Bachelor of Biomedical Science

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1 Bachelor of Biomedical Science Have you ever wondered why we age, what causes cancer or how you inherited your mum s eyes and your dad s height? Biomedical Science answers these questions, and more. A combination of bio (meaning life or living organisms) and medical (the practice of medicine), Biomedical Science is an exciting, wide-reaching and rapidly developing discipline focusing on the relationships between humans, health and disease. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBmedSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree, offering courses to equip students with a fundamental understanding of modern molecular and cell biology relevant to the clinical practices of current health services, including human genetics, immunology, biological and medicinal chemistry and physiology and environmental health. Students look at real-life health and medical issues such as new diseases, old diseases that resist treatment, the role of molecular biology in health, drug design and clinical testing. The programme covers the entirety of human life, from reproduction to ageing, including microbiology and pharmacology. The BBmedSc can be the first step towards a career in medicine and other health-related careers, including health research. Our staff undertake research with organisations including the Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington medical laboratories and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, located on Victoria s Kelburn campus. This real-world research provides a context for the BBmedSc programme, and ensures our students face those intriguing questions underpinning human health. MAJORS In your first year, you ll study a core programme of human biology, human disease, cell biology, chemistry, psychology and statistics. In years two and three, you ll study courses specific to your major. Human Genetics covers all aspects of the science of human genetics, including the study of the human genome and the treatment of disease and illness of a genetic origin. This major is for those with an interest in areas such as genetic counselling, syndromes and diseases of genetic origin, human fertility and ageing. Molecular Pathology provides an introduction to the molecular basis of disease. The emphasis is on the metabolic and other changes that occur when humans succumb to illnesses. This major will suit students interested in the relationship between health and disease, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and forensics. Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry focuses on all aspects of chemistry in relation to our bodies, including modern chemical methods for the synthesis of drugs and how they are used to treat disease. This major is appropriate for students interested in both chemistry and biology. Major Human Genetics Molecular Pathology Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Total points required: 360 Code HGEN MOLP MPMC Maximum of 180 points at 100 level allowed. s may be chosen from any other first degree to make up 360 points. For entry-level requirements for 100-level Science courses, see the subjects and courses pages (from page 122). First-year students need to take the 100-level core courses (right), plus any additional 100-level courses required for their chosen major. To find out details of what a particular course is about and when it is taught, look at the subjects and courses pages (from page 122) or use the course finder at TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS DEGREE, GO TO FACULTY OF SCIENCE Level 1, Cotton Building, Kelburn Parade, Wellington [email protected] 54 Victoria University of Wellington

2 Part 1: Core courses, all majors At 100 level At 200 level BIOL 111 BIOL 241, 243, 244 BMSC 114, 117 CHEM 114 PSYC 122 One of STAT 193 or MATH 141 Part 2: Major in Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry At 100 level At 200 level At 300 level CHEM 115 CHEM 201, 205 BMSC 335, 354, CHEM 301, further points from 300-level BIOL, BMSC, BTEC or CHEM courses Part 2: Major in Human Genetics At 100 level At 200 level At 300 level BMSC 116 BIOL 252 BMSC 339, 343, BIOL 340. At least 20 further points from 200- or 300-level BIOL, BMSC or BTEC courses An additional 20 points from 300-level BMSC courses POTENTIAL CAREERS BBmedSc graduates have the knowledge base to move into a variety of biomedical-related fields, such as genetic counselling or management, and the pharmaceutical industry although further qualifications or accreditation may be required after completion of your degree. Further study can be undertaken in Victoria s BBmedSc(Hons), Master of Biomedical Science and PhD programmes. POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES Further study can be undertaken through Victoria s Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours, Master of Biomedical Science, Master of Clinical Immunology* and Master of Drug Discovery and Development*. The degree provides an excellent base for study at medical school or for postgraduate biological science, medical and paramedical training programmes. *Subject to approval. RECOMMENDED SCHOOL SUBJECTS It is useful to have studied Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. A summer course is available for students without the required background in Chemistry (see the preparation over summer information, page 26). Part 2: Major in Molecular Pathology At 100 level At 200 level At 300 level BMSC 116 BIOL 252 BMSC 301, 323, 334, 335, BIOL 340 Guide to Undergraduate Study

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4 PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Jodie Chandler Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours student I chose Victoria mainly because of Wellington city. I wanted to study outside Auckland, where I m from, and have new experiences from moving out of home. After visiting Victoria and looking at the programme, I knew I would enjoy it. Biomedical Science is a relatively small programme and this means smaller classes and a more efficient, personal learning environment. PERSONALISE YOUR PROGRAMME The breadth at which the degree offers is large, and how the degree is structured means that you can choose your subjects year to year and amend it easily depending on the courses you have enjoyed most. You can create a personalised degree right from the beginning. THEORY AND PRACTICE The lecturers are great, the amount of knowledge you can accumulate over a short three years is astounding. People are so friendly and easy to approach if you ever have questions. The interactive laboratory classes are useful for applying the theoretical knowledge you learn in lectures in a practical way. MAKING CONNECTIONS Making friends who have the same interests and goals was fantastic. I was able to form a network, where we all helped each other along in our studies. Victoria also gave me the means to meet my potential to be accepted into the Honours programme, which is something I would not have achieved without the help of peers and staff. The Honours group is small and close-knit and it s an environment that exposes you to all sorts of people. For example, I plan to take a course based at Wellington Hospital, where clinicians teach the course. Without Victoria, I would not have been able to form these connections and make contacts to help me in future endeavours. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS I have gained an ability to always look at the bigger picture. How is what I am learning about affecting the world? How can I use what I am learning about in a practical way? I have gained skills to critically think about what I am learning, and distinguish between information that is necessary, and information that is only fluff. This is a skill that s useful in all areas of life from an academic setting to a commercial setting, and even in your personal life. FUTURE PLANS A goal of mine is to educate more people about the basics of science. The media and social networks are constantly skewing scientific results and spreading information that is not true. If a greater percentage of the population understood some of the fundamental ideas in the biomedical field we would be a society that is much better off. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS DEGREE, GO TO Guide to Undergraduate Study

5 DEGREE EXAMPLES BBmedSc majoring in Human Genetics Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 BIOL 114 BIOL 111 BIOL 244 BIOL 241 BIOL 340 BMSC 339 CHEM 114 BMSC 117 BIOL 252 BIOL 243 BMSC 343 BMSC 300 level BMSC 116 PSYC 122 BTEC 301 BIOL 300 level STAT points 1 Core course Major Total points required: 360 Total points completed: 370 BBMedSc majoring in Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 BIOL 114 BIOL 111 BIOL 244 BIOL 241 BMSC 335 BMSC 354 STAT 193 BMSC 117 BIOL 243 CHEM 301 BMSC 300 level CHEM 114 PSYC 122 CHEM 201 CHEM 305 CHEM 115 CHEM Core course Major Total points required: 360 Total points completed: Victoria University of Wellington

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