Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation)

Duration3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Location
Bundaberg and Rockhampton
Next start termTerm 1, 2024
Study modeOn Campus
Course codeCG93
CRICOS072157E
Two medical science students working in a lab on a large medical machine.

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 or biotechnology.

The Bachelor of Medical Science aims to develop your skills to apply knowledge of Clinical Measurement or Nutrition 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, education or developing therapeutics in the cutting-edge medical biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. The course also aims to 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 opportunities such as developing skills in designing, conducting and interpreting medical research.

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 measurement, biotechnology or nutritional areas.

The pathology specialisation will prepare students for employment in diagnostic medical laboratories where haematological, biochemical, microbiological and histological analysis of human blood, urine and tissue samples is conducted.

The clinical measurement 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 nutrition specialisation is targeted at students who will pursue a career in nutrition related health promotion and food and nutrition industries and provide a pathway for postgraduate study in health education, research and public health.

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.

Work integrated learning units are included in each specialisation to facilitate work readiness of graduates.

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Pathology) will not be accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) after 31st December 2019. The Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Pathology) is in the process of being taught-out with closure of this major predicted for 2020. Students interested in a career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist should apply for the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) degree which has applied for AIMS accreditation.

Structure & Availability


COURSE STRUCTURE
You will study eight core units and a major in either Biotechnology, Clinical Measurement or Nutrition.

If you choose to study one of these majors you will also select two minors from a prescribed minors list outlined in the Majors and Minors section below.

You also have the option to study the Biotechnology major and select a Diagnostic Pathology co-major. Upon graduation, if you opt for this co-major, you will receive the award of Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology). With this option, you also may transfer into the four-year accredited CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) degree.

UNIT INFORMATION
For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

On-Campus Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2024Bundaberg, Rockhampton
Term 2, 2024Bundaberg, Rockhampton
MAJORSUNITSDESCRIPTION
Biotechnology8

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology) can select the Diagnostic Pathology Major as an option of 8 units for their studies. The units involved in this Pathology Major include:

  • ESSC11002 Measurement and Evaluation in Health Science
  • BMSC12011 Medical Microbiology 1
  • BMSC12001 Histological and Cytological Techniques
  • BMSC12003 Haematology and Transfusion Science
  • BMSC13002 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
  • BMSC13001 Advanced Haematology
  • BMSC13003 Medical Microbiology 2
  • BMSC13016 Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology

Students may wish to articulate into the CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) upon completion of this Diagnostic Pathology major within the Biotechnology course.

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Biotechnology) is offered at the Rockhampton campus or through our Online study option.


Clinical Measurement7

The Bachelor of Medical Science has eight compulsory units. Seven of the compulsory units are studied in the first year of the course; the eighth compulsory unit is studied in the final year of the course. The eighth compulsory unit, BMSC13012 Advanced Work Integrated Learning provides the opportunity of students completing a work placement in a hospital or clinical setting.

The Biomedical Minor is highly recommended for students who choose to practice as a Clinical Measurement scientist because the 4 units of study within this Minor are essential to the knowledge required for a Clinical Measurement scientist to practice safely in a work environment.  The Biomedical and Research Minors taken together, form an ideal recommended undergraduate degree for those students who plan to apply for future Graduate Medicine studies.

Students have a choice of studying four minors in a non-cognate discipline.

  • Research Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
  • Entrepreneurship Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
  • Indigenous Health Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
  • Liberal Studies Minor - 4 units, 24 credit points

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Clinical Measurements) is offered at the Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses, or through our Online study option.

Nutrition8

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Nutrition) is offered at the Rockhampton campus or through our Online study option.

Pathology16

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Pathology) is only offered as an exit award for the CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science course.

MINORSUNITSDESCRIPTION
Biomedical4
Chemistry4
Clinical Nutrition8
Diagnostic Pathology8
The major is only available to the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Biotechnology) students. Biotechnology students who complete this Diagnostic Pathology major will be awarded the Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology).
Entrepreneurship4
Indigenous Health4
Liberal Studies4

This minor has been designed to support credit, articulation agreements and transition arrangements. Students cannot opt-in to complete the Liberal Studies minor. Please contact Course Advice for further information.

Research4
Strategic Communication4
Working with the Media4


Choose a major to suit you

Benefit from a choice of majors to tailor your studies to suit your career goals or learning interests. Discover more about each option below, what you will learn and where it can take you.

Biotechnology

The biotechnology specialisation will explore the ways in which living things and their molecular constituents are used as tools. With an emphasis on medical applications, you will be ideally placed to pursue a career in the BioPharma industry and medical diagnostics. Please note this major is only available at our Rockhampton campus.

Clinical Measurement

Clinical Measurement involves diagnosing disease and fine-tuning therapeutic management of already established disease by performing physiological tests such as electrocardiography (ECG) and 24-hour halter monitoring. Upon completion of the Clinical Measurement specialisation, you will be ready to pursue a role as a Medical Scientist in clinical measurement laboratories. Medical Scientists form a vital link in the chain of medical services and assess the physiological functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.

Nutrition

Nutrition is an important and diverse field in today's society. Choosing to study Nutrition will enable you to work with individuals or communities to promote healthy lifestyle choices and prevent diet-related disease. Completing the Nutrition specialisation will prepare you for a career in nutrition education, advocacy, food advertising and communication, research, nutrition science, nutrition behaviour, sport and exercise and biomedical nutrition. Please note this major is only available at our Rockhampton campus.

Work Integrated Learning - BMSC12005

This unit is specific to students enrolled in the Pathology and Clinical Measurement 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.

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.


You'll be required to complete 360 hours of compulsory work experience as part of this course for Clinical Measurement students and 180 hours for Biotechnology and Nutrition students. The work experience you complete throughout this course allows you to develop professional and practical skills relevant to your field of study.

Requirements

Recommended study

Recommended study - English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science

When applying, you must demonstrate that you have met the listed Entry Requirements and English Language Proficiency requirements.

After you have applied and enrolled in this course, you will need to be able to meet the Security and Health Requirements as these generally relate to work-integrated learning activities that form part of your course. You will be provided with more information about security and health requirements after enrolling in the relevant units that these relate to. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.

Entry Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United states of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 6.0 for Reading and Writing and 6.0 for Speaking and Listening, or
  • an Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course. 

Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority. 

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance. 

 

Other mandatory requirements include a student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules. 

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
International Indicative First Term FeeA$17,280
International Indicative First Year FeeA$35,280

Please note the following important information:

  • Fees are in Australian dollars (A$).
  • Fees are indicative only and do not cover additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, visa applications, OSHC, general living etc.
  • Fees are based on a full-time study load and the final fee payable will be determined by your selection of units and if any credit was awarded for recognition of prior learning.
  • The University reserves the right to amend fees at any time during the course. Fees are reviewed yearly and may increase in the following year to enable CQUniversity to continue to provide quality services and facilities to students.
  • Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
  • It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the entry requirements and prerequisites of the courses you wish to undertake.
  • The typical annual fee shown provides an estimate of the tuition fees for the first year of the course in the same academic year. This estimate assumes a full-time study load of 4 units per term (based on two terms).
  • Students not on an Australian student visa can only undertake courses online from an overseas location.
  • Courses undertaken online may be studied on a full-time or part-time mode.
  • International students studying on-campus in Australia may take no more than 33 per cent of their entire course by online education, and this option cannot be taken in its entirety during a compulsory term (Term 1 and Term 2).

Please refer to our international course fees page.

We offer a range of scholarships to support international students and encourage you to apply for one that's right for you.

How to apply

Our easy to use online application system for international students will guide you through the process of applying for a course at CQUniversity Australia.