Understand how disease, infection and clinical disorders 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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies
LFS100 Communication and Thought
LFS112 Cell Biology
LFS122 Human Physiology
MLS101 Human Anatomy
SCI105 Foundations in Medical Science
SCI110 Chemistry
Advanced courses (11)
BIM263 Science Research Methods
BIM331 Introduction to Pharmacology
LFS201 Immunology
LFS202 Systemic Physiology I
LFS251 Systemic Physiology II
LFS252 Biochemistry
LFS261 Molecular Biology
LFS303 Microbiology
PLUS select 3 courses from the following list, of which 2 courses (24 units) must be 300 level:
BIM202 Pathophysiology
BIM203 Genes in Health and Disease
BIM303 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences
BIM341 Introduction to Clinical Trial Coordination
BIM371 Biochemical Pharmacology
CHM202 Clinical Embryology
CHM311 Organic Chemistry
LFS262 Medicinal Organic Chemistry
MBT301 Medical Microbiology
MBT352 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology
MBT353 Molecular Biotechnology
MBT361 Microbial Pathogenesis
MLS210 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
MLS211 Advanced Haematology
NUT212 Medical Biochemistry
NUT232 Principles of Nutrition
PUB361 Nutritional Biochemistry
SCI202 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
SCI302 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SPX201 Analytical Sciences
SPX211 Functional Anatomy
SPX301 Exercise Physiology I
SRP301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SRP321 Special Research Project
WPL310 Special Research Project
WPL320 Workplace Learning I
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: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Associate Degree Medical Laboratory Science pathway - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science pathway - Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 coded, not EDU coded or LFS103 ) courses, including the core course
- Complete a minimum of 14 advanced (200/300 coded) courses, 5 of which must be 300 coded courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Register your selected major and/or minor
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- 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
- 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 refer to specific Study Plan
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan