A new era of medical research and biomedical learning is here.

The need to understand, treat, and cure disease - including the current and future challenges that will impact on the health from the personal to the global scale - has put the spotlight on the biomedical sciences.

The importance of ground-breaking research and learning, with the ultimate aim of advancing human health has never been so important and understood as a priority across the globe.

Our Master of Biomedical Science course is specifically tailored for the next generation of biomedical scientists, industry, commercial and healthcare professionals.

We understand today’s career is all about options – with the Master of Biomedical Science you choose your coursework from a wide range of subjects including industry-focused subjects. The degree also incorporates a substantial research project where you will carry out authentic research and get real-world laboratory experience.

Your research project will see you embedded in one of our Melbourne Biomedical Precinct partner organisations or research labs, where you can take advantage of cutting-edge facilities and career-changing collaborations.

Degree Structure

The Master of Biomedical Science is a coursework degree and students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

Core subjects (25 credit points)
Elective subjects (50 credit points)
Research Project (125 credit points)

Core Subjects

You must complete BIOM40001 Introduction to Biomedical Research in your first semester.
You will also complete HLTH90021 Biomedical Enterprise: Research to Impact in Semester 1 of your first year.

Elective Subjects

You will complete 37.5 points of elective subjects in Year 1 and 12.5 points in Year 2.
You will complete a minimum of 25 points of Discipline Electives and a minimum of 12.5 points of Industry and Professional Skills Electives.

Research Project

A research project must be completed under the supervision of a staff member located in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS).

Depending on supervisor and project availability, research can be undertaken in a range of discipline areas based in academic Departments at various sites as listed and some affiliated institutes as indicated below:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Austin Hospital
• Biochemistry and Pharmacology (including the Bio21 Institute)
• Cell Biology and Cancer (including the Peter Mac Institute)
• Dentistry
• The Florey
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Biology (Walter Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
• Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Western Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital)
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (including the Bionics Institute)
• Optometry and Vision Sciences
• Paediatrics (including Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
• Pathology
• Peter MacCallum
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Radiology

The Master of Biomedical Science can open the door to working in a rapidly evolving field charged with advancing human health and technology. Biomedical research has significant professional applications, both domestically and internationally, and offers a variety of exciting career paths.

Future possibilities

Biomedical research, including biotechnology, is a rapidly growing sector and the Master of Biomedical Science program will place you at the forefront of this evolution.

As a Master of Biomedical student, you will have access to some of Australia’s top research organisations – the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct with industry partners, institutions and internationally renowned researchers will be right on your doorstep. Our graduates leave the Masters program with invaluable industry contacts from these experiences.

Through your research project, you will be embedded in the organisation most aligned to your research. You may have the opportunity to work directly with organisations including:

• St. Vincent’s Hospital
• The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
• Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
• The Burnet Institute
• Royal Melbourne Hospital
• The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
• The Florey

The opportunity to tailor your research project to the existing needs of government or industry can pave the way for your future career from the outset of the program.

Through your discipline electives, an active schedule of expert talks, workshops and symposiums will allow you to meet prominent local and international industry figures, expand your network, and ensure you graduate with a firm grasp of current issues faced across the sector.

The research and coursework components of the Master of Biomedical Science program can set the foundations for those wanting to undertake a PhD in biomedical sciences, further education in medicine, other graduate professional health programs or industry pathways.

Internationally recognised

The Master in Biomedical Science is an internationally recognised qualification. While Australia holds a prominent place in biomedical research globally, the opportunity to work overseas and engage with the international biomedical community is immensely valuable.

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: an undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), or equiv

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.