The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences is a highly flexible degree that gives you the freedom to explore different areas of biology related to human health and disease.
Whether you aspire to pursue a career as a clinical physiologist, develop vaccines for infectious diseases, advance cancer or Alzheimer’s research, explore gene sequencing or formulate new pharmaceuticals, this degree lets you tailor your studies to suit your preferred career path.
In the first year of this degree, you will complete foundation studies in areas of biomedical science such as human biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology, alongside complementary learning in chemistry, scientific communication and biostatistics.
In the second and third years, you will branch out into the areas of biomedical science that interest you most. Options open to you include majors in Human Biomedicine, Molecular Genetics, or Pharmacology; as well as specialisations and optional units.
All options combine theory with intensive hands-on, practical sessions in high-quality laboratory facilities; where you will work on real-world scenarios that prepare you for your future career.
Pharmacology explores the effects of drugs on living organisms and is the cornerstone for a career in drug discovery and development. It is particularly relevant with the increasing global challenge to develop new drugs against infectious agents.
This major gives you a good understanding of drug action against microorganisms through computer-based simulations and laboratory work covering molecular, cellular and physiological responses, and modern drug analysis techniques.
You will learn how drugs target specific receptors in tissues and explore the major biochemical pathways that are activated.
You’ll also learn about dose-response relationship, toxicity, drug metabolism and elimination, drug design and development, and how genetic variation between populations influences drug response.
Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Pharmacology)
Students must complete the following core units and one elective:
Students must complete the following core units.
Code | Title |
FBP1004 | |
HSF1000 | |
FCB1007 | |
FBS1000S* |
Semester 2
Code | Title |
EPD1001 | |
ICHB1006 | |
ISA1001S | |
MGB1000S* |
*Service Taught Units are units where Curtin College students join Curtin University students in the same classroom. Such units are taught by university staff and Curtin College students will be enrolled as Curtin University students. Curtin University Policies and Processes will apply to these units.
Stage 2 Units – 25 Credit Points Each
Students critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature and perform basic statistical analysis. You will encounter basic statistical and graphical description and analysis of epidemiological and biomedical data with appropriate graphs, tables, and summary measures; statistical inference and statistical hypothesis testing applied to problems in health and clinical medicine using parametric and non-parametric tests; calculation of common epidemiological measures of disease frequency and association such as incidence rate, prevalence, attributable risk, risk ratios and odds ratio; role and significance of inferential statistics such as confidence intervals and probability
This unit is an introduction to the theory and application of disciplines in the biomedical sciences: microbiology, immunology, histopathology, haematology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. Themes include the basic theory of the cellular and molecular components that form the foundations of biomedical science, the investigation of disease and infectious agents, occupational health considerations, the use of specialised equipment and testing of biological samples in a professional manner. The role and function of medical and research laboratories will also be explored.
Anatomical organisation of the body and the relationships between body systems and cells. Human requirements for metabolism and life. The structure and function of the body. Basic control and interactions of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems. Primary defence against microorganisms. Mechanisms for growth, repair and reproduction.
In this unit students will examine culture and diversity within local, national and global, Indigenous populations; impacts of specific policies and historical events on Indigenous Australians and their effects on health and health care access. Students will analyse health outcomes of Indigenous Australians and explore underlying social determinants, and how health professionals can work collaboratively in consultation with Indigenous individuals, families, communities and organisations.
An integrated approach to the study of body systems correlating structure and function of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems together with their endocrine and neural control. Students will investigate the interaction of these systems in normal body functioning and in selected altered body states.
In this unit students will be introduced to the application of academic standards and development of skills required for studying at university. Introduction to requirements for professional, safe and accurate laboratory practice. Students will learn laboratory techniques to apply introductory Chemistry knowledge, and practise as emerging scientists capable of working individually and in teams. Introduction to ethics in the context of human and animal research. Introduction to careers for health scientists.
In this unit, students will explore the fundamental concepts of molecular and cell biology, including the central dogma, traditional Mendelian, and modern molecular genetics. Topics will include DNA structure and replication; regulation of gene transcription; protein synthesis and post-translational modification. Cell structure and function will also be explored. The laboratory component allows students to acquire skills to perform experiments in molecular and cell biology. This unit provides the background knowledge necessary for entry into second year units.