Take your first step towards becoming a doctor
Is your dream to become a doctor? USC's Bachelor of Medical Science is your first step. This highly competitive program provides provisional direct entry (subject to entry requirements) to Griffith University's Doctor of Medicine program - and to your future medical career.
Applications closed for 2019
- Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in all subtests) and should refer to the English language requirements.
- Not available to international students on a Student visa.
Is your dream to become a doctor? USC's Bachelor of Medical Science is your first step. This highly competitive program provides provisional direct entry (subject to entry requirements) to Griffith University's Doctor of Medicine program - and to your future medical career.
- Understand how the human body works and what happens when diseases, infections and clinical disorders occur
- Study the foundations of medical science, including pathophysiology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and pharmacology
- Gain provisional direct entry (subject to entry requirements) to Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine program at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital *
- Build hands-on clinical knowledge and skills in a small group of like-minded students
Special selection criteria
The Bachelor of Medical Science program is restricted to high-achieving secondary school students who have completed Year 12 no more than three (3) years before admission. Applicants must not have previously attempted any tertiary study at diploma level or higher since completing year 12. Students with prior tertiary study after year 12 are not eligible to apply for this program. Enrolments into the program will be capped at 20 places each year.
Students in the Bachelor of Medical Science are not eligible to apply for credit transfer.
Career opportunities
Primary-care and rural medicine; clinical practice; health-care service and administration; medical research and education.
Post-admission requirements
Students must comply with the following requirements before the start of the last semester of study.
- Hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) from QLD Government Blue Card Services. You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
- Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements.
- Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements.
Professional membership/Accreditation
Graduates who gain a GPA of 5.0 or better will be offered provisional direct entry into the Griffith University Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduate-entry program to become accredited medical practitioners. In addition, graduates are eligible to apply for membership to the following scientific societies:
Australian Society for Biotechnology; Australian Society for Immunology; Australian Society for Microbiology; Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Public Health Association of Australia.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
LFS100 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Developing and Graduate courses (16) 192 units
BIM202 Medical Genetics
BIM263 Introduction to Pharmacology
BIM331 Immunology
CHM202 Organic Chemistry
LFS201 Systemic Physiology I
LFS202 Systemic Physiology II
LFS251 Biochemistry
LFS261 Microbiology
LFS262 Medical Microbiology
LFS303 Pathophysiology
MED201 Law and Ethics in Medicine
MED300 Human Skills for Medicine *
MED301 Integrated Medical Science
MLS211 Medical Biochemistry
PUB310 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
Specified elective (1) 12 units
Select one (1) course (12 units) from:
BIM303 Introduction to Clinical Trial Coordination
BIM371 Clinical Embryology
HLT326 Health Practicum
LFS252 Molecular Biology
MBT353 Microbial Pathogenesis
MLS110 Haematology
MLS121 Histology
NUT232 Nutritional Biochemistry
PUB210 Concepts of Epidemiology
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SRP301 Special Research Project
WPL310 Workplace Learning I
*a GPA of at least 5.00 and a minimum pass grade required for entry to Doctor of Medicine
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- Courses within the program incorporate a range of assessment regimes that match the learning outcomes for the course, and also the program. They include the use of assignments, reviews, technical reports, standard and on-line review quizzes, seminar and poster presentations (individual and group), creative project work, research projects and final examinations.
- Students will be required to purchase personal protection equipment (laboratory coat, safety glasses, closed footwear) for use during the practical work at USC. There will be costs associated to the purchase of course text books and readers. Possible cost of travel to clinical sites for students choosing an elective course in work integrated learning.
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.