- Program summary Program overview Career opportunities
- Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation Program structure Program requirements and notes Enquiries Recommended enrolment pattern
Program summary
QTAC code: 013071
OP/Rank for 2008 entry: OP-18 / Rank-62
Award abbreviation: BBiotech
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places
Total units: 288 units (normally 24 courses)
Recommended prior study: English, Maths and at least one of the Sciences
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
CRICOS code: not available to international students on student visas
Program overview
Biotechnology is an expanding and exciting field touching our everyday lives. It offers an unprecedented ability to understand and manipulate a wide range of organisms and life processes. You will gain a strong foundation in scientific areas that underpin most biotechnology. You have the opportunity to pursue interests in the latter part of the program in biotechnology dealing with animals, particularly marine animals in aquaculture and fisheries, plants, environmental biotechnology and microbiology.
You also undertake training in business to develop skills in commercialisation, marketing and intellectual property. Your third year of study has an applied focus. There is sufficient flexibility in the program for you to pursue a number of options including further business courses, in particular marketing and management, to develop strong skills for the commercial applications of biotechnology, as well as the possibility of industry placement and special scholarship projects with an emphasis on research.
Professional membership
Graduates may become members/associate members of the following professional bodies depending on their areas of specialisation:
- Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Australian Society of Microbiology
- Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Australian Society for Genetics
Career opportunities
Graduates that choose to enter the workforce rather than proceed to postgraduate studies may obtain employment in the following fields:
Agri-biotech
• Animal Health and Breeding Programs/Genetic Engineering
• Aquaculture and Fisheries
• Fibre Crops
• Nutraceuticals/Functional Foods
Environmental Biotechnology
• Bio-discovery (Bio-pesticides)
• Biological control of Pests and Plant Diseases
• Bioremediation
• Water Management and Treatment
• Bio-monitoring/Detection Systems (Biosensors)
• Marine Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology
• Biomaterials
• Bio-mining
• Enzymes, Health care products, Bio-pharmaceuticals
• Bio-fuels
• Food Processing
Other
• Patent law, IP, Commercialization of biological discoveries,
• Government Departments for Policy Advice and Ethics
• Biotechnology Marketing and Promotion
• Forensic Science
• Biotechnology Education
Core courses
Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Introductory courses
4 required courses:
BUS105 Marketing Theory and Practice
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Plus select 2 courses from the Faculty of Science, Health and Education. These must not include NUR or EDU coded courses.
Advanced courses
3 required courses:
LFS251 Biochemistry
LFS252 Molecular Biology
LFS261 Microbiology
Plus select at least 5 biotechnology or related courses as approved by the Dean *, a minimum of 3 of which must be coded at 300 level.
Plus select at least 2 advanced courses from the Faculty of Science, Health and Education. These must not include EDU or NUR coded courses.
Electives
Select up to 6 courses from any faculty (Faculty of Science, Health and Education, Arts and Social Sciences or Business)
* List of Biotechnology or related courses:
BIM263 Introduction to Pharmacology
BIM341 Biochemical Pharmacology
ENS232 Ecological Principles of Land and Water Management
ENS321 Restoration Ecology and Genetics
ENS332 Production Systems Research
ENS371 Aquaculture
NUT201 Principles of Food Preservation
NUT311 Food Chemistry and Analysis
LFS262 Medical Microbiology
MBT301 Food Microbiology and Fermentation
MBT352 Molecular Biotechnology
MBT353 Microbial Pathogenesis
BIM331 Immunology
MBT361 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
SRP301 Special Scholarship Project †
SRP302 Special Scholarship Project †
WPL310 Workplace Learning I †
WPL320 Workplace Learning II †
WPL330 Workplace Learning III †
† With Course Coordinator approval.
Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program
As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
Program requirements and notes
- Refer to the Academic Rules.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern.
- International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
- A minimum of 4 x 300 (3rd year level) courses must be selected in total.
Enquiries
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au