Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)
Drive progress at the molecular level
Do you have an interest in medical biology and human health? Are you keen to discover more about human disease, from its cause and diagnosis through to novel treatments and cures?
Biomedical scientists are vitally important. They advance world-changing discoveries to improve the health and quality of people’s lives.
The University of Adelaide is ranked in the top 100 in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine and best in South Australia^.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) gives you the knowledge and skills to access an emerging global sector. You will:
- learn the skills to drive the future of healthcare, from vaccine discovery to disease prevention
- gain real-world practical insights from industry lecturers and placements
- study how the body works and what happens when it fails
- explore how to stop deadly outbreaks of disease and create life-saving vaccinations
- build a vast knowledge base from simple molecules to whole organisms
- learn directly from active world-class biomedical researchers and educators.
Areas of specialisation include:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
Where could it take you?
You could be running a laboratory, performing cutting-edge cancer research or modifying genes for vaccines. You might design drugs for the pharmaceutical industry. Perhaps you’ll work directly with patients after completing a degree in postgraduate medicine or allied health.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.
^QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2022
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 314091 |
|---|---|
| 2023 CSP ATAR | 77.25 |
| 2023 CSP IB | 28.5 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 75 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 27.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July* *Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses. |
| Prerequisites | SACE Stage 2: Chemistry plus one of Physics, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods , Biology, Geology, Scientific Studies, Agricultural Systems, Earth and Environmental Science, Nutrition. IB: Chemistry (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) and one other Science subject (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) . MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. |
| Assumed Knowledge | SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods and Physics IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL), Physics. |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You are ranked on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 68.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 91.2 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 99.7 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 77.25 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 95.35 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)8 21.1% (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)N/A N/A (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
23 60.5% - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
N/A N/A - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
N/A N/A International students 10 26.3% All students 38 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,485
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
As a graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and experience for a career in biomedical research, in hospital laboratories, research institutes, universities or private companies.
It is common for graduates to continue their research training by enrolling in a Master of Philosophy or Honours program. Many graduates have successfully used this program as a pathway towards further study in graduate entry medicine or allied health programs.
Graduates of this program are likely to be found as scientists in:
- clinical or research laboratories
- biomedical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Industry Placement
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Biomedical Scientist; Biotechnology; Diagnostic Technician; Public Health Scientist; Toxicologist; Microbiologist; Physiologist; Immunologist; Biochemist; Bioinformatics ...
Degree Structure
Students will start from a broad base in their first year that includes biology and chemistry. In their second year students begin to specialise with a focus on biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and immunology. Students choose two majors in their third year with at least one in biochemistry, genetics or microbiology and immunology. By the end of their studies students will have acquired broad knowledge of biomedical science and an in depth grounding in at least one core biomedical science discipline with a substantial research focus.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Areas of Specialisation
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Microbiology & Immunology
Example Study Plan
| Year1 | S1 | BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells |
CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA Or CHEM 1101 Foundations of Chemistry IA |
Approved Level I Elective 1 x 3 units | Approved Level I Elective 1 x 3 units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOLOGY 1201 Biology I: Human Perspectives |
CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB Or CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB |
Approved Level I Elective 1 x 3 units which may include BIOLOGY 1202 Biology I: Organisms |
Approved Level I Elective 1 x 3 units | |
| Year2 | S1 | BIOMED 2510 Biomedical Science IIA (3 units) |
For a major in Biochemistry* BIOCHEM 2500 Biochemistry II: Molecular and Cell Biology (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
For a major in Genetics* GENETICS 2510 Genetics IIA: Foundation of Genetics (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
For a major in Microbiology & Immunology* MICRO 2500 Microbiology II (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
| S2 | BIOMED 2520 Biomedical Science IIB(3 units) | For a major in Biochemistry* BIOCHEM 2501 Biochemistry II: Metabolism (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
For a major in Genetics* GENETICS 2520 Genetics IIB: Function & Diversity of Genomes (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
For a major in Microbiology & Immunology* MICRO 2501 Immunology and Virology II (3 units) Or Approved Level II Elective 1 x 3 units |
|
| Year3 | S1 | For a major in Biochemistry BIOCHEM 3230 Molecular and Structural Biology III (Biomedical Science) (6 units) Or For a major in Genetics GENETICS 3111 Genes, Genomes and Molecular Evolution III (6 units) Or For a major in Microbiology & Immunology MICRO 3102 Infection and Immunity IIIA (Biomedical Science) (6 units) |
Additional Level III Courses (which may include a major) in the disciplines of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics or Microbiology & Immunology from the Bachelor of Science |
||
| S2 | For a major in Biochemistry BIOCHEM 3235 Cancer, Stem Cells & Developmental Biology III (Biomedical Science) (6 units) Or For a major in Genetics GENETICS 3212 Gene Expression and Human and Developmental Genetics (Biomedical Science) III (6 units) Or For a major in Microbiology & Immunology MICRO 3202 Infection and Immunity IIIB (Biomedical Science) (6 units) |
Additional Level III Courses (which may include a major) in the disciplines of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics or Microbiology & Immunology from the Bachelor of Science | |||
*At least 12 units selected from these courses must be presented. These courses will be selected to provide pathway/s towards major/s at Level III.
Assessment
Exams, written and oral assignments and investigative projects; includes both individual and group participation.
Related Degrees
Testimonial
My degree taught me teamwork and skills like communication, problem solving, critical thinking and attention to detail. These are all important skills, as small differences can be crucial to the diagnosis of a patient.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024
