Master of Biomedical and Health Science

The Master of Biomedical and Health Science is a coursework degree to be undertaken in key research areas in the sub-Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Candidates undertake an initial year of intensive training in how to conduct research, by studying coursework units in pedagogical and research skills training and engaging in specialist research in theory units, followed by a second year of a fulltime research project under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff of Monash University.

Specialisations

Infectious diseases and population health

This specialisation provides you with the skills to formulate a research question on the most important, prevalent, emerging or neglected diseases affecting humans and conduct research to address that question in the second year of study, by generalising and integrating discipline knowledge gained in the first year of study. The emphasis is on those diseases affecting resource-poor or low and middle income countries and you will use a variety of research techniques and methodologies to address this question.

Neuroscience

This specialisation provides you with the skills to formulate a research question on the relationships between brain processes and behaviour and conduct research to address that question in the second year of study, by generalising and integrating discipline knowledge gained in the first year of study. The emphasis is on the relationship between brain and behaviour, in health and/or disease, and you will use a variety of research techniques and methodologies to address this question.

Regenerative medicine and stems cells

This specialisation provides you with the skills to formulate a research question on the repair or replacement of damaged human tissues and organs in health and disease and conduct research to address that question in the second year of study, by generalising and integrating discipline knowledge gained in the first year of study. The emphasis is on the cells, factors, other biological building blocks, and bioengineered materials and technologies that assist the body's regenerative capacity, and you will use a variety of research techniques and methodologies to address this question.

Cardiovascular diseases

This specialisation provides you with the skills to formulate a research question on the role of the cardiovascular system in health and disease and conduct research to address that question in the second year of study, by generalising and integrating discipline knowledge gained in the first year of study. The emphasis is on dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system in disease or how disease impacts on the cardiovascular system, and you will have the opportunity to use a variety of research techniques and methodologies, from the cellular level though to integrative physiology and pharmacology, including the whole animal, to address this question.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. identify the ethical issues relating to research and the research question and practice with ethical integrity in their own research
2. develop proficiency in technical skills in both routine and advanced laboratory methods and the use of equipment, which are fundamental to biomedical and health science research
3. generalize learning to apply advanced principles, appropriate research methods and statistical methodology in study design and data analysis
4. design, plan and execute a research project that addresses a specific research question related to the field of Biomedical and Health Science
5. demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge in a chosen field of biomedical or health science, to construct new information or new ways of understanding information in that chosen field
6. identify and differentiate the organizational, entrepreneurial and management skills needed to translate biomedical research from the laboratory to the market
7. assemble and develop the knowledge and skills in commercialization and IP strategies and models to translate biomedical research from the laboratory to the market
8. formulate constructs and plans to evaluate and implement effective scientific and commercial strategies well-grounded in research, commercial realities, and state and system policy framework
9. through an internship, develop awareness, understanding and capacity in the specific roles and responsibilities of a biomedical scientist and practitioner in their discipline specialisations
10. formulate through an intensive internship experience an understanding of the nature of workplaces and their associated values, routines and cultures and develop and refine skills and professional capacity for working as trained biomedical scientists in a discipline specialisation
11. articulate professional and ethical practice in the scientific and/or commercial workplace.

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Intensive research preparedness training, Part B. Biomedical theory, and Part C. Specialist biomedical research and application. All students complete Part C Specialist biomedical research and application. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part B or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Intensive research preparedness training

These studies will provide you with intensive training to develop your skills and knowledge in how to locate, critically evaluate and conduct research, and then communicate the findings in verbal, written and combination formats. You will gain theoretical knowledge of research design and methods used in undertaking research with the practicals skills to conduct your own research.

Part B. Biomedical theory

These studies enable you to develop and expand your specialist discipline knowledge in key areas of Biomedical and Health sciences. It is intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field, for those who wish to explore the potential for cross-disciplinary research or for those who have not yet committed to a specific discipline area for their research project.

Part C. Specialist biomedical research and application

These studies comprise your major research project and the learning about application of biomedical sciences in research and industry. It will be taught in three modules: Module 1: Industry awareness theory; Module 2: Research project and thesis; and Module 3: Internship application. In Module 1, you will attend lectures and collaborate in tutorials and workshops to develop an awareness of commercialisation practises and processes for biomedical and biotech industries. In Module 2 you will complete a literature review, assist in the planning of a research project, conduct the research project and write a thesis under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff. In Module 3 you will undertake an internship in a research or commercial setting to develop and refine your workplace skills.

The course comprises 96 points structured into 3 parts: Part A. Intensive research preparedness training (24 points), Part A. Biomedical theory (24 points), and Part C. Specialist biomedical research and application (48 points).

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Parts A, B and C
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Parts A and C
• Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 72 points, comprising Parts B and C
• Students admitted at Entry level 4 complete 48 points, comprising Part C

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-m6003.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Intensive research preparedness training (24 points)

Students complete:

• BMS5001 Introduction to Research and Research Methodology (12 points)
• BMS5002 Research Skills and Techniques (12 points)

Part B. Biomedical theory (24 points)

Students complete:

• BMS5003 Infectious diseases and population health (6 points)
• BMS5004 Advanced Neuroscience (6 points)
• BMS5005 Regenerative medicine and stem cells (6 points)
• BMS5006 Advanced cardiovascular diseases (6 points)

Part C. Specialist biomedical research and application (48 points)

Students complete:

• BMS5007 Research project and thesis, industry training and internship

This degree may serve as a pathway to a higher degree by research.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award during their enrolment in the master's course:

• Graduate Diploma in Biomedical and Health Science after successful completion of Part A and Part B, which represents 48 points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.