Biomedicine

Biomedicine is the study of the sciences which underpin human medicine. The application of these sciences can improve our understanding of human health and create new ways to diagnose and treat diseases.

Course options

Bachelor of Biomedicine

Be at the forefront of how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease

Learn from world-leading and globally connected medical scientists and discover how biomedicine creates create the knowledge that underpins health and medicine.

Hands-on, practical learning

Gain hands-on experience in research methodology, scientific observation, and analysis, while building confidence to solve problems, think critically, and communicate science effectively.

Launchpad to future study

Biomedicine can lead to further studies in medicine, physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, laboratory medicine, medical research, and more.

Shape the future of medicine

Step into the world of biomedical sciences and discover the foundations that drive modern healthcare. Taught by active medical researchers at the Tasmanian School of Medicine and the School of Health Sciences and supported by leading institutes including the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, this course connects you directly to Tasmania’s health system and community, as well as national and international networks through ongoing collaborations.

What is biomedicine?

  • Biomedicine is the foundation of the health system creating the knowledge about health and disease
  • Biomedical Scientists discover new ways to better diagnose and treat disease
  • The knowledge created by biomedical scientists is used by all health professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, pharmacists to support the health of our communities
  • Biomedicine is the science that underpins human medicine and includes fields such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, genetics, immunology and microbiology

So, what do biomedical scientists do?

Biomedical scientists are specialised scientists who research health and disease, working across the health sector to translate their discoveries into practice. They play a crucial role in developing new methods to detect and treat diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Their work enhances the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment for health care professionals and informs policy and disease management strategies for governments and health organisations.

Is biomedicine for me?

Are you interested in
how the body works?

Are you interested in
how diseases develop?

Are you interested in
how we treat disease?

Do you want to improve
treatment of diseases?

Are you interested in
learning about health?

Are you interested in discovering new knowledge in health?

Study options in this degree

A major is an area of focus in your degree. During your studies, you’ll choose an area that interests you, and then study a group of units related to that area. You also have the option to study a second major from this degree, or sourcing one from elsewhere in the University, such as the new major in Sustainability.

Find out more at What is a Major?

This major is ideal for those interested in a career in medical research. You'll gain skills and knowledge that underpin advancements in health, learn to understand diseases, and develop tools and treatments for them.

Through hands-on laboratory experience and engagement with working researchers, you’ll develop your communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, which are all crucial to the success of a researcher. Plus, you'll master the practical tools and techniques used in the application and translation of biomedical science through contemporary medical research.

Medical sciences are at the very heart of healthcare, providing vital results that assist in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of disease.

In this major, you will develop the knowledge and skills to understand how infectious diseases develop and progress. You'll also learn to develop strategies and technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and management of these diseases.

In recent years, medical scientists have played an integral role in identifying and providing valuable input towards public heath responses. With a presence across the entire health sector, they translate breaking health discoveries into everyday practice.

Add sustainability to your degree

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have created a complementary, optional major available across most of our flexible bachelor's degrees.

In the major, explore interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that underpin the development of sustainable societies and solutions. Informed by international and local research, practice, and theory, this major allows you to develop specialist expertise across the physical and social sciences and humanities, emphasising student-led and problem-based learning.

It provides the frameworks for developing sustainability-oriented solutions in a range of fields and is relevant to a wide range of careers.

Combined study options

Choosing a double degree allows you to deepen your knowledge within two separate study areas. This means you can pursue your career and follow your passion at the same time. And when you graduate, you’ll have a set of skills that will really set you apart.

The Bachelor of Biomedicine can be combined with a number of other degrees. Visit the Double Degrees page to learn more.

Further study options

While the Bachelor of Biomedicine provides skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue a wide range of careers upon graduation, you may also wish to explore further study options. Some options relevant to biomedicine are below.

Adding an honours year after graduation from the Bachelor of Biomedicine can be a fantastic way of deepening your knowledge, and furthering your research skills and confidence. This can make you a more competitive graduate when you pursue your future career, or set you up for further postgraduate study or higher degree by research. Find out more about the Bachelor of Medical Research with Honours.

You may look to deepen your knowledge with further postgraduate studies in a Master of Laboratory Medicine.

You can also work towards a Master of Laboratory medicine through the all-new Bachelor of Biomedicine/Master of Laboratory Medicine double degree, where you can graduate with both degrees in just four years.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedicine who would like a career in speech pathology, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy, may wish to explore postgraduate studies in Allied Health.

If you want to become a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or speech pathologist we have an exciting new way for high school graduates to get guaranteed entry into one of our allied health degrees! If you've finished your Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or International Baccalaureate (IB) in Tasmania in the last 12 months, you could be eligible. Up to 10 places in each of the three Allied Health courses are reserved for students like you, based on your ATAR. To qualify, you first need to enrol in one of these degrees at the University of Tasmania:

  • Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (53J)
  • Bachelor of Biomedicine (M3X)
  • Bachelor of Psychological Science (53F)

You'll need to apply for one of the above courses, study full-time, complete all the required pre-requisite units, and keep a minimum GPA of 5.0 (Credit or better average). Remember, you can't defer your start date. This is a great opportunity to kickstart your career in allied health!

Once you have applied for one of the above degrees, please complete and submit this form to apply for the Guaranteed Entry Pathway to the Allied Health course of your choice.

Please note the closing date for this study pathway is 1st December 2026.

Visit the Allied Health Pathway page

Graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedicine who are interested in pursuing further studies in medicine should refer to the medicine course page for further details about admission pathways to the medicine course at the University of Tasmania.

Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply

Visit the course page

Career opportunities

What do graduates of biomedicine do?

Conduct biomedical research

to create new knowledge to advance the understanding of human health and disease.

Translate biomedical science

to inform our communities understanding of human health and disease to improve the health of individuals and our communities.

The current world-wide health crisis highlights the importance of biomedicine in helping to manage and treat disease on both an individual and population basis. Our course will give you the skills to undertake technical analysis and research to assist medical scientists and clinicians in expanding knowledge, and in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

You can apply your expert scientific skills and research findings to develop a better understanding of illnesses and other medical problems, and not be limited to a single professional discipline. With your biomedical skills and knowledge, you can seek out a career in research institutes, university departments, hospitals, pathology laboratories, or pharmaceutical and biomedical companies.

Biomedicine careers include working as a medical scientist, medical researcher, geneticist, epidemiologist, and many other medical science professionals. Other opportunities include science communication, advisory roles, policy development, and disease surveillance in industry, government, non-government organisations, and health organisations.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedicine and Master of Laboratory Medicine will have specialist practical laboratory medicine skills and knowledge that put them in high demand both in Australia, and around the world. Hospital and private pathology laboratories, blood transfusion services, public health and specialised laboratories, and animal health laboratories all need graduates with an accredited laboratory medicine qualification. Thanks to the breadth of laboratory medicine disciplines covered in your learning, exceptional level of practical experience, and 16-week placement, many of our Master of Laboratory Medicine students have secured employment prior to graduation.

The healthcare industry in Australia is expected to grow by over 15 percent by 2026, and with your skills and knowledge also recognised internationally, you can forge an exciting career here, or in other locations around the world.

* Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026