What It’s Like Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ

Are you looking for a pathway into studying medicine? Or, perhaps, you’re interested in becoming a biomedical scientist? Then, consider a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ! This article gives you all the essentials about this course from the core units, career options to the teaching format, so you can decide if UQ Biomedical Science is the degree for you. Want to know more? Just read on!

What is a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ?

A Bachelor of Biomedical Science combines a broad range of sciences, including human biology, chemistry, immunology and anatomy, that all underpin medicinal practice. This course is designed to teach students hands-on skills, with many of its units taking place in the wet laboratory. At UQ, students can study a Bachelor of Biomedical Science as a single degree. However, students can also choose to study the double-degree program, Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Science, and further expand their interdisciplinary knowledge.

For students nearing the end of their degree, an option to study an additional year-long Honours program is available. This is provided that they have an overall GPA of 4.0 and a GPA of at least 4.5 for eight level 3 units.

Core Units for this Degree

There are 10 core units in a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ. These are broad units that teach the foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, scientific method and statistics. This knowledge will help guide students in their second-year and third-year electives. Most core units are based in biology. Specifically, the curriculum includes:

• First-year units: Genes, Cells and Evolution and Cells to Organisms explore the evolution and function of cells in complex organisms.
• Second-year units: These centre on the cellular structures and interactions of human organs through in-laboratory observation; these units are Molecular Cell Biology I, Genetics and Integrative Cell & Tissue Biology.
• Third-year unit: Biomedical Science consolidates the entire course content by exploring the ethical and skill-related context of biomedical science.

Other core units include Chemistry 1, Theory & Practice in Science, and Analysis of Scientific Data.

Specialisations and Elective Units

While there are no majors in this course, students choose 14 elective units during their second and third year. In the third year of study, students choose 10 elective units and get the chance to specialise in their own interests such as regenerative medicine, neuroscience and genomics. These further specialise into areas including biochemistry, immunology, neuroscience and pharmacology. Elective units you may choose to study include:

• Principles of Pharmacology
• Human Molecular Genetics in Health & Disease
• Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
• Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience
• The Integrated Brain

Career Pathways

Although many Biomedical Science students aim to study medicine as a postgraduate course, there are many career options for its graduates, which include:

• IVF scientist
• Biomedical engineer
• Prosthetic technician
• Embryologist
• Medical laboratory scientist

How to Get into a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ

The ATAR cut-off for guaranteed entry into a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ is 86.00. Although there are no additional assessments for entry into this course, there are 3 prerequisite subjects to be mindful of:

• General English: Queensland Year 12 (or equivalent) subject (Units 3 & 4, C)
• Mathematics: Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C)
• Science: One of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C)

Alternate Pathways and Scholarships

If your ATAR does not meet the cut-off, there are a couple of alternatives. The Subject Incentive Scheme offers up to 5 adjustment points if you have studied and achieved a grade of C or higher in Mathematics Extension 1 or 2 or a Language other than English. In addition, current university students, such as someone studying a Bachelor of Science, have the option to internally or externally transfer to this course program. Furthermore, being granted a scholarship can be a great source of financial assistance. For Biomedical Science students who also study a Bachelor of Science, the Liveris Academy Merit Scholarship Scheme and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholarship are two great scholarships available.