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Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
    3.5 years min for students commencing in July

  • Location

    View in availability
    3.5 years min for students commencing in July

  • Placements

    Yes

  • Course abbreviation

    BBioMedSc

  • Course code

    3007312

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

Are you fascinated by how our bodies function, what keeps us healthy and what causes disease? Or maybe why are humans so different, yet also so much the same? The Bachelor of Biomedical Science embraces these questions as you explore the human body all the way to the cellular level.

You'll gain a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body and the interrelationships between health and disease. Together with foundational sciences, you will explore the intricacies of human health and examine the pathological basis of disease processes. You will develop skills in problem-solving, analysis and interpretation of medical and laboratory data, as well as practical skills in laboratory methods.

This course is taught in laboratories equipped with cutting edge analytical equipment and provides a solid base in biomedical science, from anatomy, immunology, neuroscience and microbiology to haematology and more. A substantial professional placement builds invaluable on-the-job experience.

Graduate opportunities include roles across scientific and health care environments. Graduates may also qualify for postgraduate degrees such as pharmacy and physiotherapy, or choose to pursue medicine or other careers.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Critically evaluate scientific investigations, and safely and accurately generate, analyse, interpret and present data in the biomedical science disciplines.

Apply evidence-based concepts to explain the physiological, environmental, and social determinants of human health and disease, and how these relate to local and global health issues.

GA2: Creativity

Adapt to unpredictable and complex problems through critical reasoning and problem-solving skills in biomedical science, individually and in collaboration.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate the highest standard of scientific and academic integrity, ethical conduct, and legal requirements across the biomedical science professions.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate professional standard knowledge, skills, competencies and attributes in all disciplines of the biomedical sciences in conjunction with safe and efficient contemporary practice.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Develop life-long learning and professional development skills by self-directed, independent learning and reflective practice within biomedical science.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Communicate in verbal and written forms effectively and professionally in the context of biomedical science.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate respect for social and cultural diversity and the identities of people in all professional settings.

The course includes 140 hours of professional placement for students to gain workplace experience in health and research facilities, such as pathology labs or research labs.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Prior to applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

This course enables students to gain knowledge and understanding of human health and the connection between disease processes and scientific laboratory investigations. Core units cover biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, immunology, neuroscience, microbiology, haematology, genetics and research.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 22 core units (264 credit points); and
  • 2 option units (24 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement.   All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 22 core units (264 credit points); and
  • 2 option units (24 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement.   All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in SCIN1001 - Nature of Science.
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,5
Term2,5
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Lismore
Term2,5
Term2,5
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7. Details will be provided closer to the time.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Lismore
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Pre-requisites HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy AND HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I; OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL1006 Introduction to Medical Science
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Enrolment information This unit contains laboratory activities that require students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements. Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,4
Term1,4
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Lismore
Term1,4
Term1,4
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
Pre-requisites 36 credit points
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Pre-requisites HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II OR HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology

Second Year

CHEM2002 Organic Chemistry
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites CHEM1002 - Chemistry for Health Sciences OR CHEM1001 - Chemistry
Enrolment information Online students must attend a three-day residential at the Gold Coast Campus. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site.
MICR2001 Microbiology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry; OR BIOL1005 - Cells and Molecules
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
HBIO2005 Human Pathophysiology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II AND; either HBIO1003 - Systemic Anatomy OR HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy OR PHTY1002 - Foundational Physiotherapy Practice
BIOL2002 Molecular Genetics
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry; OR BIOL1005 - Cells and Molecules
Enrolment information Online, Lismore and Gold Coast students must attend a three-day residential at the Gold Coast Campus. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site.
BIOL2012 Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
BIOL2008 Haematology I
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites BIOL2002 - Molecular Genetics AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Anti-requisites BIOL2004 - Haematology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has an assessment scheduled in Week 7. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.
BIOL2006 Clinical Biochemistry
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements
BIOL3002 Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting
Dual Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term4
Dual Term4
Pre-requisites Have completed 168 credit points in 3007312 - Bachelor of Biomedical Science OR 3007322 - Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science including: BIOL2008 - Haematology I OR BIOL2004 - Haematology;
Co-requisites BIOL2006 - Clinical Biochemistry
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.

Third Year

PBHL2001 Epidemiology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites 48 credit points in any SCU unit
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance online. Details will be provided closer to the time.
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Pre-requisites Be admitted to 3007303 - Bachelor of Nursing OR 1209320 - Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry); OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I
MEDC2001 Immunology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II AND; either HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy OR HBIO1003 - Systemic Anatomy
Enrolment information This unit contains laboratory activities that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements
1 unit from: (Option Units)
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
1 unit from: (Option Units)
MICR2002 Clinical Microbiology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites MICR2001 - Microbiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
CHEM1001 Chemistry
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL1006 Introduction to Medical Science
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
MICR2001 Microbiology
BIOL2002 Molecular Genetics
HBIO2005 Human Pathophysiology
BIOL2008 Haematology I
BIOL2012 Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology
BIOL2006 Clinical Biochemistry
BIOL3002 Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
PBHL2001 Epidemiology
MEDC2001 Immunology
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
CHEM2002 Organic Chemistry
MICR2002 Clinical Microbiology
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Select the Nutrition OR Research units as your option units

Nutrition units

NUTR2001 Nutritional Medicine
NATM2001 Botanical Medicine

Research units

HLTH4001 Literature Review
HLTH4005 Research Design