Honours is also available.
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 neurophysiology, 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.
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.
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:
Graduates from the accredited Pathology specialisation of this course are eligible for corporate membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
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.
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.
Distance education students will attend eight days of residential school per session at the Wagga Wagga Campus.
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 an ATAR (NSW) of 82 or above, or equivalent ENTER (VIC)
(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.
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.
Refer to the Clinical requirements section for information on:
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.
"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
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| Admission rank cut-offs | 72.55 |
| CRICOS registered | 029251J |
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The course consists of 192 points:
Ten compulsory common subjects (80 points) and either 112 points in restricted electives OR a specialisation in one of pathology or clinical physiology.
Link to: Distance education enrolment pattern
The usual full-time course follows the subjects outlined below for each of the four programs.
Year one
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences*
or
STA201 Scientific Statistics*
Session 2
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
and one from:
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
PHM131 Pharmaceutics 1
Year two
Session 3
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
and two from:
BMS216 Haematology 1
BMS340 Pharmacology 1 (16 points commenced)
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (16 points commenced)
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Session 4
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
and three from:
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points commenced)
BMS340 Pharmacology 1 (completed)
CHM213 Analytical Chemistry
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (completed)
RSC301 Asthma Management
Year three
Session 5
Four from:
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS308 Immunology
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (completed)
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (16 points commenced)
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
PHM341 Pharmacokinetics
Session 6
Four from:
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
BMS337 Histopathology
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points completed)
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (completed)
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology (16 points)
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Year one
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences *
Session 2
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Year two
Session 3
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS216 Haematology 1
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
Session 4
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
Year three
Session 5
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS308 Immunology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
Session 6
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
BMS337 Histopathology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points completed)
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology).
Year one
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences*
Session 2
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Year two
Session 3
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Session 4
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points commenced)
RSC301 Asthma Management
Year three
Session 5
BMS308 Immunology
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (completed)
BMS340 Pharmacology (16 points commenced)
Session 6
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS340 Pharmacology (completed)
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology (16 points)
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Bachelor of Medical Science (Clinical Physiology).
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
Session 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Session 3
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences*
Session 4
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2 and one from:
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
PHM131 Pharmaceutics 1
Session 5/7
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
and two from:
BMS216 Haematology 1
BMS340 Pharmacology (16 points commenced)
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (16 points commenced)
Session 6/8
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology and three from:
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
BMS208 Human Nutrition
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS340 Pharmacology (completed)
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points commenced)
RSC301 Asthma Management
PHM231 Pharmaceutics 2 (16 points commenced)
Sessions 9/11
Four of the following:
BMS308 Immunology
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (completed)
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (16 points commenced)
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
PHM341 Pharmacokinetics
Sessions 10/12
Four from:
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology
PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (16 points commenced)
BMS337 Histopathology
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points completed)
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Students who complete the generic course graduate with the award Bachelor of Medical Science.
Session 1
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
Session 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Session 3
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences*
Session 4
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
Session 5
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
Session 6
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1
Session 7
BMS229 Histotechniques
BMS216 Haematology 1
Session 8
BMS242 Human Cytogenetics
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology
Session 9
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
BMS308 Immunology
Session 10
BMS336 Advanced Haematology and Blood Transfusion (16 points)
Session 11
BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points commenced)
Session 12
BMS337 Histopathology
BMS339 Virology, Mycology and Parasitology (16 points completed)
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology).
Session 1
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
Session 2
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Session 3
BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1
MTH135 Mathematics and Statistics in Health Sciences *
Session 4
BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2
ITC182 Foundations of Information Technology
Session 5
BMS239 Clinical Measurement
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
Session 6
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
RSC301 Asthma Management
Session 7
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
RSC201 Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Session 8
BMS321 Clinical Neuroscience
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (16 points commenced)
Session 9
BMS308 Immunology
BMS335 Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology (completed)
Session 10
RSC436 Clinical Respiratory Physiology (16 points)
Session 11
BMS329 Clinical Neurophysiology
BMS340 Pharmacology (16 points commenced)
Session 12
BMS340 Pharmacology (completed)
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
* Students with 3 Unit mathematics may enrol in MTH135 or STA201 Scientific Statistics.
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Bachelor of Medical Science (Clinical Physiology).
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 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.
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.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
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.
Mathematics and chemistry are assumed knowledge for the Bachelor of Medical Science.
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 - Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases
NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2007_006) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.
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.
The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.
As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.
Further information is available from NSW Health.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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