About the Department of Rural Clinical Sciences
The Department of Rural Clinical Sciences is committed to making rural health and wellbeing matter in Biomedical Science (Medical), Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Oral Health.
Our Department is part of the La Trobe Rural Health School.
Our goal is to graduate rural health practitioners and scientists, undertake impactful research, and engage with our communities to promote equitable health outcomes for rural populations.
We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at La Trobe’s regional campuses in Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga, online and in Singapore where we partner with PSB Academy.
Our offerings include our flagship Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) program, a pre-medicine course that provides a pathway into the graduate entry Doctor of Medicine Rural Pathway offered by The University of Melbourne in Shepparton.
Our students learn from clinical and academic experts in their field. We educate students in a range of clinical and scientific approaches, then give them professional workplace experiences that provide them with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the existing rural workforce.
We also have a Higher Degree Research program, where students work with experienced researchers on projects that aim to improve rural health outcomes.
Our graduates have pursued careers in clinical practice in hospitals, laboratories and private practice.
Our research drives much-needed change to improve health outcomes for rural people. We engage with industry and the community on projects that are changing the face of clinical and scientific practice, locally and internationally.
Our staff and research students make key contributions to the Holsworth Research Initiative, the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research and the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research.
Find out more about our Statement of Strategic Intent.
Our staff combine clinical and scientific approaches that are validated through industry and community partnerships to guide the future of our professions. I invite you to consider how we can support you to become a rural practitioner of the future.
Future practitioners
If you are wanting to become a rural health professional, a La Trobe degree is the gateway to a rewarding career.
Our courses in Biomedical Science (Medical), Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Oral Health are designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and industry experience that will set them up for success.
They incorporate elements specific to rural health, so that graduates are equipped to become valued professionals and leaders in rural and regional practice.
Our Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) program offers graduate entry into the Doctor of Medicine Rural Pathway offered by The University of Melbourne in Shepparton. It provides rural students with guaranteed end-to-end medical training within regional Victoria, to support the next generation or rural general practitioners.
Our Bachelor of Biomedical Science combines the fields of biology and medical science, for careers in high-demand sectors including education, healthcare, media and research.
Our Dentistry and Oral Health courses enable students to become dental practitioners, many of whom graduate with a commitment to improving oral health in rural communities. Students get hands-on experience in placements across regional Victoria and treat patients under the supervision of experienced clinicians.
And, our Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) focuses on how medicines treat diseases and impact people's lives, but also on the importance of patient-centred and individualised care. Students benefit from learning in our on-campus training pharmacy and get work-ready by undertaking a range of community and hospital placements.
Find out more about our courses and our distinctive student experience.
Rural research with impact
Our research is creating meaningful change in rural health.
Spanning basic science through to translational science, our work aims to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in regional and rural locations. Priority areas include super-resolution microscopes, laboratory analytics, clinical trials and population health approaches.
Our contribution aligns with La Trobe University’s research themes: Understanding and Preventing Disease, and Healthy People, Families and Communities.
Our research is grouped into five key areas:
Our researchers are investigating the use of bacteriophage as alternatives to antibiotics. They are also investigating pharmacogenomics or personalised medicine, and how people manage their medications in the treatment of chronic conditions.
Our researchers are using microscopic and spectroscopic methods to visualise the compositions and ultrastructures of individual cells and their subcomponents.
Our researchers are investigating the functional role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer development and progression. Human cellular systems with genomics, genome editing, biochemistry and super resolution microscopy are used to examine and uncover lncRNA functions in normal cell development and cancer.
Our researchers support policy change and improvement in service access, treatment, prevention and promotion to reduce disparities in oral public health measures for rural communities.
Our researchers are working to improve health outcomes for people with chronic inflammatory and related conditions.
Research Centres, institutes and initiatives
Our staff make key contributions to La Trobe University’s research centres and initiatives.
The Care Economy Research Institute was established in 2023 by La Trobe University in recognition of the crisis facing our care sectors, and our conviction that together researchers and industry partners can make a positive difference.
Find out more about the Institute.
The Holsworth Research Initiative conducts translational research with an exercise and physical activity focus that reduces inequalities by improving the health and wellbeing for individuals and communities in regional and rural locations.
Find out more about the Initiative.
The John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research leads research and innovation related to rural aged care workforce and health delivery initiatives; promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration in developing, testing and implementing evidence-based healthcare delivery solutions for older people in rural areas; and serves as a rural centre for honours and postgraduate research training in rural aged care workforce and health delivery initiatives.
Find out more about the Centre.
Researchers at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science are solving some of the world’s more critical problems at the interface of health and science. Co-located in world-class facilities at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus, scientists specialise in four areas of research strength: Cancer, infection and immunity, molecular design and nanoscience. A dedicated fellowship program ensures the Institute supports early career researchers with outstanding potential.
Find out more about the Institute.
The Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research focuses on transforming rural health outcomes through research, collaboration and community engagement. The Centre was established in 2019 following a $3M investment from the VV Marshman Charitable Trust and has launched Australia’s first Rural Health Consumer Panel.
Find out more about the Centre.