Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation)
Overview
Study the Bachelor of Medical Science and apply clinical physiology knowledge in health professional roles or research settings, use biotechnology expertise in support industries and medical research or apply diagnostic skills and knowledge in pathology laboratories. Benefit from the flexibility to tailor your degree to suit your career goals with a choice of majors in Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology or Clinical Physiology.
This course is designed to build a high level of technical and evaluative skill so you can assess and implement recommendations for best practice in patient testing, monitoring, education or to develop therapeutics in the cutting-edge medical biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. You will also develop high level communication skills so that you can interact positively with patients/clients, other health professionals or industry leaders and are ready for the clinical or scientific work environment. Clinical decision making and problem solving ability will be promoted through participation in designing, carrying out and/or interpreting medical research.
Available on-campus in Bundaberg, Rockhampton and online, if you do choose to study online, you will be required to attend compulsory face-to-face residential schools throughout your degree. These are typically held in Rockhampton.
If you choose the Biotechnology or Clinical Physiology Majors, you will have the option to tailor your studies with a range of minors:
- Biotechnology Major: Chemistry Minor, Diagnostic Pathology Minor, Entrepreneurship Minor, Food Technology Minor, Liberal Studies Minor, Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Minor, Research Minor
- Clinical Physiology Major: Biomedical Minor, Entrepreneurship Minor, Indigenous Health Minor, Liberal Studies Minor, Research Minor
If you choose the Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology Major (new from Term 1, 2026), you will not choose a minor.
Learn more about each major and minor in the Structure & Availability section below.
Study Experience
Discover more about your flexible medical science degree and how you'll benefit from an experienced teaching team and practical experiences. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.
- Experienced Teaching Team
- Global Experiences
- On-campus or Online
- Residential Schools
- Seamless Pathways
- Study Full-time or Part-time
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Medical Science course from CQUniversity have developed the expertise and skills to work as health professionals in biotechnology and clinical physiology areas.
Biotechnology Major
The Biotechnology Major will prepare you for a variety of roles in the medical research or biotechnology industries. With an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies in the development and application of therapeutics, you are ideally placed to pursue a career in the biopharmaceutical industry, be part of a clinical trials team or medical research laboratories, often participating in trials.
Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology Major
The Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology Major combines knowledge in biomedical research, molecular diagnostics, and medical laboratory science. You will gain skills in cutting-edge biotechnological techniques alongside strong foundations in microbiology, pathology and clinical biochemistry, preparing them for diverse roles across research, diagnostics, and healthcare. As a graduate, you will be well equipped to work in biopharmaceutical companies, medical research laboratories, hospitals, and private pathology services, contributing to disease detection, therapeutic development, and translational research in both clinical and biotechnology settings.
Clinical Physiology Major
The Clinical Physiology Major will prepare you for employment as a clinical measurement scientist. The specialisation offers multidisciplinary training in diagnostic physiological measurement in cardiac sciences, respiratory sciences, neurophysiology and sleep science.
Alternative Course Options
Interested in a career in Nutrition, Pathology or a career as Medical Laboratory Scientist? CQUniversity also offers the following course options:
- Bachelor of Nutrition
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Nutrition/ Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours)
Postgraduate Pathways
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation), you may also be interested in our:
- Master of Teaching (Secondary): If you've completed the Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Minor and are interested in teaching science at secondary schools, this is an ideal option for you. You can also apply to receive credit for four units, accelerating your postgraduate studies.
Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
Available Locations
Your Course
Depending on your chosen major, you must complete 23 or 24 units (144 credits):
- 1The core structure (8 units)
- 2One major (16 units depending on your chosen major) OR
- 3One major (7 or 8 units depending on your chosen major) AND one eight-unit or two four-unit minors
Unit Details
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
Core Units
You will study eight units, including the first six listed below. You will then choose two elective units from the following:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (BMSC11010)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (BMSC11011)
- Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1 (BMSC11007)
- Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2 (BMSC11008).
Biotechnology Major
The Biotechnology Major consists of the eight units listed below.
This major is offered on-campus in Rockhampton or online. If you study online, you will be required to attend compulsory residential schools.
If you choose to study this major, you will also complete one eight-unit minor or two four-unit minors.
Eight-Unit Minor Options
- Food Technology
- Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)
Four-Unit Minor Options
- Chemistry
- Entrepreneurship
- Liberal Studies
- Research
Biomedical Minor
The Biomedical Minor consists of four units listed below.
This minor is highly recommended if you would like to study the Clinical Physiology Major. The units studied within this minor support the delivery of knowledge required for a Clinical Physiologist/Scientist to practice safely in a work environment.
This minor also contains key units recommended if you would like to pursue postgraduate medical programs. It is recommended that you complete both the Biomedical and Research Minors for this option.
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional Information
Advanced Work Integrated Learning - BMSC13012
All students enrolled in Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Specialisation) are required to undertake this unit. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 360 hours of compulsory work experience in the Clinical Physiology and Biotechnology & Diagnostic Pathology and Pathology specialisations and 180 hours in the Biotechnology specialisation.
Work Integrated Learning - BMSC12005
This unit is specific to students enrolled in the Pathology, Biotechnology & Diagnostic Pathology and Clinical Physiology majors.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
Student and Course Profiles
View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2025 via our Institute Profile.
Alternative Entry Pathways
CQU offers a range of alternative entry pathways to help you get started. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, there are options available, depending on your background and previous experience.
During Your Study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
Fees & Scholarships
Indicative First-Year Fee
The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage.
Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.
Commonwealth Supported Places
This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.
HECS-HELP Loan
You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations.
We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your Application Options
Follow These Steps
Extra Admission Information
Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU.
Start Your Application
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