Bachelor of Medical Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Medical Science is an internationally recognised and accredited course with a proud history extending over 20 years. This course offers diverse career options in the health care industry.

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 healthcare 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.

What will I learn?

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 Advisors 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.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

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 accredited Pathology specialisation of this course are eligible for corporate membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Residential school

Distance education students will attend eight days of residential school per session on the Wagga Wagga Campus.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation

• National Criminal Record Clearence  

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.The normal number of points required to graduate.