Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years -
Location
Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
February
Entry score
ATAR 69.20
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Bundoora Fees
AU$36,480 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Your career in biomedical science
This degree can lead you to work in leading fields like genetic engineering, cancer research, neuroscience, DNA profile and stem cell research.
What you will learn in this program
In this flexible program, you'll develop a broad understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathology from cellular to systems level.
Details
In this flexible program, you'll develop a broad understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathology from cellular to systems level.
Biomedical science forms the basis of our understanding of how human and animal bodies function, and the responses of the body to various diseases, exercise, diet, internal disturbances and environmental influences.
It is a broad area of science that is all about understanding the human body and how it interacts with disease - how it occurs, what happens and how we can control, cure and prevent it. Biomedical sciences involve an understanding of anatomy and human physiology as well as biochemistry.
In addition to a fundamental understanding of biomedical sciences you’ll have the opportunity to select specialist electives in your final year. You will also gain an understanding of the research process and experience with the modern technologies used in biomedical research.
The program is an ideal preparation for graduate entry into health sciences programs such as medicine, physiotherapy, and dentistry, allowing you to meet all necessary prerequisites.
There are opportunities within the program for study abroad or to obtain international experience.
Specialisations and electives
You'll be able to choose electives to suit your interests.
In year two, depending on your area of specialisation, you may choose electives in microbiology or histology.
In year three, you have a choice of studying molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, advanced physiology, pathology or microbiology.
The program emphasises vocational skills, using the latest technology in modern, well-equipped laboratories, including human anatomy laboratories.
You'll have access to excellent online and support facilities.
Learn in small classes with excellent staff-student ratios in an intimate campus setting.
You'll have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.
During third year you'll gain experience in a university research laboratory or a professional organisation. With associated coursework, this runs for 120 hours. You’ll work in research and analytical laboratories in universities, hospitals and industry.
Industry representatives contribute to the program through membership of the program advisory group.
You'll be able to choose electives to suit your interests. All areas provide a strong foundation for progression into research and other health-related careers
Year 1
You'll cover chemistry, human biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, and statistics.
Year 2
You'll study biochemistry, human physiology, cell biology and anatomy. Depending on your area of specialisation, you may choose electives in microbiology or histology.
Year 3
You have a choice of studying molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, advanced physiology, pathology or microbiology. You'll also undertake a short research project or work experience placement.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP231
Career
This degree can lead you to work in leading fields like genetic engineering, cancer research, neuroscience, DNA profile and stem cell research.
Biomedical scientists study all aspects of the human body and the impact of disorders and disease. They study symptoms, causes and treatments in an attempt to better understand and tackle disease.
They can work in specialty areas that can include scientific research and developmental science.
Career outlook
Our biomedical science program produces highly skilled graduates with advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in selected areas of biochemical, biological, paramedical and related health sciences.
Employers and industry professionals contribute to the ongoing development of the program. Their involvement ensures that the program remains relevant to your needs as a graduate and to the needs of graduate employers.
Graduates can work in:
- research in universities, hospitals and biomedical research institutes
- medical and pharmaceutical research
- public and private diagnostic centres
- therapeutic research laboratories
- applied health areas like health promotion and administration.
You can also go on to postgraduate studies in biomedical science in universities and research institutes.
Depending on courses chosen in your final year and meeting specific criteria, you will be eligible for membership to the following societies:
- Ausbiotech
- Australasian Society for Human Biology (ASHB)
- Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology (ANZSCDB)
- Australian Physiological Society (AuPS)
- Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)
- Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
- Genetics Society of Australia (GSA)
- Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)
- Mutagenesis and Experimental Pathology Society of Australia (MEPSA).
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above or equivalent.
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level or overseas equivalent.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent more then two years ago.
You must sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if:
- You have no prior Year 12, VET qualifications, HE results or relevant work experience that meet the minimum entry requirements for the program; and
- You are 19 years of age or over (as of 1 Jan 2019) and have not enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years.
The STAT Multiple Choice will satisfy Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. Applicants must meet all other prerequisites or equivalents. Learn more about RMIT STAT results.
Form: Non-Year 12 applicants may submit additional information if they would like it to be considered.
- For semester 1 intake, this can be completed through the VTAC Personal Statement online.
- For semester 2 intake, this can be completed through the personal statement in the Apply Direct application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Chemistry and Mathematics or Physics; or
VCE Units 3 and 4 in Chemistry and one of Mathematics (any) or Physics, with study scores of at least 20.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Pathways
Graduates will be equipped to undertake a research degree in biomedical science.
When you successfully complete this program you may be eligible for entry to the Bachelor of Health and Biomedical Sciences (Honours).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT honours or postgraduate programs.
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$36,480.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$112,320.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.