BIOM30003 Biomedical Science Research Project

This project (BIOM30003) is designed for undergraduate students who have achieved excellent results in the discipline related to the project, to help develop practical scientific skills.

The Biomedical Science Research Project is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research, and is intended for undergraduate students who have achieved excellent results in the discipline related to the project. Undertaking the Biomedical Science Research Project provides invaluable insights and experience for students considering honours, masters or a PhD.

Before applying to take this subject, students should discuss their intention with the relevant discipline coordinator.

Entry Requirements:

  1. Completed/Passed at least 175 points towards their course (any discipline).
  2. An average score of 75 or better in relevant second and third year subjects.
    Relevant subjects includes those that start with ANAT, BCMB, BIOL, BIOM, CEDB, GENE, MIIM, NEUR, PATH, PHRM and PHYS.
  3. Support from a supervisor/laboratory head.
  4. Approval of the relevant Discipline Coordinator.

Expression of Interest (EoI):

Students who are interested in completing the Biomedical Science Research Project must complete the BIOM30003 Expression of Interest web form.

The Academic Services office will conduct an initial eligibility check to see whether the student is on track to be eligible for BIOM30003 by their nominated study period.


If the student is on track to be eligible, the Academic Services office will email the student as well as relevant discipline coordinator(s), who will provide guidance on how to find a research project and supervisor.


Note: Students who have already found a project and supervisor must still submit an EoI, if they are found eligible they will be directed to submit the formal application.

Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form

  • Anatomy and Physiology

    Contact: Dr. Jenny Gunnersen - jenny.gunnersen@unimelb.edu.au
    Department Website: https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/department-of-anatomy-and-physiology

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with academic supervisors.
    2. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form - this form must be authorised and signed by the relevant discipline coordinator.
    3. If you would like this subject to count as en elective to your major please also discuss and get approval from the relevant major coordinator.
    4. Add BIOM30003 to your study plan.
    5. The form should then be scanned and emailed to BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
    6. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled you in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    7. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

  • Biochemistry and Pharmacology

    Contact: Dr. Laura Edgington-Mitchell -  laura.edgingtonmitchell@unimelb.edu.au
    Dr Juliet Taylor - juliett@unimelb.edu.au
    Dr Debnath Ghosal - debnath.ghosal@unimelb.edu.au
    Department Website: https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/department-of-biochemistry-and-pharmacology

    Biochemistry and Pharmacology Project Booklet

    Additional Entry Requirements

    • Completing the equivalent of a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Pharmacology.
    • You are expected to either be taking or have completed a third-year practical subject ‘Advanced Techniques in Molecular Science’ (BCMB30010), ‘Drugs in Biomedical Experiments’ (PHRM30009) or an equivalent practical subject in another department. This requirement is waived for students undertaking a computational project (i.e. not lab-based). Instead students must have skills in a discipline that is relevant to that project, e.g. coding, bioinformatics, maths.

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with academic supervisors.
    2. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form - this form must be authorised and signed by the relevant discipline coordinator.
    3. If you would like this subject to count as en elective to your major please also discuss and get approval from the relevant major coordinator.
    4. Add BIOM30003 to your study plan.
    5. The form should then be scanned and emailed to BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
    6. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled you in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    7. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

  • Microbiology and Immunology

    Contact: Dr. Jessica Welch - jessica.welch@unimelb.edu.au
    Department Website: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/microbiology-Immunology

    Additional Information

    • Microbiology and Immunology projects are only offered in Semester 2
    • BIOM30003 does not contribute to the following majors Immunology, Infection and Immunity, Microbiology

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with staff from your major discipline. A short list of projects will also be made available to approved applicants for DMI.
    2. Contact the discipline coordinator to indicate your interest in completing BIOM30003.
    3. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form - this form must be authorised and signed by the relevant discipline coordinator.
    4. Add BIOM30003 to your study plan.
    5. The form should then be scanned and emailed to BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
    6. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled you in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    7. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

  • Pathology

    Contact: Associate Professor Vicki Lawson - vlawson@unimelb.edu.au
    Department Website: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/microbiology-Immunology

    Additional Entry Requirement

    • Applicants must have completed PATH30001 and PATH30002.

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with academic supervisors.
    2. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form - this form must be authorised and signed by the relevant discipline coordinator.
    3. If you would like this subject to count as en elective to your major please also discuss and get approval from the relevant major coordinator.
    4. Add BIOM30003 to your study plan.
    5. The form should then be scanned and emailed to BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
    6. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled you in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    7. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

  • Other department or institute

    It is possible to complete a research project in another department or university affiliated research institution so long as it is in a biomedical science field.

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with staff in the relevant department/school.
    2. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form and get supervisor to sign off
    3. Approach a discipline coordinator within the School of Biomedical Science for co-supervision. You should approach the coordinator whose discipline most closely relates to your project.
      Anatomy and Physiology: Dr. Jenny Gunnersen - jenny.gunnersen@unimelb.edu.au
      Biochemistry and Pharmacology: Dr. Laura Edgington-Mitchell -  laura.edgingtonmitchell@unimelb.edu.au
      Microbiology and Immunology: Dr. Jessica Welch - jessica.welch@unimelb.edu.au
      Pathology: Associate Professor Vicki Lawson - vlawson@unimelb.edu.au
    4. If you would like this subject to count as en elective to your major please also discuss and get approval from the relevant major coordinator.
    5. Add BIOM30003 to your study plan.
    6. The form should then be scanned and emailed to BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
    7. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    8. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

  • Single Subject Study - Community Access Program (CAP)

    Students interested in BIOM30003 who are NOT enrolled in a University of Melbourne course or DO NOT want BIOM30003 to count towards their University of Melbourne course can apply to complete BIOM30003 via the Community Access Program (CAP).

    Application Process

    1. Discuss potential projects with staff in the relevant department/school.
    2. Complete the Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form and get supervisor to sign off.
    3. Approach a discipline coordinator within the School of Biomedical Science for approval and sign-off on the application form. You should approach the coordinator whose discipline most closely relates to your project.
      Anatomy and Physiology: Dr. Jenny Gunnersen - jenny.gunnersen@unimelb.edu.au
      Biochemistry and Pharmacology: Dr. Laura Edgington-Mitchell -  laura.edgingtonmitchell@unimelb.edu.au
      Microbiology and Immunology: Dr. Jessica Welch - jessica.welch@unimelb.edu.au
      Pathology: Associate Professor Vicki Lawson - vlawson@unimelb.edu.au
    4. Lodge an application (including a completed Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form) via the CAP application website. Applicants must apply via CAP Assessed mode, students will not be permitted to take BIOM30003 in the non-assessed mode.
    5. If the application is approved, you will be enrolled in the subject and sent a confirmation via email.
    6. If your application is not approved, you will be contacted via email.

Biomedical Science Research Project Application Form