These developments leave the Department free to concentrate on teaching and research into the causes, diagnosis and control of human infectious diseases. In 1986 the name of the Department was changed from the Department of Bacteriology to the Department of Infectious Disease to reflect this change in direction, and to recognise the importance of viral infections. The Department is responsible for teaching undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs in Infectious Diseases for medical, dental and science students. Undergraduate courses are given to dental students and to those medical students completing the medical course. The Department is committed to teaching in the new graduate medical degree and an option course, Infectious Diseases, for science students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science course in the Faculty of Science.
Places are usually available each year in the research programs outlined below.
Honours students are also encouraged to participate in these programs in order to obtain an honours degree by performing a research program and writing a thesis incorporating the research. Many of the research programs are collaborative involving formal and informal links with colleagues in other University departments, the teaching hospitals and the Commonwealth and State Departments of Health. Formal recognition of the close links between the Department and the Microbiology units in the Teaching Hospitals is being recognised through a number of clinical appointments which should facilitate all aspects of teaching and research.