Master of Biomedical and Health Science

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Master of Biomedical and Health Science is a research-intensive postgraduate degree built around the strengths of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, giving students advanced training in biomedical research, laboratory techniques and translation of scientific discoveries into health and biotechnology applications. It suits graduates who want to deepen or broaden their biomedical expertise, move into research or industry, or prepare for a future graduate research degree.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a strong research foundation through Research Training: Critical Thinking and Communication Skills (BMS5001), Research Techniques: Tissues, Organs and Systems (BMS5002) and Research Techniques: Molecular and Cellular Techniques (BMS5014), alongside training in ethics, integrity and biostatistics through BMS5013. They can then shape their specialist knowledge through areas such as Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (BMS5012), Advanced Neuroscience (BMS5004), Infectious Diseases and Population Health (BMS5003), Cardiovascular Biology and Disease (BMS5006) or Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells (BMS5005).

Year 2:
The second year shifts from structured coursework to intensive professional research through Research Project and Thesis (BMS5008) and Industry Training and Internship (BMS5009). Students undertake an approximately 8–9 month research laboratory placement, completing a literature review, helping design and conduct a full-time research project, presenting their findings and producing a thesis, followed by a two-month professional internship in a research or commercial environment.

Note: The standard Entry Level 1 pathway is 2 years/96 credit points. Applicants with an eligible honours degree may enter at Entry Level 2 and complete 48 credit points in 1 year, consisting of the research project and professional practice component.

Learning outcomes: Design and conduct biomedical research | Apply molecular, cellular, tissue and systems-level laboratory techniques | Critically analyse scientific literature and research data | Apply biostatistics, research ethics and integrity | Communicate scientific findings effectively | Work collaboratively in laboratory environments | Translate biomedical discoveries towards research and industry applications

Professional alignment (accreditation): Monash does not list a separate external professional accreditation for the Master of Biomedical and Health Science. Instead, the degree is strongly aligned with biomedical research and biotechnology employment through research training, employability modules, a major thesis project and the BMS5009 Industry Training and Internship component.

Reputation: Monash is ranked #26 globally and #3 in Australia for Life Sciences and Medicine in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The degree is closely linked to the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, which brings together more than 700 researchers, 120 research groups and 200 international research collaborators.

Official Master of Biomedical and Health Science course page

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is one of the strongest features of this degree. Students receive extensive hands-on laboratory training before moving into an 8–9 month research placement in a laboratory of their choice and then a two-month professional internship, creating a clear progression from learning research techniques to conducting original research and finally applying those skills in a professional biomedical environment.

Students can develop practical and professional skills through:

Hands-on laboratory training: BMS5002 and BMS5014 provide extensive laboratory and research training at tissue, organ, systems, molecular and cellular levels. BMS5002 alone includes 42 hours of laboratories, with students designing experiments, collecting and analysing data and working collaboratively in laboratory teams.
8–9 month research laboratory placement: Students complete an intensive research project in a laboratory aligned with their chosen biomedical specialisation, including project planning, literature review, experimentation, seminars and a formal thesis.
Two-month professional internship: The BMS5009 Industry Training and Internship gives students workplace experience in a research or commercial setting and develops professional behaviours, workplace communication and industry awareness.
Named internship environments: Monash identifies previous or potential internship opportunities with organisations and facilities such as Janssen, Exopharm, Monash Food Innovation Centre, Monash Biomedical Imaging and laboratories within the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
Biomedical Learning and Teaching Building: Students train in the purpose-built facility at Clayton, which includes flexible wet and dry laboratories, interactive teaching spaces and state-of-the-art equipment for biomedical learning.
Monash Biomedical Imaging: Researchers have access to facilities supporting X-ray, CT, PET, SPECT and MRI research across preclinical and clinical applications.
Advanced microscopy and cellular analysis: Research infrastructure includes Monash Micro Imaging, FlowCore, the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy, supporting advanced light microscopy, fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry and high-resolution structural research.
Genomics and bioinformatics: Monash research platforms provide sequencing technologies and bioinformatics expertise, alongside eResearch and statistical consulting support for advanced data analysis.
Proteomics and metabolomics: Students working within relevant laboratories may encounter advanced mass-spectrometry infrastructure for proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and biomarker research.
Industry-oriented professional training: The degree includes employability development in areas such as Good Clinical Practice, Good Manufacturing Practice, Pharmacovigilance and Design Thinking in Healthcare, helping students understand research, regulatory and commercial environments.

The University does not prescribe one universal software package for every student because the analytical tools used depend on the individual research project and laboratory; however, Monash provides specialist bioinformatics, statistical analysis, eResearch and scientific visualisation infrastructure through its research platforms.

Official Monash BDI research infrastructure and facilities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers spanning biomedical research, biotechnology, clinical research, regulation, scientific communication and health-related policy. Monash specifically identifies career directions including Research Scientist/Research Assistant, Clinical Trials Professional, Policy or Research Officer, and Quality Assurance or Regulatory Affairs Associate, with additional opportunities in research funding and medical or scientific writing.

The degree supports this transition from university to professional practice through:

Built-in industry experience: The compulsory professional-practice component includes a two-month research or industry internship, giving students experience beyond the academic laboratory before graduation.
Specific industry exposure: Internship environments highlighted by Monash include Janssen, Exopharm, Monash Food Innovation Centre, Monash Biomedical Imaging and Monash BDI research laboratories.
CareerEdge: Monash students can access CareerEdge, which provides personalised career and employability guidance based on individual goals, strengths and areas for development, alongside industry experiences, networking and leadership opportunities.
Jobs and opportunities support: Monash provides access to student-only employment opportunities, internships, graduate roles and a graduate and internship calendar to help students identify relevant opportunities during and after their studies.
Professional preparation: Employability modules covering Good Clinical Practice, Good Manufacturing Practice, Pharmacovigilance and Design Thinking in Healthcare strengthen preparation for clinical research, pharmaceutical, regulatory and biotechnology environments.
Research network: The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute is home to more than 700 researchers and 120 research groups, giving students opportunities to build professional and academic networks within a major biomedical research community.
Global academic standing: Monash ranks #26 globally for Life Sciences and Medicine in QS 2026 and #27 globally for Medical and Health in Times Higher Education 2026, strengthening the international recognition of the qualification.
Employment and salary figures: Monash currently does not publish a course-specific graduate employment percentage or salary figure for the Master of Biomedical and Health Science on its official course page, so a specific salary or employment percentage should not be presented as an official outcome.
Long-term professional value: Although the program is not listed as a professionally accredited registration degree, its combination of laboratory training, an extended research project, thesis, professional development and industry internship provides substantial preparation for research and biotechnology careers.
Graduation outcomes: Official Monash career outcomes include clinical trials employment, research scientist or research assistant, policy or research officer, research grants and funding specialist, medical or science writer, and quality assurance or regulatory affairs associate.

Further Academic Progression:
Successful completion of the Master of Biomedical and Health Science can provide a pathway to a graduate research degree such as a PhD. The major BMS5008 Research Project and Thesis, direct academic supervision and intensive laboratory research experience are particularly valuable for students planning to continue into doctoral-level biomedical research.

Official Master of Biomedical and Health Science course page