Bachelor of Biomedical Science

This unit explores cross-cultural understanding through development of lifelong learning principles informed by professional and ethical considerations within health systems. Students will build culturally reflexive awareness by practising critical reflection of health practitioner knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and power differentials to establish culturally safe environments for all concerned. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health will be the primary focus of the unit, however, cultural safety and cultural capability will be applied in several additional contexts including the significance of: individualism and collectivism, gender and sexuality, spirituality and religion, and attitudes toward mortality.

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational concepts in human anatomy and physiology. The unit investigates core concepts in the cellular, chemical and biochemical structure and functions of the body. It then examines the developmental, anatomical and physiological features of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.

This unit deals with the methods and skills of organising, summarising and presenting numerical data. The concepts of estimation and hypothesis testing are studied, with the emphasis on analysing real data. Calculators and statistical software are used throughout the unit.

This broadly based unit will introduce the student to important chemical concepts and principles. The unit will provide the essential chemistry background required for courses in the biological, environmental and health sciences. A chemistry ATAR background is not assumed.

This unit provides students with information about genetic issues they could encounter during their lives. It begins with classical genetics – cell division, transmission of traits, cytogenetics and developmental genetics. Emphasis then shifts to DNA structure, gene expression, and recombinant DNA technology before the genetic nature of cancer is introduced. The unit concludes with an analysis of the social, legal and ethical issues arising from genetic testing and screening, genetic counselling, reproductive technology, gene therapy, genetic treatment and the role of biotechnology in society.

This unit provides an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. It covers the structure and reactions of important classes of organic compounds and biomolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids. Various important applications will be described, including polymers, medicinals, soaps, detergents.

This unit is designed to educate students about the anatomy and physiological function of the systems in the human body. Students will be introduced to the key anatomical features and physiological functions of the integument, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems as well as explore their roles in maintaining homeostasis.

This unit examines the concepts of health and disease in human populations and the principles and mechanisms of the disease processes. The various components and interactions of the body’s defence system and the relationship of environmental factors to the disease process are considered. The morphology, pathogenesis and clinical course of diseases are considered in detail.

The place of humans in the natural world is explored through the fossil record, the molecules that make us, the behaviour of living nonhuman primates and the behaviours and biology of modern people. Evidence of our evolutionary past is visible in the fossil record, in our DNA, our hominid anatomy, our physiology and our behaviour. Even so, the field of human evolutionary study abounds with controversies: intelligent design and creationism; the aquatic ape hypothesis; the little people of Flores; human altruism, selfishness and genocide; is ‘Homo sapiens’ the architect of Planet Earth’s sixth mass-extinction? This unit presents the scientific evidence for human evolution and critically appraises significant controversies within Biological Anthropology.

The major concepts of microbiology are studied with emphasis upon the relationships between humans and microorganisms. The unit covers topics including: the history of microbiology; the morphology and methods of detection of different types of microorganisms; the nature and structure of viruses, fungi and protozoa; the microbiome and its relationship with human health; how different microbes reproduce; ways to control microbial growth; immune responses to microbes, and how microbial disease is monitored in Australia. Information about current microbial events in the news is discussed, and the practical prevention of microbial disease is emphasized.

In this unit students will learn to work in accordance with standard biomedical laboratory practice and principles. This includes the use of standard laboratory equipment in the performance of routine practical tasks such as the inoculation of microbial cultures; the implementation of laboratory safety policies; and the preparation and presentation of accurate written records.

In every area of health based professional activity ethics has assumed an increasingly important status. This unit focuses on developing a critical awareness of the nature and importance of ethics across a broad range of health, biomedical and health care issues. The unit combines the study of the theoretical bases of ethics in the context of health related areas with discussion of current, real-life ethical dilemmas through a case-study approach.

This unit examines the human body’s efforts to detect, contain and remove or destroy foreign or damaging substances. The molecular, cellular and organ components of the immune system are considered. Both positive and negative aspects of the immune response are presented, along with new ways to manipulate the system to improve transplantation and fight malignancies.

This unit concentrates on excitable cell physiology in both the muscular and nervous systems. It focuses upon neurophysiology, control of pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems, and sensory signalling input. Students develop an understanding of muscle physiology by addressing the mechanical properties, structure, energetics and control of muscles and learn about the connection between brain and body. Students learn how to perform diagnostic tests to assess muscle and nerve activity, manual dexterity, vision, hearing and cutaneous sensations and how to collect and analyse clinical data. Current themes in neuroscience and muscle physiology are examined through the scientific literature, with an emphasis on the application of physiology in clinical, scientific and assessment situations.

This unit investigates the energetic metabolic processes of the normal human, and how various disease states are manifestations of abnormalities of biomolecular reactions and processes. Students gain an understanding of the principles of major laboratory methods used in biomedical research.

This unit examines the principles of pharmacology as related to disorders of major organ systems within the human body. At the end of the unit, students will be able to explain the principles of drug actions, reactions and interactions on the human body and discuss the clinical indications for common drugs.

This unit considers the application of genetics and genetic markers in a forensic context. It covers the development of forensic genetics, from historical beginnings to the most recent technology, the theory behind each of the techniques and their practical application. Using case studies, laboratory experiments and forensic challenges we explore how forensic genetics plays a role across a broad spectrum of society, including crime investigation, victim identification, ancestry studies and paternity testing.

This unit commences with an analysis of DNA structure, replication and function in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The mapping and sequencing of the human genome is discussed, followed by consideration of penetrance, expressivity, essential genes, lethal alleles, gene silencing, and genomic imprinting. Focus then switches to gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes before the genetics of cancer integrates central human molecular genetic concepts.

This unit sets out the basic principles of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. The major areas covered are: (i) genome sequences – genomic variation, identity and evolution (ii) genome expression – arrays and proteomics (iii) biomedical genome research – development of vaccines, antibiotics, RNA medicine and genomic ethics (iv) online genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics – a variety of unknown DNAs are isolated, assayed, amplified, sequenced and their sequences analysed using online shareware applications. Instruction employs interesting but complex questions derived from biomedical case studies. Students use bioinformatics to explore the biomedical content and processes contained within each case study.

In this unit students examine the principles and mechanisms of the disease process. Students learn about the various components and interactions of the body’s defence system, and the relationship of environmental factors to the disease process (including cancer). The content includes the morphology, pathogenesis and clinical course of diseases in detail, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Students evaluate the proximity to medical care upon disease susceptibility and gain insights into disease progression in rural and remote populations. Content includes analysis of disease progression in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations as well as other indigenous populations globally. Students are given the opportunity to engage with industry experts through guest presentations.

This unit is an introduction to the study of developmental biology with respect to the influence of genetics on stem cell differentiation: molecular mechanisms defining cell position, migration, differentiation and embryonic patterning; germ layer formation, organ and tissue production and sex determination during embryonic development.

In this unit, students will examine why the human body is so susceptible to disease and why has natural selection not removed these diseases in our evolutionary past. New intersections between evolutionary perspectives and medicine will be explored as they relate to our continuous battle against infectious diseases, the delicate balance necessary to maintain maternal and child health, the increasing prevalence of mental health conditions, and why humans are one of the few species to live beyond their reproductive years.

This unit gives students an appreciation of the achievements and rapid pace of development in medical genetics. It creates a case-based learning environment, linking daily situations in clinical genetics to the complex information available from human molecular genetics. In this way, medical genetics is made simple, attractive and real. Important examples of human genetic disorders are introduced and current strategies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention described. The unit concludes with an analysis of services available for families with genetic disorders.

In this unit, students develop a basic understanding of the processes involved in assisted reproductive technology and a knowledge of human reproduction across the lifespan. The content provides an in depth study of human reproduction, development, growth and ageing. It builds upon the previous physiology units to demonstrate the control of human development and ageing through the neuro-endocrine system, and the structure and function of the tissues involved in development. Students are given the opportunity to engage with industry experts and gain insights through specialised laboratory demonstrations.

In this final-year unit, students gain work experience that aligns with their chosen field of biomedical science specialisation, to broaden their industry networks and develop graduate capabilities. Students may undertake a range of supervised activities in clinical, laboratory, professional or simulated settings, to build familiarity with authentic workplace environments, apply critical thinking to assist decision-making and further develop discipline knowledge and capabilities. Through the portfolio assessments, students develop a record of their work capabilities which can then be used for future career development. Students are expected to work independently, use initiative and communicate with colleagues in professional and ethical ways. Students are required to take full responsibility for their own learning, time management, outcomes and achievements in this unit.