ObjectivesA pathology major provides the springboard for students to enter careers or research in areas that require a broad and solid understanding of disease from a molecular, cellular, tissue, functional, biochemical and immunological perspective.
Graduates will be prepared for these pathways by developing skills which are crucial to work in both diagnostic and research laboratories, and in consulting roles in the biotechnology and biomedical industries. This major will integrate knowledge from a range of disciplines from human biology to molecular genetics, by enabling students to complete sequences of specialist and integrated subjects which will develop understanding of applications of current molecular and genetic methods to problems in pathological/medical practice.
Students will gain experience preparing them for the workplace by participating in lecture series, group based research projects and laboratory based practical sessions.
Academic titleBachelor of Biomedicine (Pathology)
Course descriptionThe Bachelor of Biomedicine requires completion of a total of 300 points of study over three years full time, usually comprising four subjects per semester. Alternatively, the course can be completed in six or seven years part time.
The core of the degree builds understanding of the structure and function of the body and consideration of the determinants of health and disease, including genetic and environmental influences. The integrated core program culminates in final year subjects that deal with contemporary issues in biomedicine and aspects of medical conditions from the molecular and cellular, right up to the population level.
Depth within a particular biomedical discipline is achieved by completing 50 points (4 subjects) in a major at 3rd year level.
In second year students are required to complete two selective subjects, which can be taken from the Bachelor of Science (provided pre-requisites are met).
Students also take 75 points (one quarter of the degree) from otherdiscipline areas. These breadth subjects are designed to bridge disciplines, sharpening skills of logic, analysis and multidisciplinary problem solving.
Year 1
Biomolecules & Cells
Chemistry for Biomedicine
Calculus 2
Breadth
Genes & Environment
Physics for Biomedicine
Experimental Design & Data Analysis
Breadth
Year 2
Molecular & Cellular Biomedicine
Reactions & Synthesis
Breadth
Integrated Human Structure & Function
Structure & Properties
Breadth
Year 3
Biomedicine: From Molecule to Malady
Mechanisms Of Human Disease
Mechanisms Of Human Disease
Breadth
Frontiers in Biomedicine
Advanced Techniques For Investigation Of Disease
Consequences Of Human Disease
Breadth
Students completing this major should:
* study factors which influence changes from normal to abnormal structure and function at every level from organism to molecule.
* learn to ask fundamental questions about the response of tissues and cells to injury and the outcomes of these responses.
* develop a scientific understanding of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
* study findings emerging from research laboratories which are currently investigating some of the most common and intractable diseases in our community eg. cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease and cancer.
* experience working in a team on an project which investigates disease.
* learn to critically analyse data, both their own and from Scientific Literature.
* develop both verbal and written communication skills.
Structure & Available Subjects:
This major consists of:
* 50 credit points at the third year level
In order to complete this major, students have to complete the prequisite 521-220 Techniques in Molecular Science (for students having commenced the Bachelor of Biomedicine from 2009 onwards) at the second year level.