Handbook

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Bachelor
Bachelor of
of Medical
Medical Sciences
Sciences

Course
Course 240
240 credit
credit points
points

Overview

The Bachelor of Medical Science is a broad-ranging degree that prepares you for diverse career pathways.
The Erst year provides the foundation to a wide-range of areas in medical science and prepares you for in-
depth study in a chosen area gained through one of the majors of the degree. Each major provides both deep
and broad coverage of its area, with majors spanning the anatomy and physiology of the human body,
laboratory diagnostics, disease, biosecurity, drug discovery and health communication. The degree is Iexible
and allows you to study double majors, minors in emerging areas of health and medical science, or a major
complemented with your choice of units.
The course integrates contact with medical and health professionals from Erst year, allowing you to hear from
those currently employed in the Eeld early in your program. Early contact with medical professionals will
provide Erst-hand information on the range of career options available to you, allowing you to tailor your study
to ensure you are on track for your chosen career path.
Critical employability skills will be addressed both in the core units and through embedded learning in the
discipline speciEc majors. You will master laboratory skills that are essential for a medical scientist, and
develop the capability to solve problems of a medical and health related nature. You will learn to
communicate effectively to a wide range of people using a range of communication tools and gain an
understanding of ethics and cultural considerations relative to medical science. Your study will include work-
integrated learning activities, and a Enal year major activity through the University's Professional and
Community Engagement (PACE) initiative. This activity is undertaken in conjunction with a partner
organisation servicing a key aspect of health.
The Bachelor of Medical Science is offered jointly between Faculty of Science and Faculty of Medical and
Health Science. Teachers in the course are recognised for their excellence in teaching and are at the forefront
of research, ensuring you are taught with the most up-to-date and globally relevant knowledge for a career in
medical science.
More information can be found in the information on the individual Majors.

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 Award
Award abbreviation:
abbreviation:
BMedScs

Course
Course type:
type:
Generalist Bachelor Degree

Volume
Volume of
of learning:
learning:
Equivalent to 3 years

AQF
AQF level:
level:
Level 7

Course
Course duration:
duration:
Full time: 3 years

CRICOS
CRICOS code:
code:
020161F

Learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to

1.
1. Describe and relate concepts across the breadth of disciplines in the course, including anatomy
and physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, infectious disease processes, diagnostics and laboratory
standards, genomics, bioinformatics, and the application of laboratory technologies to
personalised medicine.

2.
2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of nominated medical science discipline(s).

3.
3. Identify, analyse and solve problems in health and medical sciences by applying practical and
analytical tools to conduct investigations, and by formulating hypotheses and designing
experiments to test hypotheses.

4.
4. Accurately collect and record laboratory, epidemiological and research data, select and apply
appropriate statistical tests to analyse the data and make recommendations on test outcomes.

5.
5. Analyse problems and solve technical issues in experimental, diagnostic, and procedural aspects
of health and medical sciences.

6.
6. Independently synthesise scientiEc knowledge in the medical sciences from a range of sources to:
identify current and future research challenges; critically evaluate how medical research can
improve patient care and processes of disease; and translate Endings into both clinical outcomes

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 and fundamental science.

7.
7. Work safely and effectively, both as an individual and as part of a team, applying ethical principles
and safe working practices in laboratories and health care settings.

8.
8. Review and evaluate ethical requirements of medical research and clinical trials, including cultural
considerations, and create appropriate ethics proposals for health and medical science research.

9.
9. Communicate with clarity and precision medical, scientiEc and health concepts, including
contemporary and future research challenges, using the range of communication styles and
modalities required as a professional in the medical and health sciences.

Course structure

Core
Core Zone
Zone 160 credit points

Essential
Essential units
units 60 credit points

Complete each unit below.

ANAT1001 - Introduction to Anatomy

BIOL1110 - Genes to Organisms

BIOL1210 - Human Biology

BIOL1620 - Foundations in Medical Sciences

CHEM1001 - Foundations of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences 1

STAT1170 - Introductory Statistics

Capstone
Capstone unit
unit 10 credit points

Complete the capstone unit below.

BIOL3661 - PACE: Medical Sciences Capstone

Elective
Elective units
units 10 credit points

Complete 10 credit points from the following options.

HLTH2000 - Contemporary Health Issues

BIOL2610 - Biological Data Analysis

COGS2020 - Experimental Design and Data Analysis for the Cognitive and Brain Sciences

Major
Major 80 credit points

Complete one major from the following options.

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 N000111 - Anatomy and Physiology

N000171 - Genomics and Medical Informatics

N000172 - Infectious Disease and Biosecurity

N000173 - Medicinal Chemistry

N000113 - Neuroscience

Flexible
Flexible Zone
Zone 80 credit points

You can use your Iexible zone to enrol in any Undergraduate unit for which you meet the requisites. You
may also use your Iexible zone to complete a second major, listed below, or a minor(s).
Anatomy and Physiology
Ancient History
Anthropology
Biotechnology
Business Administration
Business Analytics
Business Information Systems
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Creative Writing
Criminology
Critical Indigenous Studies
Cyber Security Governance
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Economics
English
French and Francophone Studies
Gender Studies
Genomics and Medical Informatics
Geography
German Studies
Health, Wellbeing and Society
Human Biology
Human Resource Management
Infectious Disease and Biosecurity
Interactive Design
International Business
International Relations
Japanese Studies
Journalism and Non-Fiction Writing
Management and Leadership
Marine Science
Mathematics
Media, Culture and Communications
Medicinal Chemistry
Modern History

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 Music Studies
Neuroscience
Performing Arts and Entertainment Industries
Philosophy
Politics
Psychological Science
Public Relations and Social Media
Radio, Podcasting, and Audio Media
Screen Practice and Production
Sociology
Spanish and Latin American Studies
Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Work, Life and Technology

Course speciEcations

Learning
Learning and
and teaching
teaching methods
methods

In the Erst year of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences students acquire foundation knowledge and capabilities
necessary for focussed study in one of the many majors offered in the program. In the majors, students will
build on their core learnings of knowledge, concepts and laboratory skills through the gradual introduction of
more dihcult concepts and procedures at each level of the Degree.

Students will learn through a combination of lectures, practical classes and small-group classes that cover
weekly themes. Lectures introduce knowledge and concepts, which are further explored through enquiry-
based learning in practical classes. Activities in practical classes reIect real world applications that students
investigate using research-led activities. Learning encompasses strong medical and health research themes
and students will frequently design and perform small experiments, analyse and interpret data and use this
information to prepare assessments using modes of communication common in the sciences. Concepts,
techniques and problem-based tasks are further explored in lectorials that comprise a mini-lecture followed
by student-led collaborative activities that aim to encourage independent learning.

Learning activities will include acquiring and synthesising information from a range of sources including
scientiEc journal articles and health agency websites; practising skills such as laboratory techniques and a
wide-range of communication tasks to achieve competency; and working collaboratively with students on
learning activities. Students will also learn how to work in a safe and ethical manner.

Students will have the opportunity to develop communication skills using appropriate forms to effectively
reach a wide-range of people including scientists, patients and the community. Opportunities to further
develop communication skills are presented through participation in health events and community outreach
activities.

An important component of this degree are the numerous opportunities to connect with future employment
areas. Students will hear from medical and health industry professionals and recent program graduates as
soon as they begin university. The early integration of industry professionals will contextualise the learning
activities of the program. In the Enal year of study students undertake a work-based learning activity as part

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 of the University's Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) initiative. The PACE unit will enable
opportunities for group-based, industry-focused placements within potential employment areas that may
span government organisations, laboratories, allied health, and biotechnology companies.

Assessment
Assessment

A progressive assessment strategy is applied from the very beginning of the program. Students build on their
knowledge and capabilities as they progress throughout the different years of study. The assessments
comprise both individual and group-based activities, and students are guided by clear standards and criteria
(outlining what is assessed and how it is assessed) that are included in each unit guide. The types of
assessments used align to course learning outcomes and the roles, activities and task that would be
expected of graduate destinations. Students will receive feedback to help guide them while working on tasks
(formative feedback) and on completion of tasks (summative feedback) to enable development. Feedback
will be in a variety of forms including feedback for individual students and feedback directed to the entire
cohort. Provision of feedback maybe in written and/or verbal form.

The assessments aims to evaluate students understanding and knowledge of concepts, laboratory
competencies and communication skills and develop leadership ability. Assessment within the Bachelor of
Medical Sciences embeds the diverse communication modalities required in the Eeld (scientiEc reports,
literature reviews, scientiEc posters, debates, and oral presentations) and enables capabilities associated with
knowledge, understanding and synthesis to be assessed. Other forms of assessment relate to laboratory
skills and competencies such as equipment use, data analysis and safety, and research and problem solving
capabilities including experimental design and data interpretation.

Support
Support for
for learning
learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are
given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive
range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and
psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services
and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on
campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Student Wellbeing contact details:

Course
Course standards
standards and
and quality
quality

This course has been accredited by Macquarie University in accordance with the requirements of the Higher
Education Standards Framework. This course is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality
review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards

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 Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic
Senate, and takes into account feedback received from students, staff, and external stakeholders.

Assessment
Assessment regulations
regulations

This course is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those speciEed in the
Assessment Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Progression Policy, Special Consideration Policy,
and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policy documents visit goto.mq/policycentral.

Graduate
Graduate destinations
destinations and
and employability
employability

Many of the global challenges we currently face, and those emerging, are connected to health and medicine.
Health is also identiEed as a major area of growth in the jobs market. The program is designed to provide
students with core skills and facilitate progression to the workforce or further study. We also aim to equip
graduates with knowledge and skills to deal with future health problems – which is a core value of the
program.

Students graduating with the Bachelor of Medical Sciences enter the workforce as laboratory or medical
scientists, in biotechnology areas as laboratory personnel or managers, sales and marketing roles in medical
and pharmaceutical companies, and in Government Health and Biosecurity agencies. The degree also
facilitates progression to postgraduate studies in medical and allied health and research. The majors offered
within the program allow for a concentration of study that aligns to graduate destinations. Flexibility within the
program allows students diversify with a second major or minors that complement the wide variety of
graduate employment areas.

Employability skills begin in the Erst year where study is integrated with relevant industries. Students will hear
from professionals via guest lectures from medical scientists, Government health agency employees. They
will also hear from previous program graduates students who have sat a medical admission test and entered
medicine as well as graduates employed in various sectors encompassing medical and health sciences. Key
skills, laboratory methodologies, and concepts relevant to a career in medical and health sciences are
integrated in the assessment strategy, allowing students to develop these capabilities. Communication skills
are embedded from the Erst year of study and the assessment structure is varied and reIective of the
different modalities for communication in health and science (e.g. scientiEc reports, posters, fact sheets and
patient interactions). All units are structured to enable students to develop team work and leadership skills.
Work Health and Safety, Indigenous themes, and Ethics will be strongly integrated in core units and the
capstone and professional behaviour will be emphasised in communications with other students, visitors and
staff.

Additional requirements

University-wide inherent requirements

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 About
About inherent
inherent requirements
requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to
successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the
inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program. For more information
see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:

Physical
Physical

The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform
the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an
award.

Cognition
Cognition

The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and
quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an
award.

Communication
Communication

The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and
ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.

Behavioural
Behavioural

The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration
of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the
learning outcomes of an award.

 Timetable
Timetable  Student
Student fees
fees  University
University glossary
glossary

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 Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed online in the Macquarie
University Handbook. However the information is subject to change. The University reserves the right to vary, without
notice, any information relating to the provision of courses or units of study including the content, mode of offering of
such courses or units, the withdrawal of any course or unit for whatever reason, and the fees applicable to enrolment of
any course or unit of study.

© Macquarie University
CRICOS Provider 00002J TEQSA Provider PRV12032
ABN 90 952 801 237

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