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Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc)

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.

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:

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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)’.

Contact details

Email biomedsc@otago.ac.nz

Website School of Biomedical Sciences

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Programme requirements

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Drugs and Human Health

Year Papers Points
1st year

BIOC 192  Foundations of Biochemistry

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

PHAL 211  Introductory Pharmacology

PHAL 221  Drug Discovery and Development

PHSL 232  Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology,  or BIOC 222  Proteins in Industry and Medicine

At least 54 further points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, BIOC 222, BIOC 223, CHEM 205, MICR 221, MICR 223, PATH 201, PHSL 232, PHSL 233

18 further points

18

18

18

 

54

 
18

3rd year

PHAL 304  Human Pharmacology

PHAL 306  Human Toxicology

At least 36 points from ANAT 332, BIOC 351, BIOC 352BIOC 353, CHEM 305, MICR 334, PATH 302, PHAL 303 (or PHAL 305), PHSL 343, PHSL 344, PHSL 345

36 further points

18

18

36

 

36

Total   360

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Functional Human Biology

Year Papers Points
1st year

BIOC 192  Foundations of Biochemistry

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

ANAT 241  Human Biology: Cells to Systems  or  PHSL 231  Neurophysiology

PHSL 232  Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology

PHSL 233  Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology

At least 54 points from ANAT 241, ANAT 242, BIOC 221, BIOC 223, HUNT 241, HUNT 243, MICR 221, MICR 223, PATH 201, PHAL 211, PHAL 221, PHSL 231

18 further points

18

18

18

54

 
18

3rd year

PHSL 343  Cellular and Epithelial Physiology

PHSL 345  Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease

At least 36 points from ANAT 331, ANAT 332, ANAT 335, BIOC 353, HUNT 342, MICR 332, MICR 334, PATH 301, PHAL 304, PHAL 305, PHSL 342 (or PHSL 341 or PHSL 344)

36 further points

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.

18

18

36

 
36

Total   360

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Infection and Immunity

Year Papers Points
1st year

BIOC 192  Foundations of Biochemistry

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

MICR 221  Microbes to Medicine

MICR 222  Microbes in Action  or  PATH 201  Foundations in Human Pathology

MICR 223  Infection and Immunity

At least 54 points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, BIOC 222, BIOC 223, FOSC 202, GENE 221, GENE 223, MICR 222, PATH 201, PHSL 232, PHSL 233

18 further points

18

18

18

54

 
18

3rd year

MICR 332  Health Microbiology

MICR 334  Advanced Immunology

At least 36 points from ANAT 332, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, GENE 313, GENE 314 (or GENE 315), MICR 337, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHAL 305, PHSL 343, PHSL 345

36 further points

18

18

36

 
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

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

BIOC 221  Molecular Biology

BIOC 223  Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolism

PATH 201  Foundations in Human Pathology

At least 54 points from ANAT 241, ANAT 243, ANAT 243, BIOC 222, GENE 221, GENE 222, GENE 223, HUNT 241, HUNT 243, MICR 221, MICR 223, PHAL 211, PHAL 221, PHSL 232, PHSL 233

18 further points

18

18

18

54

 

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

At least one further paper from ANAT 332, BIOC 351, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, GENE 313, GENE 314, GENE 315, HUNT 342, MICR 332, MICR 334, MICR 337, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHAL 304, PHAL 305, PHAL 306, PHSL 343, PHSL 345

36 further points

54

 

 

 

18

 

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

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

BIOC 223  Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolism

HUNT 241  Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health

HUNT 243  Lifecycle Nutrition

At least 54 further points from ANAT 241, BIOC 221, GENE 221, GENE 222, HUNT 242, MICR 221, MICR 223, PATH 201, PHSL 232, PHSL 233

18 further points

Note: HUNT 141 is a prerequisite for HUNT 241-243 but can be taken as a co-requisite for HUNT 241

18

18

18

54

 
18

3rd year

BIOC 353  Molecular Basis of Health and Disease  or  HUNT 346  International Nutrition and Health

HUNT 342  Nutrition and Chronic Diseases

At least 36 further points from ANAT 331, ANAT 332, BIOC 352, BIOC 353, GENE 313, GENE 315, HUNT 343, HUNT 346, MICR 331, MICR 332, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHSL 343, PHSL 344, PHSL 345

36 further points

18

18

36

36

Total   360

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Reproduction, Genetics and Development

Year Papers Points
1st year

BIOC 192  Foundations of Biochemistry

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

36 further points
HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition, PHSI 191 Biological Physics, STAT 110  Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics highly recommended.

18

18

18

18

18

36

2nd year

ANAT 243  Reproductive and Developmental Biology

GENE 221  Molecular and Microbial Genetics

GENE 223  Developmental and Applied Genetics

At least 54 points from ANAT 241, ANAT 242, BIOC 221, GENE 222, MICR 223, PATH 201, PHSL 231
(GENE 222 required if intending to take GENE 313 in third year)

18 further points

18

18

18

54

 

18

3rd year

Three of:
ANAT 333 Reproductive Biology
ANAT 334 Developmental Biology
GENE 314 Developmental Genetics
GENE 315 Genomes

At least 18 points from ANAT 332, ANAT 333, ANAT 334, ANTH 322, BIOC 352, GENE 313, GENE 314, GENE 315, MICR 332, MICR 334, PATH 301, PATH 302, PHSL 341, PHSL 342

36 further points

Note: Due to timetable constraints the following paper combinations are not possible:
(i) ANAT 333 and PATH 301 cannot be taken concurrently. Students wishing to include PATH 301 must also take ANAT 334, GENE 314, 315.
(ii) ANAT 334 and PATH 302 cannot be taken concurrently. Students wishing to include PATH 302 must also take ANAT 333, GENE 314, 315.
(iii) ANAT 332, ANAT 334 and GENE 314 cannot be taken concurrently. Students wishing to include ANAT 332 must also take ANAT 333, (GENE 314 or ANAT 334), and GENE 315.

54

 

 

 

18

 

36

Total   360

Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc)

  1. 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).

  2. Structure of the Degree

    1. Every programme of study for the degree shall satisfy the requirements for at least one of the major subjects listed above.
    2. Candidates will not normally be permitted to enrol for any papers of a year until all papers of the preceding year have been passed.

  3. 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).

  4. Duration of the Programme

    The programme may be taken by full-time candidates in three years.

  5. 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.

  6. Variations

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

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