Bachelor of Biomedical Science
2020 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2020 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
| Course Map | If you started your course before 2020, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 085577M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S323 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| 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
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of major sequences
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Develop an in-depth understanding of human biology by studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science – and play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases at molecular, cellular and system levels.
Want to experience the thrill of finding new ways to cure diseases?
Expertise in biology and the science behind disease puts you in a position to make a real difference in people’s lives. Explore early diagnosis, the development of products that treat disease or play a role in policy that improves public health.
The flexibility of Deakin’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science provides you the freedom to pursue a rewarding career in either health, medicine or science. You’ll 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 and additional three elective units lets you tailor your degree to your unique passions and career aspirations.
Through your specialisation and work placement 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, you’ll develop valuable professional networks and get a glimpse into 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’ll cover topics relating to career readiness and develop transferable soft skills - like communication, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy and teamwork - that make you a more prepared graduate and valued employee.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
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 honours 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).
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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
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. |
Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 15 credit points of core units (which includes a compulsory professional practice unit at level 3);
- At least one 6 credit point approved major sequence from the list below;
- Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit);
- Completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit);
- Level 1 – up to 10 credit points;
- Level 3 - at least 6 credit points.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Major sequences
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
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE115 | Essential Skills in Bioscience |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World ^ |
plus one elective/major unit
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
plus one elective/major unit
^Note: Students who have completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to replace SLE133 Chemistry in Our World with an elective unit.
Molecular science is integral to modern biomedical science. For this reason, knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry and other fundamental sciences is important for all students in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science course. Students who have a weak or no knowledge of VCE Chemistry Units 3 and 4, must study SLE133. Students, who have a strong knowledge of VCE Chemistry Units 3 and 4, may choose an elective instead of SLE133, and proceed directly to SLE155. Alternatively, students who have a strong knowledge of VCE Chemistry Units 3 and 4, may choose to study SLE133 in order to strengthen and consolidate their chemistry skills and understanding.
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE212 | Biochemistry |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis # |
| SLE234 | Microbiology |
plus one elective/major unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE221 | Systems Physiology |
| SLE206 | Cell Biology + |
plus one elective/major unit
+ SLE206 is offered in Trimester 2 at Burwood (Melbourne) and Trimester 3 at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SLE323 | Advanced Topics in Biomedical Science |
plus three elective/major units
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE334 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology |
| SLE346 | Molecular Basis of Disease |
| SLE390 | Professional Practice in Bioscience # |
plus one elective/major unit
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
Course structure
Electives
Select from a range of electives offered across many courses. In some cases 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 Behaviour |
| HMM203 | Human Anatomy |
| HPS111 | Psychology A: Fundamentals of Human Behaviour |
| HPS121 | Psychology B: Individual and Social Development |
| HPS203 | The Human Mind |
| HPS310 | Brain, Biology and Behaviour |
| HSE102 | Functional Human Anatomy |
| HSN211 | Nutritional Physiology |
| SIT190 | Introductory Mathematical Methods |
| 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. deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of major sequences
Molecular Life Sciences
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000071
Overview
Molecular Life Sciences aim 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, future employment in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and the wider health care sector.
Units
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology |
| SLE222 | Biochemical Metabolism |
| SLE321 | Molecular Biology Techniques |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
| HMM301 | Principles of Pharmacology |
| SLE312 | Toxicology |
Details of major sequences
Medical Genomics
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000076
Overview
The Medical Genomics major will examine core genomics areas, including medical and human genomics, comparative genomics, microbial and forensic genomics, biotechnology (drug discovery) and phylogenomics. You will gain a sound understanding of associated methodologies including Next Generation Sequencing, high throughput genotyping, metagenomics, small RNA and transcriptome analysis. You will acquire quantitative and bioinformatics skills required for genomics research and big data analysis and will apply the bioinformatics concepts and methods, programs and pipelines required to support contemporary genomics research and big data analysis and interpretation. The impact of personalised medicine and ethical and social issues related to the use of genomics in the context of human health and diversity, biomedical research and biotechnology will also be discussed.
Units
| HMM102 | Principles of Gene and Genomic Technology |
| HSH205 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 |
| HMM202 | Molecular Diagnostics |
| SLE340 | Genomes and Bioinformatics |
| SLE321 | Molecular Biology Techniques |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
Details of major sequences
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 deliver 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.
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 |
Details of major sequences
Infection and Immunity
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000058
Overview
The Infection and Immunity major will explore development and disease at a cellular level, investigate key concepts of immunity and blood cells, and introduce the world of genomics and proteomics. Students 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 identify prevalent diseases in relationship 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.
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 |
Details of major sequences
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 affects 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. You will also learn about risk assessment and risk management through policy, legislation, and integration of risk management with environmental management principles. This major is recommended for students interested in working in public health policy, environmental health and related areas.
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 |
* Prerequisite unit applies (SLE111 Cells and Genes - core to the course)
Details of major sequences
Pharmaceutical Science
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000082
Overview
Pharmaceutical Science aims at developing new medicines for the treatment of disease. This major covers topics including the chemistry, biology and technology of medicines and is ideally suited for 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, and 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 huge range of employment opportunities. This major prepares graduates for a successful career in basic and applied research, future employment in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and the wider health care sector.
Units
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry |
| HMM301 | Principles of Pharmacology |
| HMM304 | Therapeutic Development |
Select one unit from the following: *
| SLE222 | Biochemical Metabolism |
| SLE235 | Chemical Systems |
* Option of SLE222 Biochemical Metabolism or SLE235 Chemical Systems will not be available from 2021 and has been replaced with SLE312 Toxicology.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work 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.