Overview 2021
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
The content of the course is still the same – just the title and course code have changed.
The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine is the perfect degree for anyone looking to work in specialised medical or pathology laboratories. This degree is professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), so employers will recognise that graduates from the course have been specifically trained for the industry – and are ready to be employed as medical scientists.
Please visit the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine course page for more information to study in 2017.
In medical laboratories all around the world, bright minds are helping to diagnose and track the treatment of human disease – and bring new discoveries to light. This course gives you the chance to join their ranks.
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is the perfect degree for anyone looking to work in specialised medical or pathology laboratories. This degree is professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), so employers will recognise that graduates from the course have been specifically trained for the industry – and are ready to be employed as medical scientists.
The three and half year course consists of six semesters of on-campus study, plus a seventh semester of clinical placement in an accredited lab in Australia.
This program is structured to build your knowledge in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, histology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, haematology, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology.
With this knowledge, you'll be ready to work in diagnostic pathology or medical research laboratories, and start making your own contributions to the medical science field.
Course objectives
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is designed to prepare students to work in specialised medical and pathology laboratories that provide diagnostic services that are an essential part of the health care system. The tests performed provide valuable information that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Many graduates continue into postgraduate study and conduct research in the areas of molecular biology, clinical chemistry, medical microbiology and haematology.
Students will gain knowledge and a variety of skills in professional areas such as: clinical chemistry, endocrinology, haematology, blood transfusion science, histopathology, microbiology, human molecular biology, and immunology.
Practical experience
Professional Experience Placements
During the final semester of this course, you will participate in a Professional Experience Placement (PEP). This work integrated learning approach enables students to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge in a workplace environment. The aim of PEP is to immerse students in a professional healthcare setting, to gain a better understanding of the roles of professionals within the health care system.
This clinical placement is undertaken off campus in an accredited diagnostic pathology laboratory, where you will develop practical laboratory skills and contribute to patient healthcare via diagnostic techniques within the laboratory.
Professional Experience Placement Requirements
Safety in Practice Compliance
All students enrolling in Faculty of Health programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.
The Faculty, in accordance with Safety in Practice Compliance and Risk Assessment Procedure, assesses student compliance with Safety in Practice Requirements, which include:
- national criminal history;
- working with children registration;
- medical, physical and psychological capacity to safely undertake the Faculty of Health Mandatory Functional Requirements; and
- infectious disease and immunisation status.
National criminal history and medical, physical and psychological disclosures can inhibit student eligibility to participate in courses. Students must submit the Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation to enable risk assessment to be completed before:
- semester one census date annually; or
- in case of late enrolment, prior to beginning study.
The exceptions are the Working with Children Registration and Immunisation Record Card check, which must be completed 4 weeks prior to first PEP.
Career outcomes
Studying at UTAS is good because of the small class numbers, so you receive one on one tutoring which is beneficial. The lecturers in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science are very helpful, and student have direct access to lecturers.
Career Opportunities in Biomedical Science
On graduation you will be ready to undertake an exciting career at the forefront of laboratory medicine. The opportunities are broad, including roles with diagnostic pathology labs – both public and private facilities, or within the medical research field.
This degree can also be used to launch a career in medical research, veterinary laboratories, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies or health management.
A number of graduates have used their degree internationally, working in pathology laboratories across South East Asia and Europe.
"A career in biomedical science is an exciting and rewarding, yet challenging career, where no two days are ever the same. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is an excellently rounded degree, which allows graduates to work in numerous scientific fields and apply your skills to a diverse collection of jobs."
– Dr Elizabeth Witherden, Post-doctoral research associate, Kings College London (Alumni, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, University of Tasmania).
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Further Study Opportunities
This course provides an excellent foundation if you are hoping to enter undergraduate and postgraduate medicine and other allied health courses across Australia. A number of students use the knowledge they've gained in this course to enter undergraduate and postgraduate medicine courses across the country.
Students interested in pursuing an honours course in Biomedical Science should contact Dr Cecilia Kitic (Honours Coordinator) - Cecilia.Kitic@utas.edu.au
Professional Recognition
Graduates from this course meet the academic requirements for direct entry into the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Course structure
The course structure for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science comprises three and a half years (7 semesters) as shown in the following Schedule.
Schedule
Year 1
Chemistry 1A (Semester 1) and Chemistry 1B (Semester 2) are core units for the Chemistry major, Environmental Science and Biomedical Science students and give an introduction to the fundamentals of chemistry. Both units build on the introduction to chemistry given…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Chemistry 1A (Semester 1) and Chemistry 1B (Semester 2) are core units for the Chemistry major, Environmental Science and Biomedical Science students and give an introduction to the fundamentals of chemistry. Both units build on the introduction to chemistry given…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit is designed to introduce you to foundation knowledge relevant to the structure and function of the human body. Concepts in biological chemistry, cell metabolism, microscopy, cell biology and molecular and descriptive genetics will be covered in the unit,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit equips you with introductory level clinical laboratory skills and theoretical knowledge in the disciplines of Haematology, Clinical Biochemistry and Microbiology. At the end of this unit, you will be competent in a range of basic laboratory techniques, using…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA101 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences
Data Handling and Statistics 1 is the first of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). Statistics is the science of decision making, and as such forms a key foundation of any scientific research. This…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
x…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit acquaints students with fundamental theoretical and practical concepts and principles of histology and provides the foundation for Histopathology (CXA222). The practical component develops microscopy skills and techniques learned in first semester (in CXA101 and CXA171) to allow critical…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
x…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 2
This unit introduces you to the pathological processes that underlie various humandiseases. It enables students to recognise common pathological conditions.In addition, the histological methods used to demonstrate bacterial and fungalinfections, amyloidosis, pigments, neoplasia and immunocytochemistry will bestudied theoretically and in…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit is designed to give the student a broad understanding of the immune system and its functions. Topics include: activation and regulation of innate and adaptive immunity and the principles governing vaccination; the molecular basis of antigen specificity; antibody…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Metabolic biochemistry entails the study of intermediary metabolism and the structures involved. This unit is concerned mainly with the metabolic processes involved in the inter-conversion and storage of metabolic energy, the regulation of these processes and the associated molecules. Specifically,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit is designed to introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems of the human body. The regulation of body temperature will also be covered in the unit. This unit is…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Expands on the understanding of biochemistry obtained in CXA261 Metabolic Biochemistry, concentrated at a molecular level. The unit is a comprehensive study of regulation of cellular metabolism and signalling along with a detailed study of the molecular mechanisms of genetic…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Haematology is the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. It includes the aetiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of blood diseases such as leukaemia, anaemia, haemophilia and deep vein thrombosis.The first half of the unit covers normal…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
The unit CXA 251, Clinical Chemistry 1, is designed to impart a thorough knowledge of: quality assurance, including sources of error; use and establishment of reference ranges; collection, preservation, transportation and storage of specimens for analysis; preparation of laboratory method…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
In this unit you will explore how bacterial characteristics can be used as part of an identification strategy in a clinical microbiology laboratory. Module 1 examines how bacteria regulate their behavior, communicate and multiply using various metabolic & genetic regulation…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA241 General and Medical Microbiology
Year 3
In this unit you will integrate and extend prior knowledge and skills about the laboratory differentiation of normal and abnormal haematological health conditions gained in CXA231 Haematology 1. You will systematically investigate the causes, laboratory investigations and treatment of anaemia…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Description of Proposed amendment:The purpose of CXA 352 is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct and interpret laboratory analyses in the areas covered in the curriculum. An important part of the unit involves contextualising quality assurance…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Introduces students to diagnostic medical bacteriology. Skills taught include: processing of clinical specimens, recognition of normal microbiota, identification of pathogens and the undertaking of appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Students learn: aspects of laboratory safety, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of infectious…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit extends the student's understanding of the concepts of genetics and molecular biology obtained in CXA171 Cell Biology and Function and CXA262 Cell and Molecular Biochemistry. The unit focuses on medical molecular genetics, providing detailed study of genetic mutations…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit covers the major blood group systems of relevance to human blood transfusion and the theoretical basis of common transfusion testing practices. We explore the donation of blood products and the management of transfusion services and study in detail,…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in Clinical Chemistry and investigates the hormonal control mechanisms and regulation of metabolism and growth within the body. The study of endocrinology builds on many topics studied previously in Clinical Chemistry 1 and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA353 Clinical Chemistry 3 (Endocrinology)
This unit has been designed to systematically introduce the students to the common and diagnostically important fungal, parasitic and viral diseases of major organ systems in humans. The unit content is primarily concerned with laboratory diagnostic aspects of the above…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Introduces students to the types of research which informs our understanding of normal and abnormal functions of the human body and of treatment and preventative health care. The unit also covers basic pharmacological and toxicological principles, the use and monitoring…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA386 Research and Topics in Health Sciences
Year 4
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken while off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students develop an holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Medical Laboratory Placement 1 & 2 (CXA412, CXA425) are two of three professional experience placement units (PEP) undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students experience core and specialised…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Medical Laboratory Placement 1 & 2 (CXA412, CXA425) are two of three professional experience placement units (PEP) undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students experience core and specialised…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
If you're interested in studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
If you've just finished school
An ATAR score of 75 or higher, and have completed the following pre-requisite units:
- Chemistry at TQA3 level (CHM315109) or equivalent
- Maths Applied (MTA315109), Maths Methods (MTM315109) or Maths Specialised (MTS315109) at TQA3 level, or equivalent
If you meet the minimum ATAR, but haven't completed the Chemistry and Mathematics pre-requisite units, you can complete the KRA001 Chemistry Foundation Unit or KMA003 Mathematics Foundation Unit offered in summer semester.
Alternatively, students who do not meet the ATAR should consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Health Science, as a potential pathway to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
If you're a mature age student
You will need to meet the following:
- University general entry requirements
- Completion of the following foundation units (or equivalent):
Admission Prerequisites
Minimum University requirements, plus minimumATAR score of 75 together with pre-tertiary Chemistry TQA3(CHM315109) or equivalent and any one of the approved Mathematics subjects (Mathematics Applied TQA3 (MTA315109), (Mathematics Methods TQA3 (MTM315109), Mathematics Specialised TQA3 (MTS315109) or equivalent. Students lacking the Chemistry or Mathematics pre-tertiary prerequisites, but who meet the ATAR and have other pre-tertiary science units can complete the Chemistry foundation unit (KRA001 Chemistry Foundation Unit) or Mathematics foundation unit (KMA003 Mathematics Foundation Unit) offered in summer semester. Alternatively, students who meet the pre-tertiary prerequisites but who do not meet the ATAR should consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Health Science, as a potential pathway to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE COMPLIANCE
All students enrolling in Faculty of Health programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.
The Faculty, in accordance with Safety in Practice Compliance and Risk Assessment Procedure, assesses student compliance with Safety in Practice Requirements, which include:
- national criminal history;
- medical, physical and psychological capacity to safely undertake the Faculty of Health Mandatory Functional Requirements; and
- infectious disease and immunisation status.
National criminal history and medical, physical and psychological disclosures can inhibit student eligibility to participate in courses. Students must submit the Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation to enable risk assessment to be completed before:
- semester one census date annually; or
- in case of late enrolment, prior to beginning study.
The only exception is the Immunisation Record Card check, which must be completed 4 weeks prior to first PEP.
Credit transfer
Credit for appropriate studies completed in TAFE and other university courses may be granted. Please contact the University Admissions Team for further information.
Articulation from
Credit for appropriate studies completed in TAFE and other university courses may be granted.
Articulation to
Students interested in pursuing an honours course should contact Cecilia Shing (Honours Coordinator) - Cecilia.Shing@utas.edu.au
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $0 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $30,000 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
Scholarships
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
Fees & Scholarships Information
The following fee information is accurate at the time of publication for students commencing study in 2016.
Domestic students
Fees
If you are a domestic student enrolling in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, you may be eligible to receive a Commonwealth supported place at university. To find out what to pay and whether you are eligible you can read the information and guidelines at http://www.utas.edu.au/fees/fees-and-charges/what-to-pay/domestic
The cost of your course will depend on the band classification and the individual units that you study. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is in Band 2, with an indicative annual cost of$8917. For more information on the fees of each unit, please refer to the fees section of each unit description.
In addition to course costs, students may be subject to other costs related to study at university including:
- Text books and stationery
- Accommodation
- Student Services and Amenities Fee
Scholarships and Bursaries
Each year the University of Tasmania administers an estimated $7 million in scholarships to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior.
For more information on scholarships and to view the full range of scholarships available to you, head to the Scholarships website.
International students
Fees
If you are an international student enrolling in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, the 2016 annual tuition fee is A$28,000. This rate is inclusive of the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). In 2016 the SSAF is A$290.
To find out what to pay visit http://www.utas.edu.au/fees/fees-and-charges/what-to-pay/international or for more information on international fees, head to the International Fees website.
Scholarships and Bursaries
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the International Scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries