Faculty of Science

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2012 academic year unless otherwise specified.

Biomedical science is a wide-reaching area of scientific research. It looks at the relationships between humans, health, and disease, including human genetics, immunology, biological and medicinal chemistry, and physiology and environmental health. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBmedSc) provides courses in the fundamentals of modern molecular and cell biology relevant to the clinical practices of current health services.

The staff who teach in Victoria's Biomedical Science programme undertake research with organisations including the Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington Medical Laboratories, and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, located on Victoria's Kelburn Campus. This real-world research provides a relevant context for the BBmedSc programme.

BBmedSc graduates have the knowledge base to move into a variety of biomedically related fields, such as genetic counselling or management, and the pharmaceutical industry. Further study can be undertaken in Victoria's BBmedSc (Hons) and Master of Biomedical Science programmes. The degree also provides an excellent base for study at medical school, or for postgraduate medical and paramedical training programmes.

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Contacts

School of Biological Sciences
Dr Lifeng Peng, Programme Director
Phone: 04 463 5233 ext 8076
Email: address
Website: www.victoria.ac.nz/sbs

A BBmedSc at Victoria

A Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree requires three years of full-time study. 360 points are required, at least 180 points of which must be above 100 level. See the Course Catalogue to find out the points value of courses.

To enrol in a BBmedSc you need a university entrance qualification. It is useful to have studied Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. A summer bridging course is available for students without the necessary background in Mathematics, and students can also take CHEM 191 Introductory Chemistry over the summer trimester.

Three specialisations are offered for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. In the first year of your degree you study a core programme of Human Biology, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Statistics. In years two and three you study courses specific to your area of specialisation.

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BBmedSc Specialisations

Human Genetics:
  • Covers all aspects of the science of human genetics, including the study of the human genome and the treatment of disease and illness of a genetic origin. This specialisation is for those with an interest in areas such as genetic counselling, syndromes and diseases of genetic origin, human fertility, and ageing.
Molecular Pathology:
  • An introduction to the molecular basis of disease. The emphasis is on the metabolic and other changes that occur when humans succumb to illnesses. This specialisation will suit students interested in the relationship between health and disease, in clinical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and forensics.
Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry:
  • A focus on all aspects of chemistry in relation to our bodies, including modern chemical methods for the synthesis of drugs and how they are used to treat disease. This specialisation is appropriate for students interested in both Chemistry and Biology.

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Undergraduate Information

Requirements for a Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Part 1: Core courses for all specialisations

  1. BIOL 111, BMSC 114, 117, CHEM 114*, PSYC 122 and either STAT 193 or MATH 142
  2. BMSC 241, 243, 244

*If you do not have 14 credits in chemistry at NCEA level 3, you will have to complete CHEM 113 before beginning CHEM 114.

Part 2: Courses specific to each specialisation

Human Genetics

  1. BMSC 116
  2. BMSC 252
  3. BMSC 339, 340, 343 and 20 points from 300 level BMSC courses

Molecular Pathology

  1. BMSC 116
  2. BMSC 252
  3. BMSC 301, 323, 334, 335, 340

Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

  1. CHEM 115
  2. CHEM 201, 205
  3. BMSC 335, 354, CHEM 301, 305 and 15 further points from 300 level BMSC, BIOL,  BTEC or CHEM courses

How To Find Out More

Visit the School of Biological Sciences website.

Look up the individual Subject entries for the science (or other) areas which interest you, or register on our Request for Study Materials database.

To enrol, see Admission and Enrolment.

Also have a look at the websites of the other Science Schools at Victoria:

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Degree Example

Example 1

BBmedSc

BBmedSc in Human Genetics

Year 1
Course Points
BIOL 111 Cell Biology 15
BMSC 114 Introduction to Human Biology 15
BMSC 116 Human Reproduction, Evolution and Sexuality 15
BMSC 117 The Biology of Disease 15
CHEM 114 Principles of Chemistry 15
PSYC 121 Introduction to Psychology 1 15
PSYC 122 Introduction to Psychology 2 15
STAT 193 Statistics for Natural and Social Sciences 15
Total Points 120
Year 2
Course Points
BMSC 241 Genetics 20
BMSC 243 Physiology and Pharmacology 20
BMSC 244 Introductory Biochemistry 20
BMSC 252 Cell and Development Biology 20
BIOL 228 Animal Diversity 20
20 further points of 200 level BBmedSc 20
Total Points 120
Year 3
Course Points
BMSC 339 Cellular Regulation 20
BMSC 340 Genes and Genomes 20
BMSC 343 Advanced Genetics 20
BMSC 354 Pharmacology 20
40 further points of 300 level BBmedSc 40
Total Points 120