Bachelor of Medical Science

The primary aim of the Bachelor of Medical Science is to provide an experiential introduction to the
process of biomedical research. The AMS program allows students to:

• practice the concepts of project design, ethical consideration and application of research methods;
• develop skills in the assembling and evaluation of scientific data to provide a scientific rationale for updating medical practice and treatment and/or understanding the mechanisms of disease;
• comprehend the selection of appropriate statistical techniques to appraise scientific data;
• assess the benefits and limitations of research an area/discipline of clinical interest;
• demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diversity and breadth of biomedical
  research;
• demonstrate autonomy and independence in defining research methods, locating relevant resources and critically evaluating evidence and;
• actively participate in improving knowledge in a specific areas of medicine by critical review of scientific and medical evidence.

At the completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science, students should be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of original research;
• discuss how the results of medical research can be translated to improve the clinical care of patient and/or the mechanisms of disease;
• select and apply appropriate statistical tests such as descriptive statistics, power calculations, pvalues and confidence interval, and uni/multivariate logistic regression analysis, to analyse research data;
• compare and assess scientific evidence through critically evaluating relevant medical literature;
• appraise and describe the ethical requirements of a research project;
• demonstrate technical and problem solving skills in the use of biomedical experimental techniques and;
• understand the requirements for presentation of research data through preparation of a an xtended literature review, and small research report, in an area of clinical interest.

To satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Medical Science, students must successfully complete 2 core subjects and a total of 100 points.

The Bachelor of Medical Science may be taken in one of two modes – a coursework program or a research project program

Coursework Program
Entry is granted if a student can demonstrate:
1. successful completion of 5 semesters of an undergraduate medical degree
2. an overall band score of 7.0 or more and; completion of the Academic Reading and Academic Writing modules and; a minimum band score of 6.5 for the Academic Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking modules of the International English Language Test (IELTS)

Research Project Program
Entry is granted if a student can demonstrate:
1. successful completion of 5 semesters of an undergraduate medical degree to an H1 standard (or equivalent)
2. successful completion of prior learning in research methodology and design to an H2 standard (or equivalent)
3. an overall band score of 7.0 or more and; completion of the Academic Reading and Academic Writing modules with a minimum band score of 7.0 and; a minimum band score of 6.5 for Listening and Speaking modules of the International English Language Test (IELTS)

Bachelor of Medical Science welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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At completion of the AMS program, students should have also acquired the following generic skills:

• the ability to appraise the principles of medical research and how they could be applied to a wider variety of research contexts;
• enhanced oral and written communication skills;
• the ability to work collaboratively with research colleagues;
• describe how the values of objectivity, scepticism and respect for evidence influence the design and implementation of biomedical research;
• assess how research outcomes can be translated into, for example, updating medical practice and treatment and/or understanding the mechanisms of disease and;
• a desire for further study/learning in biomedical research.