Specialisation selection is an important consideration for the Bachelor of Medical Science course. Students wishing to undertake studies in Pathology should select either the four-year AIMS accredited CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Honours course or choose the CG93 Bachelor of Medical Science Biotechnology Specialisation and the Diagnostic Pathology Major with the opportunity to then upgrade to the final year of the CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Honours following completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology course. Students who may be using the Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation) as an undergraduate degree to later enrol in Graduate Medical Schools, should consider the Bachelor of Medical Science Clinical Physiology Specialisation from initial enrolment with the Biomedical and Research Minors selected.

The Nutrition Specialisation will not be taking any new enrolments from 2025 onwards. If you are interested to study nutrition or dietetics, it is recommended that you consider applying for our CQUniversity Bachelor of Nutrition or combined Bachelor of Nutrition / Master of Dietetics courses. 

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Specialisation) has the following locations of offering for each specialisation:

Pathology (as an exit award for CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Honours)

Biotechnology (Diagnostic Pathology, Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Majors and all minors): Rockhampton or Online

Clinical Physiology: Rockhampton, Bundaberg or Online

Nutrition and Biotechnology (Food Technology Major): Rockhampton, Bundaberg or Online

Nutrition: Rockhampton or Online

The Bachelor of Medical Science has eight compulsory units. Seven of the compulsory units are studied in the first year of the course; the eighth compulsory unit is studied in the final year of the course.

Course Structure

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology) can select one of three, 8 unit majors (Diagnostic Pathology, Food Technology or Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)).

The units involved in the Diagnostic Pathology Major include:

• ESSC11002 Measurement and Evaluation in Health Science
• BMSC12011 Medical Microbiology 1
• BMSC12001 Histological and Cytological Techniques
• BMSC12003 Haematology and Transfusion Science
• BMSC13002 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
• BMSC13001 Advanced Haematology
• BMSC13003 Medical Microbiology 2
• BMSC13016 Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology

Students may wish to articulate into the CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) upon completion of this Diagnostic Pathology major within the Biotechnology course.

The Units for the Food Technology and Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Majors can be found within those Major selections below.

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Biotechnology) Diagnostic Pathology Major is offered at the Rockhampton campus or through our Online study option.

The Biotechnology Specialisation is available to students studying the Bachelor of Medical Science course. It contains 8 units (48 credit points). Students must also choose one major (Diagnostic Pathology or Food Technology or Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)) or two minors from the below list. The Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major, once completed, will allow for potential eligibility to the Master of Education course as a vertically integrated Masters if a GPA of 4.0 and other admissions criteria are met. The Food Technology Major provides you with the opportunity to combine industry relevant experience which translates across Human Health, Nutrition, Agriculture and Food Technology industries.

Majors:

• Diagnostic Pathology Major
• Food Technology Major
• Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major

Minors:

• Research Minor
• Chemistry Minor
• Entrepreneurship Minor
• Liberal Studies Minor

Students who complete the Diagnostic Pathology Major will receive the award of Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology) upon graduation. They are also eligible to transfer into the 4-year accredited Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) upon the completion of this degree.

The Bachelor of Medical Science Clinical Physiology Specialisation has seven compulsory units. Six of the compulsory units are studied in the first year of the course; the seventh compulsory unit is studied in the final year of the course. The seventh compulsory unit, BMSC13012 Advanced Work Integrated Learning provides the opportunity of students completing a work placement in a hospital or clinical setting.

The Biomedical Minor is highly recommended for students who choose to practice as a Clinical Physiologist/Scientist because the 4 units of study within this minor are essential to the knowledge required for a Clinical Physiologist to practice safely in a work environment.  The Biomedical and Research Minors taken together, form an ideal recommended undergraduate degree for those students who plan to apply for future Graduate Medical studies.

Students have a choice of studying four minors in a non-cognate discipline.

• Research Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Entrepreneurship Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Indigenous Health Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Liberal Studies Minor - 4 units, 24 credit points

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Clinical Physiology) is offered at the Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses, or through our Online study option.

The Clinical Physiology Specialisation is available to students studying the Bachelor of Medical Science course. It contains 7 units (48 credit points). Students must undertake two minors, from the below list:

• Biomedical Minor - 4 units, 24 credits (highly recommended if opting to pursue a career pathway to practice as a Clinical Physiologist/Scientist and/or foundational Units for those interested in studying UQ Graduate Medicine (MD Design) or other Graduate Medicine programs; this minor should ideally be studied with the Research Minor (listed below) as an ideal preparatory undergraduate degree for those interested in applying to the UQ Graduate Medicine (MD Design) or any other Graduate Medical Programs
• Research Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Entrepreneurship Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Indigenous Health Minor - 4 units, 24 credits
• Liberal Studies Minor - 4 units, 24 credits

The Nutrition Specialisation will not be taking any new enrolments from 2025 onwards. If you are interested to study nutrition or dietetics, it is recommended that you consider applying for our CQUniversity Bachelor of Nutrition or combined Bachelor of Nutrition / Master of Dietetics courses. 

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Nutrition Specialisation is offered at the Rockhampton campus or through our Online study option.

The Nutrition Specialisation will not be taking any new enrolments from 2025 onwards. If you are interested to study nutrition or dietetics, it is recommended that you consider applying for our CQUniversity Bachelor of Nutrition or combined Bachelor of Nutrition / Master of Dietetics courses.

The Nutrition Specialisation contains 8 units (48 credit points). Students intending to select a pathway into a Masters of Dietetics would be advised to select the Clinical Nutrition Major to be eligible for entry into a Masters course. Other recommended majors are Food Technology, Psychology or Pathway to Teaching (Secondary). The Psychology Major combines the discipline strengths of a robust program of study in Medical Science Nutrition with Psychology.  The Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major is designed to allow for potential eligibility to the Master of Education course as a vertically integrated Masters if a GPA of 4.0 and other admissions criteria are met.   The Food Technology Major provides you with the opportunity to combine industry relevant experience which translates across Human Health, Nutrition, Agriculture and Food Technology industries.

Majors:

• Clinical Nutrition Major
• Food Technology Major
• Psychology Major
• Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major

Alternatively, students can select two minors from the list below.

Minors:

• Research Minor
• Entrepreneurship Minor
• Liberal Studies Minor

Please note that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Pathology) is only offered as an exit award for the AIMS accredited CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science course.

The CG93 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) Specialisation exists as a 3-year exit award for the CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) course.  There are no optional majors or minors within this structure.  No students can enrol in this Specialisation.

The Biomedical Minor is highly recommended for students who opt to study the Clinical Physiology Specialisation because the 4 units of study within this minor support the delivery of knowledge required for a Clinical Physiologist/Scientist to practice safely in a work environment.  This minor also contains key Units which are recommended for any students wishing to pursue post graduate medical programs (recommended to complete both the Biomedical and Research Minors for this option).

All pre-requisites for the Biomedical Minor can be met within the four units of the minor.

The Chemistry Minor enables students to compile a minor consistent within an area of interest and/or career/professional pathways not already covered in the existing Specialisation. All pre-requisites for the Chemistry Minor can be met within the four units of the minor.

The Clinical Nutrition Major is only available for selection if you are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science Nutrition Specialisation.

Studying the Clinical Nutrition Major enables students to more easily meet the entry requirements for a Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics following completion of the Bachelor's award.

The Diagnostic Pathology Major is only available to the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Biotechnology) Specialisation. Biotechnology students who complete the Diagnostic Pathology Major will be awarded the Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology).

The Diagnostic Pathology Major essentially operates as a co-major and will enhance the students knowledge in diagnostic pathology and provide them with a unique opportunity to explore the synergies between the biotechnology and pathology sectors. Biotechnology students who complete this Diagnostic Pathology Major will be awarded the Bachelor of Medical Science (Biotechnology and Diagnostic Pathology). They will also be eligible to transfer into CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours).

The Entrepreneurship Minor enables students to compile a minor consistent within an area of interest and/or career/professional pathways not already covered in the existing Specialisation. All pre-requisites for the Entrepreneurship Minor can be met within the four units of the minor.

The Food Technology Major is only available for selection if you are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science Biotechnology or Nutrition Specialisations.

The Food Technology Major will provide you with the skills and training to transition across industries which link Biotechnology, Nutrition, Food Production, Food Science, Agriculture and Human Health.  By combining either a Medical Science Biotechnology or Nutrition Specialisation with the Food Technology Major you will be uniquely placed to build on the University's strength areas of Agriculture and Medical Science and provide your skills to one of Australia's largest regional industries.  The Food Science Major can only be selected from the Medical Science Biotechnology or Nutrition Specialisations.

The Indigenous Health Minor enables students to compile a minor consistent within an area of interest and/or career/professional pathways not already covered in the existing Specialisation. All pre-requisites for the Indigenous Health Minor can be met within the four units of the minor.

This minor has been designed to support credit, articulation agreements and transition arrangements. Students cannot opt-in to complete the Liberal Studies Minor. Please contact Course Advice for further information.

The Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major is only available for selection if you are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science Biotechnology or Nutrition Specialisations.

The Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major (8 units) is designed to fast-track students to the Master of Teaching (Secondary) after completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science Nutrition or Biotechnology Specialisations. The Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) will commence your post graduate studies to prepare you for a career as a secondary school teacher in State, Catholic and Independent Schools in Australia. Selection of this major does not guarantee entry into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) course. You must still apply and be accepted into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) as per normal processes using academic and non-academic entry requirements. Once accepted into the Master of Teaching (Secondary), you can apply for the four units of credit from the Pathway to Teaching (Secondary) Major that are directly from the Master of Teaching (Secondary). Your potential teaching strength areas will be Mathematics. Completion of this course of study alone does not meet eligibility requirements for teacher registration. This pathway is suited to students who wish to obtain a CG93 Bachelor of Medical Science Biotechnology or Nutrition Specialisation and then go on to study a Master of Teaching (Secondary) qualification as their pathway to an accredited teaching qualification.

The Psychology Major is only available for selection if you are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science Nutrition Specialisation.

Studying the Psychology Major (can only be selected with the CG93 Medical Science Nutrition Specialisation) allows for students who wish to work in aligned public health, behaviour change and lifestyle intervention sectors to have additional resources to impact nutritional and patient assessments. This selection also allows for future postgraduate studies across discipline areas of medical science, nutrition, allied health and psychology.

The Research Minor enables students to complete a minor consistent within an area of interest and/or career/professional pathways not already covered in the existing Specialisation. All pre-requisites for the Research Minor can be met within the four units of the minor.