Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Explore human health and disease in the BBmedSc, with majors in Human Genetics, Molecular Pathology, Molecular Pharmacology & Medical Chemistry.

Students and a lecturer in a Biomedical Sciences teaching laboratory observe a pipetting demonstration at a laboratory bench. Coloured solutions, test tubes, and laboratory equipment are arranged on the bench, while a large screen above displays a close-up view of the experiment.

Pandemics, antibiotic resistance, gene-editing technology, and drug design are some of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—facing our world. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBmedSc) is a three-year degree that helps you develop the skills to embark on a range of scientific research careers and to be engaged in the discovery of vital medical developments.

As a Bachelor of Biomedical Science student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you’ll study the relationship between health and disease in humans. You’ll gain a broad foundation, learning about biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, and reproduction—as well as the cellular and physiological principles that underlie health and disease.

You’ll learn from enthusiastic, passionate lecturers who are experts in their fields and are at the forefront of biomedical research and development. Our lecturers are both researchers and teachers, with active research across the fields of cancer, developmental biology, drug development, immunology, neurology, reproduction, and viral diseases. This research is reflected in their teaching and will give you insight into ground-breaking biomedical and clinical research—the perfect foundation for postgraduate study.

If you have an interest in human health and are passionate about making a difference, a BBmedSc could be the first step on your future career path.

Where can this degree take you?

  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Biomedical Technician
  • Cell Biologist
  • Data Analyst
  • Drug Discovery and Development Chemist
  • Geneticist
  • Haematology Scientist
  • Immunopathologist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Microbiologist
  • Molecular Biochemist
  • Patent Adviser
  • Pathology Scientist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Analyst
  • Science Communicator
  • Teacher
  • University Lecturer

Majors

Human Genetics

Biomedical Sciences students wearing laboratory coats and gloves use micropipettes to transfer samples in a modern teaching laboratory. Sample tubes, petri dishes, and coloured solutions are arranged on the laboratory bench, while other students work at nearby workstations in the background.If you’re interested in syndromes and diseases of genetic origin, ageing, human fertility, and genetic counselling, then a major in Human Genetics is right for you. It covers the study of the human genome, epigenetics, the molecular basis and treatment of disease, evolutionary genomics, molecular biology, and recombinant DNA technology. A qualification in human genetics can lead to career paths in genetic counselling, fertility treatment, or health research.

Molecular Pathology

Gloved hands hold a petri dish containing a green-speckled microbial culture against the light in a laboratory, with a researcher and lab environment blurred in the background.This major is an introduction to the molecular basis of disease. You’ll focus on the organs of the body and the changes that occur in cells, tissue, and organs within the body when humans become ill. You’ll learn about ways that biomedical research can be used to detect disease, prevent the spread of disease, and reduce and repair damage caused by disease. This major will suit students interested in clinical biochemistry, forensics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, and the relationship between health and disease.

Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

A Biomedical Sciences student uses a microscope and examines a petri dish containing microbial growth in a teaching laboratory. Other students work at laboratory benches in the background, while a large projected image of a magnified biological sample is displayed alongside the laboratory scene.If you’re interested in both chemistry and biology and how substances are delivered through, and dealt with by, the body, then the Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry major is right for you. Your study will focus on aspects of chemistry in relation to our bodies. You’ll learn about modern chemical methods for the synthesis of drugs and how they work within a living system. Studying Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry is an important first step to pursuing a career in drug discovery or pharmaceuticals. You could work in research and development for a large multinational company such as Bayer, or combine your degree with Law to become a patent lawyer.

Sample degree programme

Example: BBmedSc with a major in Human Genetics. Required courses for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science are marked in bold.
Year

Courses

Year 1

BIOL 114 Biology of Animals

STAT 193 Statistics in Practice

BIOL 111 Cell and Molecular Biology

BMSC 117 The Biology of Disease

CHEM 121 Chemistry of Life

COMP 132 Programming for the Natural and Social Sciences

*CHEM 113 Concepts of Chemistry

PSYC 121 Foundations in Psychology 1

Year 2

BIOL 244 Introductory Biochemistry

BIOL 252 Cell and Developmental Biology

BIOL 241 Genetics

BIOL 243 Physiology and Pathology 1

BIOL 228 Animal Diversity

BIOL 236 Microbes and their Environments

Year 3

BIOL 340 Genes and Genomes

BMSC 339 Cellular Regulation

BMSC 343 Advanced Genetics

BMSC 335 Physiology and Pathology 2

BMSC 334 Cell and Immunobiology

BIOL 329 Evolution

Note: Students who meet the NCEA requirements to enter directly into CHEM 121 (T2) can replace CHEM 113 (T1) with an alternative course, such as WRIT 101 (Writing at University) or WRIT 151 (Writing in English as a Second Language)

Programme Director

Davide profile picture

Dr Davide Comoletti

Associate Professor in Biomedical Science
School of Biological Sciences