M2003 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

The course provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of biomedical science, with five central themes: Molecular and cellular biology, Body systems, Infection and immunity, Disease and society, and Diagnostic and research tools. These themes are interwoven in units throughout the course.

Molecular and cellular biology

Through these studies you will learn how the cell functions and replicates itself in health and disease, particularly considering the structure of the cell and its evolution, the function of cells, DNA, genes and proteins, and the regulation of metabolism.

Body systems

This theme addresses the principles of major body systems. You will learn how cells come together to form tissues and organs and how they work together in the body to provide it with its metabolic needs and remove waste products. You will study how structure follows function; homeostasis; the nutritional and gastro-intestinal system; the neural system and senses; endocrine, reproductive and renal systems; and cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

 Infection and immunity

The focus of these studies is the functional immune system of multicellular organisms and the disease states that result from pathogen infection and from autoimmunity. You will learn about molecular genetics and recombinant DNA (both important tools for the study of microbial disease and immunity), inflammation and disease, infection and infection control.

Disease and society

In these studies you will learn about disease states that result from abnormal function in various body systems, including the cellular, genetic and molecular causes of the disease, with a focus on mechanisms of disease and patterns of disease and treatment. In studying the basis for human disease, you will also consider the societal and personal impacts of past, present and future diseases and the social, economic and environmental factors that are determinants of health.

Diagnostic and research tools

These studies address both the molecular and cellular tools, including specialist imaging techniques, that can be used to study and diagnose diseases.

Free elective study

This will enable you to broaden and deepen your knowledge of aspects of biomedical science, or to select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

Course progression map

The course progression maps provide guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study:

• Semester 1 intake
• Semester 2 intake

The course comprises 144 points structured in two parts: Part A. Biomedical science studies (96 points) and Part B. Free elective study (48 points).

To remain in the scholars program, students must maintain at least a distinction average (70%) across 48 points in each calendar year.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Biomedical science studies (96 points)

You must complete:

• BMS1011 Biomedical chemistry
• BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms
• BMS1031 Medical biophysics
• BMS1042 Public health and preventive medicine
• BMS1052 Human neurobiology
• BMS1062 Molecular biology
• BMS2011 Structure of the human body: An evolutionary and functional perspective
• BMS2021 Human molecular cell biology
• BMS2031 Body systems
• BMS2042 Human genetics
• BMS2052 Microbes in health and disease
• BMS2062 Introduction to bioinformatics
• BMS3031 Molecular mechanisms of disease (12 points)
• BMS3052 Biomedical basis and epidemiology of human disease (12 points)

Part B. Free elective study (48 points)

Within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science you must complete 48 credit points (8 units) of free electives. Elective units can be chosen from across the Faculty and used to deepen your knowledge of the biomedical sciences. This includes those with the prefixes BCH, BME, DEV, GEN, HUP, IMM, MIC, MIS, NUT, PHA and PHY.

Elective units may also be used to sample disciplines from across the University provided you have met the required prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment into the units. The faculties of Arts, Business and Economics, Engineering, Information Technology and Science offer units particularly suitable as electives.

Free electives can also be identified using the browse units tool and indexes of units in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.

Electives may be from any level, however, no more than four electives (24 points) are to be completed from level 1.

If you are in a double degree course, some units required for the partner degree are credited as electives towards the biomedical science degree.

Majors and Minors

Your free electives may be used to study a major (48 points) or minor (24 points) in a non-biomedical science discipline. This is an optional component of the degree. You cannot do a major or minor in the areas of Anatomy and developmental biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Human Pathology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, but you may do individual units from these areas.

Scholars program

Students in the scholars program are required to include at least one of the following units in your choice of electives:

• BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project
• BMS3990 Action in biomedical science minor research project
• DEV3990 Action in developmental biology research project
• HUP3990 Human pathology in action research project
• IMM3990 Immunology in action research project
• MIC3990 Action in microbiology research project
• PHA3990 Action in pharmacology research project
• PHY3990 Action in physiology research project