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Key details

Duration

3 year/s full-time
6 year/s part-time
3 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No

Locations

Casuarina campus
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

240

Course code

WBMSC1
SATAC/UAC codes
MyNextCourse

Overview

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is an exciting undergraduate degree designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to confidently work in a range of biomedical fields, majoring in an area of study that aligns with your interests; medical science, microbiology, health or nutrition.

Our three-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course develops your knowledge and hands-on laboratory experience in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, pathophysiology and molecular biology, with a focus on Indigenous and rural health. It provides an understanding of the structure and function of both the healthy and diseased body at the system, cellular and molecular level and advance knowledge in your area of specialisation. You will also complete studies in complementary areas to expand your social and employability skills; this coupled with workplace experience will ensure you are ready for employment.

The degree includes 50 hours of voluntary work placement with community organisations engaged in not-for-profit activities (e.g. sporting clubs, events, tourism centres).

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways

Pathways for VET to Higher Education

Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $31,000.00. This equates to $3,875.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Engineering student Johanna Luck

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #4 Australian uni for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
  • Study online, on campus, full-time or part-time as it suits you
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #4 Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

What will I study?

This course provides an integrated approach to examining contemporary issues in health and disease. Students gain underpinning theoretical knowledge as well as practical laboratory experience in a range of discipline areas including anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology and molecular and cellular biology.

Course structure



A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements

Core Units
(14 units)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140cp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compulsory Core units totalling 140 credit points as per the list of units detailed below.

SBI150 Cellular Biology
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2
SCH101 Chemical Concepts OR SCH104 Introductory Chemistry
SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry OR SMA104 Concepts of Mathematics
HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (title change 2021)
MLS245 Medical Biochemistry
MLS283 Clinical Immunology
PHA214 Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare
HSC318 Rural and Remote Health
MLS310 Professional Practice
SPE383 Research Methods

Specialist Electives A
(8 units)

 

80cp

 

Specialist Elective A units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below.
Students must select units from one (1) specialisation.

Medical Science
SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology
Plus
Complete 70 credit points selected from the following units.
At least 30cp at 300 level must be completed.
HSC112 Basic Epidemiology
MLS101 Haematology 1
MLS202 Haematology 2
PSY228 Neuroscience and Biological Bases of Behaviour
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice
SBI282 Clinical Microbiology 1 
SBI284 Histology and Histochemistry
SPE261 Functional Anatomy
MLS300 Cell Pathology
MLS301 Transfusion Medicine
PHA311 Clinical Biochemistry
PHA312 Infectious Diseases
SBI302 Clinical Microbiology 2

Microbiology
HSC112 Basic Epidemiology
HSC122 Foundations of Public Health
SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice
SBI282 Clinical Microbiology 1 
PHA312 Infectious Diseases
PHM301 Exploring Public Health
SBI302 Clinical Microbiology 2

Health
SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
Plus
Complete 70 credit points from the following units.
At least 30cp at 300 level must be completed.
HSC111 Ethics in Healthcare
HSC112 Basic Epidemiology
HSC122 Foundations of Public Health
HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion
AOD202 Alcohol and Other Drugs
HSC202 Social Media in Health Promotion
HSC204 Chronic Conditions Management
HSC211 Mental Health and Wellbeing
HSC213 Health Informatics
AOD311 Counselling/Interventions in Alcohol and Other Drugs Field
HSC312 Global and Environmental Health
PSY390 Counselling
SPE330 Physical Activity in Special Population

Dietetics
HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion
SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
SPE120 Essentials in Health and Fitness
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice
NUT303 Food Science
PHA311 Clinical Biochemistry
PHM301 Exploring Public Health
SPE320 Nutrition and Health

Specialist Electives B
(2 units)

 

20cp

 

Specialist Elective B units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below.
Students must select 10 credit points from Social Skills and Employability Skills.

Social Skills (10cp)
PSY150 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY151 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY116 Psychology Skills
SWK102 Communication Skills
HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction
PSY203 Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
PSY219 Social Psychology
SWK202 Dynamics of Group Work

Employability Skills (10cp)
COM105 Business and Communication Skills
ENG175 Internet of Things
ENT101 Entrepreneurship Part A (5cp) ANDENT102 Entrepreneurship Part B (5cp)
HIT140 Foundations of Data Science
HIT164 Computing Fundamentals
MKT103 Fundamentals of Marketing
MAN105 Introduction to Management
ENT202 Innovation: Strategies and Systems
PMO201 Project Management

 240cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (240cp)

  • A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units.
  • A minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above.
  • See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.

If course commenced prior to 2023:
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.

 

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1COSCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of MathematicsCO
SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory ChemistryCOSBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2CO
HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous HealthCOSBI182 Microbiology and Immunology OR SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare ProfessionalsSE
SBI150 Cellular BiologyCOSpecialist Elective (Social Skills)SE
Year 2
MLS245 Medical BiochemistryCOMLS283 Clinical ImmunologyCO
SBI241 Pathophysiology for HealthcareCOPHA214 Biotechnology and PharmacogenomicsCO
Specialist Elective 1SESBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological StudiesCO
Specialist Elective 2SEHSC318 Rural and Remote HealthCO
Year 3
SPE383 Research MethodologyCOMLS310 Professional PracticeCO
Specialist Elective (Employability Skills)SESpecialist Elective 5SE
Specialist Elective 3SESpecialist Elective 6SE
Specialist Elective 4SESpecialist Elective 7SE

Top of Page

 

Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of MathematicsCO
  SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2CO
  SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology OR SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare ProfessionalsSE
  Specialist Elective (Social Skills)SE
Year 2
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1COMLS283 Clinical ImmunologyCO
SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory ChemistryCOPHA214 Biotechnology and PharmacogenomicsCO
HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous HealthCOSBI241 Pathophysiology for HealthcareCO
SBI150 Cellular BiologyCOSBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological StudiesCO
Year 3
MLS245 Medical BiochemistryCOHSC318 Rural and Remote HealthCO
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 4SE
Specialist Elective 2SESpecialist Elective 5SE
Specialist Elective 3SEMLS310 Professional PracticeCO
Year 4
SPE383 Research MethodologyCO  
Specialist Elective (Employability Skills)SE  
Specialist Elective 6SE  
Specialist Elective 7SE  

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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

  • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
  • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
  • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
  • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
  • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
  • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
  • Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
    ~Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman
    ~Army: Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
    ~Navy: Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Seaman

* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.

Essential requirements

As this course requires you to undertake a community project, you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing the community project. A national and/or international police check and a current Working with Children check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 3 (ZEAP30)Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of B2.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
 

ATAR profile

There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.

I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.

Katie

CDU student

Nursing student on campus with laptop

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Student profile

There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Faculty/College
Faculty of Health
Sector
HE
Area of study
Health, Science, Environmental Science and Management

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

MyNextCourse

Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC or UAC.

If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
104911
590580
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
109437K

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