Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biotechnology)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Specialisations).

The Biotechnology (Honours) Specialisation requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
• Combined degrees
  

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The course component aims to develop graduates who are able to function as practicioners in the interdisciplinary, global biotechnology industry. It is designed to enhance graduates' abilities to contribute to the development of scientifically sound, ethical and culturally sensitive solutions to complex problems for the economic and social benefit of society. It aims to develop graduates who work effectively within team environments and improve their practice through critical reflection and learning.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• transfer and apply core scientific concepts to propose solutions in the biotechnology industry
• work in ways that are informed by knowledge of the legislative, regulative, commercial, scientific and social environment
• use critical analysis and problem solving skills to develop, plan and implement innovative solutions within a diverse range of biotechnology industry sectors
• synthesise information and communicate effectively, succinctly and sensitively with the scientific community, co-workers, government agencies, investors, the broad public and particular cultural and Indigenous communities
• apply judgement and initiative to propose and prioritise work strategies in consultation with co-workers to achieve timely completion of a project
• work in a multidisciplinary team and incorporate the views of all stakeholders including Indigenous groups, and use self-awareness and consultation to understand their role within a group and how they can best contribute to the group
• articulate a conscious understanding of their own values and demonstrate respect for the values of others and the ability to view an ethical dilemma from multiple view points
• inform society of impending developments and engage in a constructive debate
• incorporate understanding and awareness of Indigenous and other communities' religious beliefs and culture into biotechnology practice
• plan and conduct research projects and effectively communicate research findings
• apply their understanding of commercialisation processes to biotechnology products or services.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 144 units for the degree. 

Elective topics to complete 144 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology).

Students choose from one of two streams in the Biotechnology Specialisation:

• Molecular Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology

Stream - Molecular Biotechnology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 Topics

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 BTEC1001  Introduction to Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 SPOC1701  The Nature of Science I  (4.5 units)
 STAT1122  Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

 CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1201  General Chemistry  (4.5 units)

Plus:

 CHEM1202  Chemistry for the Life Sciences  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

A 4.5 unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Molecular Biotechnology - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 Topics

 BIOL2701  Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2771  Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2772  Molecular Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3761  Foundations in Microbiology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC2001  Bioscience: from the Bench to the Community  (4.5 units)
 BTEC2002  Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects of Bioscience  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

A 4.5-unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Molecular Biotechnology - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 Topics

 BIOL3762  Protein to Proteome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3772  Integrating Molecular Biosciences  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3005  Integrating Biotechnology  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 Topics

Plus three of:

 BTEC3001  Plant Science to Food Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3002  Medical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3003  Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3004  Environmental Biotechnology  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus a 4.5-unit elective topic# from across the University where entry requirements are met.

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Stream - Molecular Biotechnology - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 Topics

BTEC8001  BioBusiness  (9 units)

Option - Year 4 Topics

Plus one of:

 BTEC7002  Professional Presentations in Biotechnology (Medicine)  (4.5 units) 
 BTEC7003  Professional Presentation in Biotechnology (Biological Science)  (4.5 units)

Plus either:

 BTEC7004A  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004B  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004C  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004D  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004E  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units)

or

 BTEC7005A  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005B  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005C  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005D  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005E  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units)

Stream - Medical Biotechnology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 Topics

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 BTEC1001  Introduction to Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 MMED1005  How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure  (4.5 units)
 SPOC1701  The Nature of Science I  (4.5 units)
 STAT1122  Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

 CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1201  General Chemistry  (4.5 units)

Plus:

 CHEM1202  Chemistry for the Life Sciences  (4.5 units)

Stream - Medical Biotechnology - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 Topics

 BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2771  Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2772  Molecular Biology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC2002  Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects of Bioscience  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED2935  Human Immunology and Infectious Diseases  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

9 units of elective topics^ from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Medical Biotechnology - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 Topics

 BIOL3762  Protein to Proteome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3772  Integrating Molecular Biosciences  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3002  Medical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3005  Integrating Biotechnology  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 Topics

Plus two of:

 BTEC3001  Plant Science to Food Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3003  Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3004  Environmental Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 MMED2934  Introduction to Human Molecular Genetics  (4.5 units)
 MMED3934  Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus a 4.5 unit elective topic#^ from across the University where entry requirements are met.

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Stream - Medical Biotechnology - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 Topics

BTEC8001  BioBusiness  (9 units)

Option - Year 4 Topics

Plus one of:

 BTEC7002  Professional Presentations in Biotechnology (Medicine)  (4.5 units) 
 BTEC7003  Professional Presentation in Biotechnology (Biological Science)  (4.5 units)

Plus either:

 BTEC7004A  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004B  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004C  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004D  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7004E  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Medicine)  (4.5/22.5 units)

or

 BTEC7005A  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005B  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005C  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005D  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units) AND
 BTEC7005E  Advanced Biotechnology Practice (Biological Sciences)  (4.5/22.5 units)

Stream - Medical Biotechnology - Recommended Electives

While students are able to select elective units from anywhere across the University, these are recommended electives.

 BIOL3761  Foundations in Microbiology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC2001  Bioscience: from the Bench to the Community  (4.5 units)

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biotechnology) may also be studied in a combined degree program with another Bachelor degree in the College of Science and Engineering where the combination meets the requirements of the credit transfer policy.