Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
240Course code
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.
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
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 type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units
| 140cp
| Compulsory Core units totalling 140 credit points as per the list of units detailed below. SBI150 Cellular Biology |
| Specialist Electives A (8 units)
| 80cp
| Specialist Elective A units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. Medical Science Microbiology Health Dietetics |
| Specialist Electives B (2 units)
| 20cp
| Specialist Elective B units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. Social Skills (10cp) Employability Skills (10cp) |
| 240cp | Total 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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of Mathematics | CO |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory Chemistry | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology OR SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals | SE |
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | Specialist Elective (Social Skills) | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | MLS283 Clinical Immunology | CO |
| SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | PHA214 Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| SPE383 Research Methodology | CO | MLS310 Professional Practice | CO |
| Specialist Elective (Employability Skills) | SE | Specialist Elective 5 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | Specialist Elective 6 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | Specialist Elective 7 | SE |
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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of Mathematics | CO | ||
| SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | ||
| SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology OR SBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective (Social Skills) | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | MLS283 Clinical Immunology | CO |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory Chemistry | CO | PHA214 Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics | CO |
| HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO |
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 4 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Specialist Elective 5 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | MLS310 Professional Practice | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| SPE383 Research Methodology | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective (Employability Skills) | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 6 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 7 | SE | ||
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 Module | A 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 Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A 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
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
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
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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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.
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