Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Health Science (Professional), majoring in Biomedical Science, combines health science with biomedical laboratory knowledge, technology and industry experience. Swinburne describes the Biomedical Science major as focusing on anatomy, biochemistry, genomics, immunology, pathology and physiology, with students using bioinformatics software and interactive technologies to investigate the human body and health and disease.

Key benefits include:

• A specialised Biomedical Science major within a four-year professional health degree.
• Practical learning using health and biomedical laboratory facilities.
• Development of scientific writing, anatomy, physiology, biomedical data analysis and laboratory practice skills.
• Study of the genetic basis of clinical conditions.
• Exposure to bioinformatics software used by industry professionals.
• A built-in 12-month paid professional work placement opportunity in the Professional degree structure.
• Opportunities to gain industry experience alongside academic study.
• Preparation for employment in biomedical, laboratory, biotechnology and clinical research environments.
• A foundation for further specialised postgraduate study.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Biomedical Science major covers biomedical science from foundational health science through to advanced biomedical topics.

Indicative Year 1 subjects include:

• Anatomy and Physiology – BIO10004
• Introduction to Health Sciences – HEA10001
• Digital Health Foundations – HEA10004
• Foundations of Statistics – STA10003
• Brain and Behaviour – PSY10007
• Musculoskeletal Anatomy – BIO10008
• Chemistry 1 – CHE10001
• Introduction to Chemistry – CHE10004
• Elective study.

Indicative Year 2 subjects include:

• Introduction to Biochemistry – BCH20002
• Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences – NTR20003
• Health and Disease Across the Life Course – BIO20004
• Infections and Immunology in Health Sciences – BIO20005
• Elective study.

Professional placement:

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Health – HEA20003
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Health – HEA20004.

Final-year subjects include:

• Research Methods for Health Science – HEA20007
• Genes and Genomics – BIO30006
• Body Function and Structure for Health Science – BIO30007
• Health Sciences Project – HEA30001
• Pathophysiology – BIO30008
• Elective study.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Biomedical Science

The Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) also offers other health-science majors, including:

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health
• Clinical Technologies
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Public Health and Health Promotion

Programme Highlights

• Four-year Bachelor of Health Science (Professional).
• Biomedical Science major.
• 350 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 095885E.
• 12-month paid professional work placement opportunity built into the Professional degree.
• Between 1,672 and 1,976 placement hours, depending on placement duration/weeks.
• Laboratory and technology-focused health science education.
• Biomedical data analysis and laboratory practice.
• Bioinformatics software exposure.
• Study of anatomy, biochemistry, genomics, immunology, pathology and physiology.
• Health Sciences Project in the final stage of the degree.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists potential career opportunities associated with the Biomedical Science major including:

• Biomedical technician
• Hospital scientist
• Biotechnology product developer
• Clinical trials coordinator
• Medical laboratory scientist
• Microbiology technical officer.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2027 intake information lists:

• 1 March 2027 commencement, with a 24 February 2027 application deadline.
• 2 August 2027 commencement, with a 28 July 2027 application deadline.
• Hawthorn campus for both intakes.

Important course-specific considerations include:

• The degree has compulsory professional-placement components as part of its 350-credit-point Professional structure.
• Students must meet the academic, English-language and other admission requirements.
• The course contains practical laboratory and professional-learning activities, so students should review Swinburne's published capability requirements before enrolment.
• Swinburne's "Informed Choices" information identifies required capabilities involving sensory functions, mobility, professional conduct, cognition, communication, numeracy, teamwork and related activities. Reasonable adjustments may be available for some adaptable components.
• Students are subject to additional academic-progress requirements associated with professional placement, including consequences where a student fails a unit or is unsuccessful in securing a professional placement by the specified stage of the course.
• International Student visa holders must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in Australia generally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

For this course, Swinburne states that international students in Australia holding Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

Key Australian Student visa requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the course.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Satisfying applicable health and character requirements.
• Providing financial and English evidence if required by the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool.

Genuine Student requirement:

For Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, applicants are assessed under the GS requirement. The application asks about:

• Current circumstances and family/community/economic ties.
• Why the applicant wants to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Understanding of the course and living/studying requirements.
• How completing the course will benefit the applicant.
• Other relevant information where applicable.