Biomedical Science

Biomedical Science is designed for very able students with an interest in emerging areas of medical science and its applications to improve human and animal health. It is currently the most rapidly developing area in basic biological science. The University of Auckland is acknowledged as a centre of excellence in this field, reflecting the high quality of biomedical research carried out between the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science. The Biomedical Science programme is co-taught between the two faculties, with lectures split between the City and Grafton campuses.

During the first three years, students enrol in courses towards a BSc - Biomedical Science, which will deliver rigorous scientific training in a range of disciplines and provide a strong foundation for a number of professional careers. They will also give a unique insight into the principles underlying an important area of modern biological research. Foundation teaching for Biomedical Science will be covered in the first two years of the programme. Up to 60 students will be selected for a provisional place in the Honours programme at the end of their second year, based on academic merit. These students complete the third year of the BSc - Biomedical Science and must maintain a good GPA. At the end of the third year, selected students should apply online for admission to the Honours programme. Students who are not selected for Honours may also complete the third year and graduate BSc -Biomedical Science. Alternatively they may complete a BSc in Biological Science, Pharmacology or Physiology. A pathway to Doctorate is available to these students through the Master of Science or the BSc(Hons) subject to meeting the academic requirements for entry.

BSc - Biomedical Science degrees can be completed in areas such as cancer biology and therapeutics, molecular biology, cardio, genetics and development, microbiology, immunology, neurobiology, nutrition, pharmacology, physiology or reproduction, enabling students to take advantage of an extended range of options. Graduates of the Biomedical Science programme will have an internationally accepted qualification, excellent research skills and the knowledge to work within some of the world's most rapidly advancing scientific fields.

Year 1 courses

• 90 points: BIOSCI 101, BIOSCI 106, BIOSCI 107, CHEM 110, PHYSICS 160, MEDSCI 142
• 15 points: Elective (for entry to MED, PHARM and OPTOM students must use POPLHLTH 111 as their elective. Other students may choose to take STATS 101, or STATS 108 or an alternative elective paper.)
• 15 points: General Education course approved for this programme*

Year 2 courses

• 60 points: BIOSCI 201-203, MEDSCI 205
• At least 45 points from MEDSCI 201, MEDSCI 203, MEDSCI 204, MEDSCI 206, (BIOSCI 204 or MEDSCI 202), PSYCH 202

It is then recommended to take either:

• At least 15 points from STATS 101, STATS 108, BIOSCI 209

Or

• 15 points: General Education course approved for this programme*

It is up to you to complete these requirements in Year 2 or Year 3, but they must be completed in order to fulfil the requirements of the major.

*Biomedical Science students can only take General Education courses from Schedule O and EMHSS.

Year 3 courses

• At least 30 points from BIOSCI 347-358
• At least 30 points from MEDSCI 301-317
• At least 15 points** at Stage III from BIOSCI, MEDSCI, CHEM 390, CHEM 392 or PSYCH 305
• At least a further 45 points from the Bachelor of Science Schedule

**Students intending to apply for Honours must complete 90 points (6 courses) at Stage III.

Research areas

We strongly recommend you focus your studies on a recognised area of research as you move into your second and third years. There are eight strands of research supported by academic groups at the University of Auckland.

• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
• Cardiovascular Biology
• Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine
• Genetics and Development
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Neurobiology
• Nutrition
• Reproduction, Growth and Metabolism

Applying for an undergraduate program is possible after completion International Baccalaureate (IB) program or after two years of higher education. It is possible to apply for an University of Auckland preparation program for those who have not studied for a long of time or who do not meet the English language requirement. 

All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide satisfactory evidence of their proficiency in English:

• IELTS (Academic): Overall score of 6.0 and all bands 5.5 or better
• Internet-based TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 80 plus a written score of 21
• Paper-based TOEFL: Overall score of 550 plus Essay (TWE) of 4.5
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Overall score of 169 and all bands 162 or better
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Overall score of 50 and no PTE communicative skills score below 42. You must authorise the University to view and verify your PTE scores.

• University of Auckland International Student Scholarships