So, you pretty much know all the details and info on studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash — don’t worry if you’ve forgotten some of the details, here’s a quick refresher!
But you want to know how people really feel about this degree?
Well, we’ve got you covered! Meet Johanna, a Monash Biomedical Science (Honours) graduate! We ask her all those questions you really want to know the answers to.
Let’s get to it!
Why should you study a Biomedical Science degree at Monash University?
Top 3 Pros of a Biomedical Science Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Biomedical Science Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting Monash Biomedical Science
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying Monash Biomedical Science
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Biomedical Science degree at Monash?
Whether it’s your pathway to medicine or you’re fascinated by health, science and disease, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash will give you the knowledge and skills you need! You’ll be taught by lecturers and tutors who have extensive experience in the field and you’ll learn good research, science and communication skills.
You’ll cover a range of different topics including Molecular and Cellular Biology, Body Systems, Infection and Immunity, Disease and Society plus Diagnostic and Research Tools. (And did someone say there is a Gomez y Guzman on campus?!)
Top 3 Pros of a Biomedical Science degree
#1: The skills you learn and develop
“There’s a lot of oral presentations which really force you to be able to get what you understand and present it to kind of a lay person — which is a great skill to have,” Johanna said.
Working in health/science, you have to be a good communicator and have the capacity to explain complex topics in a simple and understandable way for the general public.
“In the last year you also do a bit of research and a systematic review. I think that’s really valuable, particularly if you go on to do more research,” she told us.
A systematic review is basically where you choose a certain topic, look through academic journal articles, analyse the information you find, form your argument and write it all up!
#2: The teachers
“I found lots of them really good and really relevant — they were still engaging very much in the literature, in the conversation about what they were teaching,” Johanna said.
Now, that’s definitely the best way to learn — from people who are still working in the field. They’re up-to-date with relevant knowledge and have a lot of experience they can pass onto you.
#3: The culture
“I think Monash has quite a nice culture and I found it very welcoming, particularly as a first year,” Johanna said.
Luckily she was quick to find a good group of friends which made the competitive nature of the degree more bearable.
“I found my group of people and that worked really well for me — we all studied together and supported each other,” she told us.
Top 3 Cons of a Biomedical Science degree
#1: It’s competitive
“There’s a lot of very clever people doing it, particularly because it’s a pathway to med so it can feel like you maybe aren’t doing well, aren’t on top of it compared to other people, but it’s fine — everyone feels like that at some point,” Johanna told us.
Now, it’s not surprising that it’s fairly competitive because a lot of students study this degree before going on to study medicine! So, the pressure to be the best can definitely be challenging at times but you just have to try your best and run your own race!
#2: Hard work
“It’s hard work and you’ve got to study hard if you want to do well,” Johanna said.
You have around 20 contact hours a week which is reasonable but if you want to do well, you’ve really got to stay on top of all your work, revise content, study for exams and put in those extra miles along the way. It will definitely pay off in the long run!
Plus, if you’re studying Biomedical Science, you’re probably really interested in and fascinated by health, science and disease. And if you’re trying to get into medicine, then there is definitely something to work towards which makes all that hard work a little bit easier.
#3: That’s it!
Guess what?! There isn’t really another con! Whether you go on to study medicine or find a career in the health/science world, Biomedical Science is a great degree to have!
Any regrets?
When Johanna was asked if she had any regrets about the degree, she said, “No, not at all.”
“Actually, I applied for undergrad med but I’m actually glad that I did a Biomed degree first,” Johanna said.
“It kind of cemented what I wanted to do and what my interests were and let me mature a little bit as well before I progressed into med. It’s kind of a nice stepping stone on the way,” she said.
What do you wish you had known before starting Monash Biomedical Science?
Like Johanna already told us, Biomedical Science can be a pretty competitive degree! So, you’ve definitely got to find your people because it will make your time at uni much more enjoyable.
She gave a great piece of advice: “I would say go out, socialise and make friends because they’re gonna be your absolute best support throughout the degree and doing it with other people is so much easier than trying to do everything by yourself.”
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
#1: Pathway to medicine
“If you’re interested in going down the medicine route, then there is a line of direct entry for Monash Biomed Graduates to get into Medicine at Monash — so that’s a bonus if you’re looking to do that,” Johanna explained.
To be eligible for an interview, you’ll need to have a WAM of at least 70 across all your subjects.
It is highly competitive and there are only 25 spots for students who have completed Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy or Science at Monash.
If you’re invited to the assessment process, you’ll complete Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and a Situational Judgement Test (SJT).
Selection is based on how you performed in the assessments (the interview and SJT) as well as your record of academic performance.
#2: Peer mentoring program
As a first year Biomedical Science student, you’ll be assigned a mentor who makes settling into university a little bit easier. They were once in your shoes as first year Biomed students so they know how it all works!
They are there to share what they know and answer any questions you may have about uni in general or more specifically, your Biomed degree.
#3: Guzman y Gomez on campus
“They’ve got a Guzman on campus so that’s a huge win,” Johanna laughed.
Picture this, you’ve got a hectic day at uni, have a massive exam coming up and you really just feel like a delicious burrito, maybe even nachos from Guzman y Gomez. Well, don’t worry about having to waste that precious study time because there is actually a Guzman on campus.
Yes, you heard that right! So, now you’re all sorted for a quick lunch break before you go back to hitting the books again!
What inspired you to choose Monash Biomedical Science?
“I chose Biomed because I had a really strong interest in science and how the body worked,”Johanna said.
“I also knew I eventually wanted to do medicine, so that spurred me on too,”she added.
So if you’re also interested in science and how the body works, or you’re looking for a different pathway into medicine, Monash Biomedical Science could work for you!
What are the possible career paths?
Quite a lot of people go onto study medicine after completing Biomedical Science as it is a great pathway for that. It really depends on what you most enjoy but there are a range of different areas and further studies you could end up in with a Biomedical Science degree.
Below are just some of them:
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- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Genetic counselling
- Nutrition
- Neuroscience
- Public health
- Research
Plus many more!
Tanna Nankivell is a Senior Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently in Germany completing a year of study for her double degree in Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). She has had articles published on Central News – the UTS Journalism Lab and wrote a feature piece for Time Out Sydney during her internship. Tanna has a love for travel and the great outdoors, you’ll either find her on the snowfields or in the ocean, teaching aqua aerobics or creating short films.
