Majors
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Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Study the structure and function of components of living cells, to understand the biological processes that enable all living things to survive and thrive.
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Biomedical Engineering Systems
Biomedical engineering is the fastest growing, most exciting, and most challenging area in engineering today. It operates at the intersection between new technologies and understandings of how biological systems work, making it both an exciting and challenging discipline.
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Biotechnology
Our understanding of how the molecules of life actually work is increasing every day and opens up an exciting new world of possibilities in biotechnology.
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Cells are a basic building block of life. Diseases and disorders like cancer, diabetes, meningitis or even a 'stomach bug' are caused by dysfunction at a cellular or molecular level.
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Genetics
Genetics is the foundation for studies in biology. It is the study of the variation between living things and how this variation is inherited. Genetics can include studies of gene regulation, development, neurogenetics, population genetics and evolution along with genetic disease detection, prevention and treatment in humans and other animals and plants.
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Human Nutrition
The major in Human Nutrition prepares people for careers in a multitude of areas including the food industry, government regulatory authorities, dietetics and secondary school teaching, as well as a pathway to higher degrees in nutrition research and many other health related fields.
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Human Structure & Function
The Human Structure and Function major will explain how the human body works, based on a deep understanding of the relationship between physiology and anatomy.
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Infection and Immunity
Through this major you'll gain a detailed understanding of microbiology and immunology. You'll combine the study of infectious microorganisms – bacteria, viruses and parasites – with study of the host's immune responses, which are most often beneficial but sometimes detrimental to the host.
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Immunology
Immunology is the study of our immune system. The immune system has evolved to defend our body against agents of infection and tumours, but various outcomes of activation of the immune system can cause damage to us.
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Microbiology
Life on Earth began with, and has always depended on, the activities of micro-organisms. Most of these activities are helpful to the planet and to us, but occasionally micro-organisms can do bad things, like cause infections, with potentially disastrous outcomes.
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Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the largest areas of study within the entire sphere of modern biology. It is also an area where Australian research has significant international impact.
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Pathology
The Pathology major will help you understand disease from a molecular, cellular, tissue, functional, biochemical and immunological perspective. Knowledge will be integrated from a range of disciplines from Human Biology to Molecular Genetics.
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Pharmacology
Pharmacology contributes to major advances in the treatment of diabetes, heart attack, asthma, cancer, Parkinson's disease and many other ailments affecting the human race. Breakthroughs are continually being made as a deeper understanding of how the body works has developed from the analysis of drug actions.
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Physiology
Discoveries in physiology have a broad impact upon health and medicine, environmental science, industry, nutrition, exercise, and reproductive biology. Many of the discoveries from the human genome rely on physiology to understand their impact on the human body.
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Psychology
Learn about every stage of human behaviour, from behavioural neuroscience to cognitive processes, and the practical aspects of developmental, social and clinical psychology.
When do I select my major?
Students select their major when they are completing enrolment for 3rd year (assuming full time study).
It is worth noting that some majors require pre-requsite 1st and 2nd year subjects in addition to BIOM20001 - Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine and BIOM20002 - Human Structure and Function. However completing pre-requsite subjects does not lock you into completing that major.
Does my major affect entry into graduate programs?
Generally no.
For professional graduate courses like the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physiotherapy and Doctor of Dental Surgery it does not matter which major you complete. You should choose a major area of interest to you. The pre-requisite requirements for these courses are completed in your 2nd year core subjects (BIOM20001 - Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine and BIOM20002 - Human Strucutre and Function).
If you are interested in research (Honours and/or Masters) then you will most likely need to complete a major in a relevant discipline area to your research area of interest. You should choose a major area of interest to you.
MDHS Graduate Pathways advice is available at the Health Hub.
There is a quota on a subject in my major that I want or need to complete. What do I do?
Some subjects in the School of Biomedical Sciences have quotas, meaning the number of students that can take these subjects is limited. For information on how to apply and timelines for these subjects please see the Quota Subject webpage.
Selection is based on Academic Merit, if you are not selected then you will either need to choose a different subject (if the subject is optional to the major) or choose a different major (if the subject is core to the major). If a student has already successfully completed at least one core subject for a major AND nominated that major on their study plan at the time of selection they will not be restricted from completing their major.
Study Plan advice is available at Stop 1.
Majors with quotas on core subjects:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Human Structure and Function
- Immunology
- Microbiology and Immunology - Microbiology specialisation
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Majors with quotas on optional subjects:
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology - Infection and Immunity specialisation
- Physiology