1. Biomedical Science at VUW
Background
• Human health & clinical medicine supported by
– researchers
– professionals
• Persons skilled in biomedical sciences
– old diseases resisting treatment,control
– new diseases
– changing life-styles, environments
– developing new, improved drugs

2. Biomedical Science at VUW
What is biomedical science?
– human genetics
– immunology
– microbiology
– pharmacology
– reproduction
– aging
– physiology
– pathology
– biological, medicinal
chemistry
– epidemiology
– public health
– environmental health
• Any area of study relating to human health & disease

3. Biomedical Science at VUW
Purpose of three year BBmedSc degree
Link training in fundamentals of modern biological
science with practices of current health services
Lay basis for entry into post-graduate medical and
paramedical specialist training programmes
• Common elsewhere
• No exact counterpart in NZ
and

4. Biomedical Science at VUW
Where will it take me?
• First degree leading to higher qualifications
– BSc (hons), MSc, PhD
– Special biomedical postgraduate vocational courses
e.g. ecology & health, forensic, human nutrition,
pharmaceutical & medicinal chemistry, genetic
counseling, public & environmental health
– Graduate entry to medical school
– Master of Management Studies (Technology)
– Research institutes in hospitals, CRIs, companies
– Conjoint with law or commerce degree

5. Biomedical Science at VUW
Where will it take me? (cont.)
• Entry at technical level to research in
– human genetics
– clinical biochemistry
– immunology
– molecular pathology
– pharmaceutical & medicinal chemistry
– human fertility
– aging

6. Biomedical Science at VUW
Graduate profile
• What qualities, skills mark biomedical science
graduates?
– appreciate ethical issues
– understand scientific method
– know role of biomedical science, technology in society
– use data, solve problems by quantitative methods
– high level of computer skills
– can communicate

7. Biomedical Science at VUW
Is biomedical science a good thing to be in?
• Yes! Human health and well-being are vital areas
• Major developments in next 20 years in:
– diagnosing ailments soon faster, simpler, more accurate
• non-invasive scanners
• biochips to analyze your DNA
– treatment with microchip implants
• nervous system for brain tumours, epilepsy, stroke
– test-tube organs
• tissue engineering for new cartilage, bone, tendon
– artificial heart/blood

8. Biomedical Science at VUW
Is biomedical science a good thing to be in? (cont.)
– sexually transmitted diseases
• 300 million people a year catch Aids, other diseases
• antiviral drugs (fruit of Aids research) soon available
– prevention of cancer
– artificial lungs, kidneys, eyes
– synthetic muscles
• All require creative, skilled people in the biosciences

9. Biomedical Science at VUW
Which students will apply?
• At school you will have background of
– biology
– chemistry
– preferably some mathematics
• Particularly able students without this background
– who are prepared to fill in the gaps with bridging
courses
– may be able to enter programme

10. Biomedical Science at VUW
Structure of degree
• Two parts
– compulsory basic papers plus
– three optional streams
• molecular pharmacology & medicinal
chemistry
• human genetics
• molecular pathology
Plus room for other papers