Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Develop a comprehensive understanding of human biology through the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Emerge with the expertise and practical skills to contribute to disease diagnosis and treatment across molecular, cellular and systems levels. You will become proficient in biological sciences and disease mechanisms to empower you to enact meaningful change.
Explore areas such as early disease detection, disease progression, treatment strategies, and advancements in pharmaceutical science aimed at enhancing health outcomes. Customise your degree by selecting from a range of specialisations, allowing you to explore your interests and become a specialist in your chosen field. Prepare for your future career with extensive practical training opportunities. Engage in hands-on learning experiences in our state-of-the-art laboratories, apply your knowledge in real-world biomedical contexts, and gain valuable industry exposure through 80 to 160 hours of work placement.
Want to make a real difference in people’s lives?
Gain a world-class degree from a university ranked in the top 1% globally for life sciences and medicine*.
The flexibility of Deakin's Bachelor of Biomedical Science opens doors to fulfilling careers in various fields encompassing health, science, or related disciplines. From research and laboratory technology to pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and medical sales, graduates are equipped with a versatile skill set that paves the way for diverse career paths within the biomedical sciences and beyond.
You will build your fundamental knowledge of human biology and health and focus on one of six specialisations:
Your chosen specialisation, along with three open elective units and work placement experience, enables you to tailor your degree to your unique passions and career aspirations. You will learn more about the biomedical science topics that matter to you, get more out of your qualification and enhance your employability once you graduate.
Everything you learn through this course is supported by practical and authentic experiences. Take the theory you learn in the classroom and apply it in our laboratory. Then take your observations from the lab and test them in real-life biomedicine settings through work placement opportunities.
You will obtain crucial industry experience through 80 to 160 hours of work placement. Not only will you be getting hands-on with the latest tools and facilities, but you will also develop valuable professional networks and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a biomedical scientist.
The next generation of biomedical scientists need more than just technical prowess to adapt to an evolving industry. That’s why we’ve introduced career education to the curriculum. You will cover topics relating to career readiness and develop transferable soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy and teamwork – everything you need to become a highly sought-after graduate and valued employee.
*2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Graduates can confidently enter a range of health-related areas including:
You can also advance to an honours degree or postgraduate studies, either in more specialised areas of biomedical science (which will enhance your professional development as a scientist), or in other disciplines including medicine (which will complement your scientific training and broaden your career opportunities). It is important to note that certain pathways, like medicine, have highly competitive entry requirements due to high demand.
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major or campus. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
Develop foundational knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of molecular, cellular and physiological aspects of human biology and disease. Use scientific process of experimentation from conception of an idea to testing of hypotheses and interpretation of scientific information, and apply procedures in order to explore, experiment and expand knowledge in familiar and unfamiliar situations. Critically evaluate current and historical scientific literature, generate original ideas, and effectively apply theoretical knowledge to the conception of new ideas, interpretation of biomedical information and professional practice.
Apply well-developed communication skills to illustrate ideas and conceptions clearly and coherently using a variety of tools and techniques that engage scientific and non-scientific audiences. Articulate scientific information in a structured form to describe scientific problems, formulate hypotheses, analyse evidence in order to support or oppose the interpretations of findings and conclusions, in light of the evidence from scientific studies.
Locate, analyse and interpret information to differentiate established facts from new evidence using scientific tools in a digital world to formulate an opinion. Evaluate information using evidence from a range of reliable sources to establish scientific knowledge, recognise ambiguity and disseminate information.
Use abstract, analytical and logical reasoning to critically evaluate scientific arguments and approaches. Apply critical reasoning in a variety of situations to scope, interpret and structure investigations to develop an in-depth knowledge for professional biomedical practice.
Identify scientific problems and use structured approaches and experimental strategies to formulate and propose solutions by taking into account relevant discipline and contextual factors. Use judgement to convince scientific and non-scientific audience, in the use of strategies to generate solutions to real world problems.
Evaluate own knowledge and skills using frameworks of reflection and take responsibility for learning and performance. Work responsibly and safely in scientific and professional environments to enrich the ideas of others by sharing learning experiences.
Work effectively as a team member, assuming various roles and utilising effective teamwork skills in order to achieve goals.
Apply ethical practice in professional situations to demonstrate responsibility as practitioners when working with people from diverse cultures and communities. Identify and prioritise local, national and global issues and concerns and contribute towards solving real world problems from the context of biomedical science.
To complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, students must pass 24 credit points, which include the following:
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Students must complete one of the following major sequences:
You must complete all units below:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect At Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE115 | Essential Skills in Science |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^ |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
Students with a background of high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent) may choose to replace SLE133 Chemistry in Our World with an open elective unit.
| SLE212 | Biochemistry |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis # |
| SLE234 | Microbiology |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE221 | Systems Physiology |
plus two open elective/major units (two credit points)
| SLE323 | Applications of Biomedical Science |
plus three open elective/major units (three credit points)
| SLE334 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology |
| SLE357 | Advanced Cell Biology |
| SLE301 | Professional Practice # |
plus one open elective/major unit (one credit point)
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit). SLE301 Professional Practice has replaced SLE390 Professional Practice in Bioscience from 2023.
Select from a range of open electives offered across many courses, you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Recommended elective units:
| ASS101 | Peoples of the World |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
| HMM203 | Human Anatomy |
| HPS111 | Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour |