Bioscience is the study of living organisms, from the largest mammals and plants to microorganisms. Due to innovations within the industry, Bioscience has been making significant strides and you can see this from the improvements of medicine that cure diseases, environmental techniques that rid of hazardous waste as well as the wide array of food (e.g. seedless fruit) in the supermarket.
If you choose to be a scientist, you need to have an aptitude not in just Biology, but also Chemistry and Physics. You also need to be comfortable being in labs all the time that may require tedious processes, keen observations and high level of accuracy. Developing these habits is not only advantageous in your career, you may also be saving lives. If you imagine yourself discovering a new cure for a rare disease, you need to be prepared of years of repetitive experiments over a long period of time. This is a field that requires patience, tenacity and perseverance.
‘’if you are planning to go into Research and Development (R&D), you will likely need to pursue Master’s Degree or PhD in the relevant field’’
In general, Bioscience has 3 main branches: Biomedical Science, Biotechnology and Biochemistry. However, some universities also offer more specific areas such as microbiology, bioinformatics and food science. Either way, you can expect to also spend a significant amount of time in the laboratory, gaining skills in research methodology as well as lab management.
Completing a Bioscience Degree will lead you to eventual specialisations to perform research and solve problems in various sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage. There are also other science-related jobs outside research such as health & safety officer, medical information officer, biomanufacturing quality officer, pharmaceutical sales representative, science journalist and lecturer.
There are several pathways to your desired degree after your Secondary Education. You can choose to pursue a Pre-University course, a Foundation in Science in your chosen university or a Diploma in Bioscience. Upon completion of any of those qualification, you will then be eligible to pursue a Degree in Bioscience.
*As a rule of thumb: ‘A’ Level minimum 2 Cs including Chemistry and Biology or Physics; STPM minimum 2 Cs including Chemistry and Biology or Physics; Australian Pre-University minimum of ATAR 65.0; Foundation in Science minimum CGPA of 2.5; Matrikulasi minimum CGPA 2.5.
Alongside doctors and nurses, pharmacists help to maintain and restore the health and wellbeing of patients. Pharmacists not only dispense pills to make you feel better but also conduct extensive clinical trials on new drugs in the market.
If you choose to be a pharmacist, you need to have a strong foundation in science, particularly Biology and Chemistry. In school, you will be studying many science-related subjects, all of which can be academically challenging. However, the learning does not stop there as you will also be expected to know many types of drugs, appropriate dosages, their brand names and drug reactions. All of these should not cloud the main purpose of your profession which is to help people and advise both patients and doctors on prescriptions.
‘’just like other healthcare personnel, you can expect irregular working hours and night shifts depending on the hospitals or pharmacies’’
A Pharmacy degree will allow you to learn how a drug interacts with the human body and other drugs, as well as how medicine is made. You may be able to help your patients in the hospitals or the general public in commercial pharmacies or research labs.
Completing a Degree in Pharmacy will allow you to pursue a career as a pharmacist in hospitals, industries and research labs. You will also need to obtain a permit and/or complete compulsory service to practice in a particular country.
There are several pathways to your desired degree after your Secondary Education. You can choose to pursue a Pre-University course or a Foundation in Science in your chosen university. Upon completion of any of those qualification, you will then be eligible to pursue a Degree in Pharmacy. Do your research for your desired university as entry requirements of top-tier institutions are usually more competitive.
*As a rule of thumb: ‘A’ Level minimum 3 Bs; STPM minimum 3 Bs; Australian Pre-University minimum of ATAR 80.0; Foundation in Science minimum CGPA of 3.0. All qualifications should include Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics. Good grade in Chemistry is essential.
International College of Management
Western Sydney Institute
Sydney College of the Arts
UNSW
UTS
