Bachelor of Biomedical Science
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
| Deakin course code | S323 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 085577M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Majors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of major sequences
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Develop a comprehensive understanding of human biology through the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Emerge with the expertise and practical skills to contribute to disease diagnosis and treatment across molecular, cellular and systems levels. You will become proficient in biological sciences and disease mechanisms to empower you to enact meaningful change.
Explore areas such as early disease detection, disease progression, treatment strategies, and advancements in pharmaceutical science aimed at enhancing health outcomes. Customise your degree by selecting from a range of specialisations, allowing you to explore your interests and become a specialist in your chosen field. Prepare for your future career with extensive practical training opportunities. Engage in hands-on learning experiences in our state-of-the-art laboratories, apply your knowledge in real-world biomedical contexts, and gain valuable industry exposure through 80 to 160 hours of work placement.
Want to make a real difference in people’s lives?
Gain a world-class degree from a university ranked in the top 1% globally for life sciences and medicine*.
The flexibility of Deakin's Bachelor of Biomedical Science opens doors to fulfilling careers in various fields encompassing health, science, or related disciplines. From research and laboratory technology to pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and medical sales, graduates are equipped with a versatile skill set that paves the way for diverse career paths within the biomedical sciences and beyond.
You will build your fundamental knowledge of human biology and health and focus on one of six specialisations:
- environmental health
- infection and immunity
- medical biotechnology
- medical genomics
- molecular life sciences
- pharmaceutical science.
Your chosen specialisation, along with three open elective units and work placement experience, enables you to tailor your degree to your unique passions and career aspirations. You will learn more about the biomedical science topics that matter to you, get more out of your qualification and enhance your employability once you graduate.
Everything you learn through this course is supported by practical and authentic experiences. Take the theory you learn in the classroom and apply it in our laboratory. Then take your observations from the lab and test them in real-life biomedicine settings through work placement opportunities.
You will obtain crucial industry experience through 80 to 160 hours of work placement. Not only will you be getting hands-on with the latest tools and facilities, but you will also develop valuable professional networks and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a biomedical scientist.
The next generation of biomedical scientists need more than just technical prowess to adapt to an evolving industry. That’s why we’ve introduced career education to the curriculum. You will cover topics relating to career readiness and develop transferable soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy and teamwork – everything you need to become a highly sought-after graduate and valued employee.
*2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Career opportunities
Graduates can confidently enter a range of health-related areas including:
- medical research
- genetic engineering
- the pharmaceutical industry
- pharmaceutical/medical sales
- laboratory technology.
You can also advance to an honours degree or postgraduate studies, either in more specialised areas of biomedical science (which will enhance your professional development as a scientist), or in other disciplines including medicine (which will complement your scientific training and broaden your career opportunities). It is important to note that certain pathways, like medicine, have highly competitive entry requirements due to high demand.
Participation requirements
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major or campus. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop foundational knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of molecular, cellular and physiological aspects of human biology and disease. Use scientific process of experimentation from conception of an idea to testing of hypotheses and interpretation of scientific information, and apply procedures in order to explore, experiment and expand knowledge in familiar and unfamiliar situations. Critically evaluate current and historical scientific literature, generate original ideas, and effectively apply theoretical knowledge to the conception of new ideas, interpretation of biomedical information and professional practice. |
| Communication | Apply well-developed communication skills to illustrate ideas and conceptions clearly and coherently using a variety of tools and techniques that engage scientific and non-scientific audiences. Articulate scientific information in a structured form to describe scientific problems, formulate hypotheses, analyse evidence in order to support or oppose the interpretations of findings and conclusions, in light of the evidence from scientific studies. |
| Digital literacy | Locate, analyse and interpret information to differentiate established facts from new evidence using scientific tools in a digital world to formulate an opinion. Evaluate information using evidence from a range of reliable sources to establish scientific knowledge, recognise ambiguity and disseminate information. |
| Critical thinking | Use abstract, analytical and logical reasoning to critically evaluate scientific arguments and approaches. Apply critical reasoning in a variety of situations to scope, interpret and structure investigations to develop an in-depth knowledge for professional biomedical practice. |
| Problem solving | Identify scientific problems and use structured approaches and experimental strategies to formulate and propose solutions by taking into account relevant discipline and contextual factors. Use judgement to convince scientific and non-scientific audience, in the use of strategies to generate solutions to real world problems. |
| Self-management | Evaluate own knowledge and skills using frameworks of reflection and take responsibility for learning and performance. Work responsibly and safely in scientific and professional environments to enrich the ideas of others by sharing learning experiences. |
| Teamwork | Work effectively as a team member, assuming various roles and utilising effective teamwork skills in order to achieve goals. |
| Global citizenship | Apply ethical practice in professional situations to demonstrate responsibility as practitioners when working with people from diverse cultures and communities. Identify and prioritise local, national and global issues and concerns and contribute towards solving real world problems from the context of biomedical science. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 15 credit points of core units
- 1 major (6 credit points)
- 3 credit points of open elective units
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Majors
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Students must complete one of the following major sequences:
- Environmental Health
- Infection and Immunity
- Medical Biotechnology
- Medical Genomics
- Molecular Life Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Science.
Course structure
Core
You must complete all units below:
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE115 | Essential Skills in Science |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^ |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
Students with a background of high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent) may choose to replace SLE133 Chemistry in Our World with an open elective unit.
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE212 | Biochemistry |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis # |
| SLE234 | Microbiology |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE221 | Systems Physiology |
plus two open elective/major units (two credit points)
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SLE323 | Applications of Biomedical Science |
plus three open elective/major units (three credit points)
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE334 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology |
| SLE357 | Advanced Cell Biology |
| SLE301 | Professional Practice # |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit). SLE301 Professional Practice has replaced SLE390 Professional Practice in Bioscience from 2023.
Electives
Select from a range of open electives offered across many courses, you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Recommended elective units:
| ASS101 | Peoples of the World |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
| HMM203 | Human Anatomy |
| HPS111 | Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour |
| HPS121 | Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development |
| HPS203 | Cognitive Psychology |
| HPS310 | Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour) |
| HSE102 | Functional Human Anatomy |
| HSN211 | Nutritional Physiology |
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
| SIT199 | Applied Algebra and Statistics |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
| SLE209 | Science and Society |
| SLE224 | Animal Behaviour |
| SLE225 | Global Environmental Placement |
| SLE314 | Research Project |
Work experience
You’ll gain practical experience by completing a minimum 80 hour (maximum of 160 hours) placement at a course-related host organisation to provide you with opportunities for workplace visits, field trips, industry learning and to establish valuable networks – giving you better insight into your possible career outcomes.
You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific industry placement as part of your course. Explore the SEBE WIL program.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Molecular Life Sciences
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000071
Overview
Molecular life sciences aims to understand and describe the biology of life at the level of atoms and molecules in the context of cells, tissues and entire organisms. It is based on the chemistry of life and the physical laws that govern it. Throughout this major you will study topics including biochemistry, microbiology, physiology and genetics. Fundamental research in molecular life sciences underpins all efforts to develop new drugs and treatments. This major will enable you to acquire an advanced understanding of chemical, physiological and genetic processes that determine health and disease at the molecular level. In addition, technical skills relevant for biomedical research will be obtained. This major prepares graduates for a successful career in basic and applied research, as well as future employment in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and the wider health care sector.
Units
| HMM105 | Applied Ethics |
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology |
| SLE222 | Biochemical Metabolism |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
| HMM301 | Principles of Pharmacology |
| SLE312 | Toxicology |
Pharmaceutical Science
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000082
Overview
Pharmaceutical science aims to develop new medicines for the treatment of disease. The major covers the chemistry, biology and technology of medicines and is ideally suited to students who have a strong interest in chemistry, drug action and discovery. You will learn how the chemistry of life determines the biology of cells, tissues and organisms. You will explore the drug discovery process from the identification of suitable drug targets to the use of chemistry to isolate, design and apply molecules in the treatment of disease. Pharmaceutical science underlies the business of a multi-billion-dollar industry, which provides a vast array of employment opportunities. Graduates of this major are equipped for successful careers in basic and applied research, as well as future employment in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and the wider health care sector.
Potential employers include pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, research institutions, government agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare organisations, offering diverse pathways for graduates to contribute to the development and delivery of innovative medicines and therapies.
Units
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry |
| SLE312 | Toxicology |
| HMM301 | Principles of Pharmacology |
| HMM304 | Therapeutic Development |
Environmental Health
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000059
Overview
Environmental health deals with many factors in our natural and built environment that affect human health. You will learn how microorganisms and toxic substances interact with biological systems and how this leads to clinical effects. Risks to healthy environments in urban, industrial, agricultural and/or natural settings will be evaluated using epidemiology, toxicology and statistics. Additionally, graduates of this major are well-positioned to pursue careers in public health policy, environmental health and related areas - finding employment opportunities in government organisations, consulting firms, research institutions, healthcare organisations, the private sector and academic institutions.
Units
| HBS107 | Understanding Health |
| HSN101 | Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health |
| SLE234 | Microbiology |
| HSH205 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 |
| SLE312 | Toxicology |
| SLE342 | Risks to Healthy Environments |
Plus one of the following units:
| HBS107 | Understanding Health * |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes * |
*For students undertaking this major as part of H300 Bachelor of Health Sciences you must undertake SLE111 Cells and Genes as part of this major.
For students undertaking this major as part of S323 Bachelor of Biomedical Science you must undertake HBS107 Understanding Health as part of this major.
Infection and Immunity
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000058
Overview
The infection and immunity major explores development and disease at a cellular level, investigates key concepts of immunity and blood cells, and introduces the world of genomics and proteomics. You will gain a sound understanding of the key concepts and techniques underpinning clinically-relevant microorganisms and their control, and through the use of epidemiology and biostatistics, will identify prevalent diseases in relation to specific populations. You will also learn current laboratory techniques engaged in molecular diagnostics for the analytical identification of infectious pathogens to develop therapeutic applications. Infections and immunity are critical areas of study, especially considering the ongoing challenges posed by infectious diseases worldwide. Understanding the intricacies of how infections occur and how the immune system responds is crucial for addressing public health concerns. The infection and immunity major can open doors to a variety of career paths. You may find opportunities in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organisations, public health agencies, and more. The demand for professionals with expertise in infectious diseases and immunity is expected to remain high given the global focus on public health, pandemic preparedness, and ongoing challenges related to infectious diseases.
Units
| HMM103 | Cell Technology |
| HMM204 | Haematology and Immunology |
| HMM202 | Molecular Diagnostics |
| HSH205 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 |
| HMM303 | Emerging Infectious Diseases and Their Control |
| HMM304 | Therapeutic Development |
Medical Biotechnology
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-H000032
Overview
Medical biotechnology uses living cells and cell materials to produce pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that help treat and prevent human diseases. This major provides you with a sound understanding of the core sciences underpinning biotechnology for medical advancement. You will be taken on a journey from the development of the first medical treatments through to regenerative medicine and cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic delivery systems, such as nanotechnology and the associated social and ethical issues surrounding their use. You will also learn the business of medical biotechnology, including risk management, funding, and regulatory frameworks relative to the medical biotechnology industry. The field of medical biotechnology is at the forefront of addressing global health challenges, including the development of vaccines, personalised medicine, and treatments for diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders. The medical biotechnology major allows you to enter a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and medical research, focusing on such areas as personalised medicine, and designing treatments for diseases, like cancer and genetic disorders.
Units
| HMM101 | Introduction to Medical Biotechnology |
| HMM102 | Principles of Gene and Genomic Technology |
| HMM201 | Medical Nanotechnology |
| HMM202 | Molecular Diagnostics |
| HMM302 | Innovations in Medical Biotechnology |
| HMM305 | Cell and Tissue Engineering |
Medical Genomics
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000076
Overview
The medical genomics major explores core genomics areas, such as medical and human genomics, comparative genomics, microbial and forensic genomics, and biotechnology (drug discovery). You will gain proficiency in methodologies like Next Generation Sequencing, high throughput genotyping, metagenomics, and transcriptome analysis, along with quantitative and bioinformatics skills essential for genomics research and big data analysis. Additionally, the major addresses the impact of personalised medicine and ethical and social issues related to genomics. Graduates are prepared for diverse career opportunities where they can apply their knowledge in genomics research, big data analysis, and interpretation across various work areas. These include research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, government agencies, healthcare organisations, and academic institutions.
Units
| HMM102 | Principles of Gene and Genomic Technology |
| HMM105 | Applied Ethics |
| HSH205 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 |
| HMM202 | Molecular Diagnostics |
| SLE340 | Genomes and Bioinformatics |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.