Bachelor of Medical Science
Australian National University
About
Follow in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winner Howard Florey and kick-start your career in medical research with the Bachelor of Medical Science.You’ll delve into genetics, immunology, nutrition, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and anatomy to understand how the human body works.Learn directly from biomedical scientists and health professionals, who are working to develop new cancer vaccines or ground-breaking treatments for autoimmune diseases.Find out more about medical science, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.
Structure
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Medical Science requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 144 units must include:
48 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology & Genetics BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology BIOL2142 General Microbiology BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition BIOL3190 Medical Science in the Workplace CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 CHEM1201 Chemistry 2
6 units of physiology from completion of courses from the following list:
BIOL3006 Human Physiology MEDN2001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology
6 units from completion of courses from the following list:
BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
BIOL2117 Cell Biology BIOL2151 Genetics BIOL2162 Molecular Gene Technology BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease
24 units from completion of courses from the following lists:
A minimum of 12 units of core biomedical courses from the following list:
BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity BIOL3142 Parasitology BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology BIOL3186 Human Anatomy BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease 1 BIOL3205 Genetics of Human Disease 2 NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience
A maximum of 12 units of biomedical electives from the following list:
BIOL3107 Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics BIOL3193 Bacteria and Health: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective BIOL3203 Advanced Microscopy in Biosciences BIOL3208 Biology Research Project BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12u) POPH3000 Introduction to Population Health
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Students must achieve a minimum 65% weighted average mark across all compulsory courses undertaken in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Medical Science.
Students who do not achieve a minimum of 65% weighted average mark will be transferred to a different Science program.
Elective Study
Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.
Study Options
Year 1 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
BIOL1003 | Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics | 6 units |
CHEM1101 | Chemistry 1 | 6 units |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units | |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units | |
BIOL1004 | Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology | 6 units |
CHEM1201 | Chemistry 2 | 6 units |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units | |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units |
Year 2 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
MEDN2001 | Medical Physiology and Pharmacology | 6 units |
BIOL2161 | Genes: Replication and Expression | 6 units |
BIOL2171 | Biochemistry and Nutrition | 6 units |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units | |
BIOL2142 | General Microbiology | 6 units |
2000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
2000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units |
Year 3 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
3000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
3000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
3000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units | |
BIOL3190 | Medical Science in the Workplace | 6 units |
3000 level B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
B.MedSc elective from list | 6 units | |
Science or non-Science elective | 6 units |
Entry requirements
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
Domestic applicants
→ School leavers will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, • the co-curricular or service requirement, and • any program specific requirements that are listed below.
→ Non school leavers: a) will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, b) Non school leavers who: • complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or • complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or • complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study, will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
International applicants
Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
Diversity factors & English language proficiency As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Prerequisites
ACT: Chemistry (Major); NSW: Chemistry or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.
Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement may be admitted into the program via a different pathway. Students who:
- Have an ATAR score of 90 or higher, and
- Commence the Bachelor of Science program after completion of the chemistry bridging course available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry (or equivalent) and complete CHEM1101 and BIOL1003 with a minimum average of 65%, may then apply to transfer to the Bachelor of the Medical Science program.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Institution
