Macquarie University enjoys a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research in science and technology. As a natural extension of these strengths, the Bachelor of Medical Sciences has evolved to meet the demand for skilled graduates in the fields of medical, biomedical and allied health services. The degree also serves as an excellent preparation for a post-graduate medical degree such as the one offered by the University of Sydney.
The entry requirement is high to select talented students who have performed well in mathematics and the sciences in the Higher School Certificate. The entry requirement for 1997-9 was a TER (old version of the UAI) of 90.4, 94.4, 94.15 respectively (or equivalent) and this is expected to stay close to these numbers in future years. The UAI in 2002 and 2003 was 95 and 90 respectively.
The degree is offered as a three-year full-time program or a five-year part-time option. In the first year, students will broaden their knowledge in the basic sciences with units in biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, statistics and physics. In second year, students choose from specialist strands and the units are prerequisite or relevant to their third-year studies.
The specialist strands are:
- Biology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Psychomedical