Follow in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winner Howard Florey and kick-start your career in medical research with the Bachelor of Medical Science.

You’ll delve into genetics, immunology, nutrition, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and anatomy to understand how the human body works.

Learn directly from biomedical scientists and health professionals, who are working to develop new cancer vaccines or ground-breaking treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Find out more about medical science, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

As Australia’s engagement with the Pacific increases, so too does the need for graduates with Pacific expertise.

The Bachelor of Pacific Studies will provide you with a deep understanding of the diversity, history and contemporary issues of Oceania, so you can take a leading role in Pacific policy and development.

You will also have the opportunity to engage in internship and immersion programs in Oceania, boosting your language skills and expertise in the region.

Employment Opportunities

A Bachelor of Medical Science will give you a fundamental knowledge of the medical sciences and skills in modern molecular, cellular and biotechnological techniques required to continue with postgraduate study in medicine or research.

You can also pursue a career in pharmacy, physiotherapy, nutrition, dietetics, forensic science or health administration in the public or private sectors.

See where a Bachelor of Medical Science could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

A Bachelor of Medical Science will give you a fundamental knowledge of the medical sciences and skills in modern molecular, cellular and biotechnological techniques required to continue with postgraduate study in medicine or research.

You can also pursue a career in pharmacy, physiotherapy, nutrition, dietetics, forensic science or health administration in the public or private sectors.

See where a Bachelor of Medical Science could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcome Bachelor of Medical Science

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
• use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
• convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
• work in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives; and
• exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Learning outcomes Bachelor of Medical Science Honours Year

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Specific learning outcomes will depend on the nature of the research project. In general, on satisfactory completion of the program students will have the knowledge and skills to:
• Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a research topic in the field of biomedical sciences
• Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts in the field of biomedical sciences, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
• Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
• Understand and apply principles of laboratory safety and relevant laboratory techniques.
• Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
• Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate

1. Critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understand the global significance of Oceania as a region of diverse societies, cultures and languages;
   
2. Demonstrate an understanding of diverse disciplinary approaches and methods drawn from the humanities, social sciences and environmental studies, to synthesize knowledge about Oceania and its place in the
       world;
   
3. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the diversity of indigenous, popular culture, policy and scholarly perspectives on and within Oceania;
   
4. Evaluate knowledge and ideas and debate issues using academic and other approaches addressing a variety of scholarly, policy and public audiences;
   
5. Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems individually as well as collaboratively.

Further Information

Students undertaking the Bachelor of Medical Science as part of a flexible double degree will need to take care when selecting 2000 level BIOL courses for a smooth progression into 3000 level BIOL courses. For advice, please book an appointment with the Science Sub Dean by calling 02 6125 2809.

Want to learn more about the structure of the Bachelor of Medical Science or wish to map out your degree? Click here to see a short program presentation video and access the study plan.Students undertaking the Bachelor of Medical Science as part of a flexible double degree will need to take care when selecting 2000 level BIOL courses for a smooth progression into 3000 level BIOL courses. For advice, please book an appointment with the Science Sub Dean by calling 02 6125 2809.

Want to learn more about the structure of the Bachelor of Medical Science or wish to map out your degree? Click here to see a short program presentation video and access the study plan.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

 

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Prerequisites

ACT: Chemistry (Major); NSW:  Chemistry or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement may be admitted into the program via a different pathway. Students who:

• Have an ATAR score of 90 or higher, and

• Commence the Bachelor of Science program after completion of the chemistry bridging course available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry (or equivalent) and complete CHEM1101 and BIOL1003 with a minimum average of 65%, may then apply to transfer to the Bachelor of the Medical Science program.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Medical Science flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

 

A maximum of 30 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

 

The 96 units must include:

48 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology & Genetics
BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology
BIOL2142 General Microbiology
BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression
BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition
BIOL3190 Medical Science in the Workplace
CHEM1101 Chemistry 1
CHEM1201 Chemistry 2

6 units of physiology from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL3006 Human Physiology
MEDN2001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology

6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology
BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology
BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL2117 Cell Biology
BIOL2151 Genetics
BIOL2162 Molecular Gene Technology
BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease

 24 units from completion of courses from the following lists:

A minimum of 12 units of core biomedical courses from the following list:

BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer
BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity
BIOL3142 Parasitology
BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology
BIOL3186 Human Anatomy
BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease 1
BIOL3205 Genetics of Human Disease 2
NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience
NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience

A maximum of 12 units of biomedical electives from the following list:

BIOL3107 Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry
BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications
BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics
BIOL3193 Bacteria and Health: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective
BIOL3203 Advanced Microscopy in Biosciences
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project
BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12u)
POPH3000 Introduction to Population Health

Students must achieve a minimum 65% weighted average mark across all compulsory courses in the Bachelor of Medical Science component undertaken in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Medical Science.

Students who do not achieve a minimum of 65% weighted average mark will be transferred from the Bachelor of Medical Science double degree to the equivalent Bachelor of Science double degree.

The Bachelor of Pacific Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

 The 144 units must include:

24 units from the following compulsory courses:

PASI1011 - Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies

PASI1012 - Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania

PASI2001 - Pacific Studies in a Globalising World

PASI3001 - The Contemporary Pacific: Society, Politics and Development

A minimum of 6 units from the following 3000 level PASI-coded courses:

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School

PASI3010 - Pacific Engagement Project

PASI3012 - Readings in Indigenous Studies

PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific

A minimum of 12 units from the following thematic lists:

History and Archaeology

ASIA2301 - Human migration and expansion in the rise of the Asia-Pacific

ARCH2005 - Archaeology of the Pacific Islanders

HIST2231 - Exploration: Columbus to the Moon

PASI2002 - Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries

PASI2006 - War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific

Politics, international relations and security

ASIA2087 - Peace Building in the Pacific and Asia

ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 - International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

POLS2055 - Pacific Politics

STST2001 - International Security issues in the Asia Pacific

STST2003 - Australia and Security in the Pacific

Environment and resources

ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2301 - Human Migration and Expansion in the Rse of the Asia-Pacific

ENVS2005 - Islands Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School

PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development

PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific

Culture, literature and language

ASIA2001 - Language in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2308 - Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA3053 - The Death of God in the Asia-Pacific

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School

A maximum of 24 units from one of the following minors of languages spoken in the Pacific:

French Language and Culture Minor

Tetum Language Minor

Tok Pisin Language Minor

24 units from completion of one of the following minors:

Languages spoken in the Pacific or of historical and community importance:

Chinese language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Indonesian language

Japanese language

Tetum Language

Tok Pisin Language 

Spanish

Disciplinary and regional studies minors of relevance to the study of the Pacific Islands:

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Asia-Pacific International Relations

Asian history  

Asian Art History

Asian and Pacific Anthropology

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Anthropology

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biodiversity and Conservation Management

Climate Science and Policy

Comparative Politics

Demography

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

Environmental Policy

Environmental Studies

Gender and Sexuality

Geography

Heritage and Museum Studies

History

Human Rights

Indonesian Studies

International Relations

Linguistics

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy

Political Science

Political Theory

Popular Music

Social Research Methods

Sociology 

Sustainable Development

Visual Arts Practice

War Studies

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses or the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship

ASIA2110  International Affairs Internship

ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship

ASIA3024 Editor’s practicum: online public engagement, academic blogging and digital disruption

ESEN1101 Essential University English

HIST1250 Big History

LING2107 Advanced Academic English

Minors

Bachelor of Pacific Studies Minors

Study Options