Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours

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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad knowledge in the area of biomedical science spanning the molecular, cellular, organ and body systems levels
• demonstrate an in depth knowledge in one or more discipline areas of biomedical science
• demonstrate technical skills relevant to one or more discipline areas of biomedical science
• demonstrate advanced knowledge and technical skills in a focussed area of biomedical science
• develop, apply, integrate and generate biomedical science knowledge in professional contexts to analyse challenges and to develop effective solutions
• demonstrate understanding of the importance of biomedical science to human health and society
• collect, organise, analyse and interpret biomedical science data meaningfully using experimental and computational approaches
• work independently to undertake a scientific literature review and work collaboratively to design, develop and implement a research project
• communicate ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats
• work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives
• exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Progression to fourth year (honours)

To be eligible for progression into honours in the fourth year, students must have completed all core units and achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70 per cent) in at least 24 points of studies (including BMS3021 and BMS3042) at third-year level.

Students participate in the Talented Student Program. In this program students are matched with an academic mentor for each of the three years of the course and attend extracurricula activites which introduces them to the research environment of the University.

First year

Semester one

• BMS1011 Biomedical chemistry
• BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms
• BMS1031 Medical biophysics
• 6-point level 1 elective from any faculty*

Semester two

• BMS1042 Biomedical sciences and society
• BMS1052 Human neurobiology
• BMS1062 Molecular biology
• 6-point level 1 elective from any faculty*

Second year

Semester one

• BMS2011 Structure of the human body: An evolutionary and functional perspective
• BMS2021 Biochemistry in human function
• BMS2031 Body systems
• 6-point level 2 elective from any faculty*

Semester two

• BMS2042 Human genetics
• BMS2052 Microbes in health and disease
• BMS2062 Introduction to bioinformatics
• 6-point level 2 elective from any faculty*

Third year

Semester one

• BMS3021 Molecular medicine and biotechnology
• 6-point level 3 elective from any faculty*
• 12 points of level 3 electives from the biomedical science area**

Semester two

• BMS3042 Biomedical basis of disease II
• 6-point level 3 elective from any faculty*
• 12 points of level 3 electives from the biomedical science area**

Fourth year

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

* 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. Suitable units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code. Note: Some units may require permission from the owning faculty.

** Biomedical Science electives include all level 3 units with the prefixes BCH, BME, DEV, GEN, HUP, IMM, MIC, MIS, PHA and PHY. Refer to the index of units by codeindex of units by code (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/index-bycode.html) in the current edition of the Handbook.

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
• 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

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 this course. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to transfer to course 2230 Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

• Biomedical science

Students who do not maintain the required academic standard or who choose not to complete the fourth year of study may exit with 2230 Bachelor of Biomedical Science providing all requirements for that award have been met.

Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours