Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Swinburne University of Technology is a three-year undergraduate degree focused on human health, disease, biomedical science, research and contemporary health technologies.

Key benefits include:

• Interdisciplinary study of human health and disease, including how diseases develop, are diagnosed and treated.
• Practical exposure to biomedical science laboratory practices and biomedical data analysis.
• Use of contemporary technologies including virtual reality, digital anatomy and digital dissection.
• Development of scientific writing, human anatomy, physiology, genetics and biomedical research skills.
• Industry-connected learning opportunities, with Swinburne highlighting organisations such as Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Children's Hospital.
• A final-year Biomedical Science Project provides research experience.
• The degree can lead directly to biomedical and health-related employment or provide a pathway into postgraduate study in areas including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and medicine.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is built around three components: core Biomedical Science subjects, the Biomedical Science major, and additional study through electives, minors and/or a co-major.

Core subjects include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Digital Health Foundations
• Foundations of Statistics
• Introduction to Biomedical Science
• Research Methods for Health Science
• Epidemiology
• Health and Disease Across the Life Course
• Biomedical Science Project

Biomedical Science major subjects include:

• Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
• Infections and Immunology in Health Sciences
• Genes and Genomics
• Body Function and Structure for Health Science
• Pathophysiology
• Chemistry 1 or Introduction to Chemistry, depending on the approved study choice.

An indicative three-year sequence published by Swinburne includes:

Year 1:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Digital Health Foundations
• Foundations of Statistics
• Introduction to Biomedical Science
• Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• Chemistry 1 or Introduction to Chemistry
• One elective

Year 2:

• Research Methods for Health Science
• Epidemiology
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
• Health and Disease Across the Life Course
• Infections and Immunology in Health Sciences
• Electives

Year 3:

• Genes and Genomics
• Body Function and Structure for Health Science
• Biomedical Science Project
• Pathophysiology
• Electives.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The primary major is Biomedical Science.

Students can use the additional 100 credit points of study to undertake a co-major, minor(s) and/or electives.

Available co-major areas listed in the current handbook include:

• Business Analytics and Analysis
• Biotechnology
• Indigenous Studies
• Journalism
• Management
• Psychology
• Professional Writing and Editing

Minor options include:

• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Health Statistics
• Indigenous Studies
• Innovation
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Physics.

Programme Highlights

• Technology-focused Biomedical Science degree.
• 3 years full-time.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• CRICOS registered for international students.
• Digital anatomy and virtual-reality learning.
• Biomedical laboratory and data-analysis skills.
• Research Methods for Health Science.
• Final-year Biomedical Science Project.
• Industry-connected learning opportunities.
• Potential progression to postgraduate study in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and medicine.
• Potential progression to Honours and Masters research pathways.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Biomedical laboratory technician
• Medical Scientist
• Biomedical technician
• Health Information Officer
• Clinical trials coordinator
• Microbiology technical officer

The course handbook additionally identifies career directions in:

• Medical research
• Pharmaceutical sector
• Biotechnology
• Laboratory work
• Health policy
• Medical and pharmaceutical sales

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BA-BIOMSC.
• Current CRICOS code: 116519E.
• The programme is a relatively new technology-focused Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Swinburne.
• Current published standard duration is 3 years full-time.
• The standard programme requires 300 credit points.
• International students on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.
• Professional placement is available in the course structure for eligible students, but Swinburne explicitly states that international students holding a Student visa cannot undertake professional placement in this course because of government regulation.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed case-by-case.
• The course includes Informed Choices requirements relating to sensory, mobility, professional/legal, learning/knowledge and interpersonal capabilities. For example, students need to interpret anatomical structures, laboratory specimens, microscopic images, graphs and digital anatomy resources, and use laboratory tools and equipment safely.
• Professional placement, where applicable, is subject to competitive selection.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student studying this on-campus course in Australia is generally the Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Swinburne specifically states that international students in Australia who hold Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

General Student visa requirements administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs include requirements relating to:

• Enrolment in an eligible full-time CRICOS-registered course.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an applicable exemption applies.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Health requirements.
• Character requirements.
• English-language evidence where applicable.
• Financial capacity where required.
• Compliance with visa conditions.