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QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 906901; External: 906905

CRICOS code (International applicants): 098990B

You are currently viewing the 2023 Handbook. For study in 2024, please refer to the .

Notes

In 2023 the programs follows the Semester calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Semester calendar.

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Program aims

The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences aims to provide education and training for a career in biotechnology, medical research, pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, and public health laboratories. Graduates will have a broad education allowing them to diversify after graduation, including seeking entry via the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) into medicine and other professional programs in the allied health sciences. Students will be eligible to apply for membership to professional organisations including , and the

Program Rules - Biomedical Sciences
Students are required to:

• satisfactorily complete 24 credit points as listed in the standard progress to graduate from the program; no more than 12 units in the program will be at an introductory level (50% of total)

• satisfactorily complete all courses within 9 years

• meet all mandatory laboratory class and/or residential school and placement requirements where present in courses.

Program Rules - Medicine Pathway Major
Students are required to:

• satisfactorily complete 24 credit points (20 mandatory courses) as listed in the standard progress to graduate from the program; no more than 12 units in the program will be at an introductory level (50%)

• satisfactorily complete all courses within 3 years

• maintain satisfactory academic standing for the duration of the program, by maintaining a Grade Point Average (GPA) of not less that 5.00. If students do not maintain this requirement, they can transfer credit into the Bachelor of Biomedical Science program

• meet all mandatory laboratory/residential school/placement requirements where present in courses.

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Program objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, students should be able to:

• apply a broad and coherent body of theoretical and practical knowledge in the biomedical sciences with in depth knowledge in one or more specialist disciplines

• collect, organise, analyse and interpret biomedical sciences literature and laboratory data using appropriate experimental, computational, statistical and technological approaches

• exhibit scientific literacy and oral, written and digital communication skills to explain biomedical sciences concepts to a range of audiences

• apply practical laboratory and technical skills to generate accurate scientific data

• work independently or collaboratively in teams to critically and creatively analyse issues and develop appropriate solutions to complex problems across a range of cultural, institutional, national and global contexts

• demonstrate a working knowledge of ethical, professional and workplace health and safety requirements in research and clinical laboratories.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• The specified minimum entry requirement as determined by Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), or equivalent qualification.^

• Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 65.6, or equivalent qualification.

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

Applicants are advised to also address the following:

• expectations: English; General Mathematics

• Recommended Prior ¾«¶«´«Ã½app: One of Biological Science or Chemistry (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.

Medicine Pathway major

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements

• domestic, graduated high school in the year before entry (no breaks)

• have achieved a minimum adjusted Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 95, or equivalent

• competitive UCAT ANZ score from the first four sections and a multiple mini interview (MMI). The minimum required UCAT ANZ aggregate score depends on the performance of applicants and available places in the MD program. The UCAT ANZ Section 5 score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same UCAT ANZ aggregate score. The UCAT ANZ Section 1 score will be used as a tertiary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same Section 5 score

• Selection for interview (MMI):

  • invitation to MMI will be based on the ranking of the aggregate score from the first four sections of UCAT ANZ

  • the UCAT ANZ Section 5 score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same UCAT ANZ aggregate score

  • The UCAT ANZ Section 1 score will be used as a tertiary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same Section 5 score.

  
  

To ensure an appropriate number of applicants are interviewed from the region, and to the extent possible, applicants (other than Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background applicants) will be selected to participate in the MMI following the geographical Tiers as follows:

To the extent possible, an equal number of applicants (other than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants) will be selected to participate in the MMI from the following areas:

Tier 1: Applicants who have resided in Darling Downs or South West and other agreed regions for at least five consecutive, or ten cumulative, years;

Tier 2: Applicants who have resided in any other rural or regional locality (MM2-MM7) for at least five consecutive, or ten cumulative, years; and

Tier 3: Any other applicants who wish to be considered.

The MMM categories and Tiers will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the DD-SW Medical Pathway Steering Committee.

Selection for offer of a place:

1. applicants will be required to obtain a minimum MMI score as set by UniSQ’s Head of School, School of Health and Medical Sciences

2. applicants will be ranked in merit order using their ‘final score’ which comprises ATAR (25%), aggregate score from the first four sections of the UCAT ANZ (25%) and MMI score (50%)

3. the MMI score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same ‘final score’

4. preference will also be given to candidates who have nominated for a Bonded Medical Place.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background candidates Alternate Admission Pathway:

1. QTAC entry (separate code) and include a resume, copy of the latest report card and a personal statement on the candidate’s reasons for seeking entry into the program and future medical career plans.

2. shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a semi-structured interview with UniSQ’s Office of the PVC (First Nations Education and Research) where they will discuss their application and reasons for applying for the program in more detail.

3. shortlisted applicants will then be invited to progress to the next stage of the selection process and participate in the MMIs.

Selection for offer of a place:

1. ATAR or equivalent

2. Applicants will be required to obtain a minimum MMI score as set by UniSQ’s Head of School, School of Health and Medical Sciences

3. Applicants will be ranked in merit order using their ‘final score’ which comprises the semi-structured interview and MMI score

4. The semi-structured interview score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same ‘final score’.

Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme means the Commonwealth Government provides a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at a Medical School at an Australian university, and in exchange for a medical place, once they have gradated, bonded participants agree to work in an area of workforce shortage for a period of time stipulated under the Agreement, termed the return of service period. This is currently three years to be undertaken within 15 years of graduating. For the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app of Queensland, the Bonded Medical Place target is 28.5%. Applicants will need to sit the UCAT ANZ before applying for this major. The minimum required UCAT ANZ aggregate score depends on the performance of applicants and available places in the course.

Entry is competitive with limited places available. Shortlisted applicants must attend a multiple mini interview.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission.

Restriction of places – 22 in total (aiming for 7 bonded places). Specific weighting will be given to candidates who are long term residents of either the Darling Downs and/or South West and surrounding regions includes Lockyer Valley, Somerset Regions, Scenic Rim and Northern NSW regions MM2 – 7.

Adjustment factors to ATAR score for calculation of final score (to a maximum of 5):

• 1 ATAR/rank adjustment for successfully completing a BIO-coded Head Start course

• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of Queensland Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent)

• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of an approved language other than English subject (or an equivalent subject from another approved senior program)

• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments for being a resident in a MMM2 – 7 location for at least 10 years. cumulatively or any 5 years consecutively in rural Australia since birth. Documentation must be provided

• 1 ATAR/rank adjustment for being a resident of Darling Downs and/or South West Regions and surrounds.

UniSQ Adjustment Factors are not applicable for the Medicine Pathway. Medicine Pathway adjustment factors (maximum of 5 ATAR points) include 2 points for rurality of residence, 1 point for successful completion of a BIO-coded HeadStart course an 2 points for each higher level subject passed in Year 12 (language other than English and specialist mathematics or equivalent).

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Requirements for professional experience placements

Requirements for professional experience placements

Practical experience is an integral component of the program and each student is required to undertake and satisfactorily complete 75 hours of practical experience. Every effort is made to accommodate student preference in terms of the location and timing of placements. However, students should be prepared for potential work/family inconvenience and the expense of travel and accommodation associated with professional placements outside of their preferred location. (Queensland-based students will not be expected to travel interstate).

Progression into practical courses is dependent upon a pass grade in theoretical and other courses which have been set as prerequisites.

Applicants must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app of Southern Queensland and Queensland Health. Please refer to the applicable Professional Practice Experience Handbook for Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Students.

Medicine Pathway Major:

Mandatory documents required prior to commencing any clinical placements in the program:

• UniSQ Student Declaration

• UniSQ Health Sciences Professional Readiness Modules

• Queensland Health Student Orientation Checklist

• Queensland Health Student Deed Poll

• Queensland Health iLearn Modules

• Blue Card

• Australian Police Certificate

All students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing clinical placements:

• Hepatitis B seroconversion

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella immunisation evidence

• Varicella immunisation evidence

• Pertussis immunisation evidence

• Covid-19 immunisation evidence

Biomedical Sciences:

Mandatory documents required prior to commencing any clinical placements in the program:

• UniSQ Student Declaration

• UniSQ Health Sciences Professional Readiness Modules

• Blue Card

• Australian Police Certificate

All students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing placements in a clinical setting (not applicable to all placements):

• Hepatitis B seroconversion

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella immunisation evidence

• Varicella immunisation evidence

• Pertussis immunisation evidence

• Covid-19 immunisation evidence

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

This program comprises of 24 units including 8 core courses/units and one of the following combinations:

• one 8-unit Biomedical Sciences major and one x 4 Unit Minor plus 4 Units of Courses (free choice) or Recommended Electives; or

• one 8-unit Biomedical Sciences major and two x 4-Unit Minors; or

• one 8 unit Biomedical Sciences major, 4 Units Recommended Electives and 4 Units of Courses (no more than 4 at level 1 to achieve no more than 50% introductory level); or

• one 8-unit Biomedical Sciences major and 8 Units of Courses (no more than 4 at level 1 to achieve not more than 50% introductory level).

Core Courses

Biomedical Sciences Major Courses

Recommended Electives

Medicine Pathway Major Courses

Recommended Electives

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program. Students undertaking the Medicine Pathway Major have to complete the program in 3 years.

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Minor Studies

Biomedical Sciences studies are designed to enable students to widen their knowledge and perspectives, or to complement their choice of major. Courses must be taken over two levels and should be the same discipline or recognised multi-disciplinary area. Enrolment and requisite requirements must be satisfied for any course selection.

Students may choose up to two recommended minors listed below or a combination of any ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Minors and/or 4 units of recommended or general electives no (no more that 12 at introductory level):

• Psychology

• Indigenous Studies

• Community Welfare and Development

• Counselling

• Data Analytics

• Pathology

• Haematology

• Microbiology and Immunology* (need to enrol in BIO2106 Medical Microbiology and Immunology 2 as an elective to undertake this minor)

• Clinical Chemistry

• Food and Nutrition

• Molecular Methods (only suitable for Students undertaking the Medicine Pathway major)

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Electives/Approved courses

Elective courses enable students to further increase their knowledge and widen their perspectives. Electives may be any UniSQ course. Choice of an elective will depend on the availability of the course(s), timetabling constraints and quotas. Students may consult their Program Director for a recommendation.

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IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. To find out more about , visit the to view specific dates for your degree, or visit the .

Core Courses

• BIO1103 Pathology Studies

• BIO1104 Medical Microbiology and Immunology 1

• BIO1203 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

• BIO1204 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

• BIO2107 Cell and Molecular Biology 1

• CHE1110 Chemistry 1

• CHE2120 Chemistry 2

• STA1003 Fundamental Statistics

Biomedical Sciences General Pathway Major

• BIO1206 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

• BIO2118 Systems Physiology and Pharmacology

• BIO2218 Concepts in Endocrinology

• BIO2119 Biochemistry of Nutrition

• BIO3103 Applications in Human Tissue Engineering (cornerstone)

• BIO3102 Human Pathophysiology

• BIO3203 Applications in Medical Biotechnology (capstone)

• BIO3207 Cell and Molecular Biology 2

Medicine Pathway Major

• BIO1206 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

• BIO2119 Biochemistry of Nutrition

• BIO2118 Systems Physiology and Pharmacology

• BIO3207 Cell and Molecular Biology 2

• PSY1030 Cross-Cultural and Indigenous Psychology

• FNA3002 First Nation Advocacy and Allies

• BIO3102 Human Pathophysiology

• BIO3202 Determinants of Health in Rural, Regional and Remote Australia

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Exit points

Students who have successfully completed the first 16 units of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences in accordance with the recommended enrolment pattern may exit with the ABSC Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences. Students wishing to undertake this option should consult the Program Director in the School of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences.

Other Requirements

Students enrolled in the Medicine Pathway major who have maintained a GPA of 5.0 or above and completed their program in three years will enter the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app of Queensland Doctor of Medicine (MD) program in Toowoomba, (part of the Darling Downs-South West Medical Pathway) following completion of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway).

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

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Enrolment

Progression

Students are advised to consult with student support usq.support@usq.edu.au in situations where their progression is affected either by failure in pre-requisite courses, or where they choose a part-time study pattern.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - Biomedical Sciences General Pathway major
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Medicine Pathway Major

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Recommended enrolment pattern - Biomedical Sciences General Pathway major

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Recommended enrolment pattern - Medicine Pathway Major