courses
M2003
Students who commenced study in 2016 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.
Commencement year
This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2016 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
Course code
M2003
Credit points
144
Abbreviated title
BBiomedSc
CRICOS code
028805K
Managing faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Contact details
1800 MONASH (1800 666 274) From outside Australia +61 3 9902 6011
Admission and fees
Find a CourseFind a Course (http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/M2003)
Course type
Specialist
Single degree
Bachelor's
Standard duration
3 years FT, 6 years PT
Students have a maximum of eight years to complete this course including any periods of intermission.
Mode and location
On-campus (Clayton)
Award/s
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholars Program)
The award conferred depends on the study program completed.
Biomedical science combines the fields of biology and medicine in order to focus on the health of humans. A biomedical sciences degree opens up career opportunities in biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, research centres, product development and technology.
Biomedical science is an interdisciplinary area of study and includes aspects of anatomy and developmental biology, biochemistry, cell biology, clinical medicine, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology and preventive medicine, and physiology. Electives allow you to design a specialised program around any of these areas, or you can choose units from other faculties to broaden your horizon. Whatever your choice, you will gain the skills you need to understand and investigate human biology and make a difference to human health in a wide variety of career paths. You may also progress to a research-based honours year where you could contribute to our world-renowned work such as using, treat bowel cancer or repair damaged brains in babies.
Very high achieving students can apply to be admitted to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science Scholars Program. Biomedical Science Scholars complete the same academic program as other students but also have access to a range of development opportunities. Depending on prior experience and capabilities (such as previous tertiary study, including secondary school year 12 enhancement studies), students in the Scholars program may be given exemptions from some core units for appropriate enhancement studies, allowing them to accelerate their studies and complete the course in less than three years. Students may also overload their enrolment from first year to further shorten the time frame to complete the course. Each student's program will be planned according to student interest and with consideration of academic background.
Whether or not you join the Scholars Program, this course is your invitation to join one of the largest and most successful medical research hubs in Australia and the world. Our multidisciplinary approach, presence in major hospitals, and links to international researchers is making a difference to people's lives worldwide. As a graduate, you may find work in the hospital and medical sector, including in medical diagnostic laboratories, in secondary and tertiary teaching, in media and communications, and in the government sector in such areas as health promotion and health economics.
If you are interested in the Medicine program at Monash, undertaking the Bachelor of Biomedical Science will provide the best pathway option with at least 50 places being reserved in the course for Monash Biomedical Science graduates (as of 2017).
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science can be taken in combination with the following courses:
This will lead to the award of two degrees - your Biomedical Science degree and the degree awarded by the partner course. Students should refer to the course entry for the partner course in their double degree for the requirements of the other degree.
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
The course provides an interdisciplinary approach to 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.
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.
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 GI system; the neural system and senses; endocrine, reproductive and renal systems; and cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
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, and infection and infection control.
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.
These studies address both the molecular and cellular tools, including specialist imaging techniques, that can be used to study and diagnose diseases.
In addition:
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.
The course comprises 144 points, of which 96 points are from Biomedical Science study and 48 points are available to provide additional depth or breadth through elective study. The course develops through theme studies in Biomedical science covering: A. Molecular and cellular biology, B. Body systems, C. Infection and immunity, D. Disease and society, and E. Diagnostic and research tools. These themes are interwoven in units throughout the course.
Electives may be at any level but no more than 10 units (60 points) at level 1 may be credited to the course and a minimum 24 points must be at level 3.
The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-m2003.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.
Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated.
Students complete
These elective units may be chosen from across the faculty and include those with the prefixes BCH, BME, DEV, GEN, HUP, IMM, MIC, MIS, PHA and PHY. Refer to the index of units by code in the current edition of the Handbook.
Elective units may also be used to sample disciplines from across the University or to complete a major or minor(s) from another course if you have 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.
The units may be at any level, however, no more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at level 1 in the course. For students in double degree courses, some units required for the partner degree are credited as electives towards the Biomedical Science degree.
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science may provide an opportunity for progression into the one-year honours degree leading to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) course or into the graduate entry Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Monash.