Bachelor of Health and Medical Science

Make a contribution

A Bachelor of Health and Medical Science from Charles Sturt will set you up for a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. Make a difference in your community with a role in public service or in the private health sector. Those with a medical science degree can make a positive contribution to society by pursuing a career in epidemiology, researching and preventing diseases amongst populations.

Be curious

Your critical thinking and analytic skills will equip you for research roles in health and human science – so you can play a part in the latest scientific discoveries.

Take the next step

This course can also be a stepping stone to further study – and specialised employment – in other health areas, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nutrition, epidemiology and allied health.

Higher education

• A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies ; OR
• Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

Secondary education

• A completed High School Certificate with an ATAR of 65 (including adjustment factors) or equivalent ;OR
• A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR

VET studies

• A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification; OR
• 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.

English Proficiency Requirements

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Refer to http://futurestudents.csu.edu.au/apply/english-language for the specific requirements.

On campus requirements

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional residential school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning. You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials. You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.

Practicum placement

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

HIP213 - Rehabilitation Principles and Contexts

HIP301 - Complex Cases in Rehabilitation

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Not sure which health career is for you, or looking to prepare for further study in medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology or dentistry? The new Bachelor of Health and Medical Science from Charles Sturt University is the versatile qualification you need to meet your healthcare career goals. Whether you aspire to a health career that’s supported by science or are in the health industry and wanting to upskill, this medical science degree will open doors.

Recommended Study Pattern

Key Subjects:

IKC100 Indigenous Australian Health (8)

HIP202 EBP and Research (8)

Core Subjects:

IKC100 Indigenous Health (8)

HIP202 EBP and Research (8)

PSY214 Health Psychology (8)

BMS301 Medical Science Special Topics (8)

Compulsory

Students must complete one of the following pairs of human structure and function subjects

• BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1 (8) and BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2 (8); OR
• BMS161 Health and the Human Body I - Cells, Immunity and Musculoskeletal (8) and BMS162 Health and the Human Body II - Systemic Human Physiology (8)

Students must complete one of the following foundational pairs of subjects

• BMS105 Science Communication and Methodology (8) and BMS142 Introduction to Case Based Study (8); OR
• HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation (8) and OCC103 Communication for Health Practice (8)

Restricted Electives*

Students select 9 subjects from following list:

• BMS171 Introduction to functional anatomy (8)
• BMS172 Functional anatomy of the vertebral column, pelvic girdle and lower limb (8)
• BCM210 Biochemistry (8) or BCM211 Foundations of Biochemistry (8) if studying on campus at Orange Campus
• BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1 (8)
• BMS208 Human Nutrition (8)
• BMS215 Microbial Biotechnology (8)
• BMS224 Head and Neck Anatomy (8)
• BMS233 Nutritional Physiology (8)
• BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics (8)
• BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology (8)
• BMS243 Metabolic Biochemistry in Health and Disease (8)
• BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice (8)
• BMS263 Pharmacology for Allied Health Professionals (8)
• BMS271 Functional Anatomy of Head, Neck, Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb (8)
• BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1 (8)
• BMS292 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2 (8)
• BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2 (8)
• BMS308 Immunology (8)
• BMS315 Medical Microbiology (8)
• BMS342 Medicinal and Indigenous Foods (8)
• BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology (8)
• BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology (8) (offered every second year)
• CHM104 Chemistry 1A (8)
• CHM107 Chemistry 1B (8)
• EHR202 Exercise Physiology (8)
• HIP203 Health and Development Through the Lifespan (8)
• HIP213 Rehabilitation Principles and Contexts (8)
• HIP301 Complex Cases in Rehabilitation (16)
• HIP302 Understanding Healthy Communities (8)
• MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology (8)
• NUT305  Nutrition for Disease Prevention (8)
• PHY107 General Physics (8)
• PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services (8)
• SPH101 Speech, Language and Culture (8)
• WEL206 Facilitating Positive Behaviours (8)
• WEL217 Social Dimensions of Disability (8)
• WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competency (8)
• WEL418 Case Management (8)

Other electives can be chosen from subjects offered by CSU for which pre-requisites are met, subject to approval by the Course Director

*Notes

Electives can be mixed and matched provided assumed knowledge and subject pre-requisites are met.

For a coherent stream of study in microbiology and/or immunology include the following electives:

BMS105 , BMS129 , BMS130 , BMS142 , MCR101 , CHM104 , CHM107 , BCM210 or BCM211 , BMS240 , BMS241 , BMS215 , BMS308 , BMS315 , BMS338 .

For a coherent stream of study in clinical chemistry include the following electives:

BMS105 , BMS129 , BMS130 , BMS142 , CHM104 , CHM107 , BCM210 or BCM211 , BMS207 , BMS235 , BMS243 , BMS302 .

For a coherent stream of study to prepare for studies in dentistry include the following electives:

BMS105 , BMS129 , BMS130 , BMS142 , CHM104 , CHM107 , BCM210 or BCM211

For a coherent stream of study to prepare for studies in physiotherapy, choose the following electives:

HIP100 , OCC103 , BMS161 , BMS162 , BMS171 , BMS172 , BMS271 , BMS255 , BMS263 , EHR202 , HIP302

For a coherent plan of study to prepare for studies in occupational therapy include the following electives:

HIP100 , OCC103 , BMS161 , BMS162 , BMS171 , BMS271 , BMS255 , PSY111

For a coherent plan of study to prepare for studies in podiatry, include the following electives:

HIP100 , OCC103 , BMS161 , BMS162 , BMS171 , BMS172 , BMS263 , BMS255

For a coherent stream of study to prepare for employment in public and community health, case management, disability, rehabilitation, include the following electives:

HIP100 , OCC103 , HIP203 , HIP213 , HIP302 , BMS161 , BMS162 , WEL206 , WEL217 , WEL218 , WEL418

To meet prerequisites for entry into Master of Speech Pathology, include the following:

HIP100 , OCC103 , SPH101 , BMS224

Students may exit with the Diploma of Health and Medical Science upon successfully completing 64 points of study. 

The Diploma must include:

• IKC100 Indigenous Australian Health (8) & BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1 (8)
• BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2 (8)

OR

• BMS161 Health and the Human Body I - Cells, Immunity and Musculoskeletal (8) and BMS162 Health and the Human Body II - Systemic Human Physiology (8)
• BMS105 Science Communication and Methodology (8) and BMS142 Introduction to Case Based Study (8)

OR

• HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation (8) and HIP112 Communication for Health Practice (8)
• 24 points of electives.

Students may exit with the Associate Degree of Health and Medical Science upon successfully completing 128 points of study. Subjects studied must include

• IKC100 Indigenous Australian Health (8)
• HIP202 EBP and Research (8)
• PSY214 Health Psychology (8)
• BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1 (8) and BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2 (8)

OR

• BMS161 Health and the Human Body I - Cells, Immunity and Musculoskeletal (8) and BMS162 Health and the Human Body II - Systemic Human Physiology (8)
• BMS105 Science Communication and Methodology (8) and BMS142 Introduction to Case Based Study (8)

OR

• HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation (8) and HIP112 Communication for Health Practice (8)
• 72 points of electives.

Note: A maximum of 10 level 1 (8 point) subjects (80 points in total) may be incorporated into the degree.

Award Requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Bachelor of Health and Medical Science

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Exit Points

Associate Degree in Health and Medical Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Diploma of Health and Medical Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.