To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years .

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

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

There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology).

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 aims to develop graduates who are able to function as practitioners 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 successful completion of the course, graduates should be able to:

  • transfer and apply core scientific concepts to develop solutions in The Biotechnology industry
  • work in ways that are informed by knowledge of the legislative, regulatory, 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 (Honours) (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. A topic cannot be counted twice.

Elective topics to complete 144 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.

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).

Except where there is an approved double specialisation (see Bachelor of Science (Honours) 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 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)

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

And 4.5 unit of First Year Science topic.

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)

Specialisation - Biotechnology - Honours Year topics

36 units comprising:

 BTEC8001  BioBusiness  (9 units)

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) 

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

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biotechnology) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.