Objectives
The course has been designed to produce graduates who as medical scientists are specialists in a major area of science and possess well-developed skills to liaise with other groups of scientists, such as medical practitioners and biotechnologists. It aims to: * prepare students for a range of careers within the medical sciences; * enable students to specialise in particular areas of medical science as preparation for entry into, and progression through, an honours degree program and beyond; * prepare students for entry into a variety of undergraduate courses leading to specific health professions; * prepare students for graduate diploma courses and other postgraduate speciality programs in medical science such as radiology, pharmacology and pathology; * provide students with preparation for entry to the graduate medical program (although admission to the medical program cannot be guaranteed as performance in an undergraduate degree is not the only criterion for selection). Learning outcomes On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in their science discipline and a range of transferable professional skills. Subject knowledge Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * demonstrate a thorough understanding of the fundamental science underpinning the fields of medical science as an appropriate basis for developing a career and for undertaking further studies in the field; * undertake basic medical research utilising specialist skills and knowledge in at least one major area of science; * contribute to developing and/or evaluating new treatments and strategies for health problems by employing specialist skills in a major area of science; and * appreciate the cross-disciplinary nature of the medical sciences and work, as appropriate, with other health professionals. Transferable professional skills Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * employ scientific methodologies such as experimental design, and the critical analysis of data; * communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms; * interact effectively as part of a team in order to work towards a common outcome; * work and learn independently; * reason critically and logically and make independent judgements; * engage effectively with information and communication technologies; * demonstrate research skills appropriate for further study and employment; and * appreciate the need for continuing professional development.
Course description
The Bachelor of Medical Science is an innovative and flexible course providing exciting options for students interested in a wide range of careers in the medical and health sciences.
The course emphasises the fundamental sciences that underpin virtually all fields of medical science.
The topics specific to Medical Science combine different approaches to learning and progressively cover key elements such as teamwork, verbal communication, critical thinking, problem solving, hypothesis development and testing, and preparation of a grant proposal and business plan for research.
It differs from traditional courses in biomedical science by offering a broader range of specialisations and new topics that focus on the professional skills required to gain employment in any field of medical science.
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
What is Medical Science?
Medical Science is a broad term that covers such areas as biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology and toxicology.
All are vital to our ongoing efforts to develop and evaluate new treatments and strategies for health problems.
Why study Medical Science at Flinders?
* We have a strong profile in Medical Science, combining the expertise of scientists working across 3 areas of the University who provide input to the degree program.
* Our staff undertake fundamental, innovative and cross-disciplinary research that unites medical researchers, chemists, physicists, biologists and biotechnologists in the task of improving people's quality of life.
* Our School of Medicine is one of the most progressive in Australia, having launched the concept of a graduate-entry medical degree and set new standards for student placements and addressing the needs of rural and remote communities. Its interests range from the international fight against avian flu to child obesity.
* Our School of Biological Science's expertise includes molecular biology and biotechnology, leading to cutting-edge research into DNA, forensics and the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Combined degree options
Combine with
Duration (full-time equivalent)
Bachelor of Innovation and Enterprise
4 years
Refer to Medical Science combined degrees for further information.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Science in Medical Science degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of one extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Medical Science requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).
The course is offered jointly by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [February, 2009]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Medical Science, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
First Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL1102
Molecular Basis of Life
4.5
BIOL1101
Evolution of Biological Diversity
4.5
ENGL1012
Professional English for Medical Scientists **
4.5
MDSC1102
Skills for Medical Scientists 1
4.5
and either
CHEM1101
Chemistry 1A, and
4.5
CHEM1102
Chemistry 1B
4.5
or
CHEM1201
Introduction to Chemistry A, and
4.5
CHEM1202
Introduction to Chemistry B
4.5
at least 4.5 units selected from the following:
BIOL1112
Biology and Society
4.5
CHEM1102
Chemistry 1B*
4.5
COMP1101
Information and Communications Technology 1A
4.5
COMP1102
Computing Programming 1
4.5
CPES1201
Physics for the Life Sciences A
4.5
CPES1202
Physics for the Life Sciences B
4.5
LEGL1001
Australian Legal System
4.5
MMED1005
How Your Body Works - Human Physiology and Structure
4.5
PHYS1101
Physics A
4.5
PHYS1102
Physics B
4.5
plus 4.5 units of electives
4.5
**Alternatively, with the permission of the course coordinator students from non-English speaking backgrounds may be permitted to enrol in ESOL1703 English as a Second Language 1.
*Only available to students undertaking CHEM1201 and CHEM1202.
Second Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL2141
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
6
MDSC2101
Skills for Medical Scientists 2
3
MMED2927
Human Physiology 2A
3
MMED2928
Human Physiology 2B
3
STAT2305
Statistics for Medical Science
3
plus 18 units selected from the following: *#
BIOL2121
Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
6
BIOL2142
Disease and Immunology, or
6
BIOL2341
Animal Disease and Defence
3
BIOL2330
Basic Microbiology, or
3
BIOL2232
Foundations in Microbiology
6
CHMD2001
Drug Discovery and Natural Products
3
CPES2101
Fundamentals of Advanced Chemistry A
3
CPES2111
Synthetic Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
6
COMP2006
Software Engineering 1
6
COMP2211
Application Development
6
COMP2212
Web-based Systems Development
6
COMP2221
Computer Programming 2
6
COMP2231
Data Modelling
6
COMP2232
Network and Operating Systems
6
COMP2241
Computer Mathematics
3
MMED2012
Public Health Microbiology
3
MMED2013
Food Safety and Health
3
MMED2929
Neural Circuits
3
MMED2930
Plasticity of the Nervous System
3
NUTD2001
Food Nutrition and Health
3
* Students should select topics so as to meet any prerequisite requirements for the Third Year specialisation they intend to pursue.
# Students may select up to 6 units of other Second Year topics from any area of the University with the prior approval of the course coordinator.
Third Year
36 units comprising:
MDSC3101
Skills for Medical Scientists 3A
3
plus the remaining units selected from the following*, ensuring that at least 12 units are selected from one designated area of specialisation:
BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIOL3131
DNA to Genomics
6
BIOL3132
Protein to Proteome
6
MDSC3103
Point of Care Testing - Application, Management and Effectiveness
3
MMED3912
Biochemistry of Human Disease
3
MMED3915
Human Molecular Genetics
3
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Level 3 Computer Science (COMP) topics ##
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
CHMD3001
Medicinal Chemistry 3 and Practice Project
6
CPES3006
Organic Chemistry 3
6
CPES3162
Inorganic and Polymer Chemistry
6
MICROBIOLOGY
BIOL3003
Research Project in Biology A
3
BIOL3141
Advanced Microbiology: Microbial Ecology and Infectious Disease
6
BIOL3162
Virology
3
MMED3921A
Industrial and Pharmaceutical Microbiology
3
NEUROSCIENCE AND PHYSIOLOGY
BIOL2122
Comparative Physiology, or
6
BIOL2424
Physiological Systems
3
MDSC3103
Point of Care Testing - Application, Management and Effectiveness
3
MMED3918
Body Systems A, or
6
MMED3919
Body Systems B
3
MMED3923
Sensory and Motor Systems
3
MMED3924
Integrative and Higher Brain Function
3
NUTRITION
MMED3912
Biochemistry of Human Disease
3
NUTD3014
Nutrients Role and Function
6
NUTD3200
Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology
3
NUTD3201
Ecological Issues in Food and Health
3
NUTD3202
Population Nutrition and Health
6
PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
MMED3914
Human and Molecular Pharmacology
6
MMED3926
Advanced Topics in Pharmacology
3
MMED3927
Human and Molecular Toxicology
3
MMED3929
Regulatory, Ethical and Scientific Aspects of Clinical Trials
3
## Level 3 Computer Science topics refers to any COMP3xxx topic, subject to prerequisites.
* Students may also select the following work experience topic which must be done in the area of their Third Year specialisation and in addition to the 12 units required for the specialisation.
MDSC3102
Professional Placement in Medical Science
9
Honours Program
A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Medical Science may be accepted for admission to an honours program provided a sufficiently high standard has been achieved in fulfilling the requirements of the bachelors degree (normally a GPA of 5 or above). Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Faculty Board, subject to specific conditions. As well as the student's undergraduate record, the availability of an academic supervisor for the research project will be taken into account.
Students who withdraw during the honours year will not be permitted to re-enrol as an honours student except with the permission of the relevant school or faculty.
To qualify for the honours degree, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study in an approved program. Students may elect to enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biological Sciences, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering or the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences, according to their proposed area of study.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Course Rule and Program of Study
A mid-year intake into this program is available. Please visit the Honours website for detailed information about the Biological Sciences Honours program
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) MEDICINE
Course Rule and Program of Study
A mid-year intake into this program is available, contact Karen Siegmann, Faculty of Health Sciences,
