Course description
About the course
The Bachelor of Medical Science will provide you with the theoretical and practical skills to gain employment as a scientific officer in a range of clinical and research settings. These include pathology laboratories neurophsyiology, respiratory and cardiac departments and could provide graduate entry into pre-medical studies, medical research and secondary and tertiary teaching.
Have you ever had a blood test ordered by a doctor? Has any member of your family ever had a pap smear? Has any family member ever had a blood transfusion? Do you know anybody who suffers from respiratory, cardiovascular or nervous system disorders? Do you ever require medication?
If so, it is certain that the skills, specialist knowledge and expertise of a medical scientist have played a role in your life and the lives of those around you.
Medical scientists with training in pathology form the vital link in the chain of medical services through their work in hospital laboratories, private pathology laboratories and universities. They conduct laboratory analysis on blood, body fluids and tissues to provide vital scientific information for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Medical scientists in clinical measurement laboratories form another vital link in the chain of medical services by assessing the physiological functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems. Results of these clinical measurements are used in accurate diagnosis and management of diseases such as atherosclerosis, epilepsy and asthma.
Medical scientists are seen as an integral part of the total health care team within hospitals, liaising with other health professionals and patients. They also form the key elements of research teams examining the efficacy of new treatments or developing new medicines and health care products.
Where it will take you
This broad-based course offers you diverse career options in the health care industry, including a number of alternative paramedical and medicotechnology-based programs, and gives you the flexibility to choose an area of specialisation.
The programs available and employment opportunities include:
Pathology specialisation
Graduates can gain employment in many areas of clinical medical science, particularly in the evolving pathology industry. Potential employment will be found in the following areas of medical science: anatomy, biochemistry, biotechnology, blood bank, cell biology, cytogenetics, genetics, haematology, histology, immunology, immunohaematology, and microbiology. Potential for employment also exists in medical research in hospitals, medical research institutions and IVF clinics.
Clinical Physiology specialisation
This area of study will qualify you for entry into clinical measurement laboratories involved in assessment of physiological functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Clinical measurement involves performance of physiological tests to diagnose and ‘fine tune’ therapeutic management of already established disease.
Careers in clinical research are also available with hospital and university research teams and these often focus on development of new measurement techniques and gaining a better understanding of the processes of specific diseases. There is an emphasis on cardiorespiratory and nervous system anatomy and physiology, fundamental physiological testing techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG) and spirometry as well as more advanced testing modalities for each of these three vital body systems, pharmacology, immunology, micro and molecular biology and will allow involvement in a critical areas of Australian public health.
Generic course
By choosing groups of subjects from a number of significant disciplines, you have the option of gaining a broad knowledge in any two of the specialities above. This will be especially attractive to those seeking a flexible undergraduate science program that provides a broad background as an option for entry into research programs.
Your course is recognised by industry
All courses within the School of Biomedical Sciences are designed to provide a variety of levels of eligibility for membership with a range of professional bodies, such as:
* AIMS - Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
* AACB - Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists
* ASC - Australian Science Communicators
* ASBMB - Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
* ANTA - Association of Neurophysiological Technologists of Australia
* CSANZ - Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand
* ASMR - Australian Society for Medical Research
* APSA - Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association
* ANZSRS - Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science
* ASM - Australian Society for Microbiology
* HGSA - Human Genetics Society of Australasia
Graduates from the Pathology specialisation of this course are eligible for corporate membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
The latest facilities
To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
* state-of-the-art laboratories
* computer centres
* small class sizes
Practical experience
The course provides the opportunity for you to gain at least six weeks of compulsory clinical/professional experience and training in your chosen speciality in approved laboratories in the second or third year of the degree, bringing students face-to-face with future employers. Many students obtain their first employment offers through this clinical experience system. This is not a requirement of the generic strand but may be arranged on request.
Course components
A common first session program includes units in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, statistics and microbiology. According to specialities, students will then diverge into subjects relevant to their areas of interest.
There is potential for movement between specialities within the first year, providing flexibility for students. Academic Advisers will be available at all times to provide guidance on subject choices. There is also potential for transfer from the Bachelor of Medical Science into the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Medical) and the Bachelor of Pharmacy at different stages during the course (based on grade point average (GPA)), and the opportunity to take double degrees. You can also graduate with a second degree in Biotechnology (Medical) by studying a further eight subjects after graduating with your Medical Science degree.
Residential school
Distance education students will attend eight days of residential school per session at the Wagga Wagga Campus.
Science Scholarships
CSU's Science Scholarships are available for on campus applicants to this course, providing $4000 per annum for up to four years (subject to satisfactory progress). Once awarded the Scholarship, the money is the student's to spend in the way that assists them most.
Applicants must achieve a University Admissions Index (UAI)(NSW) or ENTER(VIC) of 80 and above (inclusive of the Regional Bonus) to be eligible to receive the Scholarship.
To apply, download the Science Scholarships application form, complete all sections, then return the form to the Scholarships Officer before the end of October in the year prior to commencing your studies.
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (24 subjects).
On campus students who enrol in one of the three specialisations must complete a minimum of six weeks clinical experience in an approved laboratory to be eligible to graduate.
Distance education students who are not in appropriate employment will also be required to complete such professional experience. This is not a requirement of the students enrolled in the generic course.
Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Medical Science with the award BMedSc.
Clinical requirements
Refer to the Clinical requirements section for information on:
* Criminal Record Clearance
* Immunisation
Further study
Meritorious graduates may continue their studies on campus by enrolling in a fourth year Honours program, the Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours).
Completion of the Honours year allows progression to postgraduate study of a Master of Applied Science (Honours) or Doctor of Philosophy, for students wishing to pursue a challenging medical research career, or provides a competitive advantage for those entering the workforce.
There are a wide range of research areas available to prospective Honours and postgraduate students, and School staff provide extensive supervisory expertise gained from working in clinical and research teams.
Graduate comment
"This course is unique, because we're taught subjects which aren't on offer at other universities, e.g. venepuncture and karyotyping, plus CSU seems to offer more in-depth treatment of its subjects generally. We come out with more qualifications than graduates from other universities."
Kym Baker
Bachelor of Medical Science
