Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences

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Future Students Australian courses Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences

Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences

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Biomedical Sciences underpin human and veterinary medicine clinical practice. The field examines how the body and diseases work and investigates ways to restore health. Biomedical scientists have an understanding of medical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cell and molecular biology, anatomy, physiology, infectious diseases and neuroscience.

JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences is designed for graduates of science, biomedical science, veterinary science or related disciplines who want to specialise or upskill for a career in Biomedical research or in preparation for entry into a professional degree program such as Medical Laboratory Science or the Clinical Sciences.

Biomedicine at JCU is the only undergraduate program located in the tropics that is sufficiently innovative and multidisciplinary to provide students an employment edge in becoming biomedical scientists.

Campus
Townsville
Start dates
February
Duration
1 year full-time
Part time available
Study mode
On campus
Prerequisites
AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree in a biomedical science or cognate science discipline; or equivalent

Career opportunities

This course is for graduates of science, biomedical science, veterinary science or related disciplines who want to specialise in microbiology and immunology, physiology and pharmacology, molecular cell biology or medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. This is a flexible course allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your professional needs and interests.

There is a demand for Biomedical Scientists to:

  • Conduct research
  • Provide technical expertise with diagnostics, equipment or general laboratory support
  • Sell equipment and supplies to laboratories
  • Help determine health policies
  • Help prepare future scientists by encouraging and developing a love of science in current students

Your career could see you working as a research assistant in university and hospital laboratories, biomedical research centres, the CSIRO, the Department of Primary Industries, or medical and pharmaceutical development companies. Honours and postgraduate studies in universities or research institutes could also be an option. Your work could include conducting research into cancer, stem cells, or viral diseases such as HIV-AIDS, the control of parasites, or drug research and development.

In addition, there is a demand for Biomedical Scientists to take up positions in:

  • Diagnostic equipment and kit sales and marketing
  • Health policy writing
  • Health and scientific education
  • Scientific writing and journalism

Course highlights

Studying for a Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences at JCU is a wise choice. That's because you'll study with highly-awarded lecturers who care about your success, and who aim to ensure that you're job-ready when you graduate.

You'll study in laboratories where modern equipment mimics the technologies you'll find in the real world - and you'll learn techniques and skills that are valued by today's employers. You will have the option to major in your study interests giving you a high degree of flexibility and career choice.

  • Purpose-built PC2 and PC3 microbiological teaching and research laboratories
  • anatomy and biomedical science teaching and research laboratories, including housing for small, large and aquatic animals.

Course overview

Biomedical science examines how the body works and investigates ways to treat diseases using advanced tools and strategies. It covers the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology and anatomy with the aim of improving health outcomes for humans and animals tropical, rural and remote and indigenous communities.

This course is for graduates of science, biomedical science, veterinary science or related disciplines who want to specialise or up-skill in order to undertake further studies. This is a flexible course allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your professional needs and interests.

Important notice

You must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B within the first teaching period of their studies. A blood-borne viral disease may result in your inability to obtain a placement in a Queensland Health facility and consequently may result in your inability to complete the requirements of the course as accredited by the relevant professional accrediting body. If you have not complied with the above requirement by the last day of the first teaching period of your studies, your enrolment will be terminated immediately.

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Pathway into course

Handbook

Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences

Handbook year

2019

Course code

105106

Course type

Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)

Division

Division of Tropical Health and Medicine

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree in a biomedical science or cognate science discipline; or equivalent.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Post admission
requirements

Hepatitis B immunisation:

Students must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B within the first teaching period of their studies. A blood-borne viral disease may result in a student’s inability to obtain a placement in a Queensland Health facility and consequently may result in their inability to complete the requirements of the course as accredited by the relevant professional accrediting body. If a student has not complied with the above requirement by the last day of the first teaching period of their studies, their enrolment will be terminated immediately.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

24 credit points

Course learning outcomes

Biomedical science examines how the body works and investigates ways to treat diseases using advanced tools and strategies. It covers the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, physiology and anatomy with the aim of improving health outcomes for humans and animals tropical, rural and remote and indigenous communities.

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Sciences will be able to:

  • Apply and adapt advanced and integrated knowledge, including an understanding of recent developments, in the area of biomedicine and related professional competencies, behaviours and ethical frameworks

  • Apply an integrated understanding of biomedical science and its application to improve human and animal health in rural, remote and indigenous community settings

  • Analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in new situations or contexts with creativity and independence

  • Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability for their own future professional development through reflection on current skills, knowledge and attitudes in the biomedical science arena

  • Interpret and justify scientific propositions, methodologies and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences through high level written and oral communication and numeracy skills.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent RequirementsInherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Students and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree. For more information refer to Inherent Requirements page.
Reasonable adjustmentsReasonable adjustments may be made to assist students manage additional circumstances impacting on their studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a degree. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

BC5101:03 Advanced Genes, Genomes & Development

BC5201:03 Advanced Bioengineering

MI5021:03 Advanced Clinical Microbiology

MI5051:03 Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases

PP5101:03 Advanced and Integrated Physiology

PP5151:03 General Pathobiology

OPTIONS

Select 6 credit points (two subjects) from the list below. Variations may be approved after discussions with the Director of Research Training.

BC5102:03 Advanced Molecular Basis of Disease

BC5202:03 Advanced Laboratory Practice in Molecular and Cell Biology

MI5000:03 Biomedical Epidemiology

MI5003:03 Advanced Marine Microbiology

MI5031:03 Advanced Aquatic Pathobiology

MI5061:03 Advanced Immunology

MI5071:03 Tropical Microbial Molecular Analysis and Epidemiology

PP5002:03 Literature Review

PP5005:03 Special Topics in Physiology

PP5055:03 Special Topics in Pharmacology

PP5201:03 Contemporary Research in Physiology

PP5251:03 Systemic Pathophysiology and Therapeutics

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Townsville

 

Candidature

Expected time to complete

1 year full-time or equivalent part-time

Maximum time to complete

4 years

Maximum leave of absence

1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites

Nil

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

No

Special assessment requirements

Nil

Professional accreditation requirements

Nil

Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade

Nil

Supplementary exam for final subject

Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility

Students may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit and Articulation policy and associated procedures.

Maximum allowed

12 credit points

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for subjects completed in the 6 years prior to the commencement of this course

Expiry

Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 10 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course

Other restrictions

Not applicable

Award Details

Award title

GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Approved abbreviation

GDipBiomedSc

This is a joint degree

No

Inclusion of majors on testamur

Not applicable - this course does not have majors

Exit with lesser award

Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate of Biomedical Sciences

Course articulation

Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Master of Biomedical Sciences, and may be granted advanced standing for relevant subjects completed under this course

What are Biomedical Sciences?

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This website is intended as general guide. Prospective students should contact the university to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.