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Take the first step towards a career in health and medicine with the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences. You’ll build foundational knowledge and skills within the field of biomedicine and find your niche in this rapidly expanding industry. Graduates are equipped to excel in careers involving medicine, dentistry, allied health, veterinary science, medical laboratory science and more.

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#1 in Australia

for learning resources 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Health Services

Tailored course design

Foundational knowledge and skills delivered within your course.

#1 in Australia

for skills development 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Health Services

Townsville

Townsville: January

$39,280.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

3 years full-time

English (Units 3/4,C)

Recommended Knowledge

Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C); plus one of Biology, Health, Physical Education or Physics

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

View the international entry requirements for this course

013347K

What to expect

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.

Career Opportunities

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.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024
Course code	116910
Course type	Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)
Owner	Academy
College	Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English (Units 3/4,C); Recommended Knowledge: Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C); plus one of Biology, Health, Physical Education or Physics
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.
Additional selection requirements	Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.
Post-admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	72 credit points as per course structure
Course learning outcomes	On successful completion of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, graduates will be able to: Demonstrate integrated theoretical and technical knowledge and skills, with depth in the underlying concepts and principles across the range of biomedical science disciplines Critically review, analyse, synthesise and apply scientific evidence and process to a range of social and economic contexts Apply recognised methods and tools of biomedical science to the process of enquiry and discovery Communicate scientific information and philosophies clearly and coherently through well-developed English language and numeracy proficiency, to a range of audiences for a range of purposes using a variety of modes Demonstrate personal and social responsibility and accountability through an awareness of ethical frameworks, by working safely and responsibly in individual and team environments Critically reflect upon the socioeconomic impact of health issues in tropical, rural and remote and indigenous communities Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, in order to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional development needs.

Inherent Requirements

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 visit: Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

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: Cells to Systems

BM1201:03 Energy Metabolism: Powering Life

Trimester 3

BM1300:03 Genes and Health

BM1310:03 Structure to Function: Control and Movement

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)

Type of major	Mandatory, Single
Credit points in major	24 credit points

Major	Available at	Notes
Bioinformatics	JCU Townsville
Health	JCU Townsville
Medical Laboratory Science	JCU Townsville
Microbiology and Immunology	JCU Townsville
Molecular and Cell Biology	JCU Townsville
Physiology and Pharmacology	JCU Townsville

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Maximum time to complete	7 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Students who have not met Chemistry and or Mathematics Assumed Knowledge Course Pre-requisites must enrol in CH1020 and or MA1020 in Trimester 1 of their first year of study
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure
Maximum allowed	48 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 17 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course
Other restrictions	A maximum of 9 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Approved abbreviation	BBiomedSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Any major may appear on the testamur
Exit with lesser award	Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences.
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Honours

Honours availability	Available as a separate graduate entry course
Eligibility	Students must satisfy the College requirements relating to the standard of academic achievement necessary to proceed to the honours degree

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD39,280.00

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

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

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this Diploma, consider exploring our available Pathways options.

Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.

How to apply

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.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Student

Mitchell Hearn

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

If you’re into science, if you’re into helping people, if you want to further research in microbiology and immunology, definitely get into biomedical science. It’s awesome.
Alumni

Sophie McIntyre

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

I enjoyed the research experience in biomedicine so much that I pursued further immunology study through a Master of Philosophy. The abundance of practical laboratory experience was vital and the quality mentorship and guidance in the biomedical sciences degree certainly facilitated my success.
Lecturer

Andrew Calcino

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences is designed to launch the careers of the next generation, who will continue to push the boundaries of personalised medicine and healthcare. Students are trained to use the same tools and pipelines currently utilised by modern bioinformatic researchers.
Lecturer

Associate Professor Ulf Schmitz

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

This interactive course structure, guided by the Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, ensures that students receive the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge. The potential impact of their work on biodiversity, food production, tropical health, and more is extremely exciting.
Employer

Megan Harbourne

Statewide Clinical Education Program Manager, Department of Health, QLD

JCU graduates have a really strong focus on the patient journey, probably because they have developed interpretation and analysis skills across multiple sciences. They are great at understanding the pathophysiology of the various chronic diseases that impact our patients.