Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

This is a high-profile course designed for high achieving students who expect to pursue honours studies and a career in biomedical research. It provides opportunities for students to develop research, communication and team-work skills during their undergraduate studies.

On completion of this course, students will:

• have acquired a basic knowledge of the biomedical sciences in a range of important multidisciplinary areas
• have mastered the essential analytical procedures and methods of written and oral communication relevant to the field of biomedical sciences
• be graduates who are well prepared for potential employment opportunities in most facets of the health care and related industries
• be well prepared to embark on further vocational training or postgraduate studies in the biomedical sciences or other discipline areas
• have completed a degree which will have been as broadly-based or as specifically focused as each individual student requires
• have received training relevant to a range of knowledge-intensive health care industries
• understand the relationship of biomedical science to other areas of learning
• have acquired skills in modern information technologies, which will enhance their effectiveness in employment as modern biomedical scientists
• have been exposed to the research frontier at which advances in biomedical science are occurring
• have an appreciation of the ethical and social attitudes and responsibilities, which arise as a professional, practicing biomedical scientist
• have achieved honours-level research studies in biomedical science, with the potential for postgraduate study.

Credit may be granted for prior academic work including:

• university studies including year 12 enhancement studies
• TAFE advanced certificates and associate diplomas
• Open University studies.

The principal criteria used in determining credit are the standard and content of previous studies, the results achieved, and their relevance to the course. Credit will not normally be granted for studies completed more than 10 years ago.

With the assistance of an assigned mentor, an individual course of study will be devised for each student in this program. To be eligible to progress to the honours program students must have completed all core units, with a distinction grade average (70 percent) in at least 24 points of studies at level three.

First year

• BMS1011 Biomedical chemistry
• BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms
• BMS1031 Medical biophysics
• BMS1042 Biomedical sciences and society
• BMS1052 Human neurobiology
• BMS1062 Molecular biology
• 12 points of electives from any faculty*

Second year

• BMS2011 Structure of the human body
• BMS2021 Biochemistry in human function
• BMS2031 Body systems
• BMS2042 Human genetics
• BMS2052 Microbes in health and disease
• BMS2062 Introduction to bioinformatics
• 12 points of electives from any faculty*

Third year

• BMS3021 Molecular medicine and biotechnology
• BMS3042 Biomedical basis of disease II
• 24 points of level three electives from the biomedical science area**
• 12-points of electives from any faculty*

Fourth year

Full year units

• BMS4100 Biomedical science research project
• BMS4200 Advanced studies in biomedical science

Electives

The electives must include at least one of the following 'research in action' units in the second or third year of the course:

• BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project
• DEV3990 Action in developmental biology research project
• MIC3990 Action in microbiology research project
• MIS3990 Action in stem cells research project
• PHA3990 Action in pharmacology research project
• PHY3990 Action in physiology research project

* Up to six units may be taken from outside the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences subject to prerequisite conditions and the teaching faculty permission.

** Biomedical Science electives include all level 3 units wit the prefixes BCH, BME, BMS, BND, BNS, DEV, GEN, HUP, IMM, MIC, MIS, PHA and PHY.

Minimum grade for course completion

Students are required to maintain at least a distinction average (70 per cent) across their best 48 points in each calendar year to remain in the program. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to transfer to course 2230 Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

To be eligible to progress to the honours program students must have completed all core units, with a distinction grade average (70 percent) in at least 24 points of studies at level three.

Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours