Master of Biomedical Science (Infection and Immunity)

Practical laboratory training is a major feature of the program. In Clinical Laboratory Science, students learn in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories using techniques and equipment relevant to hospital, research, biotechnology and clinical laboratory environments, while specialist infection and immunity subjects add laboratory classes in areas such as immunology, virology and bacteriology. Students can then apply these skills through either an independent biomedical research project or a collaborative industry and community capstone.

Course-specific practical opportunities and facilities include:

• Clinical laboratory training: BMSC5001 Clinical Laboratory Science develops analytical and clinical laboratory skills used in disease detection, diagnosis, treatment and biomedical research, with learning undertaken in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories.
• Immunology laboratory classes: INIM5112 Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapy combines lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes while examining autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, cancer, infectious disease, transplant rejection and allergy. Students also study monoclonal antibodies, cellular therapies and therapeutic vaccines.
• Biomedical Research Project: Students choosing BMSC5106 and BMSC5107 work within a research environment, design and conduct experiments and communicate their findings through a thesis, developing skills relevant to independent scientific research and future PhD study.
• Industry and Community Project: Students can alternatively undertake ICPU5001 and ICPU5002, working collaboratively on authentic biomedical and health problems developed with external industry or community partners. The projects involve team-based investigation, problem solving and presenting evidence-based recommendations.
• PC2 containment facilities: Biomedical science students have access to PC2 containment facilities, supporting hands-on learning relevant to biomedical and infection-related laboratory work.
• Charles Perkins Centre laboratories: Students can access award-winning teaching laboratories and wet laboratories within the Charles Perkins Centre, supporting multidisciplinary biomedical teaching and research.
• Westmead facilities: The program benefits from the University's wider biomedical infrastructure, including learning spaces at the Westmead Education and Conference Centre and Westmead Innovation Centre, within one of Sydney's major health precincts.
• Infectious diseases research environment: The Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute connects more than 300 academic members across the University and reported more than AUD 37 million in infection-related research grant income in 2024, providing a substantial research ecosystem around infectious disease.
• Specialist scientific expertise: The course is taught by medical microbiologists and immunology researchers from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health and its infectious-disease research network, linking classroom learning with current developments in infection and immunity research.

The official course information does not specify one compulsory commercial software package, so it would be better not to claim a particular software platform for this program.

Official biomedical science facilities information

Graduates develop advanced knowledge of infectious disease, immunology and clinical laboratory science alongside practical skills in research, data interpretation and evidence-based laboratory practice. Relevant career directions identified by the University include Biomedical Scientist, Laboratory Medical Scientist, Clinical Trials Coordinator and Hospital/Research Scientist, with opportunities also extending into biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, biosecurity and biomedical research.

The program supports this transition into employment and further professional development through:

• University Careers Centre: Students can access free support for career planning, job applications, interview preparation and finding internships, vacation work and graduate positions. The Careers Centre also runs regular workshops and employability programs such as Univative and Graduate Edge.
• Sydney CareerHub: Students can search University-listed graduate roles, internships and employment opportunities in Australia and overseas, as well as book one-to-one career consultations.
• Digital career tools: Students have access to CV360 for instant CV feedback and the Sydney Careers Toolkit, which includes aptitude-test practice, a LinkedIn Networking Tool and a Video Interviews module.
• Industry-linked capstone: The Industry and Community Project enables students to work in teams on authentic problems developed with external partners, building skills in collaboration, interdisciplinary problem-solving, research and professional communication.
• Research connections: Students study within a University environment linked to the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, which supports a network of more than 300 academics working across infectious disease research.
• Graduate employability: The University of Sydney's employer reputation is ranked 46th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, providing broader evidence of strong employer recognition.
• Employment and salary figures: The University currently does not publish a course-specific employment percentage or graduate salary figure for the Master of Biomedical Science (Infection and Immunity), so no specific salary or employment rate should be presented as an official course outcome.
• Long-term professional value: Although the course is not listed as an externally accredited registration qualification, its status as a professional master’s degree, combined with specialist clinical laboratory training and a research or industry capstone, supports progression across biomedical research, infectious diseases, laboratories and related health industries.
• Graduation outcomes: The University states that graduates should be well versed in research literature and laboratory techniques relating to the containment, diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease, capable of critical reflection and able to use an evidence-based approach in clinical, research and non-clinical environments.

Further Academic Progression:
Students interested in research can choose the Biomedical Research Project capstone, which the University specifically describes as preparation for higher-degree research such as a PhD. After completing the master's, suitable progression can include the Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health) or Master of Philosophy (Medicine and Health), with research potentially continuing in areas such as infectious diseases, immunology, microbiology and related medical sciences.

Official Master of Biomedical Science (Infection and Immunity) course page