Program Overview

Medical Science

Overview

The Medical Science extended major focuses on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge to prepare them for a broad range of careers in health and biomedical science-related fields.

Course Structure

• Level 1: Two core units each semester, and one integrated body system unit each semester.
• Level 2: Two core units each semester, and one integrated body system unit each semester.
• Level 3: One integrated body system unit each semester, and specialisation units.

Specialisations

• Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing: Focuses on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, including the social and cultural determinants of health.
• Anatomy & Reproductive Biology: Explores the structure and function of the human body, including reproductive biology.
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology: Examines the chemical processes that occur within living organisms, including the structure and function of biomolecules.
• Exercise as Medicine: Investigates the role of exercise in preventing and managing chronic diseases.
• Genetics: Studies the inheritance of traits and the structure and function of genes.
• Human Biology: Examines the structure and function of the human body, including the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors on health.
• Microbiology & Immunology: Explores the interactions between microorganisms and the human body, including the immune system.
• Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Focuses on the diagnosis and management of diseases, including the use of laboratory tests and techniques.
• Pharmacology & Toxicology: Examines the effects of drugs and other substances on the human body, including the mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
• Physiology: Studies the functions and processes that occur within living organisms, including the regulation of body systems.

Admission Requirements

• ATAR: 92.00 (competitive entry based on ATAR)
• English Competency: Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
• Prerequisites: Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic Student Fees: For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation.
• International Student Fees: Annual course fee (2025): $48,700.00
• Scholarships: Available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Career Opportunities

• Medical Practitioner: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Dentist: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Podiatrist: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Pharmacist: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Optometrist: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Genetic Counsellor: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Audiologist: Requires postgraduate studies.
• Medical/Biomedical Researcher: No postgraduate studies required.
• Medical Scientist (Diagnostics): No postgraduate studies required.
• Microbiologist: No postgraduate studies required.

Why Study This Major

• World-Class Researchers: Taught by world-class researchers in cutting-edge laboratories and teaching spaces.
• Networking Opportunities: Learn from and network with many bright minds, including some of the state’s leading biomedical scientists.
• Exceptional Cohort Feel: Engage with your fellow students and expert teaching academics from day 1 at UWA, creating an exceptional cohort feel and student experience.
• In-Depth Understanding: Gain in-depth understanding of how the human body functions in health and disease.
• Essential Skills: Develop essential skills that impact the health of people in our communities.
• Job-Readiness: Choose your specialisation to gain expertise in the field, ensuring job-readiness.