Understand how disease and infection affect the human body
In this program, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how the human body works and what happens when diseases, infections and clinical disorders occur. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills for working in applied biomedical industries and medical research.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
In this program, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how the human body works and what happens when diseases, infections and clinical disorders occur. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills for working in applied biomedical industries and medical research.
In your first year of study, you’ll develop generic analytic and communication skills, providing a strong foundation for more specialised studies in biomedical science. You’ll study foundations in medical science, cell biology, chemistry, human physiology and anatomy, science research methods, and communication.
You’ll then develop skills and competencies in areas integral to the biomedical sciences including physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and pharmacology.
You can also pursue your interests and hone your career opportunities by studying elective courses in clinical areas such as medical genetics, biochemical pharmacology, biotechnology, medical microbiology, clinical embryology, and clinical trials coordination.
This program gives you the opportunity to link with industry and develop a specific interest in biomedical science by undertaking clinical work placements and special research projects. Placements may be in areas such as hospitals, clinical trial centres, pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutes.
This program provides you with a strong base if you’d like to undertake postgraduate studies in professional areas such as medicine, dentistry, medical imaging and pharmacy.
High-achieving graduates of this program may enrol in a fourth-year research Honours degree, which can lead to postgraduate studies (eg. PhD) and to a career as a medical research scientist.
Career opportunities
Graduates are highly trained for employment in areas such as biomedical research and education; biodiscovery; biotechnology and genetics; cardiac, respiratory and sleep diagnostics; clinical embryology; clinical trial coordination; communicable disease control; drug registration; international health; medical microbiology; medical sales and marketing; pharmaceuticals; and scientific writing and publication.
Membership
Australian Society for Biotechnology; Australian Society for Immunology; Australian Society for Microbiology; Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
LFS100 Using Data for Learning
LFS112 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
LFS122 Communication and Thought
MLS101 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
SCI105 Cell Biology
SCI110 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Advanced courses (11)
BIM263 Biodiversity and Ecology
BIM331 Human Physiology
LFS201 Plant Diversity and Ecology
LFS202 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
LFS251 Microbiology
LFS252 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LFS261 Plant Growth and Reproduction
LFS303 Advanced Genetics
PLUS select 3 courses from the following list, of which 2 courses (24 units) must be 300 coded:
BIM202 Genetics
BIM203 Individual Learner Needs
BIM303 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
BIM341 Junior Secondary Arts
BIM371 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 1
CHM202 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
CHM311 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
LFS262 Diversity and Inclusion
MBT301 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
MBT352 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
MBT353 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
MBT361 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
MLS210 The Psychology of Learning
MLS211 Using Data for Learning
NUT212 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
NUT232 Communication and Thought
PUB361 Cell Biology
SCI202 Human Physiology
SCI302 Analytical Sciences
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SRP301 Special Research Project
SRP321 Special Research Project
WPL310 Workplace Learning I
WPL320 Workplace Learning II
Elective courses (6)
Select 6 elective courses (3 courses must be at 200 or 300 level) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 coded) courses
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)
- Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast will be eligible to receive 2 years credit transfer (16 courses) towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at USC. Students will be able to apply by direct application for entry into the Bachelor of Biomedical Science via USC Admissions upon completion of the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, or via QTAC if they have a break from studies of more than 24 months. Students commencing this pathway are able to commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2. However, students commencing in Semester 2 will only be able to be part-time enrolled and it will therefore take longer to complete your Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Please select the relevant Recommended Study Sequence.