Overview

Clinical trials sit behind many of the advances made against cancer, heart failure, infectious diseases and psychiatric disorders, deepening our understanding of illness and helping bring safe, effective treatments to patients. The BSc (Hons) Biomedical and Health Sciences majoring in Clinical Trials at Adelaide University pairs a broad grounding in how the body functions in health and disease with specialist training in designing, developing and conducting trials. Students learn from globally recognised academics and explore real human anatomy specimens in specialist laboratories, while high-tech learning environments, including simulation, let them practise what they learn. The major builds a foundation in cell biology, biochemistry and pharmacology, and examines how drugs are developed and tested from discovery through to clinical trials. Cross-cultural and First Nations perspectives are embedded throughout, and students can customise their pathway through electives or a second major. A third-year placement in a clinical trial-related workplace or research environment provides hands-on experience. The course suits those who want to contribute to medical innovation, and graduates gain skills for hospitals, research organisations and pharmaceutical companies.

What You’ll Learn

Human anatomy and physiology

Introduction to health research and the development of health research skills

Health, society and health systems

Introduction to clinical trials

Non-clinical studies and drug toxicity in clinical trials

Foundations of pharmacology, including drug classification, formulation and administration

Essentials of biostatistics

Clinical trials design and analysis

Clinical trials management and data integrity

Work-integrated learning in a clinical trial or research setting

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, graduates will understand human biology from the cellular and biochemical level through to whole body systems, and how the wider health system shapes patient care. They will be able to explain how drugs are classified, formulated and administered, and describe the toxicities that must be addressed from discovery and design through preclinical testing to clinical trials. Students will apply biostatistics and statistical research methods to health questions, design and analyse trials, and manage data to ensure its accuracy and integrity. Placement experience in a clinical trial-related workplace or research setting, together with laboratory and simulation-based learning, builds practical competence alongside communication, teamwork, problem-solving and time management. Cross-cultural and First Nations perspectives within the degree support a well-rounded view of health and care. Through electives such as cancer diagnosis and treatment or infection and immunity, or a second major, students can also specialise further in preparation for health-related careers or postgraduate study.