Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences - Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine
at James Cook University, Queensland.
JCU's medical science study is a new three-and-a-half-year joint degree at Townsville for 2027 entry, with no lowest selection rank yet. Prerequisites are English, Mathematical Methods and Chemistry (Units 3 and 4, C). JCU's six-year MBBS medical degree was 84.15 at Townsville in 2026.
Lowest selection rank
JCU has not published a lowest selection rank for this course for recent intakes. That usually means too few ATAR-based offers were made to report one, or that selection also uses a portfolio, audition, interview or other criteria. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The joint degree lets students graduate as a medical laboratory scientist or exit early with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science to pursue postgraduate pathways such as medicine, clinical sciences, medical imaging or research. Majors are microbiology and immunology, molecular and cell biology, and physiology and pharmacology. Students undertake clinical placements at health facilities across northern Queensland.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete clinical placements at health facilities across northern Queensland. Before placement they must provide evidence of immunity to hepatitis B, MMR, varicella and pertussis, current first aid and CPR certificates, and a Blue Card.
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 trainee in hospital pathology
- Clinical-trial coordinator at a hospital or research organisation
- Research assistant at JCU's tropical health and medicine institutes
- Diagnostic-laboratory technician at Australian Clinical Labs or Sonic
- Biosecurity or public-health officer in north Queensland
- Pharmaceutical sales or medical liaison representative
- Pathway to graduate-entry medicine, dentistry or physiotherapy
Graduate starting salary
$58,000 - $68,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Graduates can join bodies such as the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists and work in pathology and research laboratories, or use the early-exit biomedical degree as a pathway to graduate medicine.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who liked biology and chemistry in senior school
- Patient lab workers who follow protocols carefully
- Students targeting graduate medicine, dentistry or research
- People interested in tropical, infectious and rural health
- Self-starters who pursue summer research scholarships
It is probably not for you if
- Students unsure about lab-based work
- Those who dislike final exams or memorisation-heavy subjects
- People wanting direct registration to practise on graduation
- Students who prefer humanities-style essay work
Related courses at JCU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the James Cook University website and on QTAC before applying.