Medical Science

The Medical Science stream and program provide an interdisciplinary program offered across Disciplines in the School of Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, as well as the School of Life and Environmental Sciences in the Faculty of Science.

About the stream and program

The Medical Science stream and program are designed to provide flexible pathways into the myriad of career opportunities in the biomedical sciences.

The medical sciences form the basis for research and development, medicine, dentistry, health sciences, public health, policy and pharmaceutics. They also provide foundational expertise that can be combined with other areas including engineering, information technology, data science, design, commerce and law.

This program capitalises on the diverse nature of the medical sciences by integrating disciplinary depth with multidisciplinary breadth. By providing a strong foundation in physiology, anatomy and biochemistry, alongside other essential medical sciences such as pharmacology, microbiology, pathology, immunology and infectious diseases, the program also provides a solid base of prerequisite knowledge for anyone interested in progressing into Medicine and Dentistry.

This program delivers a distinctive and interdisciplinary cohort experience. This starts in first year with human biology and culminates in a 3000-level capstone unit of study that is unique to the program. This capstone allows you to consolidate and demonstrate your knowledge and skills acquired over the three years in an interdisciplinary real world project.

The medical science program is research informed and enquiry-led, leveraging off the world class research and industry strengths of the medical sciences disciplines, Charles Perkins Centre as well as the developments at the Westmead campus. Importantly, the undergraduate degree structure allows students undertaking the Medical Sciences program to take a major in any other area, which provides a foundation in medical sciences that also permits personalised outcomes for students, with the flexibility to couple the program with fields as diverse as information technology, design, philosophy, chemistry, data science and many others.

Requirements for completion

The Medical Science stream and program requirements are listed in the Medical Science unit of study table.

Contact and further information

Address:
School of Medical Sciences
Anderson Stuart Building F13
University of Sydney NSW 2006

Professor Philip Poronnik
E

T +61 2 9036 3207

Dr Melissa Cameron
E
T +61 2 9351 5228

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Medical Science will be able to:

1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the principles in core areas of medical science, including anatomy, biochemistry, histology, infectious diseases, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology.
2. Exhibit a deep understanding of concepts and principles in at least one disciplinary area in the medical sciences and integrate these with knowledge in other disciplinary areas contributing to the medical sciences.
3. Safely and effectively perform appropriate experimental protocols in the biomedical sciences.
4. Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information in biomedical science from a range of relevant sources.
5. Collate, analyse, describe, interpret and present primary research data in biomedical science.
6. Communicate concepts and findings in biomedical sciences through a range of modes for a variety of purposes and audiences, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
7. Critically evaluate research literature dealing with a diverse range of medical science topics and apply this knowledge to address complex issues in biomedical and medical research.
8. Integrate knowledge of the core medical sciences to normal structure and function and to a diverse range of disease states.
9. Define a biomedical problem, formulate a hypothesis and carry out an investigation, using appropriate practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools.
10. Develop creative and innovative approaches to problem solving in medical science research and work effectively, responsibly and safely in individual and collaborative contexts.
11. Address authentic problems in biomedical science, working professionally and ethically within collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
12. Examine and evaluate contemporary issues in biomedical sciences from a range of ethical and cross-cultural perspectives.