Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Biomedical scientists study how the body works investigate how disease or injury interferes with normal function and develop new treatment strategies that help restore function. Skilled in using a variety of cutting-edge technologies biomedical scientists have been responsible for major health advances including the development of vaccines antibiotics and stem cell therapies.

Our flexible course design means you can shape your course to suit your interests and career aspirations. Choose your major area of study from the list below.

Build practical skills in dissection histology medical image interpretation and organ identification. Examine real examples from QUT's extensive skeletal collection film library pathology museum and human donor material.

Study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that operate in normal and diseased tissues. Undertake laboratory research projects in cancer biology tissue engineering human stem cells and systems biology.

Study the structure function and properties of biomolecules and the molecular machinery that regulates the everyday workings of healthy cells and tissues the molecular basis of diseases and how diagnostic technologies and treatment strategies impact on biochemical processes in the cellular context.

Knowledge about the human body and how its systems work to maintain our health is essential to understanding the basis of disease diagnostic technologies and treatments. Design and undertake a laboratory-based research project in human physiology.

Develop knowledge and understanding of infectious disease agents (bacteria viruses yeasts fungi and parasites) and how they cause human disease together with cutting-edge strategies of diagnosis treatment control and prevention.

Combine two bachelor degrees into a single course of study. A double degree allows you to specialise in two fields and pursue different interest areas gaining a broader range of skills and knowledge and giving you a competitive advantage and greater career flexibility.

Consider the following double degrees with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science:

• Business: develop your career in a drug regulation compliance or policy development role in government as an analyst for venture capital and investment banks consultant to innovation commercialisation companies or in the research sector.
• Law: work as a solicitor barrister in-house counsel or lawyer to government health departments the pharmaceutical industry or drug commercialisation companies.
• Mathematics: Graduate with the ability to collect collate and analyse data; build and interpret mathematical models that reveal new insights into patient treatment regimens; and develop new models of care that optimise the quality and efficiency of health care.

You may also want to consider our Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Master of Data Analytics. You will graduate with two complementary skill sets that will enable an understanding of disease processes and modelling of diseases progression to ensure that you will be in demand and employable across Australia and internationally.

Our graduates are employed locally nationally and overseas and work for research institutes universities hospitals and biotechnology companies. There are increasing opportunities in consultancy science journalism and companies involved in the development and marketing of new diagnostic and treatment products. This course also provides a solid grounding for you to pursue postgraduate study in medicine and other health disciplines.

Graduates who complete the clinical physiology minor as part of their studies may also work as a sleep scientist neuroscientist respiratory scientist or cardiac scientist.

This course also provides a solid grounding for students wishing to pursue postgraduate study in medicine and allied health. Postgraduate study provides graduates with the opportunity to pursue leadership and management roles in biomedical science and the knowledge and skills to operate their own research lab and create new products.

Depending on the units selected in final year graduates will be eligible for membership into one or more of the following organisations: Australian Society for Medical Research Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists Australian Society for Microbiology Australian Neuroscience Society The Endocrine Society of Australia Society of Reproductive Biology Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.

• Biochemist
• Biomedical laboratory officer
• Biomedical science researcher
• Biotechnology scientist
• Cardiac and vascular scientist
• Health researcher
• Laboratory assistant
• Laboratory technician
• Medical equipment sales
• Medicine (after further study)
• Neurophysiologist
• Reproductive technician
• Respiratory scientist
• Scientist
• Sleep scientist

You will undertake units covering chemistry physics anatomy pathology and cell biology providing a solid knowledge base for the topics covered later in the course. With QUT's practical approach to teaching you will not only learn the theory but gain a wealth of practical experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. You will also gain an introduction to the essential communication skills required for a career in the health and medical professions.

You will have the option of choosing a major and two minors from five key biomedical scientific disciplines to align with your own career goals: anatomical sciences cell and molecular biology human biochemistry human physiology and infectious diseases. You will have the opportunity to complement your studies by choosing a university wide set from a discipline outside of biomedical science such as behavioural science public health human rights entrepreneurship mathematical sciences international business or study a language. A minor is also available in Clinical Physiology which includes a 400 hour Clinical Physiology internship in which you will be placed in a hospital with professional clinical physiologists who will provide training in physiological instrumentation and measurement recording interpretation and reporting of clinical data. You will also have opportunities to gain real world experience as part of your course in Work Integrated Learning placements in biomedical research institutes and laboratories in the science industry.

In the real world the design and completion of successful research and/or business projects demand that individuals gather information solve problems work effectively as a part of a team and analyse and communicate results in a critical manner. Therefore each major in this course will culminate in a capstone unit which will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed through your course. Capstone projects include human anatomical dissection contemporary laboratory based research projects in biochemistry physiology and cell and molecular biology and diagnosis characterisation and development of appropriate responses to an infectious disease outbreak scenario.

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science comprises first-year studies in chemistry physics anatomy pathology and cell biology providing a solid knowledge base for the topics covered later in the course. Units in the second and third years combine advanced studies with theoretical practical and problem-solving skills. Several units in the area of humanities and applied health are an integral part of the course.

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science provides the necessary knowledge and skills to enter a career in biomedical research with integration of research design and implementation scientific writing and communication and practical laboratory skills embedded through each year of the course.

Furthermore students will be well prepared to sit GAMSAT which is designed to evaluate mastery and use of concepts in basic science as well as the acquisition of more general skills in problem solving critical thinking and writing. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science provides a solid grounding in GAMSAT testing areas: reasoning in humanities and social sciences written communication reasoning in biological and physical sciences (including chemistry biology and physics).