The University of the Sunshine Coast will offer a Bachelor of Medical Science for the first time in Semester 1, 2018.

This three-year undergraduate degree will provide provisional direct entry into Griffith University’s planned Doctor of Medicine program at the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya.

USC has moved quickly to deliver this study program following the Federal Government’s recent announcement that Griffith University will open a 50-place medical school at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI), which is part of the hospital complex, in 2019.

USC’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Birgit Lohmann said the new degree was modelled on the Medical Science program offered by Griffith University at its campuses in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

“The launch of our Bachelor of Medical Science embodies the relationship we have with Griffith University, Queensland Health and TAFE Queensland at the SCHI to train the next generation of doctors for the region,” she said.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for people on the Sunshine Coast who want to study Medicine to study locally.

“It is expected that up to 20 guaranteed places per year will be available in the Griffith University medical program at the SCHI for successful graduates of USC’s Bachelor of Medical Science.” 

Professor Lohmann said she anticipated strong interest from high-performing students in the degree that will include subjects in anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, disease, health, ethics, genetics, law, microbiology, pharmacology, psychology and physiology.

Griffith University’s Dean of Medicine Professor David Ellwood said he was looking forward to enrolling the first Doctor of Medicine students on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, subject to satisfying the accreditation requirements of the Australian Medical Council.

USC’s Head of School of Health and Sport Sciences Professor John Lowe said the Bachelor of Medical Science would be open to domestic school-leavers only (those who have completed Year 12 within the past three years and have not done any tertiary study).

Professor Lowe said those who were not school-leavers could still pursue a medical career through USC by studying Biomedical Science and then sitting the Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT).

Details about the Medical Science degree.

USC currently teaches students of Nursing Science, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Occupational Therapy at the SCHI, and has plans to begin teaching Psychology and Social Work there in the future.

— Terry Walsh