About the Course

Course Description:

Aims & Objectives:

• To develop in students a mastery of a wide spectrum of basic principles underlying biomedical sciences;
• To give students an appropriate introduction to the role of the medical technician, or technologist or researcher in the health community;
• To give students a sound knowledge of anatomy, physiology, the application of physics to biomedical systems, and the appropriate application of monitoring technology in the clinical environment;
• To develop in students a mastery of the application of physics and mathematical principles to the interpretation and study of human physiological processes;
• To develop an understanding of human pathophysiology and associated clinical techniques for identifying them;
• To develop in students a thorough understanding of the appropriate technology, instrumentation and techniques, and competence in their application, so that students are able to comprehend and analyse problems and obtain satisfactory design solutions which, where appropriate, show originality and resourcefulness;
• To introduce students to the skills necessary for working in a clinical environment as an effective team member;
• To develop in students an understanding of clinical evaluation and monitoring to assist the medical process;
• To develop students' communication skills so that they can present their ideas clearly by verbal, written and graphical means;
• To prepare students for the changing workplace and changing societal context by developing their life-long learning skills and flexibility of mind, and
• To integrate the formal course of study with an optional one year period of Industry Based Learning*.

* Please note that Industry-Based Learning is not available to international students.

Course Structure:

This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be fifty hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters.

At the end of second year, students with sufficiently high grades will have the opportunity to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences) / Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Computer Systems) double degree program. Later year transfers will only be possible if students have selected appropriate electives during their studies.

• Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Core Studies
• First Year Elective Studies
• Biomedical Elective Studies
• Instrumentation/Computing Studies
• Business/Entrepreneurship Studies

• Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Core Studies (237.5 credit points),
• 12.5 credit points chosen from First Year Elective Studies (or Electives Plus Sequence #1),
• 12.5 credit points chosen from Business/Entrepreneurship Studies (or Electives Plus Sequence #2), 
• 12.5 credit points chosen from Biomedical Elective Studies (or Electives Plus Sequence #3), and a further
• 25 credit points chosen from Instrumentation/Computing Studies.

• Effective Communication
• Establishing and Running a Business
• Language Practice and Culture
• Enterprising Marketing
• Multimedia: Web Development
• Information Orientation and Knowledge Management
• Undergraduate Research Skills
• Design: Process and Strategy Electives Plus sequence
• The Networked Economy

Units of Study:

• In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. 
• The optional Industry-Based Learning (IBL) program is not available to international students.

Course Features

Industry-Based Learning:

Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/  

The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.

Honours:

An honours program at Swinburne provides students, who have a demonstrated academic ability, with an opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies to an advanced level: to deepen their intellectual understanding in their major area of study; and to develop their research skills. For further information, contact the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences.

Education Abroad:

Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.

Employment Outcomes

Career Opportunities:

Employment in the health care sector, medical equipment companies and sports medicine area. Hospital careers include intensive care support, medical technologist positions in cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological medicine, and biomedical engineering.

Professional recognition:

Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.

How To Apply

Entry Requirements:

ENTER:

2008 Round 1 Cleary-In ENTER: 75.25 (CSP)

Credit Transfer:

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. All applications for subject exemptions should be submitted on the appropriate form at the time of enrolment. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide' at: http://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/

Pathways (articulation):

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm

Course Fees:

Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate studentsCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.

HELP

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:

• HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front.
• FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.
• OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

Scholarships:

This course is offered through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. For further information visit the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

Application Procedure:

Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code: 34681 (CSP), 34683 (Int. Fee)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au

Applicants who believe they will receive an ENTER of at least 97.00, have an opportunity to undertake this course through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. For further information visit the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

Find Out More

Information Sessions:

2008 Open Day

Sunday 17 August

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.

For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday

Further information: