Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Outline Outline

In the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, you will study biomedical sciences and clinical sciences, as well as healthcare in settings such as primary care, hospitals and aged care.

You'll also study Indigenous health, population health and professional development concepts.

In your first year, you'll be introduced to the curriculum domains that underpin a holistic approach to medicine. Patient cases provide the vehicle for integrating the basic and clinical sciences, and problem-based learning will give you the tools for 'thinking like a doctor'.

Your second and third years will be a more intensive study of medical knowledge that focuses on the structure and function of the human body in health and disease.

In your fourth year, you'll transition from on-campus learning into hospital and community settings (including in rural and remote locations), working with people of all ages under clinical supervision.

In your final year, you'll be immersed in clinical settings, working as a member of a healthcare team, in preparation for your internship once you graduate.

Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours)

After completing your third year, you'll have the option to apply for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours). If you are considering a career in clinical research or academia, this one-year program will give you the opportunity to progress to a higher degree by research (HDR) after your internship.

Alternative entry pathways

Additional pathways to study medicine are available for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander applicants, and for rural and equity applicants.

How this course will make you industry ready

Curtin recognises the complex issues facing the Western Australian health system, its workforce and the need for more doctors to be "generalists" in their orientation. This means we are committed to producing graduates who are better equipped to meet community needs, with primary care expertise, strong leadership skills and the ability to operate effectively in interprofessional care teams.

What you'll learn

• apply an understanding of normal development, disorders and diseases, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and scientific methods to the practice of medicine
• interpret clinical information to assess health status, formulate and explain a diagnosis, prioritise treatment based on effectiveness, provide management in consultation with the patient and carer/s, and reflect critically on health outcomes
• locate, critically evaluate and interpret evidence to inform clinical decision-making and clinical practice, and to improve the quality of health care, and health care systems
• communicate in different ways to: maintain interpersonal doctor/patient and inter-professional team relationships; ensure shared decision making in health outcomes; engage in health advocacy; and, advance health outcomes
• use appropriate technologies effectively in clinical practice and recognise the role of technology in advancing scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice
• discuss knowledge with colleagues, reflect on clinical practice, and plan on-going personal and professional development needs for self and others
• apply relevant internationally recognised evidence-based standards and practices in medicine, and evaluate the impact of global health on health and health care delivery in Australia
• demonstrate cultural competence with individuals, families and communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and account for the impact of culture on health and illness, including how one's own beliefs, attitudes and practices can influence interactions with patients, carers and the wider community
• practice medicine in a professional and safe manner by: adhering to legal responsibilities and ethical principles; working effectively in health care teams; showing leadership; demonstrating a commitment to easing pain and suffering; promoting health and advocating for patients and their families