Bachelor of Biomedical Science / Master of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Murdoch University Australia

Program Overview

The Murdoch University Bachelor of Biomedical Science / Master of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control is an integrated pathway program that combines foundational biomedical science with advanced training in infectious disease monitoring, epidemiology, and public health response. It is designed for students interested in understanding how diseases spread, how outbreaks are controlled, and how biomedical science supports global health systems and disease prevention strategies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build core scientific foundations through units such as Foundations of Human Biology, Chemistry for the Life Sciences, and Cells and Molecules. These subjects introduce cellular biology, human physiology, and chemical processes in living systems while developing essential laboratory skills and scientific thinking.

Year 2

The second year develops deeper biomedical understanding through units such as Human Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. Students begin focusing on infectious agents, immune system responses, and disease mechanisms while strengthening laboratory techniques and data analysis skills.

Year 3

In the third year, students progress into advanced biomedical and disease-focused study with units such as Immunology, Epidemiology, and Molecular Biology. The curriculum emphasises how infectious diseases emerge, spread, and are controlled using scientific research and population health strategies.

Year 4

The final year focuses on infectious disease surveillance and control through advanced study in outbreak investigation, public health response systems, and applied epidemiology within the Master’s component. Students develop expertise in monitoring disease patterns, analysing health data, and designing intervention strategies for infectious disease control in national and global contexts.

Focus Areas

Biomedical science, infectious disease surveillance, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, public health, molecular biology, outbreak control, disease prevention, global health systems.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced knowledge of infectious disease biology and control systems, apply epidemiological and laboratory methods, analyse public health data, evaluate disease outbreaks, communicate scientific findings effectively, and develop professional competencies for global health and disease surveillance roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Master of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control component is designed in alignment with public health and global disease management frameworks, preparing graduates for work in health surveillance, epidemiology, and infectious disease control roles. The biomedical science foundation provides strong preparation for scientific and healthcare-related career pathways.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Murdoch University is recognised for its applied science education, research-driven teaching, and strong focus on real-world health challenges including infectious disease and public health. The program benefits from interdisciplinary training that supports graduate readiness for careers in biomedical science, epidemiology, and global health systems.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Murdoch University Bachelor of Biomedical Science / Master of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control gain practical, real-world experience through laboratory-based biomedical training combined with advanced public health and epidemiology-focused learning. The program develops hands-on skills in microbiology, immunology, disease detection, and data-driven outbreak analysis, preparing students to understand how infectious diseases are monitored and controlled in real healthcare systems.

Through Murdoch University’s science laboratories and research-informed teaching environment, students apply biomedical techniques alongside population health tools used in disease surveillance and control. Learning is supported by practical investigations, case-based learning, and digital health analysis methods that reflect real-world epidemiological practice:

Biomedical Science Laboratories: Students undertake hands-on practical training in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and pathology-related laboratory work.
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Training: Students engage in practical learning involving outbreak investigation methods, disease tracking, and analysis of infection patterns in populations.
Microbiology and Infectious Disease Labs: Laboratory work includes microbial culture, pathogen identification, immune response analysis, and diagnostic science techniques.
Data Analysis and Public Health Tools: Students use epidemiological datasets, digital health platforms, and statistical analysis tools to interpret disease trends and public health information.
Case-Based and Scenario Learning: Real-world outbreak scenarios and public health case studies are used to simulate infectious disease response and control strategies.
Collaborative Group Projects: Students work in teams on epidemiological investigations, research presentations, and public health response planning exercises.
Research-Informed Learning Environment: The program integrates current infectious disease research and global health challenges into teaching and laboratory work.
Digital Scientific Resources: Students access biomedical databases, scientific journals, epidemiology research platforms, and public health surveillance tools.
Advanced Laboratory Equipment: Training includes the use of modern biomedical instruments used in microbiology, diagnostics, and molecular analysis.
Library and Health Science Resources: Murdoch University Library provides access to specialist biomedical, epidemiology, and public health research materials and academic databases.
Industry-Relevant Health Focus: The program aligns with real-world public health systems, preparing students for infectious disease monitoring and healthcare response environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Biomedical Science / Master of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control are prepared for impactful careers in public health, epidemiology, biomedical research, and global disease prevention. This integrated qualification equips students with strong scientific and analytical skills to work in roles such as Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Officer, Public Health Analyst, Biomedical Scientist, or Disease Surveillance Coordinator across government, healthcare, and research sectors:

Murdoch Careers and Employability Support: Students access dedicated career services including personalised career counselling, CV and interview preparation, employer networking events, and employability workshops designed to improve job readiness.
Public Health and Biomedical Career Pathways: The program prepares graduates for roles in disease surveillance systems, hospitals, research institutions, government health departments, and international health organisations.
Industry-Relevant Health Science Training: Students develop advanced skills in epidemiology, microbiology, data analysis, and outbreak investigation aligned with real-world infectious disease management practices.
Research and Global Health Alignment: Murdoch University’s strong research focus in health and science supports exposure to infectious disease research and global health challenges.
Workforce Demand in Public Health: Careers in epidemiology and infectious disease control are increasingly important globally, particularly in disease prevention, outbreak response, and health data analysis sectors.
Interdisciplinary Scientific Expertise: Graduates combine biomedical laboratory knowledge with population health and surveillance expertise, making them highly versatile in health-related industries.
Graduate Employability Focus: The program emphasises practical learning, scientific investigation, and applied public health skills to enhance graduate employability outcomes.
Professional Skill Development: Students build strong competencies in scientific analysis, data interpretation, research communication, and public health decision-making.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for employment in infectious disease surveillance systems, epidemiology units, biomedical laboratories, public health agencies, and global health organisations.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, graduates may pursue Honours in Biomedical Science or advanced postgraduate study such as Master of Public Health, Master of Epidemiology, Master of Infectious Diseases, or PhD-level research in biomedical science and global health. Students may also enter specialised training pathways in public health policy, disease modelling, or international health security roles.