Major Overview
- Description
The Medical Sciences single major will encompass a wide range of disciplines within the health and medical sciences. This major will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease. Specifically, this major will provide students the background knowledge across all the pre-clinical scientific disciplines including, anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and public health. These disciplines will be integrated within the four Level 3 units encompassing Body Systems and Disease.
Further, communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major. The major will include studies on aspects of Australian society and culture, including Aboriginal health and migrant and refugee health.
This major is only available to students on direct pathways to the Doctor of Dental Medicine and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine courses, and those offered specific entry at the time of admission.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain basic body plan, organisation, histology, physiology, cell communication and cell biology; (2) explain basic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and human heredity; (3) integrate knowledge on metabolic function and nutrition, cell cycle and signaling and disregulation causing cancer; (4) discuss aspects of public and population health, epidemiology, Aboriginal, migrant and refugee health, healthcare systems and resource allocation in Australia; (5) explain basic body defences, including immune system structure and function, microbials and infection; (6) integrate knowledge on blood and blood pathologies, drug delivery and metabolism and associated pharmacological aspects; (7) discuss the importance of appropriate communication in the health profession,; (8) demonstrate an understanding of religious, social and cultural differences within Australia; (9) demonstrate basic research skills, including medical research design, evidence and association and statistical analyses; (10) demonstrate knowledge of human embryology and development, the human genome and aetiology of disorders associated with genetic abnormalities; (11) explain generic principles of clinically relevant normal and abnormal human structure, function, behaviour, development, and outline the classification, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, common clinical and pathological manifestations, natural history, diagnostic principles and therapeutic principles for some specified medical conditions in the skin and musculoskeletal; nervous and neurological; cardiovascular; respiratory; gastrointestinal; renal; endocrine, haematological and immunological systems; and (12) explain generic principles of clinically relevant normal and abnormal human structure, function, behaviour, development, and outline the classification, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, common clinical and pathological manifestations, natural history, diagnostic principles and therapeutic principles for some specified medical conditions in the reproductive system, and discuss human life course changes.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
- Prerequisites
(1A) Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher; or
(1B) MATH1720 as a bridging unit
(2A) Chemistry ATAR or equivalent; or
(2B) CHEM1003 as a bridging unit
- Courses
Medical Sciences [not available in 2023] can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
No study plans found for this major. See study plans for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2023 – may be available in 2024 or 2025
Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to sucessfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED1001 | Form and Function |
|
| S1 | IMED1002 | The Facts of Life |
|
| S2 | IMED1003 | Cell Survival and Communication | |
| S2 | IMED1004 | Health and Society |
Bridging units
Take units if applicable:
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, will need to successfully complete MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals in their first 48 points of study in this course. Student who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR Chemistry or equivalent, are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry in their first 48 points of study in this course.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):