Master of Biomedical and Health Science - 2019

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 full time research project in a research environment under the direct supervision, or co-supervision of a member of the academic staff of Monash University, training in entrepreneurship and employability, and culminating in a merit-based industry internship or internship with Monash.

Specialisations

Cancer biology and therapeutics

This specialisation provides you with the skills to formulate a research question on the role of cancer causing genes and the clinical applications of therapies arising from the discipline knowledge gained. The emphasis is on understanding cancer biology, including the molecular mechanisms underpinning human cancers and targeted therapeutics used to treat patients with this disease. You will have the opportunity to use a variety of research techniques and methodologies, from the cellular level though to whole animal studies 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 through to integrative physiology and pharmacology, including the whole animal, to address this question.

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.

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 you will be able to:

1. identify the ethical issues relating to research and the research question and practice with ethical integrity in your 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. generalise 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 organisational, entrepreneurial and management skills needed to translate biomedical research from the laboratory to the market
7. develop awareness, understanding and capacity in 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 through an intensive internship experience
8. 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, industry awareness and applications. To progress into Part C, you must complete Part A and Part B with an average mark of 65 or greater. If you do not meet the requirement you will be able to graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Biomedical and Health Science. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A and Part B.

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 practical 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, including biotechnology. 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, industry awareness and applications

These studies comprise your major research project and learning about the 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
• Module 3: Internship application.

In module 1, you will attend lectures and collaborate in tutorials and workshops to develop an awareness of commercialisation practices 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 three parts: Part A. Intensive research preparedness training (24 points), Part B. Biomedical theory (24 points), and Part C. Specialist biomedical research and application (48 points).

If you are admitted at:

• entry level 1 you complete 96 points, comprising Parts A, B and C
• entry level 2 you complete 48 points, comprising Part C.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete the higher credit-point option.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-m6003.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Intensive research preparedness training (24 points)

You must complete:

• BMS5001 Introduction to research and research methodology
• BMS5002 Research skills and techniques
• BMS5013Not offered in 2019 Research training: Ethics and integrity, biostatistics and critical thinking
• BMS5014Not offered in 2019 Research techniques: Molecular and cellular techniques

Part B. Biomedical theory (24 points)

You must complete 24 points from:

• BMS5003 Infectious diseases and population health
• BMS5004 Advanced neuroscience
• BMS5005 Regenerative medicine and stem cells
• BMS5006 Cardiovascular biology and disease
• BMS5007 Biotechnology - Commercialising biomedical science
• BMS5012 Cancer biology and therapeutics

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

You must complete:

• BMS5008 Research project and thesis (36 points)
• BMS5009 Industry training and internship (12 points)

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the following award, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this 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.

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.