Bachelor of Biotechnology for 2010

Course overview

The Bachelor of Biotechnology is a four year program offered by three faculties - Science; Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; and Engineering and has been designed to meet industry needs for graduates with specific training in biotechnology. Graduates will have specific training in a discipline relevant to biotechnology and will also learn about the commercial, regulatory and ethical aspects of biotechnology. Developed after consultation with leaders of the biotechnology industry it offers the opportunity to specialise in one of six areas of biotechnology including: biomolecular processing, chemical biotechnology, medical biotechnology, materials and nanotechnology, pharmacological chemistry, and plant and animal biotechnology. The specialist stream is chosen after completing a common first year. This allows students to find our where their strengths and interests lie before committing to specialization. At the end of third year, students choose either a pass degree or an honours degree, both of which take four years. Students who have fulfilled the necessary criteria may choose to do an honours degree and will complete a research project. Alternatively, if undertaking the pass degree, students have the advantage of broadening and deepening their studies by completing further studies.

Duration, campus, fees and application information

Career outlook

Graduates will have a competitive edge when seeking employment in the biotechnology industry because of their industry-specific knowledge and advanced skills in independent analysis and research in their area of specialisation.

The program opens up a wide range of career opportunities associated with biotechnology including intellectual property, regulatory affairs, government policy development, health and education, or business analysis.

Possible career outcomes include biomedical chemist, biotechnologist, biotechnology commercialisation and business development officer, drug development chemist, environmental toxicologist, environmental/water chemist, forensic scientist, genetic engineer (plant and animal breeding programs), government advisor/policy development manager, medical geneticist, medical researcher, molecular geneticist, molecular biochemist, patent officer, pharmaceutical research and development scientist, pharmaceutical chemist, political/governmental advisor, process biotechnologist, research and development scientist, risk management consultant, science communicator/journalist, quality control and assurance manager (biotechnology industry), waste and resources management consultant, and water quality and management consultant.