Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Victoria University

About

You can utilise this course to embark on an exciting career in biomedical research or for entry into postgraduate health courses, including postgraduate medicine.

The course will provide you with a strong foundation in the medical sciences, and advanced laboratory skills through hands on practical experimentation and online interactive learning.

The new curriculum offers a quality syllabus that emphasises critical thinking and active learning via an inquiry team-based learning – a strategy producing skilled, knowledgeable and lifelong learners.

In addition, you will build on intellectual, analytical, organisational, personal and interpersonal skills.

You will gain in-depth understanding of how the body works from the molecular level through to physiological functions. Students will expand and apply knowledge of human biomedical science, to the causes, diagnosis and treatment of disease at molecular, cellular and system levels.

Core areas of study include:

physiology anatomy biochemistry cell biology medical microbiology immunology molecular biology human genetics.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Biomedical Science students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core studies;
  • 96 credit points of Major studies (from the list below):

Plus One (1) of the following:

Option A:

  • 96 credit points of second Major studies;

OR

Option B:

  • 96 credit points of Minor studies (Two Minor sets in total, from the list below):

Please Note: Students that select Option A must choose 12 credit points in place of HBM3202 Applied Biomedical Science, as this unit is covered in the first Major study. Students are able to select a unit from within any of the Minors offered in this course, in consultation with the Course Coordinator and according to unit pre-requisites.

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

  • Biological Systems Unit code HBM1002 Credits12
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Biomedicine Unit code HHH1001 Credits12
  • Functional Anatomy of the Trunk Unit code RBM1100 Credits12
  • Functional Anatomy of the Limbs Unit code RBM1200 Credits12
  • Human Physiology 1 Unit code RBM1518 Credits12
  • Human Physiology 2 Unit code RBM1528 Credits12
  • Chemistry 1A Unit code RCS1601 Credits12
  • Chemistry 1B Unit code RCS1602 Credits12

Majors

  • Human Physiology Unit code HMAHPH
  • Molecular Cell Biology Unit code HMAMCB

Minors

  • Anatomy & Integrated Physiology Unit code HMIHPH
  • Molecular Cell Biology Unit code HMIMCB
  • Applied Research Unit code HMIAPP

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.PLUS:A study score of 20 of one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Physical Education.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of two units of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Health Sciences or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).AND:A study score of 20 of one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Physical Education (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

The Gordon

You will be credited for up to 36 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Critically review biological determinants of health, well-being and disease and explain how they manifest in both local and global contexts;  
  2. Critically analyse and interrogate primary literature in biomedical science and map the principles of scientific research and experimental design including the use of statistical methods relevant to biomedical science;  
  3. Apply and adapt a broad and coherent knowledge base in physiology, anatomy, molecular cell biology and applied research to analyse complex problems in health and disease;  
  4. Evaluate current advances in medical interventions/therapeutics to investigate and propose solutions to contemporary, emerging and future-oriented issues in Biomedical Science;  
  5. Critically apply biomedical science based theoretical knowledge to practical situations in state of the art laboratory learning environments, and industry settings;  
  6. Conceptually map key ethical and professional components within the domain of Biomedical Science;  
  7. Effectively and analytically communicate complex ideas in Biomedical science in both written and oral formats to both professional and lay audiences including supervisors, peers, research teams, community and industry partners.  

Institution