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C10184v5 Bachelor of Medical Science

Award(s): Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc)
UAC code: 607050 (Autumn session, Spring session)
CRICOS code: 023607A
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus

Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Honours
Other information

Overview

The Bachelor of Medical Science is designed for careers in medical and health-related sciences. It aims to produce professional medical scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific skills accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory. It specialises in the human body's structure, function and disease processes at the cellular and whole organ level.

Students gain a good understanding of the human body's structure, function and disease processes at the cellular and whole organ level. The course provides the foundation knowledge and skills for students who wish to go on to postgraduate programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health and health administration. Pharmaceutical companies look to medical science graduates to work in areas such as drug registration and clinical trials.

Career options

Career options include positions in private and public hospitals, public health units, government departments, and biotechnology, health technology and pharmaceutical companies. Graduates also work as consultants, providing links with bodies such as state health departments and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Course intended learning outcomes

1.0 An understanding of the nature, practice and application of the chosen science discipline.
1.1 Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how the body works at the cellular and organ system level.
1.2 Understand how disease can arise and disrupt normal physiological function.
1.3 Gain specialist knowledge and skills in the laboratory diagnosis of disease.
1.4 Conduct research on the causes of disease, or the prevention and treatment of disease.
1.5 Understand experimental design and data analysis techniques using environmental models.
1.6 Develop knowledge in specialist strands such as diagnostic pathology, biochemistry, haematology, microbiology and parasitology, transfusion science and blood banking, anatomical pathology, immunology and molecular biology.
1.7 Develop hands-on laboratory skills using modern equipment and IT facilities.
2.0 Encompasses problem solving, critical thinking and analysis attributes and an understanding of the scientific method knowledge acquisition.
2.1 Gather data and evidence to support or refute an idea or contention.
2.2 Conduct environmental study using sampling and statistical methods, and statistically analyse data.
2.3 Demonstrate analytical thinking when planning experiments and testing hypotheses.
2.4 Identify, scope and investigate problems and make logical deductions from the evidence.
2.5 Foster curiosity and inquisitiveness for experimentation by solving problems and case scenarios.
2.6 Become adept at data collection, and literature and database searches.
2.7 Work on a tailored project under supervision to hone and practise inquiry and analysis skills.
2.8 Work independently or as part of multi-disciplinary teams.
3.0 The ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways within a professional context, autonomously and collaboratively and across a range of disciplinary and professional areas, e.g. time management skills, personal organisation skills, teamwork skills, computing skills, laboratory skills, data handling, quantitative and graphical literacy skills.
3.1 Operate with knowledge, rigour and objectivity in an ethical, cooperative and honest fashion to creatively and methodically address biomedical questions.
3.2 Build networks through interacting with external experts in the mid and later parts of the course and identify career opportunities.
3.3 Work in laboratories and other external organisations by doing work experience or research placements.
3.4 Develop the ability to perform the duties of one's profession to an acceptable quality, including the development of up-to-date technical skills.
4.0 The capacity to engage in reflection and learning beyond formal educational contexts that is based on the ability to make effective judgments about one's own work. The capacity to learn in and from new disciplines to enhance the application of scientific knowledge and skills in professional contexts.
4.1 Become a lifelong learner and acquire the tools and aptitudes that allow you to adapt to change.
4.2 Interrogate a variety of different databases and information sources.
5.0 An awareness of the role of science within a global culture and willingness to contribute actively to the shaping of community views on complex issues where the methods and findings of science are relevant.
5.1 Develop professional skills for laboratory diagnosis, public health, education, medicine, etc.
5.2 Participate in community dialogues on health and scientific issues.
6.0 An understanding of the different forms of communication - writing, reading, speaking, listening - including visual and graphical, within science and beyond and the ability to apply these appropriately and effectively for different audiences.
6.1 Write and speak knowledgeably on biomedical science in both lay and professional settings.
6.2 Develop confidence and skills in communicating biomedical science, to a variety of audiences, including graphical literacy and report writing.
6.3 Develop skills in oral presentations and active listening.
6.4 Participate in debates and workshops to build confidence and self-assuredness.
7.0 An ability to think and work creatively, including the capacity for self-starting, and the ability to apply science skills to unfamiliar applications.
7.1 Identify opportunities in the rapidly-evolving biomedical sciences sector.
7.2 Show initiative and creativity, both theoretical and practical, in designing experiments or lab protocols.
7.3 Volunteer for opportunities to do work experience or research mini-projects.
7.4 Demonstrate creative and lateral thinking.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics; any two units of English; any two units of Science.

Course duration and attendance

Students can complete the course over three years full time. Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week on campus. Students may also be able to complete the course part time, usually at the rate of two subjects a session (a 50 per cent load), taking six years to complete. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.

Course structure

Students must complete a total of 144 credit points, made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points of elective subjects. There is some choice within the core subjects enabling students to focus on a particular theme or area of expertise. The elective subjects enable students to increase their expertise in other areas of science or other disciplines in the University. This can be in the form of a specialised 24-credit-point sub-major or by a varied selection of subjects.

Industrial training/professional practice

Students studying this course have an opportunity to undertake an internship subject and receive academic credit for their placement off campus (an external business or research institute) or on campus (UTS research institutes or departments), in a capacity relevant to their academic studies.

Course completion requirements

STM90680 Foundation stream (Life Sciences) 48cp
STM90684 Core subjects (Medical and Molecular Biology) 48cp
91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics 6cp
91706 Neuroscience 6cp
91707 Pharmacology 1 6cp
91708 Medical and Applied Physiology 6cp
91709 Pharmacology 2 6cp
91239 Human Pathophysiology 6cp
91703 Physiological Systems 6cp
CBK90582 Elective 4 6cp
Total 144cp

Course program

Typical course programs are shown below.

Autumn commencing
Year 1
Autumn session
65111 Chemistry 1   6cp
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics   6cp
33116 Statistical Design and Analysis   6cp
60001 Principles of Scientific Practice   6cp
Spring session
65212 Chemistry 2   6cp
91123 Biocomplexity   6cp
91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology   6cp
68041 Physical Aspects of Nature   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
91320 Metabolic Biochemistry   6cp
91314 General Microbiology   6cp
91703 Physiological Systems   6cp
CBK90579 Elective 1   6cp
Spring session
91132 Molecular Biology 1   6cp
91239 Human Pathophysiology   6cp
Select 12 credit points from the following:   12cp
91326 Analytical Biochemistry 6cp  
91330 Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology 6cp  
91401 Immunology 1 6cp  
91563 Haematology 1 6cp  
Year 3
Autumn session
91707 Pharmacology 1   6cp
91706 Neuroscience   6cp
CBK90580 Elective 2   6cp
CBK90581 Elective 3   6cp
Spring session
91709 Pharmacology 2   6cp
91708 Medical and Applied Physiology   6cp
CBK90582 Elective 4   6cp
91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics   6cp
Spring commencing
Year 1
Spring session
65111 Chemistry 1   6cp
91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology   6cp
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics   6cp
60001 Principles of Scientific Practice   6cp
Summer session
65212 Chemistry 2   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
33116 Statistical Design and Analysis   6cp
68041 Physical Aspects of Nature   6cp
91314 General Microbiology   6cp
91703 Physiological Systems   6cp
Spring session
91132 Molecular Biology 1   6cp
91239 Human Pathophysiology   6cp
Select 12 credit points from the following:   12cp
91330 Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology 6cp  
91401 Immunology 1 6cp  
91326 Analytical Biochemistry 6cp  
91563 Haematology 1 6cp  
Year 3
Autumn session
91707 Pharmacology 1   6cp
91706 Neuroscience   6cp
91320 Metabolic Biochemistry   6cp
CBK90579 Elective 1   6cp
Spring session
91709 Pharmacology 2   6cp
91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics   6cp
91708 Medical and Applied Physiology   6cp
91123 Biocomplexity   6cp
Year 4
Autumn session
CBK90581 Elective 3   6cp
CBK90580 Elective 2   6cp
CBK90582 Elective 4   6cp

Honours

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) (C09031) is available to eligible students with an additional one year of full-time study.

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS