Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
240Course code
Overview
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is an exciting undergraduate degree designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to confidently work in a range of biomedical fields, specialising in an area of study that aligns with your interests; medical science, microbiology, health, or nutrition.
Our three-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course develops your knowledge and hands-on laboratory experience in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and molecular biology. This will provide you with an understanding of the structure and function of both the healthy and diseased body at the system, cellular and molecular level. You will also gain a breadth of knowledge in Indigenous, rural, and remote health, enabling you to consider health issues from global, regional, and societal perspectives. You will also undertake advanced studies in your chosen area of specialisation.
Career opportunities
This course provides the knowledge and skills that are the foundation to biomedical science and essential laboratory skills so that graduates can work in a variety of different industries such as medical, health and public health, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, marketing and sales, education and science communication, research, and academia.
Practical experience
Some of the specialist electives include units that have laboratory based practical classes which will give students the skills and experience that they need to confidently perform a variety of key routine techniques used in biomedical science laboratories.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline, subject to meeting criteria. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $33,168.00. This equates to $ $4,146.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
What will I study?
The first year of this course includes core units covering foundation science providing you with the knowledge base and skills required to excel in subsequent years. The second and third years include further core units as well as a choice of specialist electives from your choice of four different possible specialisations: Medical Science, Microbiology, Health, or Nutrition. These specialist electives cover a range of areas including haematology, histology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, public health, health promotion, food science, and nutrition.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units
| 120cp
| Compulsory Core units totalling 120 credit points as per the list of units detailed below. SBI150 Cellular Biology *Students enrolled prior to 2025 should refer to the transitional arrangements provided below. |
| Specialist Elective (8 units) |
80cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. Note: Students must complete a minimum of 20cp at 300 level of specialist electives |
| General Electives (4 units) | 40cp | General Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University (including units offered within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science course). When selecting electives, choose units at a suitable level. The first number in each unit code indicates the year level at which the subject is taught. Undergraduate units are coded at 100 to 300 level, therefore units coded as SBI1xx, SBI2xx, and SBI3xx would be first, second, and third year units respectively. Note: Students must not exceed 100 credit points at 100 level. Suggested general electives include Social Skills Employability Skills |
| 240cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (240cp)
- A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units.
- A minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above.
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
If course commenced prior to 2023:
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025
- Core units have decreased from 140 credit points to 120 credit points
- Specialist Electives A specialisations have been reduced from 4 to 3
- Specialist Electives B have been removed
- General electives of 40 credit points has been introduced
Core unit changes:
- MLS283 Clinical Immunology and PHA214 Biotechnology and Genomics have been removed from core unit requirements. Students that have already completed MLS283 and PHA214 will count these towards the 40 credit points of general elective units.
- SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 and SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 have been replaced by SBI161 Anatomy and Physiology 1 and SBI162 from 2025.
- Students who have completed BOTH SBI171 and SBI172 prior to 2025 do not need to complete SBI161 or SBI162.
- Students who have NOT completed either SBI171 or SBI172 prior to 2025 should complete the two new units SBI161 and SBI162.
- Students who have completed SBI171 only (and not SBI172) should complete SBI172 in 2025. Students should NOT complete the new unit SBI162.
- Students who have completed SBI172 only (and not SBI171) should complete SBI171 in 2025. Students should NOT complete the new unit SBI161.
- SBI171 and SBI172 will be offered for a final time in 2025 but will only be available to students who have completed either SBI171 or SBI172.
- MLS101 Haematology 1 has been replaced by MLS200 Haematology 1. Students that have completed MLS101 prior to 2025 should not complete MLS200.
- SBI182 Microbiology and Immunology has been replaced by SBI183 Introduction to Microbiology. Students that have completed SBI182 prior to 2025 should not complete SBI183.
- SBI284 Histology and Histochemistry has been replaced by SBI384 Histology and Histochemistry. Students that have completed SBI284 prior to 2025 should not complete SBI384.
- SBI383 Research Methods has been replaced by ENV311 Practical Statistics and Data Reasoning. Students that have completed SPE383 prior to 2025 should not complete ENV311.
Specialist Electives A changes:
From 2025, the Dietetics specialisation will no longer be available.
- SPE261 Functional Anatomy has been replaced by SPE262 Functional Anatomy. Students that have completed SPE261 prior to 2025 should not complete SPE262.
- PHA311 Clinical Biochemistry has been replaced by MLS313 Clinical Chemistry 2. Students that have completed PHA311 prior to 2025 should not complete MLS313.
- SPE384 Research Data Collection and Interpretation has been replaced by ENV323 Environmental Microbiology. Students that have completed SPE384 prior to 2025 should not complete ENV323.
Specialist Electives B changes:
From 2025, the requirements to complete 10 credit points from the Social Skills and Employability Skills have been removed from the structure.
Students that have already completed this requirement will count towards the new 40 credit points of general elective units.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024
Core Units
- HSC203 has been replaced by HSC133. Students who have completed HSC203 do not complete HSC133.
- MLS310 has been replaced by HSC312. Students who have completed MLS310 do not need to complete HSC312.
Specialist Elective units
Medical Science stream AND Microbiology stream
- PHA312 has been replaced by SPE384.
Health stream
- HSC312 has been moved to a core unit.
- PHM301 has been added as an additional specialist unit choice
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | HSC133 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO |
| SBI161 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI162 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory Chemistry | CO | SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of Mathematics | CO |
| General Elective | E | Specialist Elective 1 | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | General Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | General Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | General Elective | E |
| Year 3 | |||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| SPE383 Research Methodology (replaced by ENV311 from 2025) | CO | Specialist Elective 6 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | Specialist Elective 7 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 5 | SE | Specialist Elective 8 | SE |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (intensive) OR SMA104 Concepts of Mathematics | CO | ||
| SBI161 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| General Elective | E | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| HSC133 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO |
| SBI162 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | General Elective | E |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts (intensive) OR SCH104 Introductory Chemistry | CO | General Elective | E |
| Year 3 | |||
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | General Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | Specialist Elective 5 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | Specialist Elective 6 | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| SPE383 Research Methodology (replaced by ENV311 from 2025) | CO | ||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 7 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 8 | SE | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
- Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
- Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
- Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
- Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
- Current School Leaver Pathways:
- Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
- School recommendation program
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Essential requirements
As this course requires you to undertake a community project, you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing the community project. A national and/or international police check and a current Working with Children check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 3 (ZEAP30) | Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
ATAR profile
The following table represents the ATAR and selection rank profile for applicants offered a place on the basis of their ATAR in semester 1, 2024
| ATAR based offers only | ATAR (excluding adjustment factors) | Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 61.05 | 63.70 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 82.30 | 87.25 |
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 99.10 | 99.95 |
Notes
"<5" indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.
Katie
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.
Katie
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2024.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2024) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | <5 | N/P |
| B. Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | N/P |
| C. Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | <5 | N/P |
D. Recent secondary education
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | <5 | N/P |
| International students | <5 | N/P |
| All students | <5 | N/P |
Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
MyNextCourse
Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.
International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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