Medical Science - 3991
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Contact: science.unsw.edu.au
Campus: Sydney
Career: Undergraduate
Typical Duration: 3 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 27
Min UOC For Award: 144
UAC Code: 429700
Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements
Award(s):
Bachelor of Medical Science
View program information for previous years
Program Description
This three-year degree program is jointly offered by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science. It provides the basis for a career in biomedical research and is also an appropriate first degree for students planning to enter graduate medical or paramedical programs.
Medical Science is the area of science which underpins the practice of medicine. It incorporates the study of structure and chemistry of the cells that make up living organisms (Cell & Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) with particular reference to humans, and specifically of the structure and function of the human body (Anatomy and Physiology). It then deals with the general processes leading to disease (Pathology), the role of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms in disease (Microbiology) as well as drugs which are used to cure human diseases (Pharmacology). Other areas available for study include the way in which our form and function is inherited (Genetics), the processes of development from the fertilised ovum (Embryology), the natural defences of the body (Immunology) and the study of the structure and function of the brain (Neuroscience).
Students completing this program with exceptional performance may have the opportunity to enrol in an Honours program leading to an Honours degree.
A limited number of high-performing students may be able to gain entry to the UNSW Medicine program with advanced standing. For more information, please click here.
Students intending to apply for entry via this pathway must have completed all compulsory courses by the end of Stage 2.
Medical Science is the area of science which underpins the practice of medicine. It incorporates the study of structure and chemistry of the cells that make up living organisms (Cell & Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) with particular reference to humans, and specifically of the structure and function of the human body (Anatomy and Physiology). It then deals with the general processes leading to disease (Pathology), the role of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms in disease (Microbiology) as well as drugs which are used to cure human diseases (Pharmacology). Other areas available for study include the way in which our form and function is inherited (Genetics), the processes of development from the fertilised ovum (Embryology), the natural defences of the body (Immunology) and the study of the structure and function of the brain (Neuroscience).
Students completing this program with exceptional performance may have the opportunity to enrol in an Honours program leading to an Honours degree.
A limited number of high-performing students may be able to gain entry to the UNSW Medicine program with advanced standing. For more information, please click here.
Students intending to apply for entry via this pathway must have completed all compulsory courses by the end of Stage 2.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
At the successful completion of this program, graduates will:-
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of biomedical science and its relevance to society, as well as an understanding of science as a profession and the skills required;
- Have knowledge of the components of biomedical sciences and their relationship to one another with an ability to appropriately apply theoretical, computing or laboratory techniques in these areas as relevant;
- Have knowledge and skills in scientific inquiry, analysis, and reporting, including an ability to formulate hypotheses, appropriately use scientific literature and data, analyse and synthesise information, and draw conclusions;
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in diverse contexts;
- Be able to communicate effectively and appropriately to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes;
- Be able to self-manage and work independently with an ability to take responsibility for their own learning, and an appreciation of the value of learning;
- Be able to work effectively within a team and contribute positively to collaborative scientific research;
- Be able to work responsibly, safely and with respect to diversity, within ethical, academic, and regulatory frameworks relevant to biomedical science.
Program Structure
Stage 1
Semester 1
- BABS1201 Molecules, Cells and Genes (6 UOC)
- SCIF1111 Perspectives in Med. Science (6 UOC)1
- CHEM1011 Chemistry A (6 UOC) or CHEM1031 Higher Chemistry A (6 UOC)
- MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences (6 UOC)2, 3
Semester 2
- ANAT1521 Anatomy for Medical Science (6 UOC)
- CHEM1021 Chemistry B (6 UOC) or CHEM1041 Higher Chemistry B (6 UOC)
- BIOS1101 Evolutionary & Functional Biology (6 UOC) or BABS2204 Genetics (6 UOC) or BABS2202 Molecular Cell Biology 1 (6 UOC)4
- Science Elective Course (6 UOC) (recommended: Psychology, Physics, or other Mathematics course)5
Assumed Knowledge
It is assumed that students have completed Chemistry and Mathematics at high school in order to enrol in appropriate Chemistry and Mathematics courses in their first year of this program. The assumed knowledge for these courses are:-
It is assumed that students have completed Chemistry and Mathematics at high school in order to enrol in appropriate Chemistry and Mathematics courses in their first year of this program. The assumed knowledge for these courses are:-
- CHEM1011 Chemistry A requires completion of Year 11 Chemistry;
- CHEM1031 Higher Chemistry A requires completion of Year 12 Chemistry;
- MATH1041 requires completion of HSC Mathematics with a score of at least 60
Students who have not met this assumed knowledge, will need to consider enrolling in a (bridging course, or meeting the assumed knowledge some other way. Bridging courses are the preferred option as otherwise, students will need to take summer school and will not be in the same classes as the rest of the first year cohort during the semester. However, if students cannot undertake a bridging course, they may do the following:-
- Chemistry: Where students have not completed chemistry at high school, they can enrol in CHEM1001 Introductory Chemistry in semester 1, CHEM1011 Chemistry A in semester 2, and CHEM1021 Chemistry B in summer semester. CHEM1001 will then count as the student's science elective to meet program requirements;
- Mathematics: Where students have not completed any Mathematics, or have done General Mathematics, or have not achieved the necessary grade in HSC Mathematics, they should consult with the Science Student Centre about their options.
Notes:
1 Instead of taking SCIF1111 Perspectives in Med. Science in semester 1, students may take SCIF1131 Introductory Skills for Science in semester 2, depending on the science elective students wish to take and when that course is offered.
2 Instead of taking MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences in semester 1, students may take this course in semester 2, depending on the science elective students wish to take and when that course is offered.
3 Students with a strong Mathematical background (i.e. a result over 90 in HSC Mathematics, or combined result over 100 in HSC Mathematics and HSC Mathematics Extension 1) may consider enrolling in higher level Mathematics courses instead of MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences in their first year. Where students are interested, and able, they can get approval from the Program Authority (Science Student Centre) to enrol in MATH1131 Mathematics 1A or MATH1141 Higher Mathematics 1A (semester 1) and MATH1231 Mathematics 1B or MATH1241 Higher Mathematics 1B (semester 2). MATH1231 Mathematics 1B (or MATH1241 Higher Mathematics 1B) will then count as the student's science elective.
4 Only one of these courses is required. Students who have achieved at least a credit in BABS1201 can take either BABS2204 Genetics or BABS2202 Molecular Biology I. All other students should take BIOS1101. Students wishing to complete a major in Medical Microbiology or Molecular Biology must take BABS2202 in their first year. Students wishing to complete a major in Molecular Genetics must take BABS2204 in their first year.
5 Courses defined as "Science" courses are shown in Table 1 of the Bachelor of Science (program 3970). Courses may be offered in semester 1 or semester 2, and students should refer to notes 1 and 2 above about how they can rearrange their BMedSci first year program to undertake a science elective in semester 1.
1 Instead of taking SCIF1111 Perspectives in Med. Science in semester 1, students may take SCIF1131 Introductory Skills for Science in semester 2, depending on the science elective students wish to take and when that course is offered.
2 Instead of taking MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences in semester 1, students may take this course in semester 2, depending on the science elective students wish to take and when that course is offered.
3 Students with a strong Mathematical background (i.e. a result over 90 in HSC Mathematics, or combined result over 100 in HSC Mathematics and HSC Mathematics Extension 1) may consider enrolling in higher level Mathematics courses instead of MATH1041 Statistics for Life and Social Sciences in their first year. Where students are interested, and able, they can get approval from the Program Authority (Science Student Centre) to enrol in MATH1131 Mathematics 1A or MATH1141 Higher Mathematics 1A (semester 1) and MATH1231 Mathematics 1B or MATH1241 Higher Mathematics 1B (semester 2). MATH1231 Mathematics 1B (or MATH1241 Higher Mathematics 1B) will then count as the student's science elective.
4 Only one of these courses is required. Students who have achieved at least a credit in BABS1201 can take either BABS2204 Genetics or BABS2202 Molecular Biology I. All other students should take BIOS1101. Students wishing to complete a major in Medical Microbiology or Molecular Biology must take BABS2202 in their first year. Students wishing to complete a major in Molecular Genetics must take BABS2204 in their first year.
5 Courses defined as "Science" courses are shown in Table 1 of the Bachelor of Science (program 3970). Courses may be offered in semester 1 or semester 2, and students should refer to notes 1 and 2 above about how they can rearrange their BMedSci first year program to undertake a science elective in semester 1.
Stage 2
Semester 1
Semester 1
- ANAT2241 Histology:Basic and Systematic (6 UOC)
- BIOC2101 Principles of Biochem (Adv) (6 UOC)
- MICR2011 Microbiology 1 (6 UOC)
- PHSL2101 Physiology 1A (6 UOC)
Semester 2
- BIOC2201 Principles of Mol. Biol (Adv) (6 UOC)
- PATH2201 Processes in Disease (6 UOC)
- PHAR2011 Introductory Pharmacology and (6 UOC)
- PHSL2201 Physiology 1B (6 UOC)
Stage 3
- 24 UOC of Directed Electives
- 12 UOC of Free Electives
- 12 UOC of General Education Electives
Directed Electives
Students must complete 24 UOC of courses from the following list (arranged by discipline). When making their course choices, intending Honours students must consult with the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences or the School of Medical Sciences about requirements for Honours prior to enrolment in Stage 3 of the program.Courses may be selected in order to complete a major as listed in the Academic Rules below. The requirements for the majors are found in the relevant stream entry in this Handbook hyperlinked to the listed major.
Students must complete 24 UOC of courses from the following list (arranged by discipline). When making their course choices, intending Honours students must consult with the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences or the School of Medical Sciences about requirements for Honours prior to enrolment in Stage 3 of the program.Courses may be selected in order to complete a major as listed in the Academic Rules below. The requirements for the majors are found in the relevant stream entry in this Handbook hyperlinked to the listed major.
Anatomy
- ANAT2341 Embryology (6 UOC)
- ANAT3121 Visceral Anatomy (6 UOC)
- ANAT3131 Anatomy of Head, Neck and Back (6 UOC)
- ANAT3141 Functional Anatomy of Limbs (6 UOC)
- ANAT3212 Microscopy in Research (6 UOC)
- ANAT3231 Cell Biology (6 UOC)
- ANAT3411 Neuroanatomy (6 UOC)
- NEUR3211 Neuroscience Research Seminars (6 UOC)
Neuroscience
- ANAT3411 Neuroanatomy (6 UOC)
- NEUR3101 Muscle and Motor Control (6 UOC)
- NEUR3121 Molecular & Cellular Neuroscie (6 UOC)
- NEUR3211 Neuroscience Research Seminars (6 UOC)
- NEUR3221 Neurophysiology (6 UOC)
- PHAR3202 Neuropharmacology (6 UOC)
Physiology
Pharmacology
Pathology
- ANAT3231 Cell Biology (6 UOC)
- PATH3205 Mol Basis Inflamm & Infection (6 UOC)
- PATH3206 Cancer Pathology (6 UOC)
- PATH3207 Musculoskeletal Diseases (6 UOC)
- PATH3208 Cancer Sciences (6 UOC)
Biochemistry
- BABS3061 Medical Biotechnology (6 UOC)
- BABS3071 Commercial Biotech (6 UOC)
- BABS3121 Molec Biol of Nucleic Acids (6 UOC)
- BABS3281 Molecular Frontiers (6 UOC)
- BABS3621 Mol. Biol. Nucleic Acids(Adv) (6 UOC)
- BIOC3111 Molecular Biology of Proteins (6 UOC)
- BIOC3261 Human Biochemistry (6 UOC)
- BIOC3271 Molecular Cell Biology 2 (6 UOC)
- BIOC3671 Molecular Cell Biology 2 (Adv) (6 UOC)
Genetics
Microbiology and Immunology
- BABS3021 Microbial Genetics (6 UOC)
- BABS3041 Immunology 1 (6 UOC)
- BABS3081 Bacteria and Disease (6 UOC)
- MICR3061 Viruses and Disease (6 UOC)
- MICR3621 Microbial Genetics (Advanced) (6 UOC)
Research Project Courses
Students may complete one of the following courses as part of their directed electives:
Students may complete one of the following courses as part of their directed electives:
- SOMS3001 Research Internship (6 UOC) or
- BABS3301 Biomolecular Science Laboratory Project (Advanced) (6 UOC)
Free Electives
12 UOC of courses are free electives and may be Science courses, or courses taken from another Faculty at UNSW.
General Education Electives
Students must complete 12 UoC of General Education. The rules for General Education can be found by clicking here General Education Requirements. Please note that students must complete their General Education requirements with courses that are from faculties other than Medicine and Science. This means that courses offered by the Faculties of Medicine or Science (including GENM and GENS courses) cannot be counted as General Education.
12 UOC of courses are free electives and may be Science courses, or courses taken from another Faculty at UNSW.
General Education Electives
Students must complete 12 UoC of General Education. The rules for General Education can be found by clicking here General Education Requirements. Please note that students must complete their General Education requirements with courses that are from faculties other than Medicine and Science. This means that courses offered by the Faculties of Medicine or Science (including GENM and GENS courses) cannot be counted as General Education.
Academic Rules
1. A student must complete 144 units of credit which includes:
• 120 UOC disciplinary core and elective courses
• 12 UOC free electives, and
• 12 UOC general education electives.
2. Any course defined as a 'science' course in Table 1 of the Bachelor of Science program, or offered by the Faculty of Medicine, cannot be taken as general education. Additionally, BMedSci students may not take any GENS####, or GENM#### courses. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) or nominee.
3. No student may normally commence Level II courses until 24 Level I units have been successfully completed unless approved by the Program Authority
4. Progression to Stages 2 and 3 is subject to academic performance. Students will be required to attain a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 in each semester. Where students do not maintain this minimum level of academic performance, they will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science program (program 3970) and expected to complete the requirements for a major in that program.
5. Students may elect to complete a major in one of the following areas:
• 120 UOC disciplinary core and elective courses
• 12 UOC free electives, and
• 12 UOC general education electives.
2. Any course defined as a 'science' course in Table 1 of the Bachelor of Science program, or offered by the Faculty of Medicine, cannot be taken as general education. Additionally, BMedSci students may not take any GENS####, or GENM#### courses. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) or nominee.
3. No student may normally commence Level II courses until 24 Level I units have been successfully completed unless approved by the Program Authority
4. Progression to Stages 2 and 3 is subject to academic performance. Students will be required to attain a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 in each semester. Where students do not maintain this minimum level of academic performance, they will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science program (program 3970) and expected to complete the requirements for a major in that program.
5. Students may elect to complete a major in one of the following areas:
- Human Anatomy;
- Human Pathology;
- Medical Microbiology;
- Medical Pharmacology;
- Medical Physiology;
- Molecular Biology;
- Molecular Genetics;
- Neurobiology;
Completion of a major is not a compulsory part of the program. Where a student would like to graduate with a major this must be declared by the commencement of a student's final year of study. Information on how to declare a major can be found on the Science Student Centre . Students may complete a maximum of two majors and no double-counting of courses between majors is allowed at level 3.
These majors are only available to students in the Bachelor of Medical Science program. Where a student transfers out of the Bachelor of Medical Science program they will be expected to complete an approved major for the program they have transferred into. Students interested in a Neurobiology major should note that where they transfer out of the Bachelor of Medical Science program it may be difficult to complete an equivalent major in Neuroscience where they have transferred out of the program later than the start of their second year.
These majors are only available to students in the Bachelor of Medical Science program. Where a student transfers out of the Bachelor of Medical Science program they will be expected to complete an approved major for the program they have transferred into. Students interested in a Neurobiology major should note that where they transfer out of the Bachelor of Medical Science program it may be difficult to complete an equivalent major in Neuroscience where they have transferred out of the program later than the start of their second year.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Honours
Progression to Honours is described in Program 4500 (BSc Honours). Entry to the BSc (Honours) Program is subject to academic performance and the number of places available in a School’s Honours program. Typically students require a minimum overall WAM of a Credit for entry into Honours, although due to the competitive nature of Honours in some Schools, the level of academic performance required may be higher. Where students have an overall WAM that is less than, but close to the entry requirements, Schools may consider academic performance in the major area of study. All decisions regarding entry to the BSc (Honours) are subject to the approval of the relevant School.
Students seeking to enrol in Honours are required to have completed all the requirements for the BMedSci and satisfied all prerequisite requirements for Honours as specified in the Medical Science, Neuroscience, or School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science streams for 4500 Science (Honours). Students should check prerequisite requirements for Honours with the School of Medical Science or School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science as relevant and consider potential projects and supervision as early as possible.
Students seeking to enrol in Honours are required to have completed all the requirements for the BMedSci and satisfied all prerequisite requirements for Honours as specified in the Medical Science, Neuroscience, or School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science streams for 4500 Science (Honours). Students should check prerequisite requirements for Honours with the School of Medical Science or School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science as relevant and consider potential projects and supervision as early as possible.
Award with Distinction
The Faculty of Science will award a Pass degree with Distinction to students who obtain a minimum WAM of 75 across their program and complete at least 72 units of credit at UNSW.
Faculty of Science Rules
The Faculty of Science has some rules that relate to all students enrolled in programs offered by the Faculty in relation to recognition for prior learning, general education, course exclusions, study load, and cross-institutional study. All students should read the information contained on the Faculty General Rules and Requirements page in this Handbook.
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