Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)

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

The Biotechnology Specialisation is offered as part of The Bachelor of Science and requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is jointly offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Specialisations have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in The Bachelor of Science. In order to undertake a Specialisation students must be admitted to The Specialisation or Double Specialisation program. The name of The Specialisation will appear on the transcript and parchment.

• 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 successful completion of the course component, graduates should 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 Faculty 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.

Students who have completed 72 units or more with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following rule, may exit with the Diploma of Applied Science:

• at least 27 units from the First Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering
• at least 18 units from Second or Third Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Except where there is an approved Double Specialisation (see Bachelor of Science program of study) the same upper level (2xxx or above) topic cannot be counted twice. For example an upper level topic that is counted towards a specialisation may not also be counted towards a minor.

Specialisation - Biotechnology - Year 1 topics

36 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)
 Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Plus either

 CHEM1101  Chemistry 1A#  (4.5 units) AND
 CHEM1102  Chemistry 1B#  (4.5 units) AND
 a 4.5 unit First Year Science topic

or

 CHEM1201  Introduction to Chemistry A#  (4.5 units) AND
 CHEM1202  Introduction to Chemistry B#  (4.5 units) AND
 CHEM1102  Chemistry 1B#  (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Biotechnology - Year 2 topics

36 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)
 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)
 Plus a 4.5 unit of elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Biotechnology - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 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)
 Plus a 4.5 unit of elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met

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)

#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete The Specialisation.

Honours

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

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with the:

• Bachelor of Business and Technology
• Master of Business and Technology