conducted online via the internet; therefore you need to have computer skills, including word processing, email and web searching. If you do not have these skills you are advised to undertake a preparatory course. If you have not studied HSC biology, chemistry and maths you are advised to undertake bridging courses conducted by the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre during January and February each year.

Apply to the Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Newcastle Nursing School!

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Find out more about the University of Newcastle Nursing School!

For more information about how to become a nurse, including nursing program entry requirements, application deadlines, how to apply to nursing school in Australia, tuition fees, scholarships, please visit OzTREKK’s Australian Nursing Schools page.

If you have any questions, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Nursing Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady or Admissions Manager Beth McNally.

Email Rachel at rachel@oztrekk.com or Beth at beth@oztrekk.com; or call toll free in Canada at 1 866-698-7355.

Contact OzTREKK for more information about how you can study in Australia and about nursing programs at Australian universities.

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

University of Newcastle encourages eating your veggies

University of Newcastle professor, Clare Collins, has a vegetable vision.

She recently told the university that she dreams of seeing more families gathered around a dinner table digging into a home-cooked meal with more vegetables on their plates. But first, she stated to Newcastle, society has to ditch the idea that kids won’t eat the green stuff.

“There’s a pervasive attitude that says ‘why give kids vegetables when everyone knows they don’t like them?’ If you want evidence of how sticky this belief is, look no further than children’s menus – you’ll see nuggets and hot chips but not peas or pumpkin,” Collins told the University of Newcastle.

A professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the university, she is adamant that vegetables can play a key role in keeping families healthy, while also keeping weight under control. “Yet vegetables are one of the secret weapons for maintaining a healthy weight because they can replace high kilojoule fatty ingredients and add bulk. The bottom line is a bigger serve with fewer kilojoules,” she told Newcastle.

Collins believes many families need support to put a dinner that includes vegetables back on the dining table – that’s why she and her colleagues from the University’s School of Health Sciences developed a new after school cooking club for children of primary school age, Newcastle said.

Called the Back to Basics Healthy Lifestyle Program, Newcastle said it involves five after school sessions that teach children to make simple meals and snacks with vegetables like crostini, stir fries and pizza – in an effort to get kids comfortable in the kitchen, equipped with the ground-work for preparing healthy food options.

Newcastle reports that the children graduate with basic cooking skills, a good knowledge of kitchen hygiene and familiarity with healthy foods. Parents join in during the final half hour of each session to share the food the children have cooked, furthering fostering a connection between families and the eating healthy.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle is one of the most comprehensive health science faculties of its kind in Australia and one of the most comprehensive in the world. The Faculty brings together a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs aimed at preparing students for rewarding careers and research in the fields of health care. Its programs are renowned for their student-centred approach and emphasize the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in a rapidly changing international environment.

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Learn more about Australian universities and other health science degrees.

Contact OzTREKK to find out more about practical ways to use a Health Sciences graduate degree from the University of Newcastle! Apply through OzTREKK today.

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Faculty of Science and Information Technology at the University of Newcastle

The Lonely Planet lists the city of Newcastle, Australia as being one of the top 10 best cities in the world. Set on a breathtaking stretch of Australia’s Pacific Ocean coastline, Newcastle is the only city in Australia where the central business district is positioned simultaneously on the beach and the harbour waterfront.

Study at the University of Newcastle

Study at the University of Newcastle

The Faculty of Science and Information Technology at the University of Newcastle provides study and research programs in fast-moving fields that make our world tick. Blending sciences, mathematics, IT, communication, and design, the faculty offers degree programs at a number of campuses. Wherever appropriate, these programs carry professional accreditation.

The Faculty of Science and Information Technology‘s main fields of study include

Award-winning staff with a professional outlook

The University of Newcastle has a commitment to the training and professional development of their staff. New academic staff are required to undertake professional training in tertiary teaching, and teaching performance and innovation is an aspect considered in promotion applications. Several of University of Newcastle teaching staff have won prestigious teaching awards, and non-teaching staff have won excellence awards for their role in the provision of outstanding student support services.

Global opportunities in research

Most academic staff at the University of Newcastle are active researchers, and many are leaders in their particular fields. Staff are encouraged to use results of their research to inform their teaching. In addition, students have the chance to learn alongside some of the world’s leading researchers. For example, many degree programs provide the opportunity for research project placements, in which students can study and work in research groups alongside researchers and on current important problems.

Schools and key areas

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Would you like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Information Technology at the University of Newcastle?

Contact OzTREKK for more information science programs and IT programs at Australian universities and about how you can study in Australia!

Email OzTREKK at info@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada 1 866-698-7355 for more information about Australian universities.

 

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Australian universities improve their international standing

The recently released 2013 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings found six Australian universities ranked in the top 100. To be placed in the top 100 in the world is a big deal, since there are more than 9,000!

In the past year, Australian universities outperformed the Netherlands, Japan and Germany, with Monash University joining the four existing place holders.

Among OzTREKK Australian university partners, the University of Melbourne improved its rank from 43 to 39, the University of Sydney rose one place to 49, and the University of Queensland remained steady in the 80th percentile.

What does your Australian future look like?

What does your Australian future look like?

Times Higher Education editor Phil Baty said the reputation rankings have been held since 2011 and Australia has improved its standing at each survey.

The results are based on a global opinion poll and take into account more than 16,000 responses from senior published academics in 150 countries.

Australia is a country very much on the way up in terms of worldwide academic prestige,” Mr Baty said in a statement. “In many ways these results show that Australia‘s image among scholars around the world is catching up with the reality… these results show how well poised Australia is to make the most of its geographical advantages: while it has strong links with the best universities in the West, it has also made the most of East Asia’s booming higher education scene. If it continues to exploit these opportunities, Australia could be a serious beneficiary of the Asian century, which is great news for its economy and competitiveness.”

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Going to university in Australia is a deeply enriching experience, but figuring out how to set up everything on your own can be difficult and very frustrating.

That’s where OzTREKK comes in. We make the connection between what Australian universities offer and what Canadian students need. We are your Canadian connection to Study in Australia!

Proudly Canadian, OzTREKK is the only organization that is a student office and Application and Information Centre in Canada for the following combination of Australian universities:

We’re the Application and Information Centre for Canadian students applying to or inquiring about study abroad, undergraduate and graduate/professional programs at any of the above Australian universities.

The OzTREKK Application and Information Centre is free to all students as its services are provided on behalf of, and fully funded by, the above Australian universities.

Contact OzTREKK for more information about how you can study in Australia!

Email OzTREKK at info@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada 1 866-698-7355 for more information about Australian universities.