Bachelor of Health and Medical Science

Tailor your study

Build your medical science degree to suit your interests and future career. You can choose electives from areas as diverse as nutrition, clinical chemistry, pathophysiology, microbiology, bacteriology, human reproduction, epidemiology, and law and ethics.

Options, options, options

Enjoy the flexibility to transfer or apply for entry into undergraduate or graduate-level health and allied health programs.

The perfect platform for further study

This medical science course gives you a broad foundation, and is the ideal preparation before applying for postgraduate study or research programs where you can delve deeper into a subject that you’re passionate about.

Study that works for your lifestyle

Match study to your work and other commitments – choose to learn full-time or part-time (if you study on campus). You’re in control.

Not sure which health career is for you, or looking to prepare for further study in medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology or dentistry? The new Bachelor of Health and Medical Science from Charles Sturt University is the versatile qualification you need to meet your healthcare career goals. Choose to study online or on campus at Orange. Whether you aspire to a health career that’s supported by science or are in the health industry and wanting to upskill, this medical science degree will open doors.

Recommended study pattern

Degree Structure

Core subjects

• IKC100 Indigenous Australian Health - 8 credit points
• HIP202 Evidence-Based Health Practice and Research - 8 credit points
• PSY214 Health Psychology - 8 credit points
• BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic - 8 credit points
• HLT417 Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing - 8 credit points

Compulsory

Students must complete one of the following pairs of human structure and function subjects

Set A - Human Structure and Function - 16 credit points

• BMS129 Physiological Sciences 1 - 8 credit points
• BMS130 Physiological Sciences 2 - 8 credit points

OR

Set B - Human Structure and Function - 16 credit points

• BMS161 Health and the Human body: cells, immunity and musculoskeletal system - 8 credit points
• BMS162 Health and the Human body: systemic human physiology - 8 credit points

Students must complete one of the following foundational pairs of subjects

Set C - Foundational subjects - 16 credit point

• BMS105 Science Communication and Methodology - 8 credit points
• BMS142 Introduction to Case Based Study - 8 credit points

OR

Set D - Foundational subjects - 16 credit points

• OCC103 Communication for Health Practice - 8 credit points
• HIP101 Introduction to Australian Society and Health - 8 credit points

Restricted Electives*

Students select 13 subjects (or the equivalent of 104 points) from the following:

• BMS171 Introduction to Functional Human Anatomy - 8 credit points
• BMS172 Functional Anatomy of the Vertebral Column, Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb - 8 credit points
• BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry - 8 credit points
• BCM266 Foundations of Biochemistry and Human Molecular Genetics - 8 credit points
• BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry 1 - 8 credit points
• BMS208 Human Nutrition - 8 credit points
• BMS215 Microbial Biotechnology - 8 credit points
• BMS224 Head and Neck Anatomy - 8 credit points
• BMS233 Nutritional Physiology - 8 credit points
• BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics - 8 credit points
• BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology - 8 credit points
• BMS243 Metabolic Biochemistry in Health and Disease - 8 credit points
• BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice - 8 credit points
• BMS263 Foundational Pharmacology and Pathophysiology for Allied Health Practice - 8 credit points
• BMS271 Functional Anatomy of the Head, Neck, Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb - 8 credit points
• BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1 - 8 credit points
• BMS292 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2 - 8 credit points
• BMS302 Clinical Biochemistry 2 - 8 credit points
• BMS308 Immunology - 8 credit points
• BMS310 Disease Processes - 8 credit points
• BMS313 Infectious Diseases And Applied Immunology - 8 credit points
• BMS315 Medical Microbiology - 8 credit points
• BMS342 Medicinal and Indigenous Foods - 8 credit points
• BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology - 8 credit points
• BMS406 Human Reproductive Biology - 8 credit points
• CHM104 Chemistry 1A - 8 credit points
• CHM107 Chemistry 1B - 8 credit points
• COM240 Envisioning the Digital Society - 8 credit points
• EHR202 Human Exercise Physiology - 8 credit points
• HIP302 Understanding Healthy Communities - 8 credit points
• MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology - 8 credit points
• NUT305 Nutrition for Disease Prevention - 8 credit points
• PHM233 Pharmaceutics - 16 credit points
• PHM321 Organic and Medicinal Agents - 16 credit points
• PHM341 Pharmacokinetics - 8 credit points
• PHY107 General Physics - 8 credit points
• PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services - 8 credit points
• SPH101 Speech, Language, and Culture - 8 credit points
• STA201 Scientific Statistics - 8 credit points
• WEL206 Facilitating Positive Behaviours - 8 credit points
• WEL217 Social Dimensions of Disability - 8 credit points
• WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competencies - 8 credit points
• WEL222 Case Management - 8 credit points
• WEL418 Case Management - 8 credit points

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Bachelor of Health and Medical Science

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Exit points

Associate Degree in Health and Medical Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Diploma of Health and Medical Science [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $36,576

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

Explore CSU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

• A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies;OR
• Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

• A completed High School Certificate with an ATAR of 65 (including adjustment factors) or equivalent; OR
• A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR.

• A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification; OR
• 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

HIP213 - Rehabilitation Principles and Contexts

HIP301 - Complex Cases in Rehabilitation

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional intensive school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning. You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials. You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.