Master of Biomedical Science (Genomics and Precision Medicine)

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The Master of Biomedical Science (Genomics and Precision Medicine) prepares science and health graduates to work at the forefront of genetics, genomics and personalised healthcare, with particular emphasis on translating advanced genomic and omic technologies into disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. It suits recent graduates as well as established scientists and healthcare professionals who want deeper expertise in genetic medicine, laboratory science, genomic data interpretation and biomedical research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
As this is a one-year, 48-credit-point master’s, students develop both laboratory and genomic expertise through the core units Clinical Laboratory Science (BMSC5001) and Genomics, Omics and Medical Applications (GMED5002). They can deepen their specialisation through units such as Genomics in Clinical Practice (GMED5001), Cancer Genomics (GMED5004), Pathogen Genomics (PGEN5001) and Advances in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment (BMSC5002), before completing a 12-credit-point capstone as either a Biomedical Research Project or an Industry and Community Project.

Learning outcomes: Apply contemporary genomic and omic techniques | Interpret genomic variants and complex biomedical data | Understand whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing | Integrate phenotypic and genomic information | Apply evidence to disease diagnosis and treatment | Analyse laboratory and research data | Translate scientific findings into clinical and research settings

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Master of Biomedical Science itself is not listed as a professionally accredited registration-qualifying degree; University regulations classify it as a professional master’s course. However, the stream-selective unit GMED5001 Genomics in Clinical Practice has been approved by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Clinical Genetics Advanced Training Committee to fulfil the Genetics University Course Requirement for advanced training in Clinical Genetics.

Reputation: The University of Sydney is ranked 28th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with its employer reputation ranked 46th globally. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Sydney ranks 23rd globally for Life Sciences & Medicine and =26th for Medicine, providing a strong academic and research environment for biomedical and genomic study.

Official Master of Biomedical Science (Genomics and Precision Medicine) page

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Practical experience is built directly into this master’s through laboratory training, case-based genomics learning and a major research or industry capstone. Clinical Laboratory Science is delivered at Westmead in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, where students develop proficiency in modern biomedical laboratory techniques and use specialised digital and analytical tools to analyse research and clinical data. Genomics study adds experiential clinical cases, bioinformatics approaches and technologies including whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, variant interpretation and omic analysis.

Students can then apply this knowledge through the following course-specific opportunities:

Biomedical Research Project: Students can choose BMSC5106 Biomedical Research Project A and BMSC5107 Biomedical Research Project B, working in a research environment to design and conduct a project in their area of specialisation and communicate findings through research-based outputs. This pathway is particularly valuable for students considering future doctoral research.
Industry and Community Project: Instead of the research capstone, students can choose ICPU5001 Industry and Community Project A and ICPU5002 Industry and Community Project B, allowing them to address real-world challenges and build connections relevant to future employment.
State-of-the-art laboratory learning: BMSC5001 Clinical Laboratory Science is taught in specialised teaching laboratories at Westmead, using techniques and equipment relevant to biomedical, hospital, research and biotechnology laboratory settings.
Genomic technologies: Through GMED5002, students explore whole-exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, library preparation, sequencing platforms, genomic variant detection, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and gene-editing applications.
Bioinformatics and digital analysis: Students develop skills in bioinformatics approaches, genomic data interpretation and specialised digital and analytical tools. The University does not specify a single required commercial software package for this course, so specific software should not be claimed.
Westmead Health Precinct: Students study within one of Australia’s largest health, education and research precincts, where the University works alongside hospitals, pathology services and major medical research institutes.
Specialist facilities: Biomedical science students can access PC2 containment facilities, wet laboratories, teaching laboratories in the Charles Perkins Centre, the Westmead Education and Conference Centre and the Westmead Innovation Centre.
Expert and research networks: Teaching draws on clinician and biomedical scientists across the Faculty of Medicine and Health and partners including the Children’s Medical Research Institute, alongside expertise from the Specialty of Genomic Medicine, Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and Westmead Initiative.

Official biomedical science facilities and experiential learning information

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates leave with advanced knowledge of genetic medicine, genomic techniques and biomedical research, alongside the ability to translate complex scientific and laboratory evidence into clinical, research and non-clinical settings. Depending on previous qualifications and experience, relevant career directions include Biomedical Scientist, Genome Scientist, Medical Science Researcher and Clinical Trials Coordinator, with broader opportunities in laboratory pathology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, government and health research.

The degree supports the move from specialist study into professional or research careers through several University resources and industry-facing experiences:

Sydney Careers Centre: Students receive support with career planning, job applications, CVs, interviews, internships, vacation work and graduate employment, including access to one-to-one career consultations.
Sydney CareerHub: Students can search internships, graduate roles and other employment opportunities; the University reports approximately 30,000 job advertisements annually through CareerHub.
Industry connections: The course allows students to choose an Industry and Community Project as their capstone, designed to build connections and apply genomic and biomedical knowledge to real-world challenges.
Research and healthcare partnerships: Students learn within a network that includes the Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead Health Precinct, Faculty of Medicine and Health research groups and the University’s Specialty of Genomic Medicine.
Graduate employability: Sydney’s employer reputation is ranked 46th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while the University provides career services from enrolment through to alumni life.
Employment and salary figures: The University does not currently publish a course-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure for the Master of Biomedical Science (Genomics and Precision Medicine), so a specific percentage or salary should not be quoted as an official program outcome.
Professional value: The program builds specialist capability in genomics, laboratory science, bioinformatics and translation of genomic evidence into healthcare and research. While the whole degree is not listed as a registration-qualifying accredited program, GMED5001 carries specific RACP Clinical Genetics training recognition.
Graduation outcomes: Possible career areas officially identified by Sydney for biomedical science graduates include biomedical science, academic and medical research, laboratory medical science, biotechnology, clinical trials, health policy, pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, and hospital/pathology laboratory science.

Further Academic Progression:
Students who select the Biomedical Research Project capstone can use the master’s to strengthen preparation for higher-degree research. The University specifically notes that undertaking the research-project pathway can help propel students towards a PhD, and the Faculty of Medicine and Health offers postgraduate research options including the Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health) and Master of Philosophy (Medicine and Health) in areas that can include genetics and genomic medicine.

Official University of Sydney course page