Bachelor of Health Science
with a major in Biomedical Science
The Bachelor of Health Science is designed to equip students for careers promoting health and wellbeing.
Access laboratories and testing facilities equipped with the latest technology – Swinburne is the only university in Australia with MRI and MEG labs on campus.
Explore Australian and international health challenges. Examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings. Learn about contemporary issues in health science, such as biomedical testing or health communication, and how to address them. Apply your learning in a professionally focused, multidisciplinary project during your final year of study.
Discover a career in counselling, community development, health communication, disability, social welfare or medical research. Graduates may also progress to postgraduate study in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or nursing.
Selected major: Biomedical Science
Explore biology, medicine, disease, chemistry and physiology to form a comprehensive understanding of the health of humans. You will learn skills to investigate and understand human biology, and gain the ability to critically analyse and interpret biomedical and scientific data.
It's time to make the call
The creative, innovative and different university awaits. Make this course a part of your VTAC preferences today.
I worked as an environmental health officer for the Victorian State government as part of my Industry-Based Learning placement. I also completed a rural cadetship in local government. I have made valuable industry contacts and I’m confident that I’ll be job-ready when I finish my course.
Lachlan
Bachelor of Health Science, with a major in Public and Environmental Health
Health sciences at Swinburne
Learn how to improve the wellbeing of communities and groups across Australia through a degree in health sciences at Swinburne.
Swinburne has a practical approach to learning and most of my units include classes in the laboratories. I completed a work placement at MonashHeart as a student cardiac technologist. I was trained to conduct cardiac testing such as ECGs, exercise ECG testing, heart rhythm monitoring and blood pressure monitoring.
Tara
Studying biomedical science
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology | BIO10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Health Sciences | HEA10001 | 12.5 |
| Psychology 100 | PSY10003 | 12.5 |
| Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
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Selected major: Biomedical Science
Explore biology, medicine, disease, chemistry and physiology to form a comprehensive understanding of the health of humans. You will learn skills to investigate and understand human biology, and gain the ability to critically analyse and interpret biomedical and scientific data.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Concepts of Biology | BIO10001 | 12.5 |
| Either Introduction to Chemistry - Those who have not obtained at least 20 in VCE Units 3 and 4 Chemistry | CHE10004 | 12.5 |
| or Chemistry 1 * | CHE10001 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Biochemistry | BCH20002 | 12.5 |
| The Microbial World * | BIO20002 | 12.5 |
| Health Sciences Research Project * | HEA30001 | 12.5 |
| Technology, Health and Health Care Participation Across the Life Course | HEA30006 | 12.5 |
| Physiology in Medical Science * | NTR20003 | 12.5 |
| Exercise and Nutritional Physiology * | SPH30001 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
2 - 12 units (25 - 150 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 25 - 150 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- apply health sciences concepts, practices, theories and evidence across a range of health-related issues
- retrieve, critically evaluate and communicate information about local and global health sciences issues from a variety of perspectives
- find and integrate information from a variety of sources using a range of technologies
- apply knowledge and skills associated with health sciences to a range of health-related activities, working independently and in teams
- apply innovation and technology to extend the boundaries of knowledge and research in health sciences
- demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours
- reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, and plan ongoing personal and professional development
- promote and optimise the health and welfare of individuals and/or populations.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Health | HEA20004 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
Career opportunities
Future career options for graduates of this degree may include medical researcher, community worker, health policy developer, clinical technologist, laboratory technician, healthcare consultant, fitness specialist, health communication officer, nutritionist and more.
Graduates who intend to pursue psychology as a career must follow a sequence of education and training in psychology as required by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Following completion of an accredited bachelor degree, graduates should apply for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Graduate Entry (or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program) and, on completion, register as provisional psychologists. Those seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must subsequently successfully graduate from an accredited postgraduate program such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology), or undergo a two-year supervised internship program.
For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.
Fees
- Fees for 2017.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2017 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$27,150 | $9,050 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Study Abroad
EMBRACE THE ADVENTURE
Whether you’re looking for a semester exchange or a short-term study tour, Swinburne offers a range of international study opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Sammy Foster (pictured) gained amazing experience along with credit towards her Bachelor of Communications (Media Studies) while on exchange at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
The full Course Information Set and Whole of Institution Set are available for reference.