Bachelor of Science (BSc) specialising in Biomedical Science
Your BSc programme will consist of a number of courses worth 15 points each, totalling 360 points. You can choose to keep your Biomedical Science specialisation general, or you can follow one of nine pathways as a way to focus your studies further.
To enrol in a pathway use the Choose your pathway form.
You must complete the following courses plus a capstone course in your final year of study. The capstone course is a student-led project where you integrate and apply your learning to a real-world problem in your chosen major or specialisation. As a Biomedical Science student you take the capstone course BIOMED 399 which allows you to debate contemporary issues in biomedicine, and use your scientific reasoning to counter misunderstandings and misrepresentation.
Year 1 compulsory core courses
- 90 points:
- 15 points:
- Elective course (for entry to Medicine (MBChB), Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) you must use POPLHLTH 111 Population Health as your elective. Other students may choose to take STATS 101 Introduction to Statistics, or STATS 108 Statistics for Commerce or an alternative elective course).
- 15 points:
- 1 x Waipapa Taumata Rau course. From 2025, all first-year undergraduate students will be required to enrol in a Waipapa Taumata Rau course. For more information, visit the Waipapa Taumata Rau webpage.
Year 2 onwards
- 15 points from:
- 15 points from:
- 45 points from:
- BIOSCI 201 Cellular and Molecular Biology
- BIOSCI 202 Genetics
- BIOSCI 203 Biochemistry
- BIOSCI 204 Principles of Microbiology
- EXERSCI 206 Exercise Nutrition
- MEDSCI 201 Human Structure and Function
- MEDSCI 202 Microbiology and Immunology
- MEDSCI 203 Mechanisms of Disease
- MEDSCI 204 Pharmacology and Toxicology
- MEDSCI 205 The Physiology of Human Organ Systems
- MEDSCI 206 Principles of Neuroscience
- 15 points:
- 60 points from:
- BIOSCI 347 Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
- BIOSCI 348 Food and Industrial Microbiology
- BIOSCI 349 Biomedical Microbiology
- BIOSCI 350 Protein Structure and Function
- BIOSCI 351 Molecular Genetics
- BIOSCI 353 Molecular and Cellular Regulation
- BIOSCI 355 Genomics and Genome Biology
- BIOSCI 356 Developmental Biology and Cancer
- BIOSCI 358 Nutritional Science
- MEDIMAGE 300 Medical Imaging for Biomedical Science
- MEDIMAGE 302 Sectional Imaging Anatomy and Pathology
- MEDSCI 300 Analytical Anatomy and Visualisation
- MEDSCI 301 Molecular Basis of Disease
- MEDSCI 302 Cancer Biology
- MEDSCI 309 Biophysics of Nerve and Muscle
- MEDSCI 311 Cardiovascular Biology
- MEDSCI 312 Endocrinology of Growth and Metabolism
- MEDSCI 313 Reproductive Biology
- MEDSCI 314 Immunology
- MEDSCI 315 Nutrition, Diet and Gene Interactions
- MEDSCI 316 Sensory Neuroscience: From Molecules to Disease
- MEDSCI 317 Integrative Neuroscience: From Fetus to Adult
- MEDSCI 318 Pharmacokinetics and Drug Toxicity
- MEDSCI 319 Molecular Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 320 Pharmacology of the Brain and Body
- 15 points:
You can use our degree planners to help you plan the courses you need to take for your BSc. To find the most up to date Biomedical Science (general pathway) degree planner, go to the Science degree planners page.
If you began your degree prior to 2019 we recommend you seek advice to make sure you are taking the correct courses. Contact the Student Hubs at www.auckland.ac.nz/student-hubs for advice.
Biomedical Science pathways
As a Biomedical Science student you’ll take compulsory core courses in your first year of study. After your first year you can keep your Biomedical Science specialisation general, or you can choose one of the following pathways:
- Anatomical Imaging Science
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine
- Genetics
- Infection and Immunity
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition and Metabolism
- Reproduction and Development
To enrol in a pathway use the Choose your pathway form.
Preparing for your Biomedical Science specialisation
Some students will feel more prepared for our Biomedical Science courses if they have already studied some science subjects in high school.
Find out which school subjects will help you feel prepared by reading our Subject guide for school students.
Help and advice
Student Hubs
Visit your hubs for help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at University.
The Student Hubs are your physical gateway to Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.
The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City, Grafton, Epsom and Tai Tonga campuses and six days a week at Tai Tokerau, with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.