Drugs and Human Health provides a broad, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the science of health and disease.
You will have the opportunity to pursue this fascinating topic at undergraduate (Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences), postgraduate (Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours), and research level (Master of Biomedical Sciences).
The Bachelor of Biomedcial Sciences ( BBiomedSc ) degree allows you to pursue a flexible programme of study that equips you with a comprehensive grounding in the principles and ideas that underpin current biomedical science.
The key answer is because you are interested in, and motivated by, the science that will allow us to improve human health. Our Drugs and Human Health students have a reputation for excellence and are sought-after by a wide range of employers both here in New Zealand and overseas.
Medicines play a major role in human health. Scientific advances continue to provide new drug targets, and the search for improved therapeutics has widened from traditional sources, such as plant and animal products, to include rationally designed drugs and novel biologics. This major covers the main drug classes used to treat disease, drug toxicology, and drug safety, and the discovery process for translating molecules with therapeutic potential into clinical use.
Learn about studying Drugs and Human Health as an undergraduate at Otago.
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
An eight-month (full time), restricted-entry, thesis-only postgraduate programme, providing an excellent foundation for a career in biomedical research
A one‑year thesis‑only degree that provides an excellent foundation for an academic or research career, and a stepping stone for entry into a PhD programme
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
View a list of all related papers below.
Email biomedsc@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/bms (School of Biomedical Sciences, Dunedin campus)
Web otago.ac.nz/christchurch (University of Otago, Christchurch)
Web otago.ac.nz/wellington (University of Otago, Wellington)
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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