Overview
The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) degree provides students with a sound foundation in the scientific principles underpinning biomedical research and thus our current understanding of health and disease. A defining feature of this degree is its interdisciplinary nature with students able to select papers from multiple contributing Departments. The BBiomedSc is a springboard for advanced study and a diverse range of careers including research, health services, and professional programmes.
For more information about studying Biomedical Sciences at Otago, visit the Biomedical Sciences subject page:
Study Biomedical Sciences at Otago
Programme structure
The BBiomedSc is a three-year programme that starts with a first year course, the Biomedical Sciences First Year (BSFY), followed by the BBiomedSc (2nd Year and Above) programme. The BSFY consists of five compulsory papers plus two further papers. The BBiomedSc (2nd Year and Above) requires that students undertake one of the following majors:
Information for applicants
Applicants starting their University studies and interested in biomedical sciences should apply for the BSFY using the Apply Now button for the 'Biomedical Sciences First Year'.
Applicants who have passed the First Year papers (either through the BSFY, HSFY, BSc or through another institution) and want to undertake a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences should apply for the 'BBiomedSc 2nd Year and Above' programme through their eVision portal or the Apply Now button for the 'Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (2nd Year and Above)'.
Requirements
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Drugs and Human Health
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| PHAL 241 Pharmacology: Drugs to Medicine
|
18
|
| PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
|
18
|
| BIOC 222 Proteins in Industry and Medicine
|
18
|
|
At least 54 further points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, BIOC 223, CHEM 205, FORS 201, MICR 221,
MICR 223
, PATH 201, PHSL 233 |
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
|
3rd year
| PHAL 311 Pharmacology: Molecular Targets of Drugs
|
18
|
| PHAL 313 Pharmacology: Medicines and Diseases |
18
|
|
At least 36 points from BIOC 351, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, BMSC 321, CHEM 305, FORS 301, MICR 332,
MICR 334
, MICR 337 , PATH 302 , PHAL 312, PHSL 344, PHSL 345 |
36
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
| Total | | 360 |
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Functional Human Biology
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| ANAT 241 Human Biology: Cells to Systems
|
18
|
| PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
|
18
|
| PHSL 233 Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology
|
18
|
|
At least 54 points from BIOC 221, BIOC 223, HUNT 241, HUNT 243, MICR 221 , MICR 223,
NEUR 201, NEUR 202, PATH 201 , PHAL 241, SPEX 203 |
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
|
3rd year
| PHSL 344 Cardiovascular Physiology
|
18
|
| PHSL 345 Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease
|
18
|
|
At least 36 points from ANAT 331, ANAT 335, BIOC 353, BMSC 321, HUNT 342, MICR 332, MICR 334
, MICR 337, PATH 301, PHAL 311, PHAL 313, SPEX 303 (or SPEX 310)
|
36
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
Note: Due to timetable constraints the following paper combination is not possible:
ANAT 331, PATH 301 and PHSL 345 cannot be taken concurrently. PHSL 345 can be taken with either ANAT 331 or PATH 301. | |
| Total | | 360 |
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Infection and Immunity
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| MICR 221 Microbes to Medicine
|
18
|
| MICR 223 Infection and Immunity
|
18
|
| PATH 201 Foundations in Human Pathology
|
18
|
|
At least 54 points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, BIOC 222, BIOC 223, FOSC 202, GENE 221,
GENE 223
, PHAL 241, PHSL 232, PHSL 233 |
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
|
3rd year
| MICR 332 Health Microbiology
|
18
|
| MICR 334 Advanced Immunology
|
18
|
|
At least 36 points from BIOC 352, BIOC 353, BMSC 321, GENE 313, GENE 314 (or GENE 315), MICR 337, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHAL 311, PHAL 313, PHSL 345 |
36
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
| Total | | 360 |
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Molecular Basis of Health and Disease
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| BIOC 221 Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| BIOC 223 Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolism
|
18
|
| PATH 201 Foundations in Human Pathology
|
18
|
|
At least 54 points from ANAT 241, ANAT 243, BIOC 222, GENE 221, GENE 222, GENE 223
, HUNT 241, HUNT 243, MICR 221, MICR 223, PHAL 241, PHSL 232
, PHSL 233 |
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
|
3rd year
|
Three of:
BIOC 352 Advanced Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
BIOC 353 Molecular Basis of Health and Disease
PATH 301 Applied Pathology
PATH 302
Cancer Biology
|
54
|
|
At least one further paper from BIOC 351, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, BMSC 321, GENE 313, GENE 314,
GENE 315
, HUNT 342, MICR 332, MICR 334, MICR 337, PATH 301, PATH 302,
PHAL 311
, PHAL 313, PHSL 345 |
18
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
| Total | | 360 |
*Further information will be available for these papers in early September.
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Nutrition and Metabolism in Human Health
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| BIOC 223 Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolism
|
18
|
| HUNT 241 Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health
|
18
|
| HUNT 243 Lifecycle Nutrition or HUNT 245 Sport and Exercise Nutrition
|
18
|
At least 54 further points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, GENE 221, GENE 222, MICR 221, MICR 223
, PATH 201, PHSL 232, PHSL 233
(FOSC 201, FOSC 202, HUNT 242,
HUNT 243
, HUNT 245, SPEX 203, SPEX 205)*
|
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
| * Maximum of two papers can be taken from the list in brackets. | |
|
3rd year
| HUNT 342 Nutrition and Chronic Disease
|
18
|
|
And one of:
|
18
|
| BIOC 353 Molecular Basis of Health and Disease, HUNT 345 Applied Sports Nutrition or HUNT 346 Global Nutrition and Health
| |
At least 36 further points from ANAT 331, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, BMSC 321, GENE 313, GENE 315, MICR 332,
PATH 301
, PATH 302, PHSL 344, PHSL 345
(FOSC 301, FOSC 302, HUNT 343,
HUNT 345
, HUNT 346, SPEX 303)*
|
36
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
| | * Only one paper can be taken from the list in brackets. | |
| Total | | 360 |
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Reproduction, Genetics and Development
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|
|
1st year
| BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
|
18
|
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
|
18
|
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
|
18
|
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
|
18
|
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
|
18
|
36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, MAOR 102 Māori Society, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110 Statistical
Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended.
|
36
|
|
2nd year
| ANAT 243 Reproductive and Developmental Biology
|
18
|
| GENE 221 Molecular and Microbial Genetics
|
18
|
| GENE 223 Developmental and Applied Genetics
|
18
|
At least 54 points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, GENE 222, MICR 223, NEUR 201, NEUR 202, PATH 201
(GENE 222
required if intending to take GENE 313 in third year)
|
54
|
|
18 further points
|
18
|
|
3rd year
| ANAT 312 Advanced Reproduction and Development
|
18
|
| GENE 314 Developmental Genetics
|
18
|
| GENE 315 Genomes
|
18
|
|
At least 18 points from ANTH 322, BIOC 352, GENE 313, MICR 332,
MICR 334
, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHSL 341 |
18
|
|
36 further points
|
36
|
| Total | | 360 |
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc)
Admission to the Programme
Except for students enrolling in a First Year course for the degree, admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Director of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences programme (or nominee).
Structure of the Degree
- Every programme of study for the degree shall satisfy the requirements for at least one of the major subjects listed above.
- Candidates will not normally be permitted to enrol for any papers of a year until all papers of the preceding year have been passed.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Duration of the Programme
The programme may be taken by full-time candidates in three years.
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for two degrees concurrently, or who has completed one degree and is proceeding with another, may cross credit 100-level and 200-level papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 126 points where the other degree is a three year degree and up to a maximum of 180 points where the other degree is longer than a three year degree.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
