Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation)
Overview
Explore health and disease issues and equip yourself with practical skills by studying the Bachelor of Medical Science. This course will prepare you to undertake best practice in patient testing, developing therapeutics, monitoring disease and sharing knowledge in the medical biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. Benefit from the flexibility to tailor this degree to suit your career goals with a choice of majors in clinical measurement, nutrition, pathology or biotechnology.
The Bachelor of Medical Science aims to develop your skills to apply Clinical Physiology, Nutrition or Pathology knowledge to clinical practice in a health professional role or Biotechnology in support industries and medical research.
The course is designed to build a high level of technical and evaluative skill so you can assess and implement recommendations for best practices in patient testing, monitoring and education or develop therapeutics in the cutting-edge medical biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. The course also aims to develop high-level communication skills to interact positively with patients/clients, other health professionals, or industry leaders and be ready for the clinical or scientific work environment.
Clinical decision-making and problem-solving abilities will be promoted through opportunities such as developing designing, conducting and interpreting medical research skills.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Medical Science course from CQUniversity have developed the expertise and skills to work as health professionals in pathology, clinical physiology, biotechnology or nutritional areas.
The clinical physiology specialisation will prepare students for employment as clinical measurement scientists. The specialisation offers multidisciplinary training in diagnostic physiological measurement in cardiac sciences, respiratory sciences, neurophysiology and sleep science.
The biotechnology specialisation will prepare students for the medical research or biotechnology industries. With an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies in the development and application of therapeutics, the student is ideally placed to pursue a career in the biopharmaceutical industry or medical research laboratories.
Interested in a career in Pathology or as a Medical Laboratory Scientist? Explore our Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours).
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 (7 or 8 units, depending on chosen major)
- 3One eight-unit minor 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'll complete the first six core units in the list below and then choose two from the remaining four:
- BMSC11010 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
- BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
- BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1
- BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2.
Biotechnology Major (8 Units)
If you choose to study the Biotechnology major, you can complete one of three eight-unit minors or two four-unit minors. The eight-unit minors essentially operate as a second major.
Eight-unit minors
- Diagnostic Pathology
An ideal option if you would like to articulate into CQU's Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) - Food Technology
Allows you to combine industry-relevant experience, which translates across human health, nutrition, agriculture and food technology industries - Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)
This minor is ideal if you would like to apply for CQU's Master of Teaching (Secondary). Note that you must meet the relevant entry requirements for the master.
Four-unit minors
- Research
- Chemistry
- Entrepreneurship
- Liberal Studies
The Biotechnology major is offered on campus in Rockhampton or via online study.
Biomedical Minor
The Biomedical minor is highly recommended if you would like to study the Clinical Physiology major. The four units of study 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 when 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 throughout the course. Refer to the More Details section within the Handbook for further information.
Work Integrated Learning - BMSC12005
This unit is specific to students enrolled in the Pathology and Clinical Physiology majors. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 360 hours of compulsory work experience throughout the course. Refer to the More Details section within the Handbook for further information.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.
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, 2024 via our Institute Profile.
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 fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
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. Explore other study costs.
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.
Applying for 2026
Applications for 2026 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) open in April 2025.
More information will be available soon.
