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
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 in 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: