Bachelor of Medical Science
at Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory.
A biomedical degree covering anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and pathology. A common feeder programme for graduate medicine and other clinical postgraduate pathways.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Charles Darwin University Bachelor of Medical Science. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official SATAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Year one is the science core: human biology, cellular biology, general chemistry, biochemistry and biostatistics. CDU's Faculty of Health teaches medical sciences in close partnership with the Menzies School of Health Research, with northern Australian infectious disease, tropical health and Indigenous health research woven through the syllabus. Year two builds anatomy, physiology, microbiology and immunology with weekly wet labs. Year three delivers pathology, pharmacology, advanced human physiology and a research project capstone often supervised by a Menzies researcher. Expect a heavy practical lab schedule (4 to 6 hours of wet lab a week), closed-book exams across the major units and a year-long research project for the capstone. Cohorts are smaller than southern metro biomedical programmes and laboratory access is direct.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Biology
- Chemistry for the Health Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Biostatistics
- Foundations of Health Science
How you will be assessed
- Closed-book final exams (50 to 60 per cent weight)
- Weekly laboratory reports and prac write-ups
- Mid-semester multiple-choice and short-answer tests
- Anatomy and physiology spotter exams
- Research project thesis and oral presentation in third year
- Group case studies in pathology and pharmacology
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as medical-laboratory scientists, clinical-trial coordinators and research assistants in hospital pathology departments.
- Common destinations include diagnostic-laboratory roles at Australian Clinical Labs and Sonic Healthcare, and research roles at the Garvan, WEHI and QIMR Berghofer.
- Many alumni progress into graduate medicine, dentistry and physiotherapy or into research Honours and PhD study.
Typical first jobs
- Medical laboratory scientist (Royal Darwin Hospital pathology)
- Research assistant at Menzies School of Health Research
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Diagnostic laboratory technician (Australian Clinical Labs, Sonic Healthcare)
- Pharmaceutical and biotech sales or medical liaison
- NT Health public-health and disease-surveillance officer
After graduation
Common graduate-entry pathways include Doctor of Medicine programmes (Flinders NT MD partnership, JCU, University of Sydney, Monash), Doctor of Dental Surgery, Master of Physiotherapy, Master of Occupational Therapy and Master of Speech Pathology. Research pathways include Honours and PhD through CDU and Menzies School of Health Research, with strong groups in infectious disease, chronic disease and Indigenous health. Alumni also pathway into clinical trial coordination, regulatory affairs and biotech careers.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You did year 12 biology and chemistry and enjoy lab work
- You are interested in tropical, remote or Indigenous health research
- You can manage closed-book exams as the dominant assessment form
- You want a clear graduate-entry medicine, dentistry or physio feeder
- You enjoy small cohorts with direct lab access
It is probably not for you if
- You dislike laboratory work or wet labs
- You want a clinical patient-facing degree from year one
- You want a fully theoretical degree without weekly practicals
- You expect a guaranteed clinical pathway without further study
Related courses at CDU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Charles Darwin University handbook and on SATAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/charles-darwin/bachelor-of-medical-science.