Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ

Maybe, you want to get involved in developing the science behind modern medicine and the human body. Or, maybe, you want a stepping stone to studying medicine as a postgraduate degree. Whatever your choice, looking into the pros and cons of studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ can shed light on whether this is the right degree for you! 

In this article, we’ve asked Tye, a fifth-year Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Science student from UQ, to give his perspective on the degree. 

Keen to know more? Keep reading on! 

Why should you study a Biomedical Science degree at UQ?

Top 3 Pros of a Biomedical Science Degree

Top 3 Cons of a Biomedical Science Degree

Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make

What Makes this Degree Different

Motivations for Studying UQ Biomedical Science

Potential Career Paths

Why should you study a Biomedical Science degree at UQ?

This is a great degree for anyone passionate about human biology and wants to gain a variety of hands-on experiences in laboratory work and research. The student spaces at UQ School of Biomedical Science are among the best in Queensland and part of the recent refurbishment throughout the Science faculty. Here, students get access to anatomy laboratories, skeletal collections as well as analytical facilities! 

With the broadness of the undergraduate, you’ll get exposure to many science fields from human biology, chemistry, anatomy to neuroscience, immunology and other advanced sciences. The course program ensures various chances to find out what you’d like to pursue in your future. 

Top 3 Pros of a Biomedical Science degree

#1: Option to study postgraduate Medicine 

Tye firstly tells us that this is one of the best undergraduate degrees for those looking to do medicine. 

This is probably the main reason students pick up a Bachelor of Biomedical Science as it offers a great opportunity in your postgraduate study and, ultimately, in your career. As the spots for studying Medicine as a 6 or 7-year course program is extremely competitive, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ provides an alternative pathway to becoming a doctor that is valuable to many aspiring students. 

Though, as an important side-note, postgraduate entry to medicine is equally as competitive — so, it’s good to have a backup plan! 

#2: Great practical lab experience

“Practicals are a large component for Biomedical Science where you can get hands-on experience in a wet lab,” Tye says, “along with its modern up-to-date facilities.”

All core units incorporate a practical class component, whether that’s in a wet laboratory where you conduct traditional experiments or in computer laboratories where you use software, such as RStudio, to analyse data. This is valuable for learning proper laboratory procedures, which will be transferable to studying postgraduate medicine or a career in scientific research.

#3: Flexibility in later years

Since the course program is structured to allow students to explore their own niches and interests within Biomedical Science, there are a lot of units allocated to studying electives. Specifically, you’ll choose 4 electives in your second year and 10 electives in your third year. 

The areas of Biomedical Science in the list of electives include neuroanatomy, genetics in health and disease, immunology, virology and microbiology.

With the choice of 14 electives altogether, you can choose to pursue a particular field or spread across various areas. However, you’ll have to plan for this in advance as the prerequisites for third year electives incorporate particular second year electives. 

Top 3 Cons of a Biomedical Science degree

#1: Can get overwhelming 

“The large amount of content can be overwhelming and quite difficult,” Tye tells us. 

In the first half of the course program, students juggle between theoretical and practical work that is dealt in statistics, biology, and chemistry. As human biology is already a complex science to begin with, be prepared for times where concepts will be difficult to wrap your head around! 

Know that university life is not an individual pursuit, and there’s always help at hand from your tutors and your fellow peers! In addition, almost all core units will incorporate a PASS (‘Peer Assisted Study Sessions‘) class in your timetable that are taught by later-year students. 

#2: Lots of contact hours 

“[There are] 20+ contact hours,” Tye says, “which means that time management skills are super important to getting assessments done as well as studying, working and maintaining a social life.”

This is definitely not a course program where you can bludge or cram last-minute (not that you should in the first place!) as it requires a lot of practical and active experience. To really understand your weekly topics, you’ll have to attend at least one practical session in almost all your units which are 3 hours long on average! 

As Tye says, organisation is key and using a digital or physical calendar is quite important!

#3: Online classes are not ideal

The learning experience for studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ has been quite frustrating since the change to online classes. 

Given that practical lab experience is one of the pros of the course, Tye comments that “online learning and online practicals due to the pandemic are not ideal but as time goes on these are getting better and are starting to run more smoothly“.

Any regrets? What do you wish you had known before starting UQ Biomedical Science?

Simply put, Tye doesn’t regret anything about his study experience.

“While at times it has been quite difficult, I’ve learnt so much and gained so much experience — I wouldn’t take anything back,” he reflects. 

However, he tells us that it’s important to be realistic for anyone who’s solely interested in the degree for the opportunity to study postgraduate Medicine. 

“I think its important to note that the large majority of people studying Biomedical Science are doing it to get into Medicine and due to the very small number of people that can get accepted, it’s important to have backup plans and to remain dedicated throughout the entire program,” Tye explains. 

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

The state-of-the-art facilities and supportive faculty is what makes a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UQ a valuable learning experience.  

What inspired you to choose UQ Biomedical Science?

Tye has always enjoyed the human sciences, which led to him choosing this degree at UQ. 

“I’ve always had a passion for learning how things worked and the science of the human body really intrigues me,” he says. “I chose UQ because I had read about its reputation and facilities being among the best.”

And, indeed, UQ is ranked #1 for Life Sciences and Medicine in Queensland! This is according to the QS World University Rankings 2021. 

What are the possible career paths?

Although many Biomedical Science students aim to study Medicine as a postgraduate course, there are many career options for its graduates, which include:

• IVF scientist
• Biomedical engineer
• Prosthetic technician
• Embryologist
• Medical laboratory scientist
• Doctor (with postgraduate study)

Lynn Chen is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.