Program Summary
Program Overview
Career Opportunities
Advanced Standing, Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit and Articulation
Program Structure
Program Requirements and Notes
Enquiries
Recommended Enrolment Patterns

Program Summary

QTAC Code: 013061
OP/Rank for 2005 Entry: OP-15 / Rank-67
Award Abbreviation: BSc(MicroBiotech)
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total Units: 288
Recommended Prior Study: English, Maths and one or more of the Sciences, preferably Chemistry
CRICOS Code: 045996A

Program Overview

Microbes can only be seen with a microscope, and are often barely thought about, yet their influence on this planet is almost impossible to overstate - half of the mass of all organisms on Earth is microbes.

We live in a sea of microbes and depend on them for our survival. In this degree, you study the good, the bad, and the ugly side of microbes. Equally importantly, you study how we can use microbes to our advantage. Many commercially important foods such as cheese, bread, beer and wine are produced by microbes.

Almost all of biotechnology, including genetic engineering, relies at some stage on using microbes: the human genome project, for example, could not have been carried out without the use of bacteria. We now heavily use elements of biotechnology to study microbes in the environment.

Professional Membership

Graduates may become members/associate members of the following professional bodies depending on their study specialisations:

• Australasian Society for Immunology
• Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
• Australian Society for Biotechnology
• Australian Society for Microbiology

Career Opportunities

If you choose to enter the workforce rather than proceed to graduate studies you may obtain employment in the following fields: agricultural microbiology, aquaculture, bioremediation, biotechnology, food microbiology, industrial microbiology, infectious disease control, marine microbial ecology, medical microbiology, medical science, microbial genetics, microbial pollution monitoring and control, microbiological research and teaching, pharmaceutical microbiology, public health microbiology, soil microbiology, and water and waste water microbiology.

Program Structure

Core Courses

2 required courses:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory Courses

4 required courses:
SCI103 Cell Biology
SCI104 Cell Metabolism
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Research Design and Data Analysis
Plus - choose 2 courses from:
SCI102 Biodiversity and the Environment
SCI107 Physics
SCI109 Environment and Health

Advanced Courses

10 required courses:
MBT251 Biochemistry
MBT252 Molecular Biology
MBT253 Pathogens and Communicable Diseases
MBT263 Microbiology
MBT352 Molecular Biotechnology
MBT353 Microbial Pathogenesis
MBT354 Immunology
MBT363 Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
MBT364 Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
SCI302 Advanced Instrumental Techniques

Elective Courses

Choose 6 courses from any faculty ( Science, Health and Education , Arts and Social Sciences or Business)

Course Substitution: The GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of their USC program, students may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider

Program Requirements and Notes

1. Both Core Courses must be completed within the first two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) enrolment.
2. A minimum of 6 and maximum of 10 introductory courses may be completed, including Core Courses, in the BSc(MicroBiotech).
3. A minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 introductory Science courses (100 level) are to be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).
4. A minimum of 14 and maximum of 18 advanced courses (200 and 300 level courses) are to be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).
5. A minimum of 5 of the advanced courses included in the BSc(MicroBiotech) must be completed from the Faculty of Science, Health and Education 300 level (third year) courses.
6. A maximum of 6 courses from outside the Faculty of Science, Health and Education (72 units), other than Core Courses, may be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).
7. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
8. Refer to the Academic Rules.
9. Refer to Explanation of Terms.
10. Refer to the Recommended Enrolment Patterns.

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869; Email: scienceinfo@usc.edu.au

Back to top