Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

Discover where you excel in the medical, healthcare, clinical and research industries with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences. JCU’s unique course design equips you to explore multiple fields and embrace a career that’s right for you.

With only one prerequisite, English, JCU’s Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences is designed differently. We recognise that the most important prerequisite for the biomedical field is an enduring interest in expanding your learning and a commitment to helping others. Engage with foundational learning in chemistry, physics and genetics, no matter what you studied in high school.

Design the first-year program that supports you to expand your existing knowledge. Foundational subjects in chemistry and mathematics are available to students who did not complete these in secondary school. Students that already hold this assumed knowledge can explore subject offerings in bioinformatics, veterinary science, healthcare communication or general health.

Examine the wide-ranging subject areas of biomedicine in your second year and take the opportunity to explore subject areas that interest you. This broad knowledge and skill base equips you to select the major that best aligns with your study, career or research goals from your third year. Explore the majors available within the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences in more detail below.

Biomedicine is a diverse and flexible field of study. Multiple transfer points and focused majors empower you to specialise in the career of your choice sooner. JCU is committed to equipping you with the knowledge and skills to excel across the healthcare sphere.

Engage with hands-on learning opportunities from your first year. You’ll benefit from the expertise of lecturers and industry experts as you develop valuable work skills in state-of-the-art laboratories, hospitals, and medical centres, both on- and off-campus. JCU’s small class sizes provide you with additional opportunities for personalised learning and tailored support.

JCU’s unique focus on tropical health and disease management will ensure a hands-on, practical learning experience like no other.

This flexible degree will set you on a pathway to finding the area of healthcare you are truly committed to. A Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences can act as that key springboard into a medical-related career.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.  For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences.

Majors

Choose from six different majors, each designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to specialise in key biomedical fields. All majors are offered on-campus at JCU Townsville.

Bioinformatics

Hone the skills to collect, understand and apply biological and medical data. Understand how data is managed in the medical and healthcare fields and contribute innovative solutions to complex problems. Build expertise in this rapidly expanding field that has clinical, research, and governmental applications.

Health

Be equipped for a future in the medical, dental or allied health industries. Develop an advanced understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and bioengineering. Use this major as your starting point to build the foundational knowledge required to excel in the health service industries.

Medical Laboratory Science

Be at the forefront of healthcare research and diagnostics and develop extensive theoretical and medical knowledge across several fields of medical science. You will gain hands-on clinical and laboratory skills with placement opportunities and training in world-class diagnostic medical laboratories and research centres.

Microbiology and Immunology

Gain the skills and knowledge in the theories of epidemiology, molecular genetics, cell biology, and advanced immunobiology. Extend your knowledge by understanding and analysing the theories of infectious diseases and tropical microbes.

Molecular and Cell Biology

Study and apply the theories of modelling natural systems, quantitative methods in science, molecular genetics, and cell biology. Develop knowledge and skills in the field of immunology, understand the origins of specific diseases and disorders and examine tropical microbes.

Physiology and Pharmacology

Gain the knowledge and skills to understand and apply pathophysiology and therapeutics theory. Consolidate your professional practice, laboratory management and quality assurance skills to ensure you can excel in numerous pharmacology roles.

Honours

If you're a high-achieving student you may be offered the opportunity to study for a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Honours) degree. This consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually required for entry to research higher degrees.

Refer to the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Honours) Handbook to learn more. Complete an application through our Online Application Portal.

The expert design of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences prepares you to for a variety of careers across industries including medicine, veterinary science, biosecurity, pharmaceuticals, research, clinical sciences and more.

JCU graduates are highly valued for their extensive practical skills, developed through varied hands-on learning opportunities. Enter the workforce with a detailed understanding of the daily operations of your chosen industry.

Benefit from the opportunity to work closely with academics and industry leaders. You’ll build a network of contacts that can assist you in developing an exciting and varied career in industries ripe for growth.

Discover just how far a career in Biomedical Science can take you. At JCU, our focus on empowering rural and regional communities within the Tropics provides unique opportunities for practical experience, many of which lead to employment after graduation.

Entry score threshold

These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2023. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in June each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.

ATAR/Selection Rank: 65.40

Entry score range

This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences for Semester 1, 2023. The table includes offers deferred to Semester 1, 2023 which may have been assessed using the entry score threshold of an earlier year.

JCU Townsville

<sup>Notes:
<5 – indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers made.
* Refer to Adjustment Factors</sup>

Find out more about who you might study with by viewing this course’s student profile.

Adjustment factors

James Cook University applies bonus ranks under the Regional Preference Scheme and QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS). Learn more about JCU’s adjustment factors.

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Inherent Requirements

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Year 1

Trimester 1

BM1110:03 Molecules to Microbes

CH1020:03 Preparatory Chemistry or 3 credit points of subjects from List 1 (if Chemistry recommended knowledge has been met)

MA1020:03 Preparatory Mathematics or 3 credit points of subjects from List 1 (if Mathematics Methods recommended knowledge has been met)

Trimester 2

CH1001:03 Chemistry: A Central Science

BM1210:03 Structure to Function: Control & Movement

BM1201:03 Energy Metabolism: Powering Life

Trimester 3

BM1300:03 Genetics and Health

BM1310:03 Structure to Function: Cells to Systems

SC1102:03 Modelling Natural Systems or SC1109:03 Modelling Natural Systems-Advanced

List 1

Health

HS1401:03 Health and Healthcare in Australia

BM1111:03 Introduction to Health Sciences

RH1002:03 Communication for Healthcare Professionals

SC1101:03 Science, Technology and Truth

Veterinary Science

TV1101:03 Introduction to Veterinary Science

BS1007:03 Introduction to Biodiversity

Bioinformatics

CP1401:03 Programming I

BM1111:03 Introduction to Health Sciences

MA1000:03 Mathematical Foundations

Year 2

Trimester 1

BM2110:03 Physiology 1: Growth and Movement

BM2120:03 Microbial Diversity

SC2202:03 Quantitative Methods in Science or SC2209:03 Quantitative Methods in Science Advanced or HS2402:03 Health Professional Research 1

Trimester 2

BM2210:03 Physiology 2: Powering Life

BM2220:03 Infection and Immunity

BM2230:03 DNA: From Start to Stop

Year 3

Trimester 3

BM3332:03 Advanced Projects in Biomedicine

PLUS

Select a major from Table A

TABLE A (Majors)

Location

Candidature

Progression

Credit

Award Details

Honours

A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Successful applicants require Hepatitis B immunisation, current Queensland First Aid and CPR certificates before undertaking a placement. These requirements need to be completed by the end of your first semester/teaching period. Visit Professional Experience Placement for further information.

Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

ATAR score is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.