Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) - from 1 January 2021

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

The Biotechnology Specialisation requires three 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
• Honours
• 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 with an awareness of professional practice within the interdisciplinary, global biotechnology industry. It is designed to develop 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 propose 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
• 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.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) a student must complete 108 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 108 units for the degree. 

Elective topics to complete 108 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.

Core - Year 1 Topics

27 units comprising:

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 BTEC1001  Introduction to Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1202  Chemistry for the Life Sciences  (4.5 units)
 STEM1001  Nature of STEM (4.5 units)
 STAT1122  Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

4.5 units selected from:

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

Elective - Year 1 topics

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

Core - Year 2 Topics

31.5 units comprising

 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)
 BIOL3711  Plant Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3761  Foundations in Microbiology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC2002  Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects of Bioscience  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

4.5 units elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Core - Year 3 Topics

27 units comprising:

 BIOL3762  Protein to Proteome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3772  Integrating Molecular Biosciences  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3802  Bioinformatics  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3004  Environmental Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC8004  BioBusiness  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 Topics

4.5 units selected from

 BTEC3002  Medical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)
 BTEC3003  Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

4.5 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.¹

Course Rule Notes

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

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (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.