Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences)

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Play an important role in the search for cures and preventing debilitating or life-threatening diseases through the study of health and disease of the human body.

You will gain in-depth knowledge of human physiology, combined with essential skills in critical analysis and communication. This course could lead to entry into other allied health courses, including Medicine.

Studies include:

  • functional anatomy
  • nutrition
  • pathophysiology
  • immunology
  • clinical genetics

This course offers a fourth year (Honours) program, with the possibility of a Masters and PhD.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Health and Biomedicine

Careers

  • medical research
  • pharmaceuticals
  • lifestyle management
  • scientific journalism
  • corporate health
  • science laboratories

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Lucy Mara

Based in Dublin, Lucy travels around Europe and the USA advising surgeons and nurses on sophisticated spinal implants.

"I chose to study my...

Course Objectives

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences is designed to provide professional training in the application of science to human biology in the market place. The course aims to produce highly flexible but well-trained graduates who will be adequately equipped to adapt to a changing environment. Four different streams are available for this degree in Biomedical Sciences including wellness management, science media and communications, marketing of biomedical products, and medical research/clinical sciences. Although, students are encouraged to follow one of these streams, they are able to choose from the entire range of subjects offered in the Biomedical Sciences degree. The overall objectives of the degree in Biomedical Sciences are to provide graduates with an excellent knowledge of human physiological functions together with skills in critical analysis and with highly developed communication skills. Complementary knowledge will be developed in a wide range of selected disciplines including psychology, human development, management, marketing, visual and audiovisual communications and a language. The Wellness Management stream is designed to produce graduates with an understanding of human function. Graduates will be eligible for employment as Wellness consultants either in private practice or within government agencies, large companies or corporations. The Science, Media and Communications specialisation is more specifically designed to produce graduates who would be knowledgeable in human biology and biomedical sciences. Graduates would have a broad education, being highly literate and articulate in specialised areas such as an Asian Language, Professional Writing, and Communications. Graduates in the Management and Marketing of Biomedical Products stream will have an in-depth knowledge of basic human biological function combined with specialised skills in either human resource management or in marketing. This combination of skills appears to be unique in Australia as there seems to be no other course in Australia with this combination of subjects. The Medical Research/Clinical Sciences stream will provide students with a range of skills appropriate to leading edge medical research. This degree offers a range of subjects appropriate for further postgraduate study in medical and paramedical fields.

Units and electives

Three years fulltime or part-time equivalent.

The course will comprise of two 12 week semesters or 24 weeks per year for three years. The course outline together with the contact hours per week is contained in the following pages. First year units listed are currently running at the St Albans Campus.
Electives may be taken from the wide range of science and general units listed below. Other suitable electives (not listed below) may also be chosen subject to the approval of the course coordinator. If general electives are selected, students are encouraged to take a four-six semester sequence in one of the following areas including Human Resource Management, Marketing, Communications, Psychology, Professional Writing or a language other than English. Electives will be offered subject to adequate demand.
Students enrolled in the Biomedical Science course Degree must take a minimum of 60 per cent of their total credit points from units offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences. In addition, no more than 40 credit points from general elective units shall be at first year level, and at least one elective shall be commensurate with the year of the student's course.

Year 1

Semester 1

Electives

Or

Or

Or

Other Elective

Year 1

Semester 2

Electives

Or

Or

Or

Other elective

Year 2

Semester 1

Two of the following OR other elective.

Year 2

Semester 2

Two of the following OR other elective.

Year 3

Choose four core units or three core units plus one elective per semester from the list below.

Semester 1

Core Units of Study

Year 3

Semester 2

Core Units of Study

Electives

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission Information

  • Year 12: VCE with a study score of at least 20 in English units 3 and 4. A study score of at least 25 in one or more health and human development, mathematics (any), physical education or science (any) = an aggregate 2 points higher per study, to a maximum 9 points.
  • International: Applicants must have achieved (a) an IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6 (no band less than 6) or equivalent and (b) have completed a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia's year 12 or VCE qualification.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.

How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.