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"I love a
sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of
ragged mountain ranges... I love her jewel-sea."
Dorothea MacKellar, one of Australia's most famous
poets, certainly had it right when she penned
this poem about Australia. It is one of the most
beautiful and diverse countries in the world,
and is always top of the list for holiday destinations.
 Australia
today is also one of the most multi-cultural countries
in the world. The population of Australia, which
has just topped 19 million, is drawn from such
diverse backgrounds as the United Kingdom, many
northern and southern European countries, the
Far East and the Asia-Pacific region. With such
a diverse population, almost anyone will feel
at home in Australia. Many international students
find that because of our multiculturalism, the
transition from their home country to life in
Australia is not so hard. Life in Australia for
the international student can be an extraordinary
experience, providing them with a lifelong learning
experience and an opportunity to see and participate
in a lifestyle that is the envy of the world.
So why study Biomedical Science in Australia?
A Biomedical Science degree gained from an Australian
University puts the student at the cutting edge
of teaching and research experience anywhere in
the world. Australian Universities offer the highest
standard of tertiary education in Biomedical Science,
Biotechnology and the Biological Sciences. Academic
staff are drawn from Australia and around the
world, at the forefront of research and teaching
in their disciplines, and in many cases carrying
out research with worldwide recognition.
Australian Biomedical Sciences staff are currently
carrying out groundbreaking research into the
regeneration of heart cells to replace cells damaged
by heart attack. Success in this field of research
will save millions of lives around the world.
Research into nerve cell regeneration offers hope
of therapies for brain damage and neurodegeneration
disorders. Other researchers in the biotechnology
area are at the forefront of research into cryopreservation
of seeds and tissue cultures, ensuring preservation
of plant genetic diversity. In these days of growing
extinction of plant species, this type of research
is vital to our survival and the survival of our
planet. Biotechnology researchers in Australia
also carry out protein engineering, to produce
new enzymes to be used in industry and food processing
Australian Universities are also at the forefront
of such diverse teaching and research areas as:
- new drugs to cure the common cold
- genetic manipulation of bananas to carry vaccines
- in-vitro fertilization
- the bionic ear
- preservation of our marine resources
- developing new tropical fruit species which
are disease resistant and of higher nutritional
value - particularly relevant to third world
countries
- research and training in clinical genetics,
a new and exciting development in the Biomedical
Sciences.
 Many
Biomedical Science degrees in Australia are structured
as 'pre-medicine' degrees, preparing students
for entry to graduate medical schools to study
for a career in medicine. As in North America
and other countries, many of Australia's leading
Universities now have Graduate Medical Schools,
and a degree in Biomedical Science is an excellent
preparation for entry.
In addition, Biomedical Science has the advantage
of preparing students for a wide diversity of
career options. These range from a career as an
international biomedical researcher, to one of
the professional paramedical fields such as Clinical
Biochemistry or Physiology, where you would be
involved in cutting-edge health care delivery.
The Biological Sciences also have extensive applications
in the paramedical areas, such as Clinical Microbiology,
providing the student with the appropriate background
for further study, either for a research career
or immediate employment in the biological sciences
field.
Australia is leading the way in teaching and
research in Biotechnology. Australian Universities
also offer postgraduate study in this area, providing
students with experience in industry through professional
placements and industry-based research projects.
State and Federal governments have recently invested
high levels of funding in this area, so that studying
Biotechnology in Australia is well-supported,
thereby helping Australian Universities to further
extend their research and development in this
highly competitive area.
These are just the highlights of the strength
of teaching and research in the Biological Sciences,
Biomedical Sciences, and Biotechnology in Australia,
reflecting the depth of our biodiversity. It makes
a university degree gained in Australia in these
disciplines a must for the scientist of the future.
Author
Robyn Rose
Griffith University
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