Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swinburne University of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) at Swinburne gives you the best of both worlds: a deep understanding of human health and the science behind life at a molecular level. It’s ideal for curious students who want to explore how chemistry drives biological processes while learning how to apply that knowledge to real-world health challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll lay the foundations for both health and biochemistry. You’ll study units like Introduction to Health Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, and Concepts of Biotechnology to understand how the body works and the chemical mechanisms behind life. This combination sets you up with the knowledge and skills to tackle more advanced topics later on.

Year 2:
During the second year, you’ll start connecting theory with practice. Units like Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins and Advanced Biochemistry give you hands-on lab experience, while health science courses focus on disease, research methods, and community health, helping you see how chemistry and health intersect.

Year 3:
In your third year, your study becomes more specialised and research-focused. You might take Molecular Biotechnology or Computational Chemistry: Methods and Applications, while health science units push you to apply evidence-based approaches in projects and research, preparing you for professional work or further study.

Year 4:
Your final year is about bringing everything together. You’ll complete capstone projects and advanced electives that integrate biochemistry and health science, demonstrating your critical thinking, laboratory expertise, and ability to tackle complex, real-world problems.

Focus Areas

Human health and wellbeing, biochemical mechanisms, molecular and cellular processes, research methods, analytical chemistry, and interdisciplinary applications.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with the skills to understand biological systems at both molecular and health levels, carry out lab-based investigations, analyse and interpret data, communicate findings effectively, and solve real-world problems in health and science contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biochemistry major meets the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) standards, giving you a pathway to professional membership and recognition in the field of chemistry.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Swinburne is recognised internationally for its strengths in science and health disciplines, with strong teaching, research, and graduate employability, helping your degree stand out to employers and postgraduate programs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Health Science / Biochemistry double degree at Swinburne, practical experience is central to how you learn. From the very beginning, you’ll work in modern, fully equipped labs and take part in projects that let you apply theory to real-world scenarios. You’ll collaborate with classmates on research tasks, analyse data, and see how your learning connects directly to professional practice. You’ll also have opportunities to gain workplace experience through Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning, giving you a head start on your career:

Here’s how experiential learning is built into your degree:

Work Integrated Learning projects: Industry-linked projects like the Health Sciences Project let you apply your knowledge to real challenges, giving you hands-on experience that employers value.
Modern chemistry and biotechnology labs: Learn in Chemistry and Biotechnology Laboratories equipped for molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and cellular studies — just like professional research environments.
Collaborative research and team projects: Many units include group projects where you work with peers to solve problems, prepare reports, and present findings, building both technical and teamwork skills.
Digital and academic resources: Swinburne’s libraries and online tools give you access to scientific journals, databases, and software, supporting your research and lab work throughout the degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Bachelor of Health Science / Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) at Swinburne opens the door to a wide range of careers where your knowledge of both human health and biochemistry will make you stand out. You could step into roles like medical researcher, public health specialist, biochemical analyst, or laboratory scientist, bringing hands-on experience and problem-solving skills that employers value. With practical projects and workplace-ready skills built into your degree, you’ll feel confident starting your career right away.

Career support services: Swinburne’s Careers & Employability team helps with CVs, interviews, career advice, and connections to jobs and internships through the SwinEmploy platform, ensuring you have guidance from day one.
Strong graduate outcomes: Health and science graduates from Swinburne enjoy high employment rates, with many finding full-time work shortly after graduating. The median graduate salary is around A$77,900, reflecting the value of the skills and knowledge you gain.
Work Integrated Learning: Through Swinburne’s WIL program, you can participate in placements, internships, and industry-linked projects, which often lead to job opportunities directly after graduation.
Industry connections: Swinburne collaborates with organisations across health, science, and technology, giving you opportunities to network, gain real-world experience, and develop professional relationships.
Long-term career value: This double degree highlights your versatility and ability to solve complex problems — traits that will help you grow in your career and stand out to employers or postgraduate programs.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue your studies to specialise further. Popular options include a Master of Public Health or Master of Biomedical Science for advanced clinical or research roles. For a stronger research focus, a Master of Research or PhD can open doors to leadership positions in research institutes, universities, or high-level scientific roles in industry.