Tasnim Thamer

I was introduced to the University of Melbourne was when I was selected for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program in 2020. I remember loving how beautiful the campus was and its close proximity to the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.

In my final year of high school, I had a taste of what studying at UniMelb would look like by undertaking the University of Melbourne Extension Program for Biology, which granted me the opportunity to study alongside first year Bachelor of Science students. This was such a wonderful, formative experience and really solidified my decision to apply for tertiary study here.

Biomedical and clinical sciences have always been an area of great interest to me, so naturally I looked into the Bachelor of Biomedicine. I appreciated how this course granted us the flexibility to select a major and relevant electives but also ensured our core subjects covered topics crucial to a holistic understanding of health and biomedical science, equipping us to succeed in any avenue of our choosing. The University of Melbourne’s strong ties with leading research institutions and hospitals also meant that we have access to lots of exciting opportunities, including incredible coursework and research experiences. Additionally, the University also offers many scholarships to help reduce the obstacles to accessing a quality education. After considering all of these factors, I felt that studying Biomedicine at UniMelb was the best option for me.

The ability to tailor my degree to my interests has been especially great, as I am able to major in Pharmacology and still undertake subjects in other areas I’m interested in, such as Immunology and Epidemiology. I particularly appreciate that theoretical content is often complemented by practical classes and clinical examples to help us understand and contextualise concepts in classes like anatomy and microbiology.

I am also impressed by the quality of teaching at the University of Melbourne. It has been particularly wonderful to listen to lectures by researchers and clinicians from neighbouring research institutes and hospitals who are experts in their field.

Speaking of research, there are a plethora of research opportunities available to students both within the University and at partner institutes. In third year, I was able to conduct a small research project as part of my major and present my findings at a symposium to my peers. The skill of presenting and communicating scientific data to an informed or lay audience is crucial in any career and studying Biomedicine has truly taught me the value of strong science communication.

Finally, I think it is amazing how the new Public Health and Epidemiology major can grant students advanced standing for the Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne.

I hope to pursue further study in public health and medicine, so that I can contribute to improving health on an individual and community level.

Studying the Bachelor of Biomedicine has helped me develop a strong foundation in human health, and mentoring opportunities organised by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, have allowed me to meet people in careers I am interested in. This has been critical to informing my future plans.

• The subject Handbook and My Course Planner are your best friends when planning your degree.
• Don’t be scared to talk to your lecturers and ask them questions! It is what they are here for and it’s a great way to connect with people working in fields you’re interested in.