Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours (BBiomedSc(Hons)) at the University of Otago, Christchurch
About the BBiomedSc(Hons) course
The University of Otago, Christchurch offers a one-year honours programme to students who have completed and performed well in a BBiomedSc degree or a BSc degree from Otago or other universities in approved disciplines.
This short video explains the course and shows some of the UOC laboratories in which students will be located.
This BBiomedSc(Hons) programme is an excellent stepping-stone to a career in research, diagnostics or biotechnology or to PhD study in a range of areas including:
- genetics,
- biochemistry,
- molecular biology,
- cancer biology,
- infectious diseases,
- pharmacology,
- pharmacogenomics,
- microbiology and
- cell biology
The focus of the BBiomedSc(Hons) programme is ‘hands on’ training in scientific research that will develop the skills and attitudes required to enable graduates to progress to a PhD programme or to other careers.
We offer an intensive research training experience consisting of seven-weeks of tutorial sessions led by expert researchers, integrated with practical sessions based in the Department's laboratories.
In addition, the student completes a supervised research project in a laboratory of their choice and the research dissertation is the major component of the BBiomedSc(Hons) assessment.
Projects
2013 BiomedSc(Hons) Projects
- Biological Regulators of MIF
- Can we restore vitamin C synthesis to human cancer cells using gene transfer? *
- Does serotonin fuel a collaboration between platelets & neutrophils in host defence & inflammation?
- Evaluating molecular markers of breast tumour progression *
- Exploring the role of inherited copy number variants in breast cancer risk
and development - Hydrogen sulfide: a novel biomarker for community acquired pneumonia
- Immune suppression and squamous cell carcinoma tumour biology *
- Peroxiredoxin 3 as Mitochondrial Antioxidants *
* This project has already been selected by a 2013 BBiomedSc(Hons) candidate
Previous BBiomedSc(Hons) Projects include:
- Hydrogen Sulfide: Investigation into the Effects of Different H2S Donors on the Upregulation of Inflammatory Cytokines
- Neutrophil Activation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Establishment and validation of a telomere length assay
- Inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokine MIF
- Does promoter variation in the USP46 gene influence antidepressant response?
- Assessing a blood biomarker of lung infection
- Detecting 2-aminoacetophenone and pyocyanin from clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Development of an assay for interferon beta bioavailability in relapsing-remitting MS patients
- Evaluation of The Four-and-a-half LIM 2 (FHL2) Single Polypeptide As A Potential Biomarker of Cardio-Renal Syndrome (CRS)
- Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells, Tumour Angiogenesis, and Cancer Progression
Entry Requirements
The BBiomedSc(Hons) programme is offered through the University of Otago, Christchurch, to students who have completed an approved degree, such as a BSc or BBiomedSc in a related field from the University of Otago, or an approved degree from another University.
Minimum B+ average for 3rd year papers.
Entry is by approval of the Board of Studies.
We recommend you fill out and submit an admission form in order to determine your eligibility for the course well in advance of enrolling. To complete this form, you will need a proposed supervisor and a project outline for your dissertation, so you must contact the course convenor (or a potential supervisor in your preferred area), to obtain these details.
Places on this course are limited.
Course Work
The course work consists of several modules during semester one, including
- genome sequencing and genotyping
- bioinformatics
- gene expression
- protein biochemistry
- electrophoresis and blotting
- mass spectrometry
- cell culture
- genetic manipulation
- flow cytometry and microscopy
- experimental design and data analysis
Each module will include a mix of theory, practical demonstration, troubleshooting and critical analysis of published literature.
The goal is for the students to acquire an understanding of the various technologies that are available in biomedical research.
Supplementary lectures throughout the year will focus on broader research skills including scientific writing and presentations, media skills, ethics, translational research and commercialization.
Assessment
- 85% Research Project (10% Literature Review, 60% Thesis, 5% Final Presentation, 10% Oral Exam);
- 15% Course Work (Written Exam).
Research Environment
The Department of Pathology at the University of Otago, Christchurch provides an excellent environment in which to undertake intensive training in the biomedical sciences.
The Department has over 50 academic staff members that include a mix of established and emerging New Zealand biomedical research leaders.
There are typically more than 20 PhD students enrolled at any one time, and we have graduated some 70 PhDs since 1978.
In the 2006 Performance Based Research Funding (PBRF) round, the Department received an overall quality score of 5.3. This was the highest of all departments at the University of Otago, Christchurch, and one of the highest within the Division of Health Sciences for Otago University - New Zealand’s highest ranked university.
Contact a Supervisor
For general enquiries about the Christchurch BBiomedSc(Hons) programme, please contact Professor Madhav Bhatia (course coordinator).
To contact staff members contributing to this course:
- Prof. Madhav Bhatia - Inflammation Research Group
- Prof Steve Chambers - Breath Research Group
- Dr Margaret Currie - Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
- Dr Gabi Dachs - Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
- A/Prof Mark Hampton - Centre for Free Radical Research
- Prof Martin Kennedy - Gene Structure and Function Laboratory
- Prof Tony Kettle - Centre for Free Radical Research
- Prof David Murdoch - Microbiology Research Group
- A/Prof Margreet Vissers - Centre for Free Radical Research
- Dr Logan Walker - Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
Further Information
For general enquiries about the Christchurch BBiomedSc(Hons) programme, please contact Professor Madhav Bhatia (course coordinator).
Please note: we reserve the right to cancel the course if there are insufficient enrolments in any given year.
