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Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology BMedSc BForensicBiotech

Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology BMedSc(Path) BForensicBiotech

CSU offers these double degrees combining relevant course content from the nationally accredited Bachelor of Medical Science and the recently updated Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology program.

Science Scholarships available
Click here for Enrolment details

About the course

Graduates of this course will enhance their professional standing by doubling their knowledge, skills and experience without having to double the time spent at university.

Two double degrees are available: the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology with the Bachelor of Medical Science generic degree and the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology with the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology).

Where it will take you

By choosing the double degree combination carefully, you can ensure your profile in the medical industry is unique. The skills and knowledge gained from the combined program means you are highly employable. If career prospects are important to you, then taking the double degree program is a must.

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:

Practical experience

Students in this course will be required to complete a professional/clinical experience component. This clinical experience will involve visiting laboratories relating to the course to gain relevant professional experience. The professional/clinical experience requirement for each course must be met. For further details contact info.csu on 1800 334 733, or access the CSU Handbook.

Course components

There are two course enrolment patterns to be offered by full-time and distance education part-time study. You have the option to choose the generic program or enter the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) specialisation.

Medical Science/ Forensic Biotechnology

The generic course provides graduates with a range of expertise in the Medical Science discipline area.

Pathology / Forensic

This specialisation enhances and expands the forensic aspects of biotechnology while encompassing attributes and skills required in biotechnology disciplines.

Areas of study

This double degree offers a range of areas for study:

Residential school

Distance education students will attend eight days of residential school per session at Charles Sturt University, 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 256 points for the Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology (BMedSc BForensicBiotech) and 264 points for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology (BMedSc(Path) BForensicBiotech).

Students must also have satisfactorily completed a clinical experience placement for the minimum specified time. The minimum requirements for the Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology are a minimum of six weeks in an approved forensic setting. The minimum requirements for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology are a minimum of 10 weeks - six weeks in an approved pathology setting and four weeks in an approved forensic setting.

Clinical requirements

Refer to the Clinical requirements section for information on:

For other details about the course, such as further study and industry recognition, refer to the separate listings for the Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology degrees.

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 is 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.

Postgraduate courses include:

Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Health Science
Master of Applied Science (Honours)
Master of Medical Science (Pathology)

Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology, Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Enrolment details

Australian & New Zealand students

Study throughWagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration4 years full-time on campus

8 years distance education
Course code Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Full-time: 214274

Distance education: ESFB

Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Full-time: 214284

Distance education: ESFB
Fees Commonwealth supported place
Session availableFebruary (Semester basis)
Apply throughUAC - Full-time

CSU Admissions Office - Distance education
UAI cut-offs70.00

International students

Study throughWagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration 4 years full-time - onshore (within Australia)

8 years offshore (by distance education)
Course code CRICOS code: 042246G

Program codes:
4412FB
4412PB
FeesOnshore - see fee list

Offshore - see fee list
Session available February/July (Semester basis)
Apply throughCSU International Admissions

Course structures

Full-time course structure

Bachelor of Medical Science (Generic) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Year one
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Session 2
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
LAW100 The Australian Legal System
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Year two
Session 3
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Session 4
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS235 Protein Biochemistry
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Year three
Session 5
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS305 Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics
BMS308 Immunology
FSC200 Introduction to Forensic Science

Session 6
BMS304 DNA and Forensic Technology
FSC201 Crime Scene
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Year four
Session 7
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology
SCI300 Research Perspectives (16 points commenced)
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Session 8 (Spring)
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (completed)
SCI300 Research Perspectives (completed)
[          ] Elective

Restricted electives

Level 1/2 subjects
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS216 Introductory Haematology
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
PHM131 Pharmaceutics 1
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (16 points)
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology

Level 3/4 subjects
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS309 Cancer Cytopathology
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points)>
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
BMS340 Pharmacology (16 points)
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (16 points over two sessions)
PHM341 Pharmacokinetics
RSC301 Asthma Management
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology (16 points)

Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Year one
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Session 2
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
LAW100 The Australian Legal System
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Year two
Session 3
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS216 Introductory Haematology
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology

Session 4
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS235 Protein Biochemistry
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics

Year three
Session 5
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS305 Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics
BMS308 Immunology
FSC200 Introduction to Forensic Science

Session 6
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Transfusion Science (16 points)
BMS337 Histopathology
FSC201 Crime Scene

Year four
Session 7
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS339 Virology Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
SCI300 Research Perspectives (16 points commenced)
Session 8
BMS304 DNA and Forensic Technology
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (completed)
SCI300 Research Perspectives (completed)

Distance education course structures

Bachelor of Medical Science (Generic) /Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
CHM104 Chemistry 1A

Session 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Session 3
STA201 Scientific Statistics
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1

Session 4
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
LAW100 The Australian Legal System

Session 5
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics

Session 6
BMS235 Protein Biochemistry
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology

Session 7
BMS229 Histotechniques
FSC200 Introduction to Forensic Science

Session 8
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Session 9
BMS305 Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics
[          ] Elective

Session 10
BMS304 DNA and Forensic Technology
[          ] Elective

Session 11
BMS308 Immunology
[          ] Elective

Session 12
FSC201 Crime Scene
[          ] Elective

Session 13
SCI300 Research Perspectives (16 points commenced)
[          ] Elective

Session 14
SCI300 Research Perspectives (completed)
[          ] Elective

Session 15
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
[          ] Elective

Session 16
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (completed)

Restricted electives

Level 1/2 subjects
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS216 Introductory Haematology
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
PHM131 Pharmaceutics 1
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (16 points)
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology

Level 3/4 subjects
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS309 Cancer Cytopathology
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points)
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
BMS340 Pharmacology (16 points)
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (16 points over two sessions)
PHM341 Pharmacokinetics
RSC301 Asthma Management
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology (16 points)

Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology

Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
CHM104 Chemistry 1A

Session 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Session 3
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Session 4
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
LAW100 The Australian Legal System

Session 5
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics

Session 6
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology

Session 7
BMS216 Introductory Haematology
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology

Session 8
BMS235 Protein Biochemistry
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics

Session 9
BMS229 Histotechniques
FSC200 Introduction to Forensic Science

Session 10
BMS337 Histopathology
FSC201 Crime Scene

Session 11
BMS305 Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics
BMS308 Immunology

Session 12
BMS336 Advanced Haemotology and Transfusion Science (16 points)

Session 13
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
SCI300 Research Perspectives (16 points commenced)

Session 14
BMS304 DNA and Forensic Technology
SCI300 Research Perspectives (completed)

Session 15
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)

Session 16
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (completed)

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies
    and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Additional Requirements

Special admission requirements

While no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses, the Bachelor of Medical Science / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology and Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) / Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology have assumed knowledge of Mathematics and Chemistry.

Clinical requirements

Criminal Record Clearance
The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients’/clients’ personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.

In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.

If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.

Immunisation
NSW Health have introduced an immunisation policy, Occupational Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseasesfor all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo mandatory vaccination.

All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.

PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical practicums in the first semester of study, the Hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early, in order for full immunisation status to be attained prior to clinical placements and so meet NSW Health requirements.

Further information is available from NSW Health.

Contacts

For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:

info.csu logo

Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia)
Telephone: +61 2 6338 6077 (outside Australia)

Facsimile: (02) 6338 6001 (within Australia)
Facsimile: +61 2 6338 6001 (outside Australia)

Email: inquiry@csu.edu.au
Web inquiry: www.csu.edu.au/student/contact
Web: info.csu.edu.au